eBay Expands Controversial Returns Program to UK

[pierrelebel]

eBay is introducing Managed Returns to the UK, telling sellers
they could see a 9 percent increase in sales along with better
feedback as a result of enrolling in the program, which rolls out
at the end of the month.

http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y13/m09/i03/s02

How long will it be before eBay expands the program to Canada?

[cumos55]

Managed Returns may work...

If a seller has a returns policy... How many returns have occurred

After over 10 years of selling... there has never been a return..... No returns accepted is my policy

How will this Managed Returns program be of benefit to someone who has never had a return?

Could it be what I sell?  Or.... My approach to listing books and other inventory?  Or.... the No returns policy makes a potential buyer think twice before buying....

Theoretically someone can buy a book... scan it onto a computer  and then return it!..... It an be done....  but it has to be a monetary advantage to a buyer.

Or how about a group of student buy a textbook... scan it  and then each has a copy on disc.....or on a flash drive... or........

[rose-dee]

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@pierrelebel wrote:

How long will it be before eBay expands the program to Canada?

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My guess: not long.  I wouldn't be surprised to see this in the Spring 2014 Seller Update or earlier. 

My view of this policy is that it's just another means that eBay is using to reduce, discourage and eventually eliminate direct contact between seller and buyer.  This is exactly what the "big boys" will feel comfortable with -- streamlined, automated, anonymous, conveyor-belt, impersonal exchanges of money and goods.  I can imagine the boardroom discussions over it, and other "communications" related policies, when large players like Target and others approached eBay.  Good-bye friendly eBay, hello leaner, meaner eBay...

I don't like it by the way, in case you didn't it wasn't clear from the above comments. 

[recped]

It's only "controversial" if you don't understand how it works.

It's optional and even at that it's only workable for domestic transactions which means for most Canadian sellers it would be pointless.