Group 1 - The core issue revolves around consumers being required to destroy products to receive refunds, highlighting a significant trust crisis in the online shopping environment [2][3] - The "only refund" policy, initially intended to eliminate low-quality products, has been misused by some consumers, leading to a detrimental impact on merchants [3][4] - Major platforms have begun to cancel or optimize the "only refund" policy since April, but it still exists in a modified form where merchants and consumers negotiate [3][4] Group 2 - The platforms hold the responsibility to create more refined rules and services regarding the "only refund" policy, rather than evading accountability [4] - Legal frameworks dictate that merchants cannot require product destruction as a condition for refunds, indicating a need for better enforcement of consumer rights [4] - The initial intent of the "only refund" policy was positive, but execution has faltered, necessitating ongoing improvements in service and rule alignment by platforms [4]

Group 1 - The controversial "refund only" policy has been completely phased out by major e-commerce platforms in April, with platforms like Taobao, Pinduoduo, JD.com, Douyin, and Kuaishou updating their after-sales rules to prioritize merchants in handling refund requests [1][3] - Taobao was the first to implement the "refund only" model in 2021, which initially boosted GMV but ultimately led to significant losses for many sellers, contributing to a wave of store closures that continues into 2025 [3][4] - The closure of numerous Taobao stores, including those of prominent influencers, reflects a broader trend of declining profitability and increasing operational challenges faced by e-commerce sellers [4][7][10] Group 2 - The rising return rates in the clothing industry have severely impacted seller confidence, with some sellers reporting return rates soaring from 30% to as high as 80% after the introduction of new policies [11][13] - High advertising costs and an increasingly competitive promotional environment have further strained the profitability of many sellers, leading to a situation where they are "losing money to gain visibility" [14][15] - Despite the challenges, some sellers are finding success through innovative models such as content e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce, with examples of brands achieving significant sales growth on platforms like Douyin and TikTok [15][20][21]