What is Your Refund Policy?

By Suzanne Arant-Wells

There are many strategies for increasing your sales on eBay. One of the easiest to implement is offering a fair return policy. Shoppers are more likely to buy from you if you have a fair refund policy. They may never have to use it, but it gives them peace of mind that they can get their money back if they want to. You are giving your customers options and empowering them. Look at what other eBay sellers offer as a return policy. Research how the big companies handle refunds and how their refund policies are worded.

You can always re-list the item again once it is returned. Just refund the customer’s money, and then go to eBay and find the item in your archived listings. Click on “relist item,” and you’re done. Sometimes, the item sells for more the second time around! You can still get positive feedback from the first buyer, especially if you promptly process his refund and include a professional email thanking him for his business. They key is to make the customer happy and get positive feedback. Make them want to return to your store.

Customers may contact you about a refund but never follow through with sending the item back. You know how it is, you put the item in your car to return it to the store or take it to the post office, and six months later it is still there. I keep my refund policy simple. Refund for the purchase price only, no store credit, and shipping is the customer’s responsibility. I feel that only offering store credit may make the customer feel trapped - that they do not have options if they can’t find a suitable exchange.
are actually returned to me each month. (I sell around 300 items a month, and only 2 or 3 ever come back.) Some customers who have made returns will come back for future sales because they know first-hand that you are an honest seller who stands by your policy.

Learn more about eBay selling by visiting my blog - where you can also listen to eBay audio tips while you work.

Suzanne Wells is an eBay Power Seller, author of "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Gude to Successful eBay Selling," eBay Consultant, and mom of 2 in Atlanta, GA.

Is Honesty The Best Policy?

By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

Nearly everyone agrees, Honesty is the best policy. Yet, when push comes to shove, many people tell a little white lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings, or facing oneself. This article discusses the rationale of little white lies, and if - when a white lie is acceptable.

No matter how insignificant you might think a ‘little white lie’ (dishonesty) has on the relationship, the energy of a ‘little white lie’ looms between you and the other person. You might argue that 'little white lies' (untruths) are harmless. However, they are like small cracks that weaken the overall structure in the long term. Even giving someone a false compliment or ostensibly protecting someone can create problems later when the alternate reality you created becomes the basis for further interactions. Even though all future actions may be honest, the underlying unstable foundation of a ‘little white lie,’ (dishonesty) will threaten to derail an otherwise good relationship. This then leads to further energy being spent on keeping things hidden, working to remember the ‘little white lies’ you have told and fearing the consequences of being found out. Your relationships then becomes a tiring and draining experience.

Speaking and living your truth, involves risking, and among other things, the possibility of rejection. However, when you allow yourself to follow the honest flow of life, you are supported by the universal law of cause and effect. You can then use your energy to cultivate physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and to create your dreams, rather than leaving yourself vulnerable to being drained and overwhelmed with keeping the web of dishonest puzzle pieces coherent.

When you speak the truth, you affirm what already is. Speaking your truth is analogous to using a paddle when the stream is already moving the same direction. You are already supported by the universe and its energy flow, so you do not need to exert extraordinary energy, thus leaving more energy for other pursuits. Energetically, dishonesty redirects your energy against the flow, which requires extra effort. In addition, dishonesty creates an alternate reality that requires further energetic attention to be maintained.

Thus, you can readily see that you are best served when you work with the flow of the universe.
You can make the choice to be free of the burden of dishonesty at any time. Today is the first day of the rest of your life--Begin today to choice honesty in every interaction, bringing the nurturing power of the universe’s energy into your life brings lasting positive results.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life." Dr. Dorothy has the unique gift of connecting people with a broad range of profound principles that resonate in the deepest part of their being. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one's daily thoughts and feelings. http://www.drdorothy.net