drowning in returns
We have sold on Amazon for a very long time, but recently we have seen a big influx of items being returned and the reasons for return are stupid
Someone buys an item which states a specific length, but then gets returned as too short or too long. They buy an item in black but do not like the colour, The list goes on.
I have tried to find some reason behind it, and I can only put it down to Phone apps. People no longer read the full listing because it is too complex on a phone app. Amazon also make it too easy to return items now at no cost as well.
Internet shopping on Amazon is slowly becoming what Catalogue shopping was 40 years ago. Buy to look or try, rather than because they want it.
The cost of managing these returns is also going up in staff wages, postage costs and the fact customers never seem to return items in the same way we sent it to them either. So prices are going to have to rise to cover these higher costs. I feel I am killing myself to make a profit for the couriers. Something will have to give soon.
17 replies
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
You could narrow it down to the below. We find it is easier if you include frame of reference images to show the size- but its not always helpful.
Would note though that returns aren't necessarily at no cost to the customer. But for FBM at least, it will depend on the return reason and type of product. If its clothes / jewellery - as it stands on amazon, returns are still free (while all other major clothing sites charge for returns of course!)
Seller_DfMOm9tgJKAex
sadly the distance selling directive allows customers Tod o this.. its based on law for distance selling and is not exclusive to amazon
if you can not afford to sell on amazon.. dont!
Seller_K8edOfPu9HEmN
Funnily enough we hardly ever get returns on eBay, as sellers are far better protected, and never get them on our website (apart from the odd breakage or faulty item) which we have control of, both of which individually we sell far more on than we do on Amazon.
IMHO it's got nothing to do with DSR, it's more to do with Amazons culture of over zealous buyer protection.
Seller_ZQyopdiwkUHOZ
I personally think there's more to it. We sell in fashion, so have had free returns for years longer than other categories, but our returns rate is only up (and significantly so) since around April of this year.
I think Amazon have started sending prompts to people to remind them that free returns are an option, or some other encouragement to return things, though I can't imagine what.
I just can't see what else could cause a sudden change like this. The only thing that makes me dubious is that no one in our office who regularly shops on Amazon has received any such messages or prompts.
Seller_jVrLwMgavp5Xr
I've had an increase in returns too. I think some people just routinely do this in the hope of a returnless refund and there's actually nothing wrong with the product.
Seller_iGWb1Mzt8ZCnz
i bought a parcel of discounted branded planters , all dimensions stated , because these are large and a lot cheaper than smaller plant pots of same brand people are buying them for price and realising they are far to large and returning , having about 5 a week back , i seem to be paying for the return postage even though the reason is to large. I wonder if people can read anymore.
Seller_iSaQ1YZLh9y3p
FBA Orders are fully refunding customers for stupid reasons: Unwanted Item. My business make extremely small margins...if it continues like this for the next few months, I may have to close up.
Then there's the return shipping label cost to the seller. I cannot see where I can see the return label cost. Does anyone know?
Seller_EkGoiphKgUnUI
" I feel I am killing myself to make a profit for the couriers. Something will have to give soon."
Don't forget Amazon, they profit from every return due to the various returns processing fees - whether the customer returns the item or not...
Seller_JPqEdMxSWrGCF
Same is happening to me. Always silly reasons like buying a splint then returning for the reason "Didn't want a splint". I do find after a month or two though with FBA you find reimbursements start pouring in as very few acutally bothered to return they were just trying to play the system for a free product. It's just shocking to see the return emails piling up, I hope amazon keeps an eye on these buyers..
Seller_W6JSpivonYNIh
Free returns killing it, we sell our products on few platforms but if we put them together. We do not have as many returns as on Scamazon.
As soon as Scamazon introduced free returns, this open the floodgates. Absolutely ridicilious policy
