WHAT A FORCED RETURN COSTS YOU, BY PLATFORM
The same ruined item costs a different amount depending on where you sold it. Here are the 2026 rules, platform by platform, with the loss formula and a worked example for each.
eBay — the three-front loss
- Final value fee 13.6% (books 15.3%, cards/coins 13.25%); per-order fee $0.30 (≤$10) / $0.40 (>$10).
- "Not as described / damaged / wrong item": the 13.6% is refunded but the per-order fee is kept; you also pay return shipping.
- Buyer changed mind: both refunded. eBay stepped in against you: nothing refunded.
Worked: $60 sale, INAD, $8.50 label, item now worth $25 → $43.90 lost.
Poshmark — fees reverse, value doesn't
- Commission 20% (or $2.95 under $15); reversed on an approved return; prepaid label provided.
- Fit / change-of-mind returns go through Seel: Seel refunds the buyer, you keep your earnings — $0 loss.
- Your real loss is the item's value if it returns worn, stained, or swapped.
Worked: $40 dress returned stained, now worth $15 → $25.00 lost.
Mercari — the 10% is back, and heavy items bite
- 10% selling fee (price + buyer shipping) since Jan 6, 2025; no separate seller processing fee.
- Returns under 50 lbs: free prepaid label. Over 50 lbs: you pay the return label within 3 days.
- The 3.6% buyer-protection fee is on the buyer, not you.
Worked: 60 lb item forced return → you buy the label (~$16+) plus the item's lost value.
Depop — fees refund, so loss = value + shipping
- No selling fee (US/UK/AUS); processing 3.3% + $0.45 (Depop Payments).
- Refund via Depop Payments and all fees are reversed automatically.
- US buyers get a prepaid return label; returns ship within 7 days.
Worked: $30 tee returned damaged, now worth $10 → $20.00 lost.