My Crazy EBay Return Experience That Finally Clarifies Top Rated Seller Protection

[@carvinblack]

Ebay is the equivalent of an abusive spouse. And most sellers come back for more. I have been selling since 2005. I rarely have any issues but it is very frustrating when it does happen. What really pisses me off is when a overconfident ( but really incompetent ) Rep tries to gaslight me. "Oh because you mailed it on a Tuesday wearing green shorts you are not eligible for Seller Protection." Hahaha.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Crosswalk Larry I stop them dead in their tracks when it sounds like they are giving me a quick answer they are not sure of just to get me off the phone.

[@carvinblack]

@@FlippinAintEasy 🤘

[@daysjours]

I have been selling for 18 years on ebay with spotless 100% positive feedback. A few days ago I got a fraudulent return with a destroyed item. I documented everything in writing and photos and eBay sided nonetheless with the buyer, I lost appeal and was told in and email that ¨we see the buyer damaged your item but the buyer was out of pocket for this purchase and we issued a full refund. We will stand by our original decision and not appeal in your favor. Please view ebay as the same as having a shop where there will be shoplifting from time to time and losses.¨ !!!!!!!! Luckily, my item was only $65 and not $650. Right on Ebay´s site, in their Community Chat Room, there are nightmare stories of items worth $900 being returned -- and seller gets an empty box - and eBay does NOTHING. Ebay is in league with the scam artists. Whereas up until today I would literally act like an unpaid spokesperson for eBay saying how great it is -- now I want the word to go out and will always tell people to sell on Ebay at their own risk and to look at Ebay´s own chat rooms to see the massive fraud that Ebay is only to glad to aid and abet rather than combat. Customer is king on Ebay and the seller is kicked in the teeth. It is DISGUSTING.

[@emusaurus]

Lol I'm dead

[@itsasimplelife4us]

Also, you need to offer SAME DAY SHIPPING. Since I live in a very rural area and have spotty internet and have to drive to the Post Office 6 days/week, I can only offer 1 day shipping. I also have some Ohio weather days when I may be iced in and cannot get off my driveway. I could save an extra 10% on fees if I could upgrade to Top Rated Plus.

[@4625-n8s]

Good video I am new eBay sellers as well why they don’t have crystal clear policy I genuinely feel ebay is always favours customer and spoil them I don’t know how they can sustain for longer time once the seller fed up either they have to stop selling on eBay or someone will come up with different platform to challenge eBay competitors or seller have to put the price up to cover they loses eBay it’s wake up time for you

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Unfortunately for every seller leaving the platform a new one shows up to take their place. eBay isn’t going anywhere I believe. We just have to adapt to their rules.

[@MrFurryface]

Awesome video man! I have been experiencing these issues as well! Thank you for sharing :)

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@Plattjud]

You Rock! Excellent job sharing your experience~ Much appreciate info!

[@FlippinAintEasy]

No! You rock for watching my videos! Please subscribe! Thank you!

[@theresakralik1820]

TOP Rated PLUS status has the free return requirement. You might not have access to the price adjustment tool but you can get your full amount back by filing seller protection. Buyer gets his money but you get yours. This is a glitch in Ebay thinking and policy. I just want $10 off for missing parts. Ebay gives me 100% back.

[@debk3135]

Great information. Learned alot. Just became top rated and I'm confused about returns when it just didnt fit. Does that ding your account? That's been my returns lately and I'm confused if I need to call ebay to make sure im not getting dinged. I cant help if they dont read my measurements I've given

[@FlippinAintEasy]

You can check your return rate under your seller level but it may be worth a call to eBay so they can clarify for you.

[@NYC316]

Thank you for your information and wisely feedback from this up to no good company most of us are losing the confidence grip for selling.

[@christinaanderson8195]

I’m a little confused. When I reached top rated seller standard, eBay sent me a notice that they will not put the top rated seal with any of my items for sale unless I offer free 30 day returns.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Right. That seal isn’t a big deal. I think most customers want a great price from a seller with a good feedback rating. Oh and estimated delivery dates are a huge consideration my quite a few buyers as well. Focus on these things and don’t worry much about that badge. Good luck.

[@earlgendron4893]

When I got top rated seller in December the email that they sent me saying congratulations to your top rated seller said that I needed to give free 30 day shipping to get the protection program

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Earl Gendron that is not accurate. 30 day returns is required just not free. I have had many conversations with reps and per eBay’s written policy on their website it says this as well.

[@earlgendron4893]

@@FlippinAintEasy I had email pulled up when I wrote that comment to confirm I can't grab it from my phone but I'll try to remember to get a screen grab when I log into my pc tomorrow

[@Wooo-Cash]

Refund Surfers, Never sell items that are 'for hire' such as Ski, ice skates. youll get high returns as people use it on holiday and return within 30 days.

[@shelia9207]

Great info thank you

[@dove5729]

great information, excellent!

[@behnamjafarianshorts]

Excellent. Thank you

[@AkramMaarouf]

I thought when u offer free returns u get the “Top Rated Seller PLUS” ratings and only that qualifies for refund deductions! I saw it in some videos not sure if that’s right

[@FlippinAintEasy]

If you are a Top Rated Seller (doesn’t have to be plus) offering 30 day returns you have access to the refund tool which allows you to deduct up to 50% if there is a problem with the return. Also regular sellers who are above standard can access this tool if they offer FREE 30 day returns.

[@AkramMaarouf]

@@FlippinAintEasy honestly that’s exactly where I keep hearing conflicting information & what confuses ppl, one thing to note is there are differences between eBay USA & eBay Canada (where am at), that applies to other regions as well i believe

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Akram Maarouf that could very well be the difference.

[@daysjours]

@@AkramMaarouf Ebay is GARBAGE. A seller destroyed my item, sent it back -- and with all my documentation Ebay refused to rule in my favor. I have 18 years of 100% positive feedback as a seller and that did not matter at all to Ebay - customers can openly commit fraud and Ebay is not there for you. Beware. Also, asking you to spend $$ offering free returns so you can get 50% back off due to fraud???? So I get back a destroyed item and instead of losing 100% of my merchandise I just lose half and this is what they call seller protection!??? This is Ebay´s greed in action. They do not care about sellers, make a phony system that makes you spend a lot of money on accepting returns so that one day they will give you 50% on a fraud case? I hate ebay now. They aided and abetted fraud on me.

[@jonathanmiller7065]

Aren’t customer returns dangerous because of covid 19 ?

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Jonathan Miller by the time they get to the liquidation buyer these have sat in a warehouse for a couple weeks minimum and should be ok.

[@AC-fv7kt]

This is factually wrong. If a buyer opens a return and times out before returning the item, you can close the case. It says right in the closure that this will NOT affect you the seller in any way as you have won the case. This holds true 100% of the time, there is no exception. I've had it happen and 0 hit on my status. Secondly, if a buyer opens a case and then closes the case on a return Ebay again states that this will no not affect your account in any way and this too is correct 100% of the time. Another example is Ebay wants you to work out a resolution with the buyer. So let's say they open a case, you contact the buyer and they agree to a partial refund. You do this and yep, case is closed and Ebay will refund applicable taxes and fees for the transaction with no negative affect on your account. Issues can arise if you are a new seller just going into the top rated seller program and you have alot of returns that actually go through the full process of the return process. Then you can lose that status for awhile or until you correct the number.....but most returns have outs like "Items damaged during shipping" or similar ways to negate the return affecting your selling status. It's actually hard to lose your top rated seller status once you get established. EBay is a great place to sell as the traffic is crazy awesome. Go start your own website and sell on it and you will do less than 1% of the sales you would on eBay. Been selling as a top rated power seller on 2 accounts for years...yes you run into scammers but very few and far between. Its is par for the course as a reseller as Amazon and any selling platform will tell you. It happens to them all. If people cannot deal with scammers, then honestly this is the wrong business to be in as its unavoidable. Good video with good content, your reasons do not comply with any ebay policy on returns that I have ever experienced or ever see with cases being ruled in your favor unless, maybe you are just into the top rated seller program. Then eBay may flag you as risky and put you on notice. Also, my experience with the perfumes and makeup is that it is very high risk for scammers. Lots of people change out the perfume or etc. Wheat pennies is another high risk area, with a ton of scammers replacing coins and returning. Fyi

[@FlippinAintEasy]

A C I appreciate the time you have taken to send your reply but please allow me to explain. When I made this video I received a message from eBay starting that my returns in the health and beauty category were to high as compared to my peers. I was in fact labeled as “very high” in fact. This essentially meant for the current quarter I would at the time be facing an additional 4% fees for any health and beauty item I sold AND I would n not have access to the refund tool that top rated sellers have access to until the following quarter if and only if the returns on this category fell down below the very high mark. I downloaded the report showing the returns being counted against me and I believe at least 4 were customer canceled returns and a few others were returns that the customer never sent back and these returns were closed in my favor. I thought along the same lines as you did and I req a callback from a managed payments agent and I explained these returns should not count against the number. They read me Ebay’s policy and stated these count and there isn’t anything they could do to remove them. Even if a case is opened after a buyer opens a return the return stands. In fact one return was a buyer who requested a return, I reached out and helped them with the item and they cancelled the return, and that wasn’t removed. I spoke to an agent in Disputes and a Supervisor who was the one who broke the news about the refund tool being removed until that improved. Long story short my returns improved and my account is back to normal. Please understand, I will never come on here to blow smoke and misrepresent my experiences and policy that I come across. I take time to prepare to make sure I’m giving good information and what I have told you is true. I have the emails from eBay and the return log to back to what I’m saying. I’ve been a seller since 2007 and I’m well versed in Ebay policy. I wouldn’t steer you wrong my friend. Bottom line, all returns count against your number regardless of how they are resolved. It’s unfair however it is the current process used by eBay to evaluate their sellers.

[@raglandpiano]

eBay customer service for sellers has absolutely cratered this year (2020). I’ve been selling on eBay for over 20 years and am shocked at how much they have let customer service deteriorate.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

When call centers outsource the work, they limit what these reps are able to do. If they returned the work back to the US, it would improve tremendously. Ebay enjoys paying their outsourced reps $2 an hour so until this changes, expect more of the same.

[@dcb1138]

The higher the cot of an item. The more likely someone ties to SCAM you... I should know. All my items are $500+

[@davidfaxon3336]

What are you selling cars? Shoes that price will get you banned unfortunately in due time. It happens to people all the time. I wish you nothing but luck on EBAY

[@beckythompson1141]

Hi I'm sorry about the situation what's managed payment on ebay?

[@InscentiveAdvice]

Wait wtf I knew I wasn't tripping I have 3 returns and I have only ever had 1 actual return!?!?!? Buyers canceled those other returns how and why is eBay holding me to that that is so annoying. I don't want to call then all the time so much wasted time. Just to protect myself. So dumb we always have to run around and get final fees and defects that are not defects removed from our page. So much to keep up with not sure how or why I do it.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

tpietropaolo01 yep, 4 of my 10 returns in that category were cancelled by the buyer. Many times the buyer opens a return as a knee jerk reaction then figures out how to use the item they bought but once they open that item does not work or item not described return it’s too late and stays counted against you. Now I am disputing these so we will see in a few days hopefully if these are able to be removed.

[@beckythompson1141]

I'm top rated plus a buyer wants a$45 return stating she wanted white pillow cases but ordered grey and only pillow cases I had in that brand ebay is making me refund the buyer?

[@FlippinAintEasy]

It never matter what the seller says, the buyer can always open a return for any reason unfortunately. With that said always respond to these cases and never let them timeout. Accept the return. If the buyer paid additional shipping then you do not have to return that in their refund if you described the item properly.

[@brennykins8823]

Fluently and coherently expressed, I learnt quite a bit from this. Thank you.

[@BillStoner]

Just make sure you don't open a case against the buyer if the return is not right. eBay defaults automatically to the buyer and you won't be able to use the refund deduction. It's funny I haven't had a buyer cancel a sale after paying since I was moved to managed payments.

[@WolverineX2010]

I've been watching your channel for a while. I sell television repair parts. Can you imagine how many people buy things they really have no clue how to use and then say I sent them a bad part because of it? It's stupid. I would say 1 out of 7 or 8 sales has a return. It's usually the most expensive parts. Yes, I'm top-rated and in the very high return rate for the category. There just does not seem to be a way around it? I know they know buyers abuse the platform to try parts and send them back. I cannot see why they are charging sellers in catagories like this more money for being a retail victim.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Because they have a blanket policy in place that is 100% weighted towards the buyer. The key is to know in theory every seller is subject to these buyers and do what we can to keep our returns under the “very high” designation.

[@WolverineX2010]

@@FlippinAintEasy You know what the sellers in this catagory resort to? Free shipping, free returns, and begging the customer not to file item not as described because they offer free returns. Look up any seller in television parts and it is a plea fest for buyers to return on them as Changed Mind. The majority of sellers have a low 90% feedback rating and lose that top rated badge after a couple months no matter what they do. Thanks for the reply.

[@raid_or_die8962]

Sooo. Im top rated seller. I do not offer returns. This guy washed a over $100 jacket that says "do not machine wash" and completly ruined it. You can look at it and instantly tell its destroyed. I just got it back today. So sence i dont offer returns even as a top rated seller there gunna make me refund him the entire amount??? Please tell me theres somthing i can do where i dont get tottaly screwed in this case. Would it help if i could get him to admit he machine washed the jacket? Or just no point

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Go to the return and when you click on refund do you get the refund tool which will allow you to deduct up to 50% of the sale price. I would contact ebay and raise a stink in this case if not. It’s a crap shot but i certainly wouldn’t take it lying down.

[@raid_or_die8962]

Well my time ranout of when they gave me to deal with it so i just refunded him. Everytime i go threw somthing like this with ebay they are abosustly no help. Really didnt want to get tottaly screwed on that but i wouldent have ended up with anything anyways im pretty sure.

[@transformed613]

You learned nothing. Ebay will change the rules daily. You made less than $10 per hour.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

You commented on a video from early 2020. While I appreciate your comments I have learned more than you think since this video. And yes they do change rules often but not daily.

[@transformed613]

It is daily because they have different rules for different people

[@gusmarquez1715]

I believe that you are referring the "top-rated plus" program in some portions of this video. I have been top-rated for a long time, and it did not take long to form the opinion that the free returns option left us sellers vulnerable to being taken advantage of. I took a pass on it and I was willing to forgo the 10% off final value fees. Unless I made an error in the listing, etc. then my buyers can expect to pay for the return shipping. It has probably saved me a few bad experiences in my mind it's a wash at least.

[@rogenastyles9625]

I’ve just come across this video and I watch a lot of yours. Those people really are the lowest form of human for sending that back like that. So have things changed now or is it still the same policy.

[@BrianOchoa65]

learning is important about the rules also be respectful to Reps

[@idbountyhunter]

Can you change a restocking fee?

[@lynnettecapozio7327]

Today I woke up to a refund request because a buyer had not been home when her packaged was delivered by USPS. They did not leave the package and instead have processed a RETURN TO SENDER. The buyer would like to have the items sent to her again but because she opened a Not Received dispute I do believe I only have a small window of time to resolve this issue before getting dinged by Ebay. My question is.... should I wait to receive the package from USPS before refunding the buyer OR Refund the buyer on good faith and hope I get my package from USPS BTW..... I am Top Rated Plus and not sure if I get any special benefits with this. UGH - I hate returns P.P.S.S. The total cost for some clothes she bought came to about $50

[@rogenastyles9625]

I suppose it’s a bit late now but I would always wait for the return. What happened in the end

[@sdillon4605]

When you get an open return case and the customer never sends it back. You get a message from eBay stating they closed it "without any refund to the buyer", and it goes on to say "the case will not affect your seller performance." I know this is an old video from 2 years ago, so perhaps this is a newer message and policy.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

I believe so

[@lynnettecapozio7327]

You have the best channel for REAL DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION about selling on Ebay.... I am going through and watching all your videos asap!

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Thanks Lynette! More videos to come!

[@Abid84600]

Well said and a good lesson for me Thanks

[@i.m.7710]

Please put "warning: talk of poop" in the title. This is the 2nd video lately where i sit down to watch it with a snack and i am totally grossed out. 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@FlippinAintEasy]

I. M. My apologies. Hopefully I don’t have to deal with something like that again.

[@Massiveminion]

I had a case a few years ago where a buyer jumped to a false conclusion upon receipt of a sale, didn't flip item over where add-on parts were taped to underside, put me on report to eBay, then ostracized me using uppercase letters for being stupid. Once I got buyer to calm down via ebay email I suggested review of item sold whereupon everything went high gear undoing everything he did reporting me re "not as described", overflowing apologies, incessant begging not to be blocked. Whew. Anyway, I reassured him he wouldn't be blocked but I haven't sold any item in that category since because I don't wish to endure that type of humiliation ever again even though I was not at fault. Latest return last month was buyer remorse & I'm 95% certain he broke the item, not factory defect as he stated re return. That's the issue I'm concerned about on returns: buyers feigning product inferiority instead of taking personal responsibility. Side note: 1 buyer deliberately had his USPO hold an item for thirty days before returning it unopened. He was upset that I dared to have a Signature Confirmation on item. Beyond 30 days eBay told me the sale became null so I could not expect to get my final value fee returned. Like you I am a top rated seller. And I didn't get it.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Ken Albrecht I recently spoke with an eBay Supervisor who tried to tell me how he receives more complaints from buyers claiming the rules are geared towards sellers. It’s stories like these that confirm otherwise. If sellers collectively voice their disdain for eBay’s policies I’m sure we would eventually see change. When a Supervisor states they hear more buyers complain than sellers it tells me not enough sellers are willing to stand up and help change these policies.

[@maryjoolson344]

As a very small time seller on eBay one return request raised my return percentage to 3 1/2. However, buyer never return the item. By chance, I found the stat on and just phoned eBay and pointed out that the buyer never returned the item and the rep said it shouldn't be there. A day or so later eBay messaged me they are correcting it. I didn't have to justify or argue with them at all and hope you didn't have to either.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Mary Jo Olson wow. They told me it made no difference if the buyer cancels the return or if they just allow the request to time out after 35 days. It still counts against your return rate. Glad it worked out for you but to be honest, I would follow up to make sure this is done as I have been told a few things that were wrong just to get me off the phone.

[@BillStoner]

Right now I have a charge back on paypal for $99 then they slapped a $20 fee on top of that. Buyer is disputing a purchase they made in March. They had opened I return of item doesn't work I paid for return shipping after 3 months they hadn't shipped it back so eBay closed the case.

[@mitchellhuey5612]

Think I will go back to Craigslist and forget selling on eBay.

[@emusaurus]

No scammers there, right?

[@Thehumblecollectoruk]

very imformative thank you

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jasonsmith-zh3cb]

i cancelled a sale 11 months ago because the item was damaged before i could ship it.. so i refunded the sale and offered to ship the item for free, now ebay says they will remove my top rated seller because the item was listed as out of stock.. that was 11 months ago.. wtf. anywho i feel ya man ebay is wonky

[@FlippinAintEasy]

jason smith I believe that is held against your account for a year so hang in there as it should drop off soon.

[@AC-fv7kt]

Again, I had this happen and informed the buyer and refunded them. I contacted eBay and asked if this will negatively affect my selling status in any way and was 100% guaranteed it will not. Now, if the buyer sees my messages and then notices I have relisted this item at a higher price and contacts eBay, I will take a hit and might even get closed for a period of time. But, just refunding the buyer for an items damaged case does not.

[@jaynepearson3203]

Thanks for sharing this, very interesting.

[@FlippinAintEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@LAWNPRO]

Thanks for this video it helped me on a carbon copy situation nice of you to take the time and see even though video is 10 months old it still helped me out thanks you have a new subscriber :-)

[@posterboyrob]

Wow. That was sick.