I very rarely return coins that I purchase on
ebay, but I learned something new today. The low-cost ESUS envelope option is only available for selling, not for returns. All
ebay returns are handled with a USPS box and tracking. None of that is apparent when ordering the coin—my own default assumption was that if I received a coin shipped via
ebay Standard Envelope, that I could also return it via ESUS for about $1.25.
In turn, this made me wonder if sellers listing coins with buyer-paid returns is really a red herring. If you purchase a $15 coin, for example, and the return costs $5-8, I think that would really discourage a buyer from returning the coin.
I find this relevant to mention because recently, some folks expressed the belief that if a seller doesn't offer returns, they aren't standing behind their product. I sell many coins for $2.50 or less, and I do not accept returns. But it seems that if I offered buyer-paid returns, that only provides the
illusion of a return policy, because when the buyer starts the process, they discover their USPS label is going to cost more than they paid for the coin itself.