Is it really that hard to understand ebay??

[disneysnowflake]

Stupid me. Never again will I EVER try to help someone by listing their items on ebay.

I've been buying and selling on ebay since 1998. I also will sell items for my parents and one sister. Once in a blue moon I'll help someone out, but with the way people act now I've just decided to never again list for anyone besides myself, parents and one sister.

I decided to help out my other sister to raise fund for vacation and list one item for her.

She found a new with tags cute shirt at a yard sale for $1.

I looked up info on the shirt. I told her she could get at least $10 for it.

Fine. She wanted to list it. I agreed to list and then ship the item for her.

She came over. I explained TWICE the fees involved and how it worked.

The shirt went up for auction last Sunday night with a starting bid of $9.99.

Every day my sister called to see what the auction was at. By Friday she was so mad because the auction was only at $15.50. I thought $15.50 for a shirt you paid $1 for was pretty good.

She wanted me to "advertise" her auction on the message boards I visit. lmbo. I explained that was spamming. You can't do that. She said she didn't care. She *needed* bids. Of course, she doesn't have internet and doesn't understand those things.

This morning she calls. What's the auction at? It's $19.50. Then my sister flipped out. "What?!?! Only $19.50?!?! Where are all the bidders?" What did she think would happen? It's a freaking shirt for crying out loud.. a shirt she bought at a yard sale for $1.

She calls me back. Unless she gets at least $30 for the shirt she's not selling.

I explain that when the auction ends Sunday night whatever she gets is what she gets. Her reply.. Well, you won't advertise my auction. Why aren't people "clawing at each other" and "fighting it out" to bid up my auction? Sigh.

It's like talking to a freaking rock. The auction doesn't end until Sunday. Just wait it out and be happy with what you get since you only paid $1 for the shirt.

No. Just forget it. Cancel the auction. I'd rather keep the shirt than "give it away" on ebay for $19.50. Just cancel it.

So, I cancelled the bids and closed the auction.

My sister wears a small/medium. This shirt is a 1X. I'll bet anything she'll just end up selling it for $1 at her own yard sale next year.

Never again will I EVER try to sell something on ebay for someone to help them out.

Gosh, I'm so glad she's not able to afford to go to WDW with us next year. I could just imagine her expression when she'd see how much a refillable mug costs. "Gosh, $14?!? Why don't you just hook up a vacuum cleaner to my wallet or something".

End of vent.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Ok, I have to agree, your sister is a freak. You told her $10, and she isnt happy with almost double that? And, yeah, I agree, if she's that cheap dont take her to Disney.

 

[YorkieMommyKandis]

I definitely don't think it's that complicated to list an item on eBay. Most of the time I think people ask other people to do it just because they are too lazy to sit down and figure it out. I had to do it and so can they!! If not, there are all those stores out there now who will sell the items for you and charge you a fee (which is appropriate because it takes time to list!!).

The only complicated thing about eBay is not the listing, taking pictures etc. Most people don't understand all the constantly changing eBay rules, PayPal rules, and possible scams to avoid.

It also seems like everytime I list something now the format has changed. eBay keeps changing their website to make things easier, but it's just making it more complicated because you have to figure everything out again. I do have to say I like the recent improvements to the way you list though.

Oh, and IMO, I would avoid trying to do your sister any favors anymore!!

 

[eclectics]

You are definately a Saint! If she were my sister, I would have thrown her out a window by the middle of your story. Seriously though, there is a book called "Ebay for Dummies". Very good for the beginner. Politely decline and suggest they purchase it the next time someone asks you to list something for them!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I'd be beyond happy is an item I purchased for $1 was selling for $19!

 

[famofsix]

That's too bad. I get people who want me to sell their stuff for them on ebay because they are too busy and I already know how to do it (I have only sold one thing!). Your story is why I don't sell for other people. I'm sorry for your aggrevation!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Now you have a canceled auction on your record thanks to her. I don't see how you can cancel an auction that has a winning bid? Did the auction not yet meet the reserve?
Sounds like, with her, it is not just ebay...

Mikeeee

 

[Donna]

Just curious, but what is the price on the price tag? if she is getting more than that, she should be more than happy! I don't sell on consignment, it's nothing but hassles. I'll be glad to show someone how it's done, but thats as far as it goes!

 

[YorkieMommyKandis]

Now you have a canceled auction on your record thanks to her. I don't see how you can cancel an auction that has a winning bid? Did the auction not yet meet the reserve?
Sounds like, with her, it is not just ebay...

Mikeeee

I'm thinking the auction had probably not ended yet. As long as it not 12 hours from ending, you can cancel all bids and choose to end the listing early.

 

[disneysnowflake]

The item was a shirt sold on QVC.

Someone purchased this shirt for a lady who sold it at her yard sale for $1. My sister bought it. The yard sale lady said she got the shirt for her birthday, but didn't like it.

This shirt is still for sale on QVC for $31.50, but it's sold out in all sizes but extra small.

My sister assumed since QVC still sells this shirt in extra small that means other people are willing to fight with each other for it on ebay.

She honestly believed the shirt should be at least at $30. I've spoken to her again since I closed the auction. She said she thought she should get at least $30, but was now expecting twice that. Who would spend $60 for a $30 shirt??

My sister then told me she believes all sellers on ebay make tons of cash. I've told her before that sometimes I get lucky selling, but many times my items get no bids at all. It's all luck.

What I had to do to close this auction was first cancel all bids. There were 5 bids on the shirt, but only 3 people who bid (2 people bid twice). I sent an email to those 3 people explaining what happened. After I cancelled their bids I closed the auction.

I still owe the listing fee, but that's okay. I'll pay that as my lesson for being so STUPID in listing an auction for her.

 

[disneysnowflake]

I'm thinking the auction had probably not ended yet. As long as it not 12 hours from ending, you can cancel all bids and choose to end the listing early.

The auction wasn't supposed to end until 9pm on Sunday night. I cancelled the bids and closed the auction on Saturday morning.

 

[Sherri]

Just wondering if you are charging her the listing fees. Did you give her the option of putting a reserve on it?

 

[Anewman]

If it were my sister I would rub in the fact that the shirt might of reached $40 by Sunday night if the auction had not been closed. But I am nice that way.

 

[YorkieMommyKandis]

I also agree with the suggestion for them to get the book eBay for Dummies. She obvioulsy doesn't realize that having an item go for almost 20 times what you paid for it is an excellent profit, especially when you don't even have to list it yourself.

 

[FreshTressa]

You are definately a Saint! If she were my sister, I would have thrown her out a window by the middle of your story. Seriously though, there is a book called "Ebay for Dummies". Very good for the beginner. Politely decline and suggest they purchase it the next time someone asks you to list something for them!

yup

 

[poohandwendy]

LOL, I know your pain. That is why I absolutely will not list anything for friends or family anymore. I will show them how to list it under their own ebay id, but that's it.

People are so unrealistic. No disrespect intended, but your sister is a fool.