eBay, etc. General Question/Answer Thread

[whateve]

English is their country's official language. I was under the impression that you can still block them from buying the item but you can't block them from communicating with you via EBay messaging. Am I wrong? They haven't made any offers.

That I don't know. I had a potential buyer that kept bugging me and the only way I could get her to stop was to end the listing. I don't know if she ever actually tried to purchase. She wanted me to change the listing before she purchased, then after I changed it, she changed her mind, and then changed her mind again and again. After I had changed the listing three times to accommodate her, my patience was at an end.

 

[BettySaysExcuseMe]

English is their country's official language. I was under the impression that you can still block them from buying the item but you can't block them from communicating with you via EBay messaging. Am I wrong? They haven't made any offers.

I believe this to be correct...or at least that is what is said on the eBay community forum.

 

[Meta]

I sold an Hermes sale scarf last week and I just received a message from the buyer saying that they want a refund. I don't do refunds and that's in my listing.

The reason for refund?

Reason
Doesn't seem authentic

Comments
this item was sold to me as an authentic hermes scarf and it is a fake. i want a refund. the tag attached is not genuine nor in a manner hermes attaches tags.

I have responded to the buyer that the scarf is authentic and my listing included pics of the tags (in this case the sale tags). I've also asked the buyer to have the item authenticated here on the forum or with a reputable Hermes silk reseller.

Question: Must I accept this return? Should I report this buyer? What are my options? I really detest having to deal with such things. The buyer has 167 positive feedbacks for what its worth.

 

[BeenBurned]

Sometimes messages from foreigners can come off as rude because their language skills are basic. It isn't against ebay rules to block, but I don't think you can block her now. Once communication is established, you can't block them from this transaction. If you add them to your blocked list, they will be blocked from purchasing your other items. The only way to block them from this item is to end the item and relist after you've blocked them.

English is their country's official language. I was under the impression that you can still block them from buying the item but you can't block them from communicating with you via EBay messaging. Am I wrong? They haven't made any offers.

I believe ^^^^ this is correct. Yes, they can communicate but once blocked, they can't bid or buy.

Personally, I'd block.

After blocking, offer helpful advice for future purchases letting her know that receipts aren't what proves authenticity since receipts can be faked or genuine receipts can be used to "prove" authenticity of fakes. It's the details of the item (bag/accessory) itself that proves authenticity and to verify any potential purchases.

 

[BeenBurned]

I sold an Hermes sale scarf last week and I just received a message from the buyer saying that they want a refund. I don't do refunds and that's in my listing.

The reason for refund?

Reason
Doesn't seem authentic

Comments
this item was sold to me as an authentic hermes scarf and it is a fake. i want a refund. the tag attached is not genuine nor in a manner hermes attaches tags.

I have responded to the buyer that the scarf is authentic and my listing included pics of the tags (in this case the sale tags). I've also asked the buyer to have the item authenticated here on the forum or with a reputable Hermes silk reseller.

Question: Must I accept this return? Should I report this buyer? What are my options? I really detest having to deal with such things. The buyer has 167 positive feedbacks for what its worth.

This response is copied from a reply I suggested 2 days ago in another thread here on the ebay subforum:
If this had been my buyer, I probably would have responded with something along the lines of this message from my "helpful templates" thread:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ling-with-ebay-troubles.951455/#post-30611053

WARNING: Because your buyer opened a SNAD dispute claiming non-authenticity, you will likely lose the dispute and be required to supply a return shipping label. If ebay steps in, you also will likely not be allowed to relist and resell without professional documentation of authenticity. Thus my suggestion is that if the buyer really just wants to return it, accept the return.

You also don't want insist on your "no return" policy and have ebay decide against you and assume you don't want the scarf back so would give the buyer a refund plus not have to return it.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I believe this to be correct...or at least that is what is said on the eBay community forum.

That I don't know. I had a potential buyer that kept bugging me and the only way I could get her to stop was to end the listing. I don't know if she ever actually tried to purchase. She wanted me to change the listing before she purchased, then after I changed it, she changed her mind, and then changed her mind again and again. After I had changed the listing three times to accommodate her, my patience was at an end.

I believe ^^^^ this is correct. Yes, they can communicate but once blocked, they can't bid or buy.

Personally, I'd block.

After blocking, offer helpful advice for future purchases letting her know that receipts aren't what proves authenticity since receipts can be faked or genuine receipts can be used to "prove" authenticity of fakes. It's the details of the item (bag/accessory) itself that proves authenticity and to verify any potential purchases.

Thank you guys! My question is also is it against eBay rules to tell the buyer I don't want to sell to them because I don't like their profile / feedback history?

 

[Meta]

This response is copied from a reply I suggested 2 days ago in another thread here on the ebay subforum:
If this had been my buyer, I probably would have responded with something along the lines of this message from my "helpful templates" thread:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ling-with-ebay-troubles.951455/#post-30611053

WARNING: Because your buyer opened a SNAD dispute claiming non-authenticity, you will likely lose the dispute and be required to supply a return shipping label. If ebay steps in, you also will likely not be allowed to relist and resell without professional documentation of authenticity. Thus my suggestion is that if the buyer really just wants to return it, accept the return.

You also don't want insist on your "no return" policy and have ebay decide against you and assume you don't want the scarf back so would give the buyer a refund plus not have to return it.

Thank you for your quick response, @BeenBurned. I didn't realize you had a handy templates for use or I'd have tweaked that and used that to respond to the buyer first!

So in your opinion I should just accept a return or should I wait for the buyer to respond first?

 

[BeenBurned]

Thank you guys! My question is also is it against eBay rules to tell the buyer I don't want to sell to them because I don't like their profile / feedback history?

It's not against ebay rules but I wouldn't do it. I'd just quietly block.

I did have a wannabe buyer years ago who sent a message asking why they were blocked. They couldn't understand why I'd block such a "long time buyer with a great history who'd never done business with me." (BTW, that member is now NARU!)

This was my response (in 2008 -- I wouldn't send it now, though. I'd just block and keep my mouth shut!)
"Hi. Thank you for your interest in my item. Unfortunately, you are on my blocked bidder list, probably as a result of some problems experienced by other sellers. I do see that you have 100% feedback but since sellers can no longer leave feedback for buyers, it is necessary for other sellers to share their BBLs. I see that since the feedback changes went into effect, you have left many negative feedbacks for sellers who were unable to do the same to you. I am sorry that you aren't able to bid on my item but sellers need to protect themselves. I would think that as a seller, you understand that. Thanks again for your interest. I do hope you are able to find what you are looking for."

Her response:
That's just too bad. I only leave negative feedback when absolutely warrented. Anyone who received negative deserved it. Why should a seller leave me negative feedback? I keep up my end of the deal. When they don't keep up their end,they get negative feedback. I will investigate with ebay regarding your comment. Very interesting.

If she complained to ebay, nothing happened.

But as someone who reads nightmare stories here and elsewhere, I tend to block any potential PITAs. I figure there are enough other buyers who won't be problems that if I accidentally block a good one, another will come along.

 

[BettySaysExcuseMe]

Thank you guys! My question is also is it against eBay rules to tell the buyer I don't want to sell to them because I don't like their profile / feedback history?

As they say on the eBay community forum... don't poke the bear. You really don't owe her an explanation and it's possible she has another account that she could use to purchase your item out of spite.

 

[Mulberrygal]

My daughter moved out and her closet hadn't been cleaned in years. I pulled out so many clothes I just didn't feel right in donating all of them. As it was, I had to schedule an exclusive truck to pick up all that I donated. So I've listed quite a few. I've sold many but I'm not getting that much for them. But the aggregate of all makes it worth it. I haven't had any complaints or returns yet.

Totally agree.............when you add it all up it's well worth it. I've deposited all the money in an account called "junk" It started small but I wanted to keep it separate to make it feel worthwhile. Its accumulated very nicely over the years and I'm still undecided what to do with it

 

[Mulberrygal]

It seems that most of those second hand/consignment shops...even the more upscale establishments won't pay much even for quality items. Personally, eBay comes through for me (for the most part, haha) when I want to move stuff out of my house... although it can really be a lot of work taking nice pics, doing a decent description, uploading all the info, etc.

Yes it really is a lot of work, then there's all the packing it up and trips to the post office. I'm not working at the moment and almost feel it's more or less a full time job to clear the house! I don't seem to have any more time than iand haven't had a chance to enjoy my new found freedom
I do all the selling and DH is forever saying "WE'LL have to sell that" he hasn't got a clue how time conuming it all is..............still I'm sure eventually my home will be totally de-cluttered and they'll be time to smell the roses

 

[chicinthecity777]

It's not against ebay rules but I wouldn't do it. I'd just quietly block.

I did have a wannabe buyer years ago who sent a message asking why they were blocked. They couldn't understand why I'd block such a "long time buyer with a great history who'd never done business with me." (BTW, that member is now NARU!)

This was my response (in 2008 -- I wouldn't send it now, though. I'd just block and keep my mouth shut!)
"Hi. Thank you for your interest in my item. Unfortunately, you are on my blocked bidder list, probably as a result of some problems experienced by other sellers. I do see that you have 100% feedback but since sellers can no longer leave feedback for buyers, it is necessary for other sellers to share their BBLs. I see that since the feedback changes went into effect, you have left many negative feedbacks for sellers who were unable to do the same to you. I am sorry that you aren't able to bid on my item but sellers need to protect themselves. I would think that as a seller, you understand that. Thanks again for your interest. I do hope you are able to find what you are looking for."

Her response:
That's just too bad. I only leave negative feedback when absolutely warrented. Anyone who received negative deserved it. Why should a seller leave me negative feedback? I keep up my end of the deal. When they don't keep up their end,they get negative feedback. I will investigate with ebay regarding your comment. Very interesting.

If she complained to ebay, nothing happened.

But as someone who reads nightmare stories here and elsewhere, I tend to block any potential PITAs. I figure there are enough other buyers who won't be problems that if I accidentally block a good one, another will come along.

The buyer sounds like a real PITA! Good job you blocked her! And I am glad she's now NARU!

 

[Cookiefiend]

oh man - anyone have a minute to help settle me down?
I just sold a scarf on Ebay and I have zero idea what I'm supposed to do now. I don't know how she pays for the scarf or how I figure out how much postage I need.
I'm a bit flipped out right now, I've only sold on Poshmark and they send the shipping label to me so I've never worried about it.
I'm sure I'm being a major ninny.

 

[BettySaysExcuseMe]

oh man - anyone have a minute to help settle me down?
I just sold a scarf on Ebay and I have zero idea what I'm supposed to do now. I don't know how she pays for the scarf or how I figure out how much postage I need.
I'm a bit flipped out right now, I've only sold on Poshmark and they send the shipping label to me so I've never worried about it.
I'm sure I'm being a major ninny.

Did you do a buy it now or auction?

eBay is very different from Poshmark... definitely read the how-to section on selling or check out the eBay community forum before listing anything else.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Did you do a buy it now or auction?

eBay is very different from Poshmark... definitely read the how-to section on selling or check out the eBay community forum before listing anything else.

it was an BIN or a best offer…
I've searched this thread - trying to figure it out and I've searched the Ebay community forum too, to see what the answers are. I *think* I'm okay, I'm just nervous.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my question!