eBay, etc. General Question/Answer Thread

[BeenBurned]

What kind of experienced seller ships a small item in an envelope with a stamp and charges over $3 for shipping? There is no tracking. Once a seller did this and the sharp edges of the keychain cut through the envelope. What kind of feedback would you leave regarding the shipping service I paid for but didn't receive? Would you warn the seller that she could get scammed?

Because it is against eBay rules for a seller to use a less expensive and less secure shipping service than the buyer paid for, I think a neutral feedback is justified.

I think it's appropriate to message the seller about your reason for the neutral feedback, and also about the danger of being scammed.

What did the listing say for the shipping service? If she didn't specify (nor charge for) priority mail, even shipping with a stamp and charging $3 isn't (IMO) overly excessive for first class mail. Stupid? Absolutely. If you weren't honest, you could claim non-receipt and would win the case.

IMO, if the item arrived safely and undamaged, I think I'd leave positive (at best) feedback or no feedback but wouldn't rate the shipping cost.

I would send a message (not in feedback) that she should consider tracking for her items. It would only cost $2.61 and could save hassles in the future.

 

[whateve]

What did the listing say for the shipping service? If she didn't specify (nor charge for) priority mail, even shipping with a stamp and charging $3 isn't (IMO) overly excessive for first class mail. Stupid? Absolutely. If you weren't honest, you could claim non-receipt and would win the case.

IMO, if the item arrived safely and undamaged, I think I'd leave positive (at best) feedback or no feedback but wouldn't rate the shipping cost.

I would send a message (not in feedback) that she should consider tracking for her items. It would only cost $2.61 and could save hassles in the future.

The shipping on the listing said USPS first class package, not just first class mail.

 

[BeenBurned]

The shipping on the listing said USPS first class package, not just first class mail.

Yeah, technically a "package" would be 1/2" thick and can't be sent at the "letter" rate but it's kind of a gray area. Some carriers are pickier (read: more PITAs) and actually use a caliper to measure thickness. Others give more leeway.

Personally, I don't know that I'd ding for that unless it was damaged.

ETA: I know I've sent items at the package rate just to get the tracking but I know they could have been sent with stamps at the letter rate. The thing is that you can't get tracking on letters unless you pay for certified mail, which is the cheapest trackable letter service and that's more expensive than the package rate.

 

[whateve]

Yeah, technically a "package" would be 1/2" thick and can't be sent at the "letter" rate but it's kind of a gray area. Some carriers are pickier (read: more PITAs) and actually use a caliper to measure thickness. Others give more leeway.

Personally, I don't know that I'd ding for that unless it was damaged.

The "first class package" had a trademark symbol next to it, so it was definitely referring to USPS first class package service, not regular mail. My seller may not have realized there was a distinction.

 

[BeenBurned]

The "first class package" had a trademark symbol next to it, so it was definitely referring to USPS first class package service, not regular mail. My seller may not have realized there was a distinction.

See my edit to my post.

 

[ironic568]

So I ordered 4 identical items in 4 different colors from a seller. Package came with 4 pieces, but only in 3 colors. A little bit annoying, but I can overlook that. Problem is that one of the pieces is malfunctioning. I messaged the seller and asked if I can send the defective one back so he can replace it for me. That was one week ago and no reply. Do I now contact Ebay? I've never done a partial return. Is that even possible, or do I need to return the whole order for a full refund?

 

[whateve]

So I ordered 4 identical items in 4 different colors from a seller. Package came with 4 pieces, but only in 3 colors. A little bit annoying, but I can overlook that. Problem is that one of the pieces is malfunctioning. I messaged the seller and asked if I can send the defective one back so he can replace it for me. That was one week ago and no reply. Do I now contact Ebay? I've never done a partial return. Is that even possible, or do I need to return the whole order for a full refund?

You can't do a partial return through the ebay returns process. The seller has the option to offer you a partial refund. There was a time when I ordered a lot of two items; one was gorgeous but the other wasn't as described. It almost broke my heart to have to send both back.

 

[ironic568]

You can't do a partial return through the ebay returns process. The seller has the option to offer you a partial refund. There was a time when I ordered a lot of two items; one was gorgeous but the other wasn't as described. It almost broke my heart to have to send both back.

Thanks whateve. I thought so too, as I don't remember having read somewhere on here or the Ebay boards that you're able to do partial returns. So I went ahead and opened a return request in Ebay and guess what:



I was able to return just the defective one after all . This is probably a new feature, but pretty neat if you ask me.

 

[nicole0612]

I have a question about purchasing on eBay using multiple credit cards through PayPal. I have not seen this as an option when checking out but it seems like it should be possible.
There is a $12K BIN item OBO and I would like to submit a BO but I will need to use 2 credit cards. I called PayPal and they said that this cannot be done on eBay using the regular checkout but that the seller can send me an invoice for the amount and I can pay through PayPal with 2 credit cards (both linked to my PayPal account).
I want to make sure this is correct before I submit a best offer. If I understand correctly, when I put in my best offer, if the seller accepts it, then I will ask for them to send an invoice which will allow me to pay with 2 cards on my PayPal account. Is that correct?
Another question, the length of the listing is set at 30 days. Is it possible for me to add a time limit for my offer in the space that asks you to spell out any conditions for your offer? I would be fine with 7 to 10 days for example, but 30 days is a long time to have that much money in limbo.

 

[whateve]

I have a question about purchasing on eBay using multiple credit cards through PayPal. I have not seen this as an option when checking out but it seems like it should be possible.
There is a $12K BIN item OBO and I would like to submit a BO but I will need to use 2 credit cards. I called PayPal and they said that this cannot be done on eBay using the regular checkout but that the seller can send me an invoice for the amount and I can pay through PayPal with 2 credit cards (both linked to my PayPal account).
I want to make sure this is correct before I submit a best offer. If I understand correctly, when I put in my best offer, if the seller accepts it, then I will ask for them to send an invoice which will allow me to pay with 2 cards on my PayPal account. Is that correct?
Another question, the length of the listing is set at 30 days. Is it possible for me to add a time limit for my offer in the space that asks you to spell out any conditions for your offer? I would be fine with 7 to 10 days for example, but 30 days is a long time to have that much money in limbo.

I think they may have changed this but it used to be that if you split your payment between two cards, you lost Paypal protection, even though it is the same Paypal account. That is something you should check on before you split your payment.

When you make a BO on ebay, the seller only has 48 hours to respond. They can either accept your offer, decline it, or make a counter offer. Then you would have 48 hours to accept, decline, or counter the counter offer. When you make an offer, if the seller hasn't responded and you change your mind before the 48 hours expires, you can withdraw your offer. You can only make 3 offers on an item. If your offers are declined, you can't make another offer.

You don't pay until the seller accepts your offer. Then at that time, you have at least 2 days to pay, or more if you have arranged that with your seller.

 

[nicole0612]

I think they may have changed this but it used to be that if you split your payment between two cards, you lost Paypal protection, even though it is the same Paypal account. That is something you should check on before you split your payment.

When you make a BO on ebay, the seller only has 48 hours to respond. They can either accept your offer, decline it, or make a counter offer. Then you would have 48 hours to accept, decline, or counter the counter offer. When you make an offer, if the seller hasn't responded and you change your mind before the 48 hours expires, you can withdraw your offer. You can only make 3 offers on an item. If your offers are declined, you can't make another offer.

You don't pay until the seller accepts your offer. Then at that time, you have at least 2 days to pay, or more if you have arranged that with your seller.

Thank you for your thorough knowledge!
I do remember that purchases weren't covered in the past on PayPal if you use two separate payments but I think this is one of the things they updated in the last couple of months. I'm so glad that you brought it up though because I totally forgot about it. I will have to read through their terms & conditions and make sure that I would be covered.
That's great news that it's only a 48 hour decision time. I was worried they would have 30 days to decide [emoji4]
You gave a really great explanation of how the process works, now I know what to expect.
I can't thank you enough!

 

[nicole0612]

I think they may have changed this but it used to be that if you split your payment between two cards, you lost Paypal protection, even though it is the same Paypal account. That is something you should check on before you split your payment.

When you make a BO on ebay, the seller only has 48 hours to respond. They can either accept your offer, decline it, or make a counter offer. Then you would have 48 hours to accept, decline, or counter the counter offer. When you make an offer, if the seller hasn't responded and you change your mind before the 48 hours expires, you can withdraw your offer. You can only make 3 offers on an item. If your offers are declined, you can't make another offer.

You don't pay until the seller accepts your offer. Then at that time, you have at least 2 days to pay, or more if you have arranged that with your seller.

Thank you for your thorough knowledge!
I do remember that purchases weren't covered in the past on PayPal if you use two separate payments but I think this is one of the things they updated in the last couple of months. I'm so glad that you brought it up though because I totally forgot about it. I will have to read through their terms & conditions and make sure that I would be covered.
That's great news that it's only a 48 hour decision time. I was worried they would have 30 days to decide [emoji4]
You gave a really great explanation of how the process works, now I know what to expect.
I can't thank you enough!

OK, I just reread the t&c and the part about multiple payment methods not being covered is not there any longer.

 

[BlueCherry]

I purchased an item from Australia on 14 April, due by 5 May and it hasn't arrived yet. The tracking number didn't work so I emailed the seller and she said post is taking 2 - 3 weeks to the UK but never answered why the tracking didn't work. I emailed AusPost and they said it should have arrived by now but that tracking wasn't available because economy post was used. This cost was about a third of what I paid the seller. Any ideas how much longer I should wait? TIA

 

[whateve]

I purchased an item from Australia on 14 April, due by 5 May and it hasn't arrived yet. The tracking number didn't work so I emailed the seller and she said post is taking 2 - 3 weeks to the UK but never answered why the tracking didn't work. I emailed AusPost and they said it should have arrived by now but that tracking wasn't available because economy post was used. This cost was about a third of what I paid the seller. Any ideas how much longer I should wait? TIA

If the seller didn't use a trackable service, she loses her seller protection. Since it is past the estimated delivery date, you can open a INR now and leave it open as long as you think is reasonable. You can close the case when you receive the item or escalate the case when you've given up reasonable hope of receiving it.

 

[BeenBurned]

I purchased an item from Australia on 14 April, due by 5 May and it hasn't arrived yet. The tracking number didn't work so I emailed the seller and she said post is taking 2 - 3 weeks to the UK but never answered why the tracking didn't work. I emailed AusPost and they said it should have arrived by now but that tracking wasn't available because economy post was used. This cost was about a third of what I paid the seller. Any ideas how much longer I should wait? TIA

If the seller didn't use a trackable service, she loses her seller protection. Since it is past the estimated delivery date, you can open a INR now and leave it open as long as you think is reasonable. You can close the case when you receive the item or escalate the case when you've given up reasonable hope of receiving it.

Make sure you keep track of the deadlines for filing and closing so you don't lose the opportunity to file your claim.