Sellers' Concerns: Managing Excessive Returns and Buyer-Centric Policies
Hello,
Buyers are undoubtedly our esteemed patrons, but sellers are equally important in the retail ecosystem. If we become overly buyer-centric, sellers will suffer, ultimately damaging the system in the long run.
Here's why I'm writing: A buyer purchased multiple sizes of my product—2 of one size, 2 of another, and 3 of yet another. They later returned all of them. Unfortunately, because they placed separate orders, the 'Max Order Quantity' parameter couldn't prevent this.
Why would a customer purchase 7 items in 3 different sizes only to return them all? This excessive behavior has led to significant losses due to return fees. I reported this to Amazon, but no solution was provided. (This customer is not a business buyer either.)
I want to bring this issue to light. Of course, returns are inevitable, especially for products with different sizes. However, this situation should not be abused. What solutions do you suggest for this problem? I believe that discussing this with you, my esteemed colleagues, will help us find a constructive solution.
Here is my personal solution: Buyers must have a return threshold, over that threshold, they must pay.
Respectfully,
Sellers' Concerns: Managing Excessive Returns and Buyer-Centric Policies
Hello,
Buyers are undoubtedly our esteemed patrons, but sellers are equally important in the retail ecosystem. If we become overly buyer-centric, sellers will suffer, ultimately damaging the system in the long run.
Here's why I'm writing: A buyer purchased multiple sizes of my product—2 of one size, 2 of another, and 3 of yet another. They later returned all of them. Unfortunately, because they placed separate orders, the 'Max Order Quantity' parameter couldn't prevent this.
Why would a customer purchase 7 items in 3 different sizes only to return them all? This excessive behavior has led to significant losses due to return fees. I reported this to Amazon, but no solution was provided. (This customer is not a business buyer either.)
I want to bring this issue to light. Of course, returns are inevitable, especially for products with different sizes. However, this situation should not be abused. What solutions do you suggest for this problem? I believe that discussing this with you, my esteemed colleagues, will help us find a constructive solution.
Here is my personal solution: Buyers must have a return threshold, over that threshold, they must pay.
Respectfully,
5 replies
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
Returns are part of the business. They can return anything, whenever they want. Just because they returned them all doesn't give you pause to complain (unless they were worn or used).
Unless they are returning items that are different or damaged, then you accept the return and move on.
Seller_0rXAME9V4LQSx
You agreed to accept returns through amazon. Period.
You are also selling in a clothing catagory that amazon both tells customers that they can do "try and buys" and easy returns on. Amazon also tells sellers in this catagory that it has a high return factor.
Any other retail establishment (walmart/target/khols/old navy) that you would be able to list your clothing through would also allow "unlimited" returns.
SEAmod
Hi @Seller_ZePPVKTpDdaHM
I appreciate and understand the motivation behind your suggestion. The sellers who posted in reply are right. Amazon is solidly behind the idea that returns should be easy for buyers to execute. The clothing category is especially tough on our third party sellers because Amazon does encourage buyers to purchase to try on and then return what doesn't work for them.
Thanks for visiting the seller forums.
Susan
Seller_ZePPVKTpDdaHM
Thank you for your comments. But this is not what I am trying to express:
Why would a buyer buy 2 Size Medium, 2 Large, 3 XL and return them all?
I would understand if they purchased 1 M,1 L and XL and keep L and return them all.
