eBay, etc. General Question/Answer Thread

[bag-mania]

If you dispute the claim and she escalates for ebay to resolve, you'll lose the case and get dinged. But if you just accept the return and send the return shipping label, you won't get the ding.

Either way, you're stuck taking the return unless you can get her to close the dispute and keep the item.

Thanks, I was hoping she would respond to my message. The eBay page said I'd have to wait three days before asking eBay to step in. I wish I could talk to someone from eBay directly but they seem to have cut off their phone customer service since Covid.

ETA: I did get through to customer service and she told me the same thing you did. I started the return process. It rubs me the wrong way that I have to pay return shipping for Ms. Changed-her-mind, but that's the joy of eBay I guess.

 

[JA_UK]

Hi there, so I’m an occasional seller on eBay and have recently started listing again. Today one of my items sold in the last 10 seconds to a buyer that registered today I am waiting for them to pay. I only realised that you can block people with 0 feedback after this happened (you weren’t able to do it before). I have contacted them to confirm that they are intending to pay for the item and they responded that they were however I still feel somewhat uncomfortable as it would be an international sale, they are in the USA and I am in the UK. Am I overthinking? Is there anyway further to protect myself as a seller other than tracked signed for postage and adding a numbered removable security tag to the item?

 

[BeenBurned]

Hi there, so I’m an occasional seller on eBay and have recently started listing again. Today one of my items sold in the last 10 seconds to a buyer that registered today I am waiting for them to pay. I only realised that you can block people with 0 feedback after this happened (you weren’t able to do it before). I have contacted them to confirm that they are intending to pay for the item and they responded that they were however I still feel somewhat uncomfortable as it would be an international sale, they are in the USA and I am in the UK. Am I overthinking? Is there anyway further to protect myself as a seller other than tracked signed for postage and adding a numbered removable security tag to the item?

You can't block 0-feedback users. I'm not sure where you saw or heard that. Ebay would never allow that since they want to encourage new members to the site.

As for an international buyer, unless you had your settings set to block sellers in certain countries, you aren't allowed to refuse their purchase.

Some buyers join ebay just to purchase a certain item so having a newbie isn't necessarily a red flag. (I've said it before but it's worth repeating. Established members with experience are the type that give more trouble! They know the ropes and take advantage. I've never had an issue with a new user.)

 

[JA_UK]

You can't block 0-feedback users. I'm not sure where you saw or heard that. Ebay would never allow that since they want to encourage new members to the site.

As for an international buyer, unless you had your settings set to block sellers in certain countries, you aren't allowed to refuse their purchase.

Some buyers join ebay just to purchase a certain item so having a newbie isn't necessarily a red flag. (I've said it before but it's worth repeating. Established members with experience are the type that give more trouble! They know the ropes and take advantage. I've never had an issue with a new user.)

Thanks for your reply, I have no issue with selling to buyers in the USA I have my buyer requirements settings restricted to certain countries already, what I was concerned about is that they’ve just joined and I googled the name and address and I’m still uncomfortable, i had already blocked a 0 feedback bidder who bid earlier on in the auction and 45 minutes before it ended messaged me to cancel her bid because she ‘knew‘ that my authentic item was a fake. Anyway a friend who sells on there showed me this setting so I’ve applied it.

 

[BeenBurned]

Thanks for your reply, I have no issue with selling to buyers in the USA I have my buyer requirements settings restricted to certain countries already, what I was concerned about is that they’ve just joined and I googled the name and address and I’m still uncomfortable, i had already blocked a 0 feedback bidder who bid earlier on in the auction and 45 minutes before it ended messaged me to cancel her bid because she ‘knew‘ that my authentic item was a fake. Anyway a friend who sells on there showed me this setting so I’ve applied it.
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I think you're misunderstanding that particular requirement.

In that case, you can block a 0-feedback buyer from buying ANOTHER item from you within 10 days. You cannot block a 0-feedback member from buying the first item.

 

[whateve]

Thanks for your reply, I have no issue with selling to buyers in the USA I have my buyer requirements settings restricted to certain countries already, what I was concerned about is that they’ve just joined and I googled the name and address and I’m still uncomfortable, i had already blocked a 0 feedback bidder who bid earlier on in the auction and 45 minutes before it ended messaged me to cancel her bid because she ‘knew‘ that my authentic item was a fake. Anyway a friend who sells on there showed me this setting so I’ve applied it.
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I've had zero feedback buyers that were actually veteran ebay users. They just didn't want to log in to purchase for whatever reason.

 

[JA_UK]

I've had zero feedback buyers that were actually veteran ebay users. They just didn't want to log in to purchase for whatever reason.

My experience unfortunately has been very different and any issues I've had when selling on ebay especially timewasters bidding and not paying have been with 0 feedback buyer's. Here's hoping this one will be different but there's something in tbe tone of the messages that seems a little off that's made me a little uncomfortable that and the fact the buyer has registered the same day. Hey ho!

 

[Mulberrygal]

Thanks, I was hoping she would respond to my message. The eBay page said I'd have to wait three days before asking eBay to step in. I wish I could talk to someone from eBay directly but they seem to have cut off their phone customer service since Covid.

ETA: I did get through to customer service and she told me the same thing you did. I started the return process. It rubs me the wrong way that I have to pay return shipping for Ms. Changed-her-mind, but that's the joy of eBay I guess.

Yes buyers like this drive you nuts and it makes it so much worse that you have to pay their return shipping costs. It means you end up paying two lots of shipping with nothing to show for it! In my experience they aren't the norm but once it happens you don't forget. I used to sell a lot of expensive handbags and wouldn't sell outside the U.K. for this reason, I just couldn't take the risk of having to pay an expensive return from abroad for as you put it Ms Changed-her-mind!

I do wish EBay would address these problems and balance the scales slightly towards sellers!

 

[JA_UK]

My experience unfortunately has been very different and any issues I've had when selling on ebay especially timewasters bidding and not paying have been with 0 feedback buyer's. Here's hoping this one will be different but there's something in tbe tone of the messages that seems a little off that's made me a little uncomfortable that and the fact the buyer has registered the same day. Hey ho!

And as I expected the buyer hasn't paid after 4 days and he has done the same to another seller. Another one for your block lists peeps!

 

[GoStanford]

Question about communication etiquette. I received two used bags for which I asked to combine shipping. The seller listed each at $20.40 shipping and gave me a $10 discount. I accepted that because I figured they might use a really big box. Turns out they stuffed both bags into a medium flat rate Priority box, which is less than $20 in shipping total. I'm a little irritated they didn't pass the savings on to me in full, but I am also overall pleased with the items. Should I say anything? I will be leaving positive feedback regardless and I do not want to suggest to them that my feedback is contingent on them issuing an additional discount.

 

[pursekitten]

Question about communication etiquette. I received two used bags for which I asked to combine shipping. The seller listed each at $20.40 shipping and gave me a $10 discount. I accepted that because I figured they might use a really big box. Turns out they stuffed both bags into a medium flat rate Priority box, which is less than $20 in shipping total. I'm a little irritated they didn't pass the savings on to me in full, but I am also overall pleased with the items. Should I say anything? I will be leaving positive feedback regardless and I do not want to suggest to them that my feedback is contingent on them issuing an additional discount.

I saw in a few eBay community threads that shipping cost can be any cost associated with getting the item to you. This could include the postage, storage, eBay fee, printing supplies, gas to the post office, etc.

You could leave a positive review but rate them less stars for expensive shipping.

 

[whateve]

Question about communication etiquette. I received two used bags for which I asked to combine shipping. The seller listed each at $20.40 shipping and gave me a $10 discount. I accepted that because I figured they might use a really big box. Turns out they stuffed both bags into a medium flat rate Priority box, which is less than $20 in shipping total. I'm a little irritated they didn't pass the savings on to me in full, but I am also overall pleased with the items. Should I say anything? I will be leaving positive feedback regardless and I do not want to suggest to them that my feedback is contingent on them issuing an additional discount.

If you are going to ding them at all, I would mention your unhappiness with the shipping cost to the seller. Ebay takes about 12 1/2% of the charged shipping cost in fees and the seller has to pay for materials, such as tissue paper, tape, paper and ink to print the label..., so I wouldn't expect to have the entire savings passed on to you. I think another $10 would be fair.

 

[GoStanford]

Thank you both, @pursekitten and @whateve, for your responses. I had not thought of the items that support shipping, such as tape, paper, gas to the post office, etc. and those are all very fair points. I do agree that if there's any impact to feedback, I ought to communicate directly to the seller so they have a chance to respond.

 

[boyoverboard]

I've been an occasional seller on eBay for around 15 years, but I haven't sold anything high value since eBay changed the way it operates with regards to PayPal. I've seen some people comment that they no longer feel protected selling items with a high price tag. Does anyone have any input on this? Would I be less protected from potential rogue buyers when selling, without PayPal there to intervene if someone falsely claims I've sold them a fake, for instance? I have a few LV pieces I've been thinking about listing. I am in the UK and I believe my options are quite limited when it comes to consignment or other avenues for selling on pre-owned luxury goods. TIA!

 

[Luvpurplepurses]

I've been an occasional seller on eBay for around 15 years, but I haven't sold anything high value since eBay changed the way it operates with regards to PayPal. I've seen some people comment that they no longer feel protected selling items with a high price tag. Does anyone have any input on this? Would I be less protected from potential rogue buyers when selling, without PayPal there to intervene if someone falsely claims I've sold them a fake, for instance? I have a few LV pieces I've been thinking about listing. I am in the UK and I believe my options are quite limited when it comes to consignment or other avenues for selling on pre-owned luxury goods. TIA!

I am in the US and haven't had any trouble selling Rogues on eBay. I make sure to post good pictures and check out the buyers ratings. I also pack them carefully and insure them. This is just my experience. Good luck!