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Jay, I figured out my return rate for the last 12 months: a little less than one half percent. Like I said, it hasn’t been a problem. That could change on a dime, I realize, but for now, I’ll stick with free return shipping.
I’m not on Instagram, but agree with the potential there. I’m a member of a bunch of FB groups that are based on a certain theme, and allow buying and selling. Plan on getting my toes wet there (while still selling on ebay). I see a LOT of sales being made on these FB groups.
Also, as I posted above, ebay just opened a “portal” with pre-set filters for certain new items, all under $10. THis is probably an attempt to counter successful apps like Wish, which seems to be doing very well with low dollar stuff. Even Amazon has done something similar. So, no question all these sites are responding to competition. I would love to see ebay set up portals for various vintage items, etc…and go further, including content from collectors and experts etc. I suggested something like this many years ago, but of course was ignored LOL Still, I live in hope.
Geoff, As I note above, starting in June, coins and currency can go to a 14 day return policy without free return shipping (but no TRS Plus status) , or 14 days with free return shipping and they will qualify for TRS Plus. So, to some extent, they’ve already made some adjustments.
Jay, I’m not sure why you see free shipping on ebay as a bust. Despite what some on the Boards have claimed for years, eBay never set out to force free shipping on everyone. I always said they were aiming for a percentage of sales with free shipping, probably broken down by categories. For, I think ,several years now, ebay’s quarterly reports have indicated somewhere north of 60% of sales on ebay have free shipping. Since they haven’t really been pushing too hard to increase that, I assume they are pretty comfortable with that percentage. But there is, IMHO, just no way they would have ever gotten to 60+% without pushing sellers. Just as they aren’t going to get a lot of people to sign up for free return shipping by trying to “convince” them it’s a good idea. They need to use a carrot or stick or both.
Is free return shipping the “norm”? Maybe not. But when I read a Seller Release, I generally ignore what I consider the superfluous stuff—such as the FAQs that ask Why is eBay doing this or that? Because, for my business, it simply doesn’t matter WHY, it only matters that they ARE, and I need to figure out how it impacts me.
Matt, Let me add something to that, which I haven’t seen mentioned too often in any discussions about the TRS PLus free return shipping requirement. There are a few categories that do NOT require this (I think auto parts and accessories is one) Also, the following categories DO require free return shipping for TRS PLus, but you will have the option of going with 14 day rather than 30 day (beginning June 1st I think):
Antiques is one of them. It also includes:Art
Coins & Paper Money
Collectibles
Collectible
Comics
Entertainment Memorabilia
Pottery & Glass
Sports Memorabilia, Fan Shop & Sports Cards
Stamps(Together, ebay calls these the Arts and Collectibles categories)
And in those categories, you also will be able to offer 14 day returns without free return shipping, however, you will not get the TRS PLus designation in that case.
As I’ve said before, I’ve been 30 day free returns for a few years now, so this won’t impact me…I’m not going to go back to 14 day returns in these categories….but others might be interested.
Not actually about the Seller Release, but coming on the heels of the Seller Release:
https://www.ebay.com/b/Under-10/bn_7001623770
Read about it here:
https://moneyish.com/hoard/ebay-just-launched-a-new-site-where-everything-costs-10-or-less/
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This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by
MyCottage.
Atomic Star,
TRS (not TRS Plus) status gets you the highest shipping discount with ebay labels. I think, but I’m not sure, it also gets you the higher automatic insurance on Priority packages when using ebay labels ($100 instead of $50).
I’ve been using Promoted Listings with some success. TRS status means I get a $30 credit for promoted Listing fees each quarter, which I have found to be a useful perk.
Also, I think TRS status is a prerequisite for TRS PLus listings?
Jay, I mostly sell antiques, collectibles, used stuff (including some clothing). Pretty much your basic “whatever I can scavenge” kind of stuff, with rarely, a retail arbitrage type item.
I know I should know this, but I haven’t really done the numbers to figure out my return rate. It’s small enough that I haven’t felt the need really.
Jay, as I understand it, there’s a trade-off. This is my take: ebay REALLY wants free return shipping to become the new norm on ebay. They believe this will help keep the marketplace competitive. They also understand there is a LOT of seller angst about it. So they are saying: Fine, we get that. So here’s the deal: offer it, play fair with the buyer (ebay will be watching…if ALL your refunds are at 50%, you could lose the protection, etc)…but if you play fair with the buyer, ebay will take all the heat off…you issue your partial refund, and if the buyer isn’t happy, it’s between the buyer and ebay. ebay can aide with the seller or buyer, either way, the seller won’t be involved. If ebay sides with the buyer, ebay pays the buyer the difference.
Why would ebay do this? Well, like I said, that’s how important they think this is to keep the site competitive. But I think there’s a second reason as well. ebay has the data. And I think the data shows ebay that seller concerns around this are way overblown. In other words, they have some idea of what this will cost them, and it isn’t that much. Especially when they factor in their projections on the impact: they will save a lot of money on Customer Service, because one of the most time consuming issues is sellers arguing over so-called false INAD claims…take the seller out of the equation, and that will reduce the cost considerably. Also, they really believe there will be a substantial increase in sales, and thus revenue, as a result of this change (and others they are making).
I’ve been offering free return shipping for a couple years now, and I know others who’ve been offering it. No one I’ve talked to has seen a substantial increase in returns and false INAD claims pretty much vanish because the buyer has no reason to claim INAD just to get the free return shipping. Over the years I’ve been amazed at the amount of effort and time sellers put into fighting so called false INAD claims. I told myself it’s easier—and affordable—to just offer free return shipping, and that’s how it has worked out for me. And this change will make it even easier and more affordable. As always, your mileage may vary, but it simply hasn’t been a problem.
And one more thing…when I first went to free return shipping, I told ebay that one thing that was holding people back (and almost prevented me from doing it) was the fact that there was no way to offer free return shipping on domestic only….now that ebay could be paying out on buyer claims, they’ve suddenly had a change of heart, and come May —when it is finally offered—I will change all my listings to domestic free return shipping only.
Sonia, The restocking fee is going away, but, for now, I think it is still available. It goes away in May.
Sonia, No. The Promoted Listings credit is for TRS. Anchor stores get an additional credit. Other stores, none. This is from ebay:
Benefits for Top Rated Sellers and Anchor Store subscribers
✓ Top Rated Sellers are eligible to receive a $30 credit each quarter**
✓ Anchor Store subscribers are eligible to receive a $25 credit each quarter**
✓ If you’re both a Top Rated Seller and an Anchor Store subscriber, you’re eligible to receive the both quarterly credits, totaling $55http://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/promoted-listings.html
MAtt, I think TRS also doubles the free insurance on USPS through ebay labels, from $50 to %100? Not sure if that’s TRS or having a store though…
Matt, TRS sellers get a higher shipping discount with ebay labels than non TRS. Also, I think TRS sellers get a quarterly credit ($30?) on Promoted Listings. Not sure if there are other benefits as well.
There’s no requirement for TRSs to offer 30 day free returns. That requirement is per listing, for the TRS Plus badge and 10% FVF discount. If you want the discount and the badge, you will need to offer 30 day free returns. You can do this per listing, offering it for light weight stuff but not heavy weight stuff if you so choose. I’ve been offering it for a couple years now, on pretty much everything I sell, it hasn’t hurt me at all. But I have a low return rate, your mileage may vary.
Retro Treasures, you saved me a bunch of time , because your reply sums up my view pretty much exactly. I’m getting better at passing on things….that’s partly because of my enormous death piles, and partly because I see no scarcity around here of stuff to buy and sell….
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This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by
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