A Quick Guide to eBay Returns for Sellers

eBay returns procedure can take a while to figure out. Their sellers' guide to returns links all over the place to thousands of words of explanations, and updates in 2018 have changed a lot. We’re here to give you a quick overview of how everything works so you can spend more time selling and less reading about policy.

Fully updated 7/5/2018.

When Customers Can Initiate eBay Returns

A customer can request a return if:

The conditions from your return policy are met, or
The item that reaches the buyer doesn’t match your description

It’s really that simple.

If you decide to accept returns beyond those absolutely required, eBay gives you the ability to customize your return policy extensively. You can decide how long the buyer has to request a refund, whether the refund for certain returns will be full or partial, and whether you’ll charge the buyer for return shipping.

You can find out how to create an eBay return policy here. Be sure to follow the best practices of creating a good ecommerce return policy when you do. Otherwise, you'll be at risk of damaging your eBay feedback score and therefore your ability to make sales.

Note that you can only achieve Top Rated Plus status if you accept free returns within 30 days.

When the eBay returns procedure begins, you can do any of the following:

Give a Partial Refund

You can only give a buyer a partial refund if the item is returned damaged or used, or if you let them keep the item they want to return.

This can be a good option if you would have a tough time reselling the item, such as if it was damaged. It also saves both parties the time and money involved in dealing with return shipping.

Give a Full Refund

Give the buyer all of their money back and allow them to keep the item.

This choice is the best option for keeping customers happy and maintaining the highest possible eBay feedback score, but it can also do a lot to drag down your profits.

Take the Item Back

You can give the buyer a full refund or a replacement in exchange for them sending the item back to you.

Accepting a Return and Providing a Refund

If you accept the return, you must generally give the buyer back exactly what they paid.

Charging the buyer for shipping: You can charge the buyer for the return shipping if that’s part of your return policy and the item was as the listing described. You cannot charge for shipping if the item does not arrive exactly as described.

Having the buyer pay for return shipping is the default setting for quick listings.

Replacing a Return

The buyer can request to send a damaged or otherwise unsatisfactory item back and have you replace it with a satisfactory one. Additionally, when a buyer requests a refund, you can usually offer a replacement instead. Just note that you may have to provide the refund if they refuse.

Alternatively, you can offer a similar item instead of an exact replacement, such as larger shoes if they bought the wrong size. Offering a similar item is called an exchange.

You can just give the buyer a refund if you’re out of stock.

How Shipping Works for Returns

1. You make sure the buyer has a shipping label. (You will need one too if you’re providing a replacement.)

The fastest and easiest way to get one is to buy one from eBay for the customer to print out, which you can do when going through eBay’s standard process to complete a return. You can also choose to buy one from a courier of your choice and send it to the customer as an image file.

2. The item is packaged and sent.

When it arrives, you send the buyer the refund. If you're providing a replacement, you send it out as soon as possible, even if the customer hasn't sent the original back to you yet.