My ebay issue!

[eclectics]

However, that would really work directly against commerce on eBay. While you encounter hassels as a result of their strategy, you're still making money, and could perhaps make less money if they "chased away" some customers by reminding them that this is just another type of business they're interacting with.

That's fine by me. Customers who need to be reminded that yes, they did indeed enter into a purchase agreement, I will gladly do without!

 

[va32h]

However, that would really work directly against commerce on eBay. While you encounter hassels as a result of their strategy, you're still making money, and could perhaps make less money if they "chased away" some customers by reminding them that this is just another type of business they're interacting with.

My experience has been that buyers worry less when they are dealing with a company versus a private seller.

I have my own online store - you wouldn't look at it and think that the whole shebang is run by one person in a home office. I never have the problems on my website that I had on ebay - the haggling over prices and shipping, the game-playing with feedback, etc.

Ebay is also experimenting with a less personal sales platform - Ebay Express. Express allows customers to shop from multiple sellers and pay at once through ebay's payment gateway - you never have to contact the seller personally at all.

Of course, Express is not actually working very well....so maybe the diehard ebay community isn't taking to it.

Anecdotally speaking, I have encountered many people who will happily shop online, but won't touch ebay.

 

[Ness2289]

What is the "ebay etiquette" for refunds? Do you pay back the total amount or subtract the shipping? If the buyer is returning the item, he or she is paying shipping twice. Is that just how the cookie crumbles?

 

[va32h]

What is the "ebay etiquette" for refunds? Do you pay back the total amount or subtract the shipping? If the buyer is returning the item, he or she is paying shipping twice. Is that just how the cookie crumbles?

It depends on the seller and it depends on the reason you are returning it.

If you just changed your mind about it - then you should pay return shipping, assuming your seller accepts refunds at all.

If it is defective or damaged, theoretically the seller ought to pay return shipping, but each seller is free to set his or her own policies in this regard.

 

[DisneyGirl]

I've completely stopped buying & selling on eBay over many issues there.

Me too.

I miss the "olden days" when all the people on E-bay were us computer geeks. Fraud was almost non-existent. Most of the items were either computer stuff, collectibles, or hard-to-find items. There were no "stores" that took everything over. Prices were started as low as possible becuase the objective was more of a "trade" or "get rid of something I don't want" rather than "I want to make a whole slew of money."

Oh, for it to be 1996 again

Edited to add: WOW!! That was my 500th post!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

Interesting reading some other thoughts on Ebay.

I think Bicker really touched on the biggest problem with an online auction site like Ebay, the expectations of the people using it. The funny thing is, it IS like a garage sale but some buyers and seller want it to be even BETTER than a garage sale.

Problems I see with SOME buyers:

~They want to feel they practically stole the item they buy. Not very realistic, although there really are some great deals on Ebay. You just have to look for them. And deal with the fact that if you want something really badly and it is super hard to find, it's very unlikely to be a steal.

~They do not realize how much shipping costs have increased. I have heard people say "sheesh, that would only cost like 35 cents to send"...um, NOTHING costs only 35 cents to send anymore. NOTHING. The shipping companies and usps are well aware of Ebay and are taking advantage of the fortune. Hell, delivery confirmation isn't even that cheap and it's a MUST for sellers to be able to prove they shipped the item. (although it is free for those who print their shipping labels online, but not all sellers do that...I don't because I have had nothing but trouble with it) You really can't have it both ways, I want it shipped quickly and packed extra carefully and I want it rock bottom CHEAP. Just not realistic.

~They just are not using the information at their fingertips to bid wisely and then get frustrated with the entire online auction idea. All you need to really know is 4 things. Rule #1, 2, 3 and 4....carefully READ everything written in the auction, check the sellers feedback, check the shipping costs and ask questions BEFORE YOU BID. Those things would greatly, hugely reduce the frustration most buyers deal with.


And some problems I am seeing with SOME sellers:

~Raping buyers and cheating Ebay out of listing fees with inflated shipping and 'handling' costs...you aren't fooling anyone. And to be honest, I really hope Ebay starts cracking down on it.

~Using feedback as a weapon. There is no ethical reason for sellers to hold out on feedback until the buyer leaves feedback. If they met their obligation by paying in a timely manner and communicating when applicable, you should leave their feedback. If they later give you bad feedback, leave a counter-response.

~Not being completely clear and honest when listing items.

There are definitely some bad apples in both bushel baskets...but overall, it can be an awesome tool for getting a good deal and making some money. The smart ones are doing it well.

 

[epcotfan]

Don't get me started on ebay sellers! Okay, I will.
Why is it that the seller now doesn't seem to leave positive feedback until after ME the buyer has left it. Correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't I get the first positive review seeing as how I paid immediately?

As far as I'm concerned feedback shouldn't be left until the transaction is complete meaning the buyer has received the item and is happy. I also want the feedback to be open in case the transaction goes awry ie: a buyer files a false chargeback, threatens me or is extremely rude.

 

[Pin Wizard]

To the person who complained about a seller charging $5.00 for shipping when the actual postage was $4.05--I don't think an extra 95 cents for handling is bad at all. Most mail-order companies build in a considerably higher handling charge.

When I ship anything parcel post or UPS, I pay the exact amount of postage needed. I don't feel these people should be getting extra out of me. I actually had one seller that refunded the difference! But that was the only one. Looks like I'll have to start taking it into consideration in my bidding.

 

[va32h]

When I ship anything parcel post or UPS, I pay the exact amount of postage needed. I don't feel these people should be getting extra out of me. I actually had one seller that refunded the difference! But that was the only one. Looks like I'll have to start taking it into consideration in my bidding.

Have you ever ordered anything from a catalog or website besides ebay? Do you compare the postage on the package with what you were charged for shipping and demand a refund of the difference?

 

[Pin Wizard]

Have you ever ordered anything from a catalog or website besides ebay? Do you compare the postage on the package with what you were charged for shipping and demand a refund of the difference?

Catalogs, etc. I've bought from specifically say "shipping and handling" for their charges. Those I've dealt with on ebay are strictly shipping. No mention of handling. If they want handling, they should specify that. Then it wouldn't be a problem. When I pay $2.50, the envelope shows 53 cents was paid, and insurance wasn't even an option, I have a problem with it.

 

[mickey4ver]

I have bought and sold on ebay for quite a few years...I do read the auction carefully for shipping fees, what is included etc.

I bid on an item I really wanted, and used the postage calculator that the seller had to figure my shipping, which was $4.36....I planned my highest bid accordingly, figuring in with shipping what I was my max for winning the item. I won the item at a good price. I get an invoice from the seller for the item and all of a sudden, sh/h is $10.39. I question this and get this for an answer...TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,

THIS ITEM HAS A BLOCK OF WOOD THAT MATCHES THE *** THAT HOLDS *** THAT IS A PART OF THE SET. THIS WEIGHS QUITE A BIT. THE BASKET IS BETWEEN 1 TO 2 POUNDS. IF YOU USED THE LESS THAN ONE POUND, THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE 4.36 RATE. IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE ITEM, I WILL RELIST IT. THAT IS NO PROBLEM.

So I email back and say that #1, she did not have the block of wood listed in the auction and #2, she used a calculator to figure postage so she wouldn't be cheated on s/h nor would I. I told her that her auction was a little deceptive, and that even at 3 lbs. she could priority the pkg. to me for $6.00 at the most.

She then replies: So far I have not done this very long but I have operated a business for over 10 years. I mail packages and letters on a regular basis and I have learned that the post office loses things but UPS does not. I ship by UPS. I ship from our local Staples in town. They have a UPS shipping center. I have done business with them for over 10 years. Every time that I have calculated shipping on E-Bay using the calculator I have been short on the shipping. That is why I did my best to guesstimate the shipping on this package based on the past shipping that I have done on the other two items like this that I have sold. That was one reason that I did not enter the shipping until the end. Each of the packages in the past was between 8 to 10 dollars to ship I am assuming due to the lid. I will be shipping out two more today so I will have two more to average into my past sales and see if my average changes muchAs I said before if you do not want the item due to the lid, I will relist that. I will in no way be upset by that. I will do less shipping I guess but that will cut into my cut on this item which I am already losing money on. I purchased these items for more money than I am selling them for. But since I have quite a few of them, I am just selling them for what I can get to get them out of my home. I in no way am trying to lie about the shipping. I am using past packages shipped and the average of those fees for a basket identical to this one.

Take care. I guess let me know what you would like to do with the shipping amount (I already told her what I would like her to do...duh) and what you would like to do on purchasing the item. I will be happy to do whatever makes you feel all right. . (yeah, sure)

Just my ebay vent for the week

Ok, I told her that I would compromise on the shipping, that her auction was deceptive at most and that priority was ok...and who the heck cares if she is selling items at a loss, that is my problem how?? My biggest thing was trying to point out to her as she is a new seller that she cannot be listing and using a calculator if she is going to change shipping methods after it ends. She did NOT have UPS listed in her auction, but USPS. I ultimately paid for the item, even with the inflated shipping it was a good deal, but I still feel she was wrong and should have compromised with me on this. If she had to relist, pay the fees for me buying it, then pay to relist again, she would have been paying more than $3.00 or so she could have cut me a break on. If you are going to sell on ebay, know the ropes. Alos, shipping via Staples adds more $$ to shipping as they charge to handle items for UPS. If you read her explanation of her reason for her shipping costs, she it totally ignoring the fact she used the calculator and stated USPS. I could have pursued it further, but felt she was not "getting" it at all, nor was she going to get it.

She has left positive feedback for me, but I'm undecided on what I will do. I will not leave negative, but not sure if I want to leave neutral or none at all.

 

[va32h]

Catalogs, etc. I've bought from specifically say "shipping and handling" for their charges. Those I've dealt with on ebay are strictly shipping. No mention of handling. If they want handling, they should specify that. Then it wouldn't be a problem. When I pay $2.50, the envelope shows 53 cents was paid, and insurance wasn't even an option, I have a problem with it.

That's semantics. I could argue just as easily that "shipping" is not the same as "postage". Shipping is the total cost to send the item. Postage is how much the post office charged to mail it.

You are apparently happy with the total price you paid for the item, including the shipping cost - you just want it worded differently? Or would you have not purchased it at all if the listing said "Shipping .53 cents, handling $1.50"

Would you have purchased the same item if the price of the item was raised by $1.50 and the shipping was 53 cents?

If you are happy with the total cost to you of the item - the product plus the shipping cost - then it should not matter to you what percentage of the total price is made up of product or shipping.

If it does - if you honestly feel gypped over paying exactly what the seller said they would charge you - then you are way too emotionally invested in your shopping.

And again, this is the reason quality sellers are leaving ebay. We don't want to deal with this handholding and whining over a legitimate business expense that every other mail order retailer on the face of the earth routinely charges.

 

[epcotfan]

If you are happy with the total cost to you of the item - the product plus the shipping cost - then it should not matter to you what percentage of the total price is made up of product or shipping.

If it does - if you honestly feel gypped over paying exactly what the seller said they would charge you - then you are way too emotionally invested in your shopping.

And again, this is the reason quality sellers are leaving ebay. We don't want to deal with this handholding and whining over a legitimate business expense that every other mail order retailer on the face of the earth routinely charges.

Excellent post!

 

[bicker]

You'd think sellers be liable to eBay for commission on the cost of handling, since it is money they're getting for work they do, but eBay lets sellers charge a handling fee as long as it isn't "excessive", which is of course a subjective determination, ripe for folks to disagree about. Yet another one of many gooey aspects of eBay.