For all clothing and shoe’s sellers on Amazon, Tamebay reader David has spotted some bad news. Amazon’s help page on “Arranging Marketplace Returns and Refunds” stipulates that the merchant is responsible for returns charges.
The page explains that sellers aren’t required to refund the cost of gift-wrapping, returning the item to the Seller, and other services provided in connection with your purchase unless the item is returned because of an error on the Seller’s part or because it’s defective.
The page then has a note stating “Shoes and Clothing items are entitled to refund of return postage costs, irrespective of reason for return”.
This is news to us at Tamebay HQ and we’re not sure if it’s always been the case or if it’s a new addition to Amazon’ return rules.
Having spoken to an experienced Amazon seller this evening, the chances are that buyers won’t know the intricacies of Amazon’s rules and will happily pay the return postage costs regardless. However as a seller of clothing or shoes you should be aware that all the items in these categories are returnable and you are liable for the return postage costs.
9 Responses
But if you return too many you’ll get a lifetime buying ban on Amazon?
As a UK seller, when we sell on the Amazon EU platforms, as far as I understand it, we HAVE to offer free returns.
I never advertise the fact and have yet to have any customer quote me the rule but thank goodness we don’t get many returns.
Yes its new. If by new you mean last year – September or so?
Some sellers apparently unaware even after Amazon announced it.
This has been the case on Amazon for a long time now but Amazon forums are still often visited time and time again with sellers complaining that a buyer has insisted that the seller pay the return cost for clothes and shoes. I am surprised that sellers on marketplaces do not do their homework before selling and then wonder why they have problems!
Just brings Amazon in line with eBay regarding returns now the only difference is on eBay the buyer is required to make up a false reason for the return to get free postage.
Well at least Amazon is been open about compulsory free returns and not doing it through the back door
We have just set up to sell on Amazon but not listed anything as yet.
If this is true we won’t be bothering listing. The Amazon fees are high, aswell as the fact Amazon watch your best sellers and then compete with you. So this is a BIG NO for us sorry Amazon but we won’t be selling on your platform