posted on May 29, 2001 09:12:46 AM
Why? Charging a restocking fee would certainly deter bidding. I would bypass all such auctions.
"scaring away the returning party" is a good way of putting it. Would also help to scare away bidders. But, hey, restock away. Your competitors will be happy!
posted on May 29, 2001 09:24:44 AM
I allow returns within 7 days of the receipt of the item, no questions asked as long as the item is in new, unused, re-sellable condition.
Returns AFTER 7 days are at my discretion, and are subject to a 15% re-stocking fee. This is to deter those who wait around for a few weeks and then decide they don't want it.
posted on May 29, 2001 03:38:33 PM
I posted a thread about restocking fees a few months ago when I discovered a seller who not only raised his postage fees by about 100% but also inagurated a large restocking fee. There must have been a lot of people who felt--as I did--that it was pretty outrageous because bidding dropped off on his auctions and after awhile the restocking fee disappeared. I also wondered if he had seen the thread on AW...
[ edited by elfowl on May 29, 2001 03:40 PM ]
posted on May 29, 2001 04:06:41 PM
Sell good stuff in best possible condition & describe it accurately, pack it well enough so no shipment damage, and allow returns only if you have mis-described -- in which case you should refund 100%.
I could see re-stocking perhaps if a person is selling clothing, but then they should be sure to include all possible measurements to help the bidder, and maybe include a prominent line in their auction like "Please e-mail for any additional measurements or questions before end of auction, as once purchased, items are non-returnable unless grossly mis-described" or something.
I would likely not bid if someone said you can return the item, but I'm going to deduct 15% or more if you do, personally I think it's not a good idea.
posted on May 29, 2001 04:21:43 PM
I have NEVER charged a "restocking fee", BUT I can understand the reason for it. Ebay is an AUCTION, and unless the seller mis-represents something, there should NEVER be "returns". The whole idea that you can buy something at auction, and then return it for a refund simply because you changed your mind is wrong.
Having said that, if a seller wants to offer a "no questions asked" return policy, that's also fine. But other than a stated policy like this, or a seller misrepresenting an item, buyers shouldn't think they are intitled to 100% refunds simply because they change their minds. If I wanted to sell "on approval" I would state that in my auction.
posted on May 29, 2001 07:39:50 PM
If I try to return an item to a store and they give me a hard time, I never shop there again.
I offer returns if returned within 7 days in original condition. I refund bid price only. This deters those who let their kid wear a nice party dress, trash it, and then claim it arrived that way.
posted on May 29, 2001 08:39:54 PM
I have a restocking fee in my EOA but, only charge it if it's being abused. I agree, I don't shop at stores that abuse my hard earned dollars. I don't rant there, I just don't shop there again. Treat me nice and I'll spend thousands. Treat me with disrespect and I'm gone with my charge cards.
[ edited by Empires on May 29, 2001 08:40 PM ]
posted on May 29, 2001 08:48:53 PM
True, eBay is an auction, but unlike live auctions you cannot see or touch the item. As a long-time seller, I therefore go out of my way to describe accurately. I wouldn't refund for what I call bidder's remorse, but indeed, if I have somehow mis-described something badly, or missed something like a hairline crack hidden in the seam of an old bottle, something you couldn't see unless held to light -- but I had described it as no damage -- then of course I would refund without question.
And as for other auctions, I have returned items to live auctions, and absentee bid auctions, when the items were simply not what was described. A seller has to stand behind their descriptions.
