Return requests increasing

[jojamstar]

Just wondering if any other  clothing resellers have noticed their returns are up . I put plenty of measurements on the listing etc but there has been a significant uptick in returns over the past 3 weeks . 

may just be one of those things  or do others notice more returns in the period following Christmas ?

Also does anyone know what the return rate average is for a clothing reseller?

thanks 

 Julie 

[therenewalworkshopltd]

You have to LEGALLY offer a 14 day return policy.

I sell clothes and have very few issues on Vintxxd with returns.

It's not about a choice as to whether or not you use a Pro account or not.

It's about whether or not you are a business, in which case, you have no choice as to which account you should use.  To do otherwise, means that you are breaking the law and denying your customers their legal rights.

Whilst I have some sympathy for forced returns, as it is something that we all get, I have zero sympathy for trying to avoid this by breaking the law.

[bricklanebargains]

In my opinion, average return rate for an Ebay used clothing seller (business) should not exceed 5%. I also noticed a slight increase in return requests lately and I believe this is partly due to the fact that people find similar items cheaper on that other platform. I believe, as sellers, we shouldn`t be too focused on these kinds of things as it`s easy to get sucked into a negative mindset which then adversely affects everything. April was pretty good in terms of sales and I thought May was going to be even better especially with the nice weather, etc but it`s not so far. All we can do is push forward, learn from our mistakes, try new things and all that stuff.         

[therenewalworkshopltd]

I really think that with a returns rate of 5%, your being more than a little optimistic.

If that's what your getting, then you are doing exceptionally well.

You should look into the average type of returns rates that are being reported by the larger retailers, which I think is a fairer way of doing it.

One report that I know of, was reporting returns of up to 27% for online sales, compared to 12% for store bought.  So if your hovering somewhere between those two, you are in the ballpark.

I do however agree with you on the rest.  It's far too easy to get sucked into the negatives....  

[the_utilitarian_co]

Absolutely - been selling clothing for over 5 years and my returns rate has gone from a stable 3% to over 9% just this year (and it keeps growing), despite now adding even more measurements.

I've been lucky so far that my customers are honest and select "Doesn't fit" when returning, but it can still be time consuming and costly, especially because the original postage cost is never refunded.

I'm not sure what is causing this, but I've noticed people are quicker to purchase without reading the sizing notes, sometimes completely ignoring the description - maybe they are more at ease knowing that they can return their items within 30-60 days.

[portobelloroadleon]

I sell mostly Jewellery.  I've learned to eat ______ and even when they lie about 'Not as described' when it obviously is - just accept the return. I sell good items so they always resell. I used to take it very personally but there's no point as ebay let's them win anyway and I learned the hard way that if you dispute a return and they side against you even though the evidence is on your side they will charge you a dispute fee AND let the seller keep the item and the money, This happened to me and some buyers want you to do it. I had a recent return on an £120 Tiffany ring. I listed it as UK SIZE I. The buyer opened a not as described return whilst admitting to me in messages that she mistook the I for a lower case L even though I also listed the measurements in mm etc and the US size. I showed the evidence to eBay and they read the messages and said yes she's abusing the returns process. Then they changed their mind and closed the dispute after she got her card company to step in. Ebay let her have the MONEY back AND KEEP THE RING. So I basically had my ring stolen. Thanks eBay, thanks a lot. Other times I will dispute and eBay will let them keep the item BUT refund me out of eBay's own money so the buyer gets a free item. Now I just accept all returns and sell similar and refund when posted back to me. Just part of any business I used to work in sales showrooms and you get the same types of people.... eBay is just that bit easier for them and when you know that you're bringing a stick to a gun fight there's no point fighting.

[portobelloroadleon]

I've learned to eat ______ and even when they lie about 'Not as described' when it obviously is - just accept the return. I sell good items so they always resell. I used to take it very personally but there's no point as ebay let's them win anyway and I learned the hard way that if you dispute a return and they side against you even though the evidence is on your side they will charge you a dispute fee AND let the seller keep the item and the money, This happened to me and some buyers want you to do it. I had a recent return on an £120 Tiffany ring. I listed it as UK SIZE I. The buyer opened a not as described return whilst admitting to me in messages that she mistook the I for a lower case L even though I also listed the measurements in mm etc and the US size. I showed the evidence to eBay and they read the messages and said yes she's abusing the returns process. Then they changed their mind and closed the dispute after she got her card company to step in. Ebay let her have the MONEY back AND KEEP THE RING. So I basically had my ring stolen. Thanks eBay, thanks a lot. Other times I will dispute and eBay will let them keep the item BUT refund me out of eBay's own money so the buyer gets a free item. Now I just accept all returns and sell similar. Just part of any business I used to work in sales showrooms and you get the same types of people.... eBay is just that bit easier for them and when you know that you're bringing a stick to a gun fight there's no point fighting.

[cobwebcottage]

You are moaning on the business seller boards but you seem to be confused if you are a business seller or a private seller.

Business seller policy | eBay

[clairem1967]

Hi there.
Thank you for your post. I really sympathise with you. It does appear to be
a very one sided experience.
It's also a frustration when sellers cannot leave negative feedback for
none payers, this i cannot understand why.
Kind Regards

[clairem1967]

I have both a business AND a private account.

[pippacrazey]

I was a private seller but recently changed to business seller that was in
July as was not sure whether to change or not. Hope that clears up your
confusion .

[cobwebcottage]

I have scrolled through this post and cannot see anywhere where I have replied to you.

Underneath the repliers user name, it says 'in response to'

Are you getting confused?

@pippacrazey 

[cobwebcottage]

Very nice but I have never replied to you either on the boards.

@clairem1967