eBay is boasting it now offers free returns for Vehicle Parts & Accessories – though it doesn’t mention the fact it requires sellers to offer the free returns policy.
This summer, eBay mandated sellers provide a minimum free 30-day returns on new (or new-other) items listed in Parts & Accessories for fixed-price listings that sell for over $10.
In Wednesday’s announcement to shoppers, eBay’s head of US commercial operations for Parts & Accessories Neil Sethi said, “We’re removing extra costs and uncertainty, so shoppers can tackle their vehicle projects with assurance, every time.”
eBay told shoppers in the announcement, “If a return is necessary, simply print a free shipping label and send the item back for a refund,” and listed “other experience improvements”:
Flexible Returns: Most parts and accessories can be returned within 30 days after delivery at no cost.
Convenient Shipping: Shoppers can access free return labels and schedule pickups or drop-offs.
Fast Refunds: Accelerated refund processing for peace of mind, including the option to receive an eBay credit to quickly resume shopping.
As we explained in our reporting in July, here’s how eBay spun the new mandate to sellers: “For sellers in the P&A category, we’re making it easier for you to stay competitive and deliver a seamless experience for your buyers with our updated return policy.”
We also noted at the time that eBay automatically subsidizes eligible return-label costs by 50% – but only if sellers use eBay’s shipping label program – and only if the return is due to the buyer changing their minds.
A moderator who answered questions from sellers about the free-return mandate explained more about the requirements of the program from sellers’ point-of-view:
“The 50% reduction in eBay labels applies only when a buyer changes their mind after purchasing an item and wants to return it. If a buyer wishes to return an item because it doesn’t fit their vehicle, we’ll cover the cost of the return shipping under eBay Guaranteed Fit. If the buyer reports that the item arrived damaged or doesn’t match the listing description, the seller is responsible for the full cost of the return label.”
From eBay’s point of view, being able to tout the marketplace as risk-free as possible will likely drive more sales. But some may be asking, at what cost to sellers? And it may have some unintended consequences. As one reader commented on our July article about the mandate:
“I predict there will be a large increase in listings as “used open box” or “used new old stock” or similar work arounds. 95% or more of the parts I sell are vintage so it’s not a stretch to say that, I have to think other people will come up with the same idea. I appreciate they want to be more like Amazon or even O’Reilly but I don’t want them to do it on my back.”
Will more sellers move auto-parts listings from “new” to “used” condition?