Caution on returns for sellers in online auctions
Posted on January 31st, 2010 by admin
One area of frustration and dread for sellers everywhere, online or offline, is returns. Some folks wish to not cope with returns at all by listing a product with a no returns policy. Other sellers offer returns within one week where the buyer is responsible for return shipping. Some of these add a restocking fee as well.
Forcing buyers to pay return shipping and a restocking charge is customary. However, new sellers need to be aware that you can be forced to accept returns regardless of any policy you have stated if a buyer alleges you sold an item that was Significantly Not As Described (SNAD). Paypal allows SNAD complaints to be leveled up to 45 days after the sale, so even if your listing said that returns would not be accepted after 7 days you are still bound by the Paypal SNAD policy if
you accept payments through Paypal.
This is just something new sellers need to be aware of and it applies regardless of whether the product is your own invention or something you sourced from dropshipping wholesalers, if you accept payments through Paypal for your auctions. Many SNAD returns, but not all, can be avoided by preparing clear product descriptions complete with pictures.