Different Approaches to Returns: eBay versus Bloomingdale's

by: Mr. Me

eBAY Can offer free shipping and a very generous return policy, with the SELLER footing the bill, ebay has nothing invested. Bloomingdales. on the other hand is taking all of the risk and would go bankrupt offering ebay terms

by: comet

Wow---Can I got to Bloomies and BUY me some of those TAGS????

I also sell used higher end clothing--always have since 1999 on ebay---and I have been "lucky"  in that I don't accept returns---which some buyer HAVE actually paid attention to--but as of recently this has been chucked out the window by EBAY meddling in my sales.

I had an item I was harassed by the buyer about from about a nano second after they paid  for the item--Where is my item?  Why has it not been mailed YET--on a Sunday!---etc.  Mailed promptly and received in jig time--and about 5 seconds after receiving they opened a CASE.

They claimed the item--a Ralph Lauren piece WITH a tag---was used and stained.  Um--no.  I asked for a pic--sometimes just this is enough to get them to re-think---and they claimed they sent pics but--we never got them in the emails.

I didn't have a huge issue taking the item back per se---but something about this one stunk.

When I FINALLY got the item back it smelled SO BAD that the box had to go outside.  

Calling ebay had NO effect---their "Items must be in same condition on return as on shipping out"  is BOGUS.  So I am STUCK with a very damaged--but STILL NEW WITH TAGS!!!!!---item that I can't sell;  can't remove from the zip bag I had to place it in---And of course---the money was refunded to the bogus buyer after they had the enjoyment of wearing or at least saturating with smoke the item.  

Now a few weeks after that debacle I sold a jacket---a VINTAGE jacket.  The buyer was again a PITA with the shipping times---Where is my item!   Why have you NOT shipped my item!   Within nano seconds!  

We did ship the item within 24 hours and again---the shipping showed as very fast--so fast in fact that the CASE was filed BEFORE the item showed as DELIVERED!   Hmmmm---

This time the claim was again---damage altho at least one "trouble spot"  was clearly shown to NOT be troubled in my close ups. Getting the CSR's to LOOK at these---might as well try to broker Peace in the Middle East.   The buyer THEN decided to mention that THEY had used various "stain removal products"  on the item.

Again I called ebay---pointing out that the PO claimed the item had NOT been DELIVERED---and the odd mention of "Stain Remover".  

This triggered some neurons to fire in the Trust and Safety persons fuzzy Filipino head and the case was CLOSED IN MY FAVOR---apparently ADMITTING that you used product on the item IS an offense.  

Some days I wonder if there is a giant dart board at eBay and this is HOW they decide any given "case"  at any given time.

Makes as much sense as any OTHER method there.  

Want me some o' those taggies!!!!!

by: Gina

One way to combat the "empty box" claim:
Print a duplicate receipt and have the postmaster sign it, as they witness the items going into the package.  Have post master seal it & ship it.  If time, a photo/video of this process is good.
I did this when an old customer returned years later to purchase a supply item from me.  I knew of her many illegal actions, how she threatened and harassed her competition (I was one), and I knew of her profile with the FBI!  I knew how she opperated, but my site would not allow me to refuse or block her.  
With the signed paper by the postmaster, you have a federal employee to back you up in the case of any "empty box" or "not as described" claim! If the customer claims the package was opened and lost, they should have a statement that they reported this to their postmaster (I've done it)!  Any postmaster worth his/her oats will note any damage on a package before it is even delivered to the customer.

by: Gina

Disputes, once Highly Weighted in favor of the buyer are now much more fair.
My last 5 disputes:
#1 Buyer claimed ''non receipt'' EXACTLY 3 weeks after purchase (my listing statement said 3-5 weeks for delivery)  He received the item exactly 4 weeks after purchase, but he did not cancel his challenge, hoping to get the refund and the product for free!  I phoned PayPal with an appeal, and was told ''We can't touch this now for 48 hours''!!  Two hours later they settled in favor of the buyer!  I then appealed again and AGAIN pointed out the tracking, which by then clearly showed ''delivered''.  They then found in my favor.  I reported the buyer's attempt to scam me...PayPal flagged his account and will watch his behavior for further scam attempts!
#2 Customer claimed my drop-shipper sent out the wrong size, wrong fabric, poor quality, etc. etc. but wouldn't return the shirt.  PayPal closed the case due to his not replying to their emails.  I got the shirt the week after and settled privately.
#3 customer claimed non receipt 8 months later.  PayPal rejected their claim, but emailed me about the attempt.  I sent the customer proof of delivery and haven't heard from her since.  (actually, she never contacted me, preferring the impersonal PayPal route!)
#4 Customer had the funds withheld & claimed non-receipt ONE WEEK after ordering hand-made boots because they ''hadn't been shipped yet''!  They were ready to ship the day after but she didn't withdraw her claim for a couple days.  As a result, I had her package withheld & it was that much later getting to her!
#5 Customer claimed non-receipt one week into a 6 week waiting period, assuming that since my address was in the US, she'd get her item in a week, totally ignoring my listing statement telling her ''4-6 weeks & foreign 3rd party shipping''!  It had been shipped by that time & I told her I couldn't hold, speed up, or cancel the order...so she went to PayPal.  Even after my submitting the tracking number 3 times, they found in her favor, claiming the tracking number was 'invalid'.  I explained to them that the tracking numbers from China are not entered into the search sites immediately, they can take up to 10 days to register.  Once the tracking number had been entered & shipping had been proven, my money was returned.
I HAVE NEVER ONCE BEEN SCREWED BY PAYPAL!  They are very concerned now for fairness.  I wonder how old some of the forementioned claims were.  The last two years have seen some very positive changes in PayPal!  They have also halted NUMEROUS hackings of my account and returned hundreds of dollars of mine that hackers had attempted to spend!  Unlike credit cards, PayPal WILL go after the perps!  Kudos PayPal!

by: cosqueen

Returns are an undisputed given when selling; a buyer can find a reason to return anything. Big box stores are becoming more strict about what they take back and I am happy!  While in TJ Maxx someone tried to return a used piece of clothing and the store clerk emphasized they do not take back anything used; the customer left in a huff -- too bad.  At Walmart recently someone tried to return a car battery that was 3 YEARS old.  They gave him $7 back.  It is a form of theft and it is happening everywhere.  Seems there is no shame in doing the wrong thing, cheating retailers, lying and having the nerve to think they are right.  It has gone beyond what anyone can imagine.  My daughter told me someone tried to return a gallon milk with an inch left saying his family drank it and it made everyone sick!  And we wonder why the cost of EVERYTHING has gone up????  We should all be ashamed of ourselves.  

by: ebayisajoke

Any buyer allowed to return an item 90 days out should be looked at for fraud. eBay can tout their return policy all they want for all I care, but stop allowing buyers to file for a return after 14 days. 14 days is a reasonable amount of time for a return anything more then that and the customer must eat it. Buyer protection policy = ''We'll let you scam our sellers no matter what policy''.

One last thing for all you sellers on ebay. Stop taking ebay's word for it when they tell you a chargeback has been filed. Please google my youtube video ''Fake chargebacks by paypal to get your money''. Make sure you see proof of chargeback if they take your money. No proof, file a small claim on PayPal inc, and get a hold of me and I'll help you do that. info@ebayblows.org

by: Santini

It's strange how ebay is practically bullying buyers into returning items, but I think it helps them make money on the "churn"...does paypal take a little cut out of postage bought thru them? Plus ebay will certainly keep a number of those unreclaimed fv fees...and with their money back, the customer can now make a new purchase and start the churn cycle all over again. Must be a creative wall street accountant's dream!

by: Cassie

cheaters happen we had a neighbor that came to my father's annual yard sales and sure enough stole an item. I had a video tape for xmas caught him at other neighbors cookouts stealing so next xmas of neighbors well did a year in review screening - they were ousted and forced to but house for sale just in time to cover his attorney's fees form embezzling. The whole time he felt entitled and deserved more so what he took.

eBay is setting up a system of entitlement not a market place - satisfaction draws a line at free good.......those individuals banned  and private site and store of I post bounced checks on the wall, lists of no-pays and etc the threaten no return it doesn't bother me.  

by: rosachs

It's "eBay's Money Back Guarantee".

The buyer is "eBay's customer" (per their claims).

Let eBay refund the buyer and accept the returned merchandise themselves!

Better yet, let's have all the C-level and senior management staff spend a day (or more) opening and inspecting all those "quality" items.

But.... no Purell, no Lysol, no gloves, no gas masks.  Just skin and product.

by: baconsdozen

Ebays plan is to drive away small sellers.
It is working far better than they could have hoped.
Ebay are to be congratulated.
Then avoided like the plague.