You Are Going To Get Returns - Plan Before You List
Amazon differs from some other eCommerce venues because its buyers know returns are easy.
Very few items are non-returnable, and those that are non-returnable might still be entitled to a refund.
That’s right, no as is sales, no final sales and every item must be fully functional, and most must be complete as they shipped from the manufacturer. Most items are returnable within 30 days of delivery.
You are responsible for return shipping when the problem is your fault. And many buyers will state it is your fault whether it is or not.
Before you list, make sure you know how much support you will receive from your supplier on returned or defective merchandise, and any applicable rules.
Amazon permits limited restocking fees on buyer faulted returns, Learn what they are and its limits. Do not assume you will automatically get those fee, buyers can and do contest them.
Do not assume that you will come out whole financially on any return. Amazon fees still apply and can wipe out much of the restocking fee.
Recognize what the return rate may mean on each product you list. If the cost of a return exceeds the profit on multiple sales, you may need to raise your price or drop the product.
Returns are unavoidable, unpleasant and bad business.
The buyer is disappointed, may be hostile and wants to be made whole. And will often use any means available to deal with a truculent, uncooperative seller. And Amazon will usually assist them in motivating you. Make sure that at the first hint of a problem, you make it clear you will take a return.
Seller_CW0P5hgbsiqWX
Excellent Advice!
Seller_oewHJOFDM7eyN
This should be pinned in Help For New Sellers!
Seller_KAiI7r7mjHBV7
Buyers will insist on any means and Amazon will assist sellers to comply with any means?
I disagree that Amazon motivates sellers to comply with buyers who will use any means possible with return requests. Amazon gives sellers a choice often with little direction. Some sellers will be tempted to make bad choices. Seller choices may likely determine future success or failure on the Amazon venue.
Some sellers here on the forum regularly give bad advice on how to handle buyers who will use any means. These sellers aren’t officially part of Amazon as paid employees. So It doesn’t seem like Amazon itself is to blame for buyer motivations.
Sellers make choices based on their own motivations. Sellers who make choices based on assisting nefarious buyers do so at their own risk and future selling on Amazon.
Seller_jZWpyInw8RkYT
Agree! Thanks, @Lake
Seller_GbMeDWOey54oO
Yea returns, great topic. But tell me why is it that theres buyers who look and abuse amazons return policy by lying saying they didnt recieve there package even though theres a valid tracking number attatched to their account and you can prove it was delivered but several customers still want to insist they didnt RECIEVE their package than what does a seller do? Theors ppl who abuse the no questions asked policy and im not in the business of giving away products or money just because amazon cant tighten up on these type of buyers. From what other sellers are telling me , this happens all the time and what does amazon think one should do? Refund them all? How can a person stay in business with that type of attitude and even if you denied the claim the buyer goes around you and files for a refund anyway and refuses to return the product and now walk with free products and free money. Yes you can file this claim and reach out to seller support but when its more than 10 buyers claiming the same thing and you can prove everyone to be in the wrong as they do this all the time and the amazon support ppl barely speak english or understand where your coming from than what? Next thing you know. You the issue when in fact its a well known scam thats buyers are taking advantage of and amazon does nothing. Smdh.
Seller_jZWpyInw8RkYT
Leaders and/or Mods should consider locking this pinned Help thread.
@Lake
@Oneida
@Caan
@MAV-DAK
Seller_fcqESQsiDtNkg
I don’t care about reasons for return. I approve them and refund.
We don’t even open those returned packages - they go directly to trash
We still ask buyer to return as many will never ship item back.
Costs are included to product prices.
Seller_ATJxcmyKzHVAt
Yeah, one should definitely embed their estimated return percentage rate in the cost of doing business, especially if FBA.
Seller_8gJ4GeUAGgzoH
Hello, and thank you for this helpful information. We support the ability to return our product. My question is, are we required to offer FREE return shipping? We currently sell FBA, and I’m trying to figure out how to change the FREE return option. If a customer would like to return a product, we will assist the customer, but we shouldn’t be required to pay for the shipping. Is there a way to disable this on the listing? Thanks again for the information.
Seller_1yqCSp7wxEUMi
Bump.
