eBay is extending its returns period to at least two weeks ahead of new EU regulations due to take effect next year.
The marketplace says the move will prepare sellers and buyers for the change in the law that is set to take effect in June 2014, lengthening the length of time that shoppers have to return an item they have bought from a business to 14 days from the current seven days.
eBay sellers can now specify in their selling descriptions how long buyers have to return an item – a period that must be at least 14 days – and who pays for the return postage. The information will become required from eBay business sellers later this year.
“While the increase to 14 days is a longer time frame than the seven-day cancellation period under current UK and Irish rules, eBay wants to ensure its buyers and sellers are well-prepared for the 14-day returns period that will be required under UK and Irish selling regulations effective in December 2013,” said Patrick Munden, head of seller communications eBay Europe.
