Returns are part of selling on eBay whether sellers advertise that they accept them on a listing or not. eBay's Money Back Guarantee (MBG) allows buyers to return an item if it is 'not equally described' and as well assists when an item is not received.

eBay sellers should understand the limits of a render policy and the bear upon of the MBG on transactions. Read on to learn more well-nigh eBay'southward Money Back Guarantee.

Accepting vs. non accepting returns

Every bit of May 2018, sellers have five return options when listing an item on eBay.com:

  • No returns accepted
  • 30-day buyer-paid returns
  • xxx-24-hour interval free returns
  • lx-24-hour interval buyer-paid returns
  • threescore-day free returns

The first option is somewhat misleading every bit a word of the Money Back Guarantee will prove afterwards, merely for the near office, it means not assuasive buyers to render an particular due to buyer'southward remorse.

Non allowing returns puts a seller as a competitive disadvantage simply can stop well-nigh buyers attempting to return items for frivolous reasons.

Accepting returns has the major advantage of providing the buyer with conviction, making them more comfortable to purchase. This tin atomic number 82 to more sales and therefore more turn a profit for a seller's business organization.

Most sellers will find that the take-upward on the return policy is low. When it is used notwithstanding, it tin mean lost sales, time and effort for the seller.

There is some customization of the return policy available such as setting the time limit for buyers to request a render, deciding who will pay for the return shipping, what kind of refund and whether at that place is a re-stocking fee for the buyer to pay.

The Money Back Guarantee

eBay'due south Money Back Guarantee supersedes a seller's return policy and provides the assurance to buyers that they will receive the item they purchased otherwise they will receive their money dorsum. It covers two master situations:

  • Item not received – The heir-apparent reports that the detail was not delivered afterward the latest estimated delivery date.
  • Detail not every bit described – The heir-apparent does not believe that the listing description matched the item they received.

In both instances, the seller first has the opportunity to resolve the situation with the buyer independently. If the buyer is not happy with the seller's response (or lack thereof), they can elevate the issue and ask eBay for assistance.

Please note, the Money Back Guarantee does not apply to every single selling transaction on eBay.

For example, items sold in the post-obit categories are non covered:

  • Vehicles (see eBay Vehicle Protection)
  • Real Estate
  • Intangible Goods
  • Websites & Business concern for Sale
  • Classified Ads
  • Some Business concern Equipment categories (see eBay Business Equipment Purchase Protection)
  • Services
  • Digital Content

Other MBG exemptions are listed on the eBay website.

Item non received

In the get-go situation, the situation can frequently exist resolved in a straightforward manner with the seller providing the buyer with evidence that the particular arrived on-time at the requested address.

If the item was not successfully delivered (at no fault of the buyer) and the seller does not offer to refund the particular, eBay volition refund the heir-apparent with the cost of the item and original aircraft costs. Reimbursement is then required by the seller.

Items not beingness received is therefore commonly a loss for sellers, just unfortunately, some wastage of this type is to exist expected in whatsoever business organisation.

Note that this issue can exist manipulated by unscrupulous buyers, who may request the item to be sent to a different address after they have purchased. This opens up the potential for a popular scam, enabled by the MBG.

Since October 2020, sellers on eBay.com have been required to transport items with signature confirmation on all orders worth over $750.

Item not as described

In 'item not as described' (INAD) cases, resolution can be much more than complicated. The trouble with this type of complaint is that the thought of an item non existence as described can be a matter of perspective.

Sellers can try their hardest to be authentic in the description of the particular simply there is ever the possibility of leaving a item out that could be important to the buyer.

Alongside the legitimate requests, sellers may also experience dishonest buyers raising INAD cases to take advantage of eBay's Money Dorsum Guarantee.

Both heir-apparent and seller can present their example to eBay with photos every bit evidence, but always call back that eBay has the reputation of siding with buyers in the manner of 'the customer is always right.'

If eBay requests the detail to exist returned to the seller, the aircraft cost will be covered by the seller. If the seller does not create a shipping label, eBay will and so charge the seller subsequently.

Sometimes, eBay does not ask the buyer to send back the item but may nevertheless refund them the price of the item and seek reimbursement from the seller. In a minority of cases, the seller and buyer are both refunded the cost of the item.

Deciding on a return policy

When because what kind of return options (if any) to offering, keep in mind the following –

  • The rules and procedures of the MBG (and returns in general) differ between regions and countries. In the UK for example, eBay requests buyers to send the particular back to the seller within 14 days for an 'particular not as described' render request. All of the information above relates to eBay.com.
  • Starting May 1, 2016, Top Rated sellers 'must offer a xxx-solar day money-back return policy to qualify for the Top Rated Plus disbelieve'.
  • Sellers receive a credit for an item'southward last value fee if they resolve an MBG issue (not received/not as described) without the involvement of eBay.
  • Since February 2016, return requests that are successfully resolved do not impact a seller's defect charge per unit.

Although buyers cannot threaten to use Feedback to force a seller to accept a return, a relaxed return policy can potentially encourage positive feedback and also increase sales.

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