Who pays for a free shipping item that is being returned?

[collectablejeff]

If I sell an item with free shipping then the buyer wants to return it do I pay for the return shipping or does the buyer. Thanks again for helping me out.

[theafkgamer · Accepted solution]

It's up to you. It dosen't matter if there was free shipping originially.

If you want to be nice and pay for the return shipping, you can. If you'd rather they pay, then you can tell them that.

[bestchoicebrand · Accepted solution]

It is buyer responsibility to return unwanted item, you can pay for shipping if you like...

[reallynicestamps]

Free Shipping is an advertising term that means "shipping is included in the price of the item".

Which is cheapest:

A $5 item with $10 shipping

A $10 item with $5 shipping

A $15 item with Free Shipping?

Which is likely to sell first? Which is most likely to get a complaint about gouging on shipping cost?

In any case, the Standard Practice is that the buyer returns the item on his own dime. If he is smart he will also use a Delivery Confirmed service.

This discourages returns for Buyer Remorse and also some scams.

If the problem was caused by the seller , the Best Practice is that the seller refunds the return shipping, although this is usually done after the disputed item is returned and inspected.

For example, the seller offers a red sweater. The buyer returns the sweater because it is scarlet instead of cherry. Buyer Remorse, no return shipping refunded. The buyer returns the sweater because it is blue. Seller error and return shipping is refunded.