New return rate fees concerns for Handmade items
Hi @priscilla_amazon!
I wonder if you can comment on the new return rates that will be going into effect on June 1. I took a look at the new returns insights page and am concerned that the handmade threshold seems to be a one size fits all number, not taking into consideration differences within the category.
For example, I do have a few listings in the Accessories - Jewelry category, and the threshold there is 10.8%, which makes sense as a fashion item you'll get more returns than for other categories. But when I look at the earrings I have listed in Handmade, the threshold is 4.8%, which is really low for a fashion accessory.
Also, do these thresholds take into account giftable items? For example, my return rate in Jan is much higher than return rates in other times of the year.
Lastly, are these % rates across all return reasons, or just seller faulted? If not, it's really not fair for us to bear the costs of Amazon's liberal return policies. For many of my items, over half of the returns are either "bought by mistake" or "no longer needed" - neither of which I can prevent by any listing updates or improvements to my items.
Thanks for any answers you are able to provide!
Tahmi
New return rate fees concerns for Handmade items
Hi @priscilla_amazon!
I wonder if you can comment on the new return rates that will be going into effect on June 1. I took a look at the new returns insights page and am concerned that the handmade threshold seems to be a one size fits all number, not taking into consideration differences within the category.
For example, I do have a few listings in the Accessories - Jewelry category, and the threshold there is 10.8%, which makes sense as a fashion item you'll get more returns than for other categories. But when I look at the earrings I have listed in Handmade, the threshold is 4.8%, which is really low for a fashion accessory.
Also, do these thresholds take into account giftable items? For example, my return rate in Jan is much higher than return rates in other times of the year.
Lastly, are these % rates across all return reasons, or just seller faulted? If not, it's really not fair for us to bear the costs of Amazon's liberal return policies. For many of my items, over half of the returns are either "bought by mistake" or "no longer needed" - neither of which I can prevent by any listing updates or improvements to my items.
Thanks for any answers you are able to provide!
Tahmi
2 replies
priscilla_amazon
Hi @Seller_M94fHI9Bg7LMX, thank you for surfacing these concerns. Let me investigate further and get back to you.
Thank you,
Priscilla
Seller_7yza5TpHY1OqD
I'd like to second the excellent point made by @Seller_M94fHI9Bg7LMX. By my count there are 33 product categories - only three of those categories have lower return rate thresholds than the "Everything Else" category that Handmade products have been placed in.
I don't know how things work at Amazon HQ, but it certainly would be nice if @priscilla_amazon and/or the Handmade team leaders could push for change on our behalf. It's obviously a difficult issue given the variance in Handmade products, but perhaps a new "Guild" category could be created with a return rate threshold of 10% or so?
I'm preaching to the choir here so I don't need to elaborate on why the current rate of 4.8% is unfair - Handmade products should not have a return rate threshold that is nearly the same as the threshold for Office Products.
