eBay, etc. General Question/Answer Thread

[chicinthecity777]

I have never bought or sold an item at that price point, so take my response with that in mind.

It sounds to me like the buyer is just doing "due diligence" before making such a large investment. Whether they are buying it for personal use or they are planning to resell it, they just want to be sure it's authentic. I wouldn't block them unless they start haggling about the price.

I'm curious though. Why do you say the bit about the boutique shows they've never bought a high end item? Is it because boutique employees aren't qualifed to authenticate such items?

I am cautious not because of their questions. I am cautious because of their profile and the statement made about boutiques. An experienced high end item eBayer knows that no high end boutiques offer any form of authentication. So taking an item to a boutique to "have it checked it out" just doesn't make any sense.

 

[Catbird9]

I am cautious not because of their questions. I am cautious because of their profile and the statement made about boutiques. An experienced high end item eBayer knows that no high end boutiques offer any form of authentication. So taking an item to a boutique to "have it checked it out" just doesn't make any sense.

I understand. In that case, for your own peace of mind, probably best to block them.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I understand. In that case, for your own peace of mind, probably best to block them.

Now they are asking me "what is the lowest price I will accept". I politely replied "I have listed my asking price and you are more than welcome to suggest an offer." One of those who wants me to haggle with myself...

 

[BeenBurned]

arrhhh... I have a dilemma. I am selling a very expensive item. £7000+ When I list this type of item, I always get some time-wasters trying their luck etc. Got a message last night asking whether I have original receipt (I do). And can I confirm the authenticity of the item (I can). And they were going to "get it checked out at the nearest boutique". When I read the last bit about the boutique, I knew they have never bought a high-end item before. I then looked at their profile, very high number of feedback scores, we are talking about 6000+ feedback, mainly buying from established ebay stores for low-cost items. They are registered as a business seller selling large volume in the past (based on feedback) but I can't find a single thing they are selling now. Anyhow, I just got a feeling that this is not the typical buyer of my item. This morning they messaged again, asking about a specific details of the item, normally related to the authenticity of the item. At this point, all I can think of is to block them. Am I over reacting?

I have never bought or sold an item at that price point, so take my response with that in mind.

It sounds to me like the buyer is just doing "due diligence" before making such a large investment. Whether they are buying it for personal use or they are planning to resell it, they just want to be sure it's authentic. I wouldn't block them unless they start haggling about the price.

I'm curious though. Why do you say the bit about the boutique shows they've never bought a high end item? Is it because boutique employees aren't qualifed to authenticate such items?

I am cautious not because of their questions. I am cautious because of their profile and the statement made about boutiques. An experienced high end item eBayer knows that no high end boutiques offer any form of authentication. So taking an item to a boutique to "have it checked it out" just doesn't make any sense.

I understand. In that case, for your own peace of mind, probably best to block them.

As a seller, I appreciate buyers who do their due diligence BEFORE purchasing. I encourage them to post on any one of a number of forums/boards where there are people who can comment and authenticate. But the threatening implication designed to intimidate me if she were to take it to the boutique as proof that I'm a liar is a bit OTT. And being an international buyer is going to cost even more in shipping (both ways) if they file a dispute.

In fact, I had a couple of experiences similar to this and in hindsight, wish I'd blocked. One of the items was an international sale where the buyer had it shipped to a location within the US and subsequently sent to her in Singapore. It was a NWT item made of a type of distressed leather designed to look worn. After my assurances that it was indeed new and unused, after receiving it, she claimed it wasn't NWT and wanted to return.

I had to pay return shipping (now coming back from Singapore and more expensive than when it was shipped to the reshipper in the US) and kicked myself for not BBL'ing her in the first place.

 

[chicinthecity777]

As a seller, I appreciate buyers who do their due diligence BEFORE purchasing. I encourage them to post on any one of a number of forums/boards where there are people who can comment and authenticate. But the threatening implication designed to intimidate me if she were to take it to the boutique as proof that I'm a liar is a bit OTT. And being an international buyer is going to cost even more in shipping (both ways) if they file a dispute.

In fact, I had a couple of experiences similar to this and in hindsight, wish I'd blocked. One of the items was an international sale where the buyer had it shipped to a location within the US and subsequently sent to her in Singapore. It was a NWT item made of a type of distressed leather designed to look worn. After my assurances that it was indeed new and unused, after receiving it, she claimed it wasn't NWT and wanted to return.

I had to pay return shipping (now coming back from Singapore and more expensive than when it was shipped to the reshipper in the US) and kicked myself for not BBL'ing her in the first place.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Earlier today they asked me a question on a delivery upgrade. I tried to get a quote but I needed their post code to do it. I asked them for their post code and they have gone all quiet. I want to get their post code and check it out on google map. They will have to provide their post code if they make a proper offer. I think they are trying to hide the post code. We shall see. Previously I have blocked people with very questionable post codes so I am more than ready to do the same.

 

[BeenBurned]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Earlier today they asked me a question on a delivery upgrade. I tried to get a quote but I needed their post code to do it. I asked them for their post code and they have gone all quiet. I want to get their post code and check it out on google map. They will have to provide their post code if you make a proper offer. I think they are trying to hide the post code. We shall see. Previously I have blocked people with very questionable post codes so I am more than ready to do the same.

I'd just block. She's going too far and I'm seeing trouble ahead.

My gut would have said to block before the last request.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Just want to share. I know BO option doesn't give you immediate payment but I am switching all of my higher value listings from BIN to BO. The reason is I just had a problematic buyer.

They BIN-ed one of my items on Sunday and paid for the listed price and stated delivery, and immediately sent me a message to ask me for a delivery upgrade because it was a birthday present and had to get it by Wed. I researched and told them the extra will be £x. Messaged them Sunday evening, Monday morning, Morning lunch time asking them to pay the extra. No response, no payment. Because we are actually in the same city, I posted it via 1st class recorded Monday just before post office closed. Today, they messaged me claiming they still haven't got it and they just checked tracking that they couldn't get it until Friday. The item was of no use for them and they wanted a refund. I went to the Royal Mail online tracking and tracking says they attempted to deliver it twice yesterday and they weren't in and a card had been left. I took screenshots of the tracking info and sent it back to them. Pointed out that if they were not in yesterday to take a 1st class delivery, how were they expect to be in for any delivery even if I upgraded? And they wanted me to refund them before I even get the item back? WTF? I have already preemptively reported them for demanding changing of delivery method and in the details stating their lies. We shall see.

So I checked out their feedback, they left fair amount of negs for others and had I seen their feedback history before hand, I would have blocked them before they bought it. They are blocked now of course.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I'd just block. She's going too far and I'm seeing trouble ahead.

My gut would have said to block before the last request.

Blocked!

 

[ccbaggirl89]

Just want to share. I know BO option doesn't give you immediate payment but I am switching all of my higher value listings from BIN to BO. The reason is I just had a problematic buyer.

They BIN-ed one of my items on Sunday, and immediately sent me a message to ask me for a delivery upgrade because it was a birthday present and had to get it by Wed. I researched and told them the extra will be £x. Messaged them Sunday evening, Monday morning, Morning lunch time asking them to pay the extra. No response, no payment. Because we are actually in the same city, I posted it via 1st class recorded Monday just before post office closed. Today, they messaged me claiming they still haven't got it and they just checked tracking that they couldn't get it until Friday. The item was of no use for them and they wanted a refund. I went to the Royal Mail online tracking and tracking says they attempted to deliver it twice yesterday and they weren't in and a card had been left. I took screenshots of the tracking info and sent it back to them. Pointed out that if they were not in yesterday to take a 1st class delivery, how were they expect to be in for any delivery even if I upgraded? And they wanted me to refund them before I even get the item back? WTF? I have already preemptively reported them for demanding changing of delivery method and in the details stating their lies. We shall see.

So I checked out their feedback, they left fair amount of negs for others and had I seen their feedback history before hand, I would have blocked them before they bought it. They are blocked now of course.

BIN has an immediate pay... don't you use that?

 

[chicinthecity777]

BIN has an immediate pay... don't you use that?

They paid immediately, but wanted a delivery upgrade after they paid. So I had to send them a separate invoice for the upgrade and they didn't pay in time.

 

[chicinthecity777]

BIN has an immediate pay... don't you use that?

Updated the original post to avoid misunderstanding.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

They paid immediately, but wanted a delivery upgrade after they paid. So I had to send them a separate invoice for the upgrade and they didn't pay in time.

ok. i still prefer BIN over BO... with BO they so often run away and never even pay. at least with immediate pay BIN you get paid...

 

[chicinthecity777]

ok. i still prefer BIN over BO... with BO they so often run away and never even pay. at least with immediate pay BIN you get paid...

You do whatever you feel comfortable of course. I still do BIN only for cheaper items. Anything above £300 I now do BO. I may not get paid (I actually never had a buyer didn't pay via BO), but at least my items are still with me, and not in some wackos' hands that I have no control of. I can always relist and wait for the right buyer.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I do have a question on the shipping upgrade case. The tracking is now "left a card" as of yesterday. If buyer don't pick it up, I assume it will be returned to me at some point, then I will refund. Once I refund, I will get my FVF back. Is my assumption correct?

 

[threadbender]

As a seller, I appreciate buyers who do their due diligence BEFORE purchasing. I encourage them to post on any one of a number of forums/boards where there are people who can comment and authenticate. But the threatening implication designed to intimidate me if she were to take it to the boutique as proof that I'm a liar is a bit OTT. And being an international buyer is going to cost even more in shipping (both ways) if they file a dispute.

In fact, I had a couple of experiences similar to this and in hindsight, wish I'd blocked. One of the items was an international sale where the buyer had it shipped to a location within the US and subsequently sent to her in Singapore. It was a NWT item made of a type of distressed leather designed to look worn. After my assurances that it was indeed new and unused, after receiving it, she claimed it wasn't NWT and wanted to return.

I had to pay return shipping (now coming back from Singapore and more expensive than when it was shipped to the reshipper in the US) and kicked myself for not BBL'ing her in the first place.

I thought the return fees a seller had to provide was from the location the item was shipped to. So, if someone purchases something and it is shipped in the US, if they send it to Australia, I have to pay for shipping from a place I did not agree to ship to, if there is a SNAD?