Common eBay listing mistakes that cause returns

1. Wrong quantity or pack count

The title says “lot of 4” and the box holds three, or a multipack was split and the listing never changed. Catch it: count the items in your own photos and make sure the title, description and quantity all agree.

2. Wrong model, size or version

Similar packaging hides different models, and a UPC copied from another listing can belong to a different product. Catch it: read the model number from the item’s label or rating plate, and check that the product the UPC identifies is the one you are selling.

3. Specifications that do not match the item

Horsepower, wattage, voltage, capacity and dimensions are easy to copy from a similar listing and hard for a buyer to forgive. Catch it: take specs from the item or its box, never from another listing.

4. A condition that oversells the item

“New” when the box has been opened, or “like new” with visible scratches. Catch it: agree on what each condition means in your store and photograph every flaw you mention.

5. Photos that are not the actual item

Stock photos, photos of a different unit, or photos that leave out a missing part. Catch it: photograph the item you are shipping, including labels, model plates and every included piece.

6. Missing parts and accessories

The listing implies a complete set and the remote, charger or manual is missing. Catch it: list what is included and what is not, and show all pieces together in one photo.

7. Details left over from a copied listing

Starting from a similar listing saves time, but old item specifics, sizes and descriptions come along for the ride. Catch it: review every field after copying. In Scanmerce, Sell Similar starts a new draft without copying the old SKU or description, so those two fields cannot slip through.

8. Item specifics that contradict the title

The title says size 10 and the size field says 9. Buyers filter by item specifics, so the wrong value finds the wrong buyer. Catch it: read the title and specifics side by side before publishing.

9. Wrong weight or dimensions

Guessing the package weight or size leads to shipping costs that do not match what you charged. Catch it: weigh and measure the item packed, the way it will ship.

A review routine that catches most of these

1. Use a short pre-publish checklist covering quantity, model, specs, condition, photos, included parts and measurements.
2. Have a second person review listings from new listers before they go live.
3. Give new and edited listings a second look after publishing. Listing Accuracy Check uses AI to flag possible contradictions between the title, the product an exact UPC identifies and readable details in your photos, and it never changes a listing on its own.
4. Track the reasons behind every return and trace each one back to the listing that caused it.

Remember the stakes: under the eBay Money Back Guarantee, when an item does not match the listing the seller pays for return shipping. If you are training a team, pair this list with our guide on hiring and training eBay listers.