Today I opted in to managed returns on ebay. I just wanted to make a record of that on my blog so I can kind of track how it goes. I'm hoping that doing what ebay wants me to do...will result in better sales. Yes, I'm feeling desperate lately. My sales have tanked this week.
Have you opted in to managed returns? How is it going? Any problems?
I opted in about 2 weeks ago. So far no returns. Most of my buyers have contacted me directly about returning an item, but before I opted in I received a "return request" for a dress that was too small. The buyer paid for the label, and when I refunded upon receipt, I was credited my final value fees. It was very easy because the buyer uploaded the tracking, I was notified when it was delivered to my post office box, and automatic FVF refund. I am charging a 10% restocking fee (only on shoes) to cover the original shipping. Shoes are usually the only thing I get returned. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting about your experience Carolyn. It sounds positive and easy.
DeleteI'm not opting in. I know. I'm stubborn. I really hate being forced to comply and/or be manipulated by ebay. Even more than that, I really despise Paypal for changing their return window from 45 days to 180 days. If there was an alternative to Paypal, I'd try it. I'm already trying alternatives to eBay. Etsy seems to be picking up but there is no life at Bonanza. I'm really disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI've only made 1 sale at Bonanza and 0 on etsy. For now ebay still seems to be my best choice so I'll try to do what they want. I have been branching out to Amazon more as well. Sent in some FBA. Mostly books. I really don't think I want to do the whole retail arbitrage thing. I hate going to big box stores. Doing it for a living for me would not be fun. We'll see what happens down the road. I could go back to being a lab tech. I like that I have options.
DeleteLorraine, I feel the way you do about being manipulated by Ebay. Eventhough I opted for managed returns, I am not doing the holiday returns. I'm foregoing my discounts and all the other "perks" that go with being TRS. I thought about it hard, and honestly, I vascillated back and forth. I don't like Ebay punishing us for not doing the 90 day returns. They should be offering an incentive, not taking away. I have been preliminarily selected for Federal Court jury duty in November (3 week estimate), and I will be vacationing for 2 weeks in December, besides the fact I HATE holiday buyers, it just seemed like the right decision for me.
DeleteI've been opted in since it started. Most returns have been item didn't fit and customer paid for return shipping without any issues. I have had a few item not as described where I had to pay return shipping and take defects. One deserved- one not deserved. However, had I not been opted into managed returns, I'm sure these folks would've opened cases and the outcome would've been the same. I don't know if it's done anything to help my sales I'm convinced only listing helps that), but it is easy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight Kimberly. The more I hear from other sellers using it the less nervous I am about trying it.
DeleteWe have been on managed returns since the program started, no change in returns. We have had only 2 returns in the last 6 months and we sell only clothing. I will say we have only sold 300 items in that time though, I'm sure most of you sell much more, we have only 400 items listed at present.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to hear :)
DeleteI just did the same and opted in this morning.
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret. Thanks for commenting :)
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