So here’s a top rated auto parts seller on eBay Motors complaining about 4% penalty on returns. In this business the wrong part is often ordered that results in a return. Buyer does not want to pay return shipping, and opens a mediated claim. Seller is zinged with a 4% penalty, plus final value fees. 🙁
Seller claims he tries messaging buyers to be sure the part ordered will fit their car, but must ship the part within 24 hours to comply with eBay rules. Unfortunately in this short time frame getting a reply back from his buyer might not be possible.
From the forum topic: ATTN: Ebay Management/Corporate – WE NEED OUR VOICE TO BE HEARD!
We have recently learned that a 4% extra charge on our final value fees is added because we have a little over 4% return rate on the items we sell that are item not described. We STRONGLY feel that the “penalty” that Ebay is imposing on us is just a way to rip money off of us, sellers.

The corporate wheels keep turning grinding out more fees from sellers who’s buyers order the wrong item
-
(1) Ebay wants us to take care of the customers, even if it’s buyer’s remorse – DONE! We refund, even if we sell the item as “FOR PARTS/DEFECTIVE”, no questions asked. We provide the label to the customer and refund right away as soon as we get it back.
-
(2) Ebay wants customers happy: DONE! We have an acceptable 99.8% feedback rate which puts us as a “Top Rated: Seller with highest buyer ratings”
-
(3) Ebay wants customers to get the items shipped ASAP – DONE! We ship in less than 24 hours… 99% of the time (the only time we delay a little bit is on large items, that need extra care in packing – to prevent further damages in shipping
-
(4) Ebay wants us to make sure the customers are happy by refunding a case promptly to prevent a defect rate- DONE! we have a 0% defect rate.
-
(5) Ebay wants its buyers to be happy by sellers resolving cases in time – DONE! we have a 0% “case closed without seller resolution”
-
(6) We give ebay over $600K business each year.
-
(7) Ebay wanted for their customers to have free shipping… DONE! Most of our items have free shipping.