These are all valid points, great job Lindey. So many people don't think about their bottom line or "net" profit. We (as sellers) cannot afford to eat these costs to favor the buyer in the hopes we will get more sales (free shipping, returns). eBay will favor the buyers every time now, you have to protect your profit and make money, otherwise why are we here?
Charge shipping train. I was debating Free Shipping until I watched one of your original videos and it helped me know I made a good decision in the first place. Thank you!
Our store uses flat shipping instead of calculated. Using calculated shipping gives a wide variance depending on location that makes prices not competitive. But if its our fault regarding "item not described" we always refund the entire amount. Just seems like the right thing to do business wise.
two years ago I attempted to open an Ebay store. I felt pressured to offer free shipping and free returns; so i did. And I got screwed exactly as you said! I ate original shipping AND return shipping. It's the main reason that I stopped selling there and moved over to Marketplace. Going to give Ebay another try with YOUR advice. Thanks!
Its not a loophole, its by clever design. Ebay doesn't want to lose either the customer or you, the 3rd party seller. Amazon almost always sticks it to we sellers.
@@cindy7817your comment is irrelevant to the point that's being made. If it's the buyer's fault then don't refund the shipping. If it's your fault as the seller, shipping should be refunded. If that's exactly what you're doing then what was the point in replying?
It is a constant juggle when offering free shipping and charging shipping. On lower shipment cost items, and/or lower return rate items we will offer free shipping to stay competitive. On items that cost more to ship or are a higher rate return we will charge shipping. Best wishes! -Steven
Thank you! I figured this out the hard way, so if I offer returns I will now only do 14day returns, buyer pays return shipping. So a buyer decided after making an offer on my Daulton April Figurine that it didn't match her set. Why wouldn't she know that by viewing all the photos and reading the description that actually had the model number you would think. She actually waited until the last day to request a return as just didn't like it (which eBay lets them do- eBay should change this to three days like other platforms so buyers stop taking advantage, but then they will just lie and say not as described). eBay then gives them like 21 days to return it, so so that 14 days is out the window right? She kept the original box, so eBay did step up and let me keep the funds and refunded her as well because it was not returned with the item. I will never do free returns. I don't do 14 day returns at this time, because when I do, I start getting returns because they just didn't like it scenario. I'm up in the air about this because I want more sales, but I'm a reseller selling vintage Jewelry, Antiques, collectibles, and a bit of everything in between.
Like you, my mindset re: free shipping has changed. with experience and knowledge I came to be of the opinion, (a few years ago), no more free shipping. Great video. Even though I'm aware of the things the you said, I don't think the majority of sellers have thought it all through. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to be what I see and hear.
With another round of increased post office prices I’m ready to shift all my inventory elsewhere. Its a slow process but I’m getting there. It’s getting ridiculously expensive to sell on eBay.
I have to say that if a seller didn't refund my shipping cost in an 'item not as described' situation, even if eBay later refunded it because I complained, I would leave negative feedback just so others know that the seller plays games. (I am not someone who usually leaves negative feedback unless something is really bad, but that would p*ss me off!)
yeah, that refund thing is why I always charge shipping.... I give free returns but I keep the front end shipping. Real important since I often sell $4 or less items with $3.50 or more shipping.
I agree completely on the shipping! I do calculated and when I get clothing back because it doesn't fit, I only pay the return shipping and do NOT refund the original shipping. I do have free returns though.
Have you gotten ever a negative feedback after doing that? That's what concerns me. I provide everything a buyer could possibly need and they say "Doesn't Fit". I'm like "Why didn't you use the measurements I provide?!"
I removed free shipping because buyers always sent a discounted offer ,so now I just wrap the cost into the listed price , it gives me room to accept discounted offers. I used to price at my lowest with free shipping thinking I would come up on the top searches but nope no difference.
I sold on eBay years ago and the amount of people who try to cheat you is insane!!!! Are there that many broke a** people who won’t be honest and just buy outright and be honest?!Apparently there is!
The only items I offer free shipping on are books and media that ships by Media Mail. The shipping cost is lower and less of a variable cost range depending on where you ship to. I also do it to try to be competitive in that saturated niche. I sell a lot of shoes and buyers pay shipping.
I'm pretty sure eBay told me to purchase a return shipping label when this has happened, and took it from my funds on hold which is why I did buyer pays return shipping. I could be wrong, maybe that changed.
If I want my listings only sold to buyers in the 48 continental States, not Hawaii and Alaska, how to set up this policy to let the shoppers know? Is there something in the setting or in the listings I can do to specify that policy?
If the buyer opens a case to get the original shipping refunded, and you as the seller does nothing, but ebay refund the buyer surely that becomes a case closed without seller resolution? That would go against your account surely?
Ìve just put free shipping on my shoes because sales had slowed and l had competition. They are selling like hot cakes atm. But l also have best offer and l agree, it's a headache trying to calculate, so I'm discontinuing free post on my other items. But it works on the shoes because ebay doesn't allow offers on multiple listings so there is no conflict.
I always charge shipping, most of the time I refund shipping always if it is my fault. I think I'm going to change this now, no shipping refund unless it is completely my fault. I do on rare occasions let them keep item if it broke and they send a picture to prove it. One note if shipping is charged to customers and the rates change you do not have to re-figure price/cost. This also allows me to change from USPS to another service if needed.
Hi Lindey! Love your channel! I don't accpet returns in my store. I charge shipping. I recently had a return case (Return Reason : Doesn't match description), and I had to refund the entire amount (item + original shipping). eBay did not give me the option to refund only the item amount as you described. I think you get the option only if return reason is something other than INAD...or am I not understanding correctly...?
I agree that in such cases eBay won't even give you the option to NOT refund original shipping. Also, I'd be worried about negative feedback from the Customer if they had to open a case. In situations that I can defend, I prefer to be the 1st to complain to eBay, which if justified, would at least get eBay to protect me from negative feedback. Yeah, no conflict is easy...
So, saying you're "square" by not having to refund the original shipping, aren't you still out the return shipping you paid? Not as much as paying both ways of course, but this still makes it a loss, does it not? 🤔
free returns is much better than free shipping all the time, though, since returns are only a fraction of sales and give peace of mind to buyers. free shipping on the other hand seems to go largely unappreciated by the people most drawn to it... weirdly enough
I understand the issue and appreciate the tip. However, is there not a factor of how many returns you get/expect vs free shipping attracting more eyeballs/buyers? If there are not a lot of returns in your e-bay life, then offering free shipping may be a very viable and worthwhile way to increase traffic to your listings and, ultimately, making the sale.
It depends on the category, but free shipping provides next to no benefits in a lot of categories. I think it's important to consider whether other sellers are often using free shipping or not with what you're selling. If theyre not, you may actually be at a disadvantage when it comes time to negotiate a price. Since buyers often don't know what shipping costs, they just accept the "Free shipping" as a freebie and still expect a discount comparable to competitors. So they are gonna make more money by default
i was all in top rated when they only required 14 day returns.. but this aint no 30 day free rental service.. they r crazy wanting us to be little corporate amazons eating every scammers b.s. no contest.. right on i dont accept returns anymore either
Buyer paid returns are an automatic inad if they are dissatisfied with anything. I think they encourage inads. With free returns the buyer can't leave negative feedback.
When you refund the customer you only refund your portion less the fees and eBay refunds the portion that they paid that was for fees so ebay essentially refunds the fees too
its not but buyers often think thats what free shipping means, so even if you are actually offering free shipping and eating the cost, they will often not see it as such - and expect additional discounts on top of the truly free shipping... its so frustrating and illogical, but we are not logical beings.
One other thing… if it’s not the customers fault on the return… YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY PAYING THE RETURN AND REFUNDING THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING UNLESS YOU ARE A DIRTBAG SELLER.
That part is false. A customer opened a return ticket and eBay refunded the customer but the original price plus return shipping fee from my account. So I not only lost the initial shipping fee I paid to ship the item, I also lost the return shipping cost. eBay took the money from my checking. account.
Ebay sellers should say to Ebay, "YOU offer free returns! YOU eat the cost"
Sellers eat it all, buyers are free to abuse
Ebay says "its good to be rich and be king! Make us money and quit whining, peasants!"
Completely agree. This is a HUGE reason I don’t offer free shipping. Seems like a lot of the free shipping advocates overlook this.
These are all valid points, great job Lindey. So many people don't think about their bottom line or "net" profit. We (as sellers) cannot afford to eat these costs to favor the buyer in the hopes we will get more sales (free shipping, returns). eBay will favor the buyers every time now, you have to protect your profit and make money, otherwise why are we here?
Shipping just keeps getting more expensive and I'm about to start my own shipping company lmao with donkeys and drones
Agree 100% on not offering free shipping. And love your little tip. Don't have many returns, but every dollar saved adds up. Thank you.
Exactly why we stopped free shipping.
Charge shipping train. I was debating Free Shipping until I watched one of your original videos and it helped me know I made a good decision in the first place. Thank you!
Our store uses flat shipping instead of calculated. Using calculated shipping gives a wide variance depending on location that makes prices not competitive. But if its our fault regarding "item not described" we always refund the entire amount. Just seems like the right thing to do business wise.
Agreed! I use flat rate shipping as well
It is so great to see you smiling again! You have got this girl! ❤
two years ago I attempted to open an Ebay store. I felt pressured to offer free shipping and free returns; so i did. And I got screwed exactly as you said! I ate original shipping AND return shipping. It's the main reason that I stopped selling there and moved over to Marketplace. Going to give Ebay another try with YOUR advice. Thanks!
Its not a loophole, its by clever design. Ebay doesn't want to lose either the customer or you, the 3rd party seller. Amazon almost always sticks it to we sellers.
eBay could pay any expense of a seller if that is a clever idea
yep. especially if it's FBA. they don't even want the item back they will refund
If something was my fault, I'd refund shipping costs. It's the right thing to do.
Exactly. Doing anything else is a poor business practice and is just wrong morally.
Yes I do refund shipping when it's my fault, but not because it doesn't fit, changed their mind, or best yet found a better price.
You are rare
@@cindy7817your comment is irrelevant to the point that's being made. If it's the buyer's fault then don't refund the shipping. If it's your fault as the seller, shipping should be refunded. If that's exactly what you're doing then what was the point in replying?
@@cindy7817That's fair!
6:32 ... thank you! that's all I needed to hear! great stuff!
It is a constant juggle when offering free shipping and charging shipping. On lower shipment cost items, and/or lower return rate items we will offer free shipping to stay competitive. On items that cost more to ship or are a higher rate return we will charge shipping. Best wishes! -Steven
Thank you! I figured this out the hard way, so if I offer returns I will now only do 14day returns, buyer pays return shipping. So a buyer decided after making an offer on my Daulton April Figurine that it didn't match her set. Why wouldn't she know that by viewing all the photos and reading the description that actually had the model number you would think. She actually waited until the last day to request a return as just didn't like it (which eBay lets them do- eBay should change this to three days like other platforms so buyers stop taking advantage, but then they will just lie and say not as described). eBay then gives them like 21 days to return it, so so that 14 days is out the window right? She kept the original box, so eBay did step up and let me keep the funds and refunded her as well because it was not returned with the item. I will never do free returns. I don't do 14 day returns at this time, because when I do, I start getting returns because they just didn't like it scenario. I'm up in the air about this because I want more sales, but I'm a reseller selling vintage Jewelry, Antiques, collectibles, and a bit of everything in between.
Very good points! THANK YOU!
Like you, my mindset re: free shipping has changed. with experience and knowledge I came to be of the opinion, (a few years ago), no more free shipping. Great video. Even though I'm aware of the things the you said, I don't think the majority of sellers have thought it all through. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to be what I see and hear.
Good to know that "tip".😮 Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!
With another round of increased post office prices I’m ready to shift all my inventory elsewhere. Its a slow process but I’m getting there.
It’s getting ridiculously expensive to sell on eBay.
The people that sort by free shipping are the ones that live in Hawaii and Alaska to catch people that didn't exclude the states.
Every time I offer free shipping on a rather large item, someone from Porto Rico buys them, and it costs a fortune to ship it. xD
Bingo, or Hawaii 🤦♂️
Same
I exclude Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, PO boxes, etc., and international sales.
I have more sales than I can handle with the 48 remaining states.
Maybe you should exclude them then in your shipping preferences.
Lol 😂
No free shipping train
I have to say that if a seller didn't refund my shipping cost in an 'item not as described' situation, even if eBay later refunded it because I complained, I would leave negative feedback just so others know that the seller plays games. (I am not someone who usually leaves negative feedback unless something is really bad, but that would p*ss me off!)
I’m on the charger shipping train with you!!!
Yeah, but what do you do with the low ball offers.
Thanks Lindey! You rock!
New Computer Code is being developed right now.... Change in effect 2030... LOL
This came just in the nick of time, I was just thinking about this.😊
yeah, that refund thing is why I always charge shipping.... I give free returns but I keep the front end shipping. Real important since I often sell $4 or less items with $3.50 or more shipping.
Where in the sellers policy, can you add buyer's pay return shipping?
Yes,you are so right
Good points here. I offer free shipping but I don't get returns so I have no changed it. But that's just that one product.
I agree completely on the shipping! I do calculated and when I get clothing back because it doesn't fit, I only pay the return shipping and do NOT refund the original shipping. I do have free returns though.
Have you gotten ever a negative feedback after doing that? That's what concerns me. I provide everything a buyer could possibly need and they say "Doesn't Fit". I'm like "Why didn't you use the measurements I provide?!"
awesome insights! thanks Lindey💯
I removed free shipping because buyers always sent a discounted offer ,so now I just wrap the cost into the listed price , it gives me room to accept discounted offers. I used to price at my lowest with free shipping thinking I would come up on the top searches but nope no difference.
Ebay free returns is a crock!
Just gettin started. I have been doing free shipping but it is eating the hell out of profits. Some items I just switched to paid.
I sold on eBay years ago and the amount of people who try to cheat you is insane!!!! Are there that many broke a** people who won’t be honest and just buy outright and be honest?!Apparently there is!
The only items I offer free shipping on are books and media that ships by Media Mail. The shipping cost is lower and less of a variable cost range depending on where you ship to. I also do it to try to be competitive in that saturated niche. I sell a lot of shoes and buyers pay shipping.
Fabulous info! Thank you
It’s costs more but you are priceless ❤
Thank you
I'm pretty sure eBay told me to purchase a return shipping label when this has happened, and took it from my funds on hold which is why I did buyer pays return shipping. I could be wrong, maybe that changed.
I don't do free shipping I learned that
You know free shipping is baloney because/if ebay encourages it. Ebay is not concerned about the sellers' best interest.
If I want my listings only sold to buyers in the 48 continental States, not Hawaii and Alaska, how to set up this policy to let the shoppers know? Is there something in the setting or in the listings I can do to specify that policy?
Great Editing ✍️ LG
If the buyer opens a case to get the original shipping refunded, and you as the seller does nothing, but ebay refund the buyer surely that becomes a case closed without seller resolution? That would go against your account surely?
No eBay does not require that, and it's only happened once to me. EBay did refund the buyer but sided with me on the case.
No it's does not go against your seller matrix
@@LindeyGlenn Thanks Lindey
Ìve just put free shipping on my shoes because sales had slowed and l had competition. They are selling like hot cakes atm. But l also have best offer and l agree, it's a headache trying to calculate, so I'm discontinuing free post on my other items. But it works on the shoes because ebay doesn't allow offers on multiple listings so there is no conflict.
Calculated shipping.
I always charge shipping, most of the time I refund shipping always if it is my fault. I think I'm going to change this now, no shipping refund unless it is completely my fault. I do on rare occasions let them keep item if it broke and they send a picture to prove it. One note if shipping is charged to customers and the rates change you do not have to re-figure price/cost. This also allows me to change from USPS to another service if needed.
Hi Lindey! Love your channel! I don't accpet returns in my store. I charge shipping. I recently had a return case (Return Reason : Doesn't match description), and I had to refund the entire amount (item + original shipping). eBay did not give me the option to refund only the item amount as you described. I think you get the option only if return reason is something other than INAD...or am I not understanding correctly...?
I agree that in such cases eBay won't even give you the option to NOT refund original shipping.
Also, I'd be worried about negative feedback from the Customer if they had to open a case.
In situations that I can defend, I prefer to be the 1st to complain to eBay, which if justified, would at least get eBay to protect me from negative feedback.
Yeah, no conflict is easy...
If the buyer claimed the item was defective, ebay will take the return shipping fee from your fund on hold
is it the same if you use flat vs calculated shipping
So, saying you're "square" by not having to refund the original shipping, aren't you still out the return shipping you paid? Not as much as paying both ways of course, but this still makes it a loss, does it not? 🤔
free returns is much better than free shipping all the time, though, since returns are only a fraction of sales and give peace of mind to buyers. free shipping on the other hand seems to go largely unappreciated by the people most drawn to it... weirdly enough
Thank you, eBay! 🙌🏻
As a seller on ebay I have always charged shipping. However, I only charge what my actual costs of shipping are and don't pad it as many sellers do.
"Padding" shipping costs would only work if you are not buying the shipping label through eBay, is this correct? 🤔
good advice but the shipping funds $5-10 is not worth the worry of getting a negitive
I understand the issue and appreciate the tip. However, is there not a factor of how many returns you get/expect vs free shipping attracting more eyeballs/buyers?
If there are not a lot of returns in your e-bay life, then offering free shipping may be a very viable and worthwhile way to increase traffic to your listings and, ultimately, making the sale.
It depends on the category, but free shipping provides next to no benefits in a lot of categories. I think it's important to consider whether other sellers are often using free shipping or not with what you're selling. If theyre not, you may actually be at a disadvantage when it comes time to negotiate a price. Since buyers often don't know what shipping costs, they just accept the "Free shipping" as a freebie and still expect a discount comparable to competitors. So they are gonna make more money by default
I still don’t accept returns in my store and luckily haven’t had any items not as described
i was all in top rated when they only required 14 day returns.. but this aint no 30 day free rental service.. they r crazy wanting us to be little corporate amazons eating every scammers b.s. no contest.. right on i dont accept returns anymore either
sWish we were in The states, it’s “illegal” to do this in the UK
Great well describe
Buyer paid returns are an automatic inad if they are dissatisfied with anything. I think they encourage inads. With free returns the buyer can't leave negative feedback.
Tip? Loophole? What tip? What loophole? I didn’t hear a tip or a loophole. Thanks anyway -wink wink!
When you accept returns with the buyer paying return cost don't you still have to eat the original ebay fees?
When you refund the customer you only refund your portion less the fees and eBay refunds the portion that they paid that was for fees so ebay essentially refunds the fees too
I charge towards the upper end on shipping charges to dissuade people from returning the item.
You are smart and your husband is a lucky man ;)
Calculated shipper here
4:59 but surely its not free shipping if the shipping price has just been simply merged into price etc?
its not but buyers often think thats what free shipping means, so even if you are actually offering free shipping and eating the cost, they will often not see it as such - and expect additional discounts on top of the truly free shipping... its so frustrating and illogical, but we are not logical beings.
GOOD LOOKING ❤❤❤
Can I just state in the description “original ship cost is non refundable “ so the customers are aware upfront?
That might increase your “defective items” rate. She mentioned this already that customers are not thinking about their shipping costs
TBH no matter what you say in your verbiage, it may make no difference to eBay.
One other thing… if it’s not the customers fault on the return… YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY PAYING THE RETURN AND REFUNDING THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING UNLESS YOU ARE A DIRTBAG SELLER.
Ok all caps, chillout
❤ u go girl
Charge shipping
INAD return if you don't refund their original shipping you will not get your ebay fees refunded.
Hi sissy 😊
I don't like how ebay did there free shipping now they to fix it now every is just high or expensive.
You don’t get top rated seller if you charge shipping.
It's not really out of fe bays pockets , I mean eBays pockets, most likely it's paid with all the fees they charge sellers.
That part is false. A customer opened a return ticket and eBay refunded the customer but the original price plus return shipping fee from my account. So I not only lost the initial shipping fee I paid to ship the item, I also lost the return shipping cost. eBay took the money from my checking. account.
u didnt take it upon urself to refund them just the item cost.
This woman is so hot