Why does return shipping cost more than the item?
International online marketplace sellers often place the financial burden of returns onto the buyer, leaving customers trapped when courier fees dwarf the cost of the product. Because return shipping can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, buyers are forced to either absorb the loss of a defective item or abandon the return process entirely.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Accepting a partial refund from the seller
- 2Attempting to resell the item independently on secondary marketplaces
- 3Failing to return the item and absorbing the financial loss
- 4Writing an honest review with a photo of the received item and escalating a case to Etsy for a refund
- 5Open a case with Etsy
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Bought a $350 rug that arrived stained and looks significantly thinner/cheaper than the listing.”source ↗
“Seller (in India) says I must pay the return shipping, which is fine. FedEx quoted me $1,300 to return it”source ↗
“Hi, I did read the FAQs but didn’t see this specific scenario mentioned. In short, I bought some opal slices but what I received was completely different from the listing.”source ↗
“But he did ask me to cover the cost to ship the correct item, $5. Is that right/allowed?”source ↗
“I will have to pay shipping ($37) if I want to return it.”source ↗
“But the return costs $1300 😨 so I'm worried Etsy will reply and say that I need to pay that to return the rug.”source ↗
“The thing is on the post, it says the buyer is responsible for the return shipping. Which was FINE until I learned it's $1300! I just find this so unfair and unclear.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3How to get a refund when an online seller won't ship or reply
- 3Why am I getting refund requests for orders from years ago?
- 5Why hasn't my online order shipped yet?
- 9Why am I paying extra customs fees on international packages?
- 5Why do sellers cancel orders and ask you to buy off-platform?
- 2Customer claiming food or packages weren't delivered despite proof