You see a great product advertised on TV.  You see it for sale in your local salon.  This is a "miracle product".  It can perform (whatever the purpose is) better than anything else on the market today!  But it costs SOOOO much!

What to do, what to do?

You could use the phone number on TV to order the product (and save loads of money on 3 other products which they will give you for free, just because you called in the past 10 minutes).  OK, but what if it doesn't work as advertised?  You are a savvy shopper!  Nobody's going to pull the wool over your eyes!

You ask the order taker (person on phone when you call)

• Can I return it if it doesn't work as advertised?
• Will I have to pay return shipping and handling?
• WIll my original shipping and handling be refunded if I need to return it?
• Will it be shipped insured?

You are told that:

• They offer a money back satisfaction guarantee
• Return shipping is at your expense
• Original shipping and handling is non-refundable
• It will be shipped insured, if you request and pay for the insurance

What to do, what to do??

You decide to call back later...You need to check the policies at the local salon selling the same product (at 150% of the price offered on TV.) You call the salon.

You ask the receptionist (person that answers the phone)

• Can I return it if it doesn't work as advertised?

You are told that:

• Only unopened products can be returned, and then only for store credit
• A 10% restocking fee is charged for all returns
• Open products must be returned to the manufacturer, with proof of purchase and reason for the return

What to do, what to do???

Maybe you should check eBay.  Maybe someone is selling just this product!  You log into your eBay account and perform a search for your desired product.  There it is!  It costs 75% of the amount advertised on TV, and significantly less than is being charged in the local salon.

You select your item and

• Put in your bid
• Win the item
• Pay for the item
• Await the item's arrival
• Happily accept it at the door
• Run to your computer and leave positive feedback for your seller
• Lock yourself in the bathroom so nobody can witness your initial trial of the product

You are shocked and dismayed because

• The product works exactly like the other similar products
• The product actually causes you to break out in a hideous rash
• You now have an open container, almost full with the defective product

What to do, what to do????

You run (OK, maybe hobble) back to the computer.  You sign into eBay and then:

You contact your seller telling him that

• The product is no better than similar products available EVERYWHERE for much more modest prices
• The product actually burned your skin
• You want to return the product

You seller asks all the important questions and then tells you that:

• Opened products cannot be returned to them
• You can read their return policies in their STORE POLICIES page.

What went wrong with this transaction?

Although you clearly have exercised a reasonable plan to determine whether you would be satisfied with your shopping experience through the TV sales representative, and through the salon, when you reached eBay, you asked no such questions.

You did not:

• Ask about the seller's return policy before bidding
• Take the time to realize that the verbiage on the eBay seller's listing is verbatim from the product's container.

You did:

• Presume the return policies would be the same as the TV sales return policies

You are destined to disappointment!!

Your eBay seller posts his return policies for a reason.  Clearly, everyone does not have the same return policy.  The seller in this case, did not manufacture the product.  He did not advertise anything that wasn't advertised on the product packaging.  He may accept returns, as a personnal decision that to do so is more likely to win repeat customers, but he very well might expect you to deal directly with the manufacturer of the product, as this product is warranted by the manufacturer.

Please, buyers, take the time

• To learn the policies of those from whom you are buying items on eBay
• To look at the seller's feedback -- if his products are working...the feedback will be good
• Make the same type of informed decision as you do in your other shopping (online and brick and mortar)

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide.  I hope it has been helpful. 

I always accept returns at Judy's Corner, but it is by personal choice that I do so.