What's your refund rate on Amazon?

[tommo7811]

Having already benefited from the expertise of some of the members who trade on Amazon here, I thought I'd put up this thread and once again, pick your brains. ....I also thought this may benefit other members.

Well after 150+ sales over the last month (first month on Amazon), things are going ok, but my refund rate is currently at 3%. Is that normal -- what's yours?

Obviously, it comes down to what you sell, I know that. I have noticed Amazon customers are very particular about what they expect and so many want to return their items. That's fine with me, no problem. However, I'm just worried what Amazon will think about this (they're already holding my funds for 30 days - which I've been told is normal, so not worried). I just don't want my refund rate to be REALLY high and it sound alarm bells over at Amazon. NB - all of my other metrics are perfect.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[AndyP]

Over last 90 days our refund rate is 0.96% (1.32% for last 30 days).

Who has told you that 30 days is the normal fund holding time? It's not. Or possibly, it may be related to the categories in which you sell, it may be down simply to you being a new seller, etc.....would be worth checking though as a 30 day holding can impact quite seriously on your cashflow.

 

[Page]

I think Amazon will monitor you against an average for your type of product. So if your product is okay you will be okay. Clothing foe example will have higher returns than books.

Amazon will want to settle you in and gain confidence in you be sure you are sending the goods out etc.

We get funds paid out in full every 14 days

 

[tommo7811]

Thanks for your replies.

They're only holding my funds for 30 days as I'm a new seller and at one point was turning over £300-£400 a day. The reason I said it was normal was because from my research, just about every seller on there has experienced it at one time. I'm not worried though as I've had 14 feedbacks this month and all have been 5 stars, I've upgraded every order to signed for and uploaded tracking info, all green ticks and no A-Z claims. I see no reason why there'll not put my account back to normal after the 30 days has passed. Kind of frustrating as they're now holding nearly 4 grand, but I have other streams of income that are keeping a flow of cash coming in.

Back to the original topic, I guess it does all come down to what it is you sell. For example, I got a good deal on a branded line so brought 60, shifted the lot on Amazon within 2 weeks and to date I've had zero returns. My day to day products are all my own brand and so far I've had one return for a faulty item. Another was somebody claiming the item arrived damaged (took them 2 weeks to mention it though), but I just refunded them and let them keep the item - didn't want to risk a negative feedback so early on. The others have been for a line I sell that's notorious for returns, as it's basically a "cheaper alternative" to a much more expensive product (5x more so) and of course, has less features for that reason. The product info is completely honest, no false promises, yet some people go in expecting an item of identical spec for a £350 saving! I have no problem with accepting returns, I just don't want Amazon to give me the boot because of it. I would drop this line, but it brings in some very nice profits month in month our for minimal work. Perhaps it would be a good idea to bring something in with a low number of returns to balance it out.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Mister B]

Sounds like you've got your head screwed on and are doing quite well

FWIW, we sell predominantly clothing and our return rate for the past 90 days was 1.02% 3% sounds high to me.

As for the 30 day payment....we've always been paid within 14 days, ever since day one.

Mister B