Some Ebay newbie ??

[spoon2003]

Hi,
After reading all the ebay success stories on DIS, I decided to try it myself. After reading the FAQs on the sticky (BTW, Thank you), I posted a couple of things and they were sold!!! Now I have a few more questions:

Is there another place where I may find more tips on ebaying?

How safe is my paypal account, can a buyer get refund from my account without my approval? should I clear out my paypal account whenever there's a balance or can I do it once a month? It's nice to see that balance built up with stuff that were just lying around the house!!

On all my auctions, I've been estimating shipping, I've gone over and under, can a seller ask for shipping refund if I asked for $5.00 shipping and the postage label says $2.95?

Is delivery confirmation necessary?

Thanks for any other advice!

Sue

 

[claudia]

A buyer can only get a refund that you give them. They have no access to your paypal account. As far as the paypal account, you can empty it as often as you like. I personally have not had any problems, but I have read and heard about others that have. There is also a newer service available by CheckFree, their fee is 1.85% + $.30, so it saves a little over paypal at 2.90%.
Personally I think you should invest in a scale....there a many for sale on ebay. (30lb.) should be enough. This way you will be able to get an exact shipping cost....use ebay's shipping calculator on your auctions.
If you print out your priority shipping labels from the USPS site, you will receive free delivery confirmation with that. I think it is necessary, as it will confirm that your package was received....you will need that info in case you have a buyer that denies receiving it. Be happy to answer any other questions you may have....you can pm me if you would like.

 

[imsayin]

How safe is my paypal account, can a buyer get refund from my account without my approval?

A buyer can't get a refund without you sending it, but if they dispute an item, Paypal will take your funds until the dispute has been settled (and they may not give them back if they think they should go to the buyer). My brother is in the middle of a dispute for $200, and the buyer is just trying to rip him off - she has a record of doing this, but Paypal doesn't see that. The paypal process on disputes is awful - they have held his money for several weeks now with no decision.

On all my auctions, I've been estimating shipping, I've gone over and under, can a seller ask for shipping refund if I asked for $5.00 shipping and the postage label says $2.95?

No, they shouldn't ask for a refund. If the shipping cost is clearly stated up front, that is what they are agreeing to pay. That said, if I overcharge accidently by a lot, I will send them a refund without them asking.

 

[disneysnowflake]

I just wanted to say that if you sell items that weigh less than 7 pounds you can get a food scale at WalMart for around $10.
I use one and it works great. It calculates the shipping exactly. Then I have the buyer or potential buyer put their zip code in to see what their shipping would be.
I've used paypal for a few years now. It works great. When I only got money orders it would take up to 2 weeks for me to get payment, and I had a lot more non-paying buyers.
I usually withdraw the money from my paypal account as soon as I get paid.

Since November I've had a few people wanting me to give them 1/2 of their money back stating they weren't satisfied with their purchases. I don't know what's up with that, but a few buyers seem to make a habit of wanting 1/2 of their money back.

In the last few months I haven't had anyone do that to me, so it's back to normal on ebay.

Just make sure if you use paypal to ALWAYS get delivery confirmation on EVERY package you mail out. If a buyer claims they never received a package and files for a refund through paypal, if you don't have a valid delivery confirmation number to give paypal you will most likely have to give the buyer their money back.

Have fun on ebay. You can make some nice vacation $ while getting rid of your old stuff.

 

[spoon2003]

I just dug out my old kitchen scale and will start using it. Here is a lesson learned.... Today I sold one item for $5.00 and asked for $1.95 shipping thinking it's only a pair of kids pants, well shipping alone was $4.30 ($3.85 plus .45 confirmation), with ebay fees and paypal fees, I don't think I made anything on that item!!! Think I will go with standard priority shipping of $3.85 from now on.

Thanks for all the tips.

Sue

 

[disneysnowflake]

Did you know that you can get free boxes from the usps website for use with Priority Mail? It's a lot more simple to use priority boxes, and they are free.
Once you start using your scale and put the postage calculator on your auctions you'll be ready to go.
I used to try to estimate shipping, but I lost too much money by underestimating especially when I ship to the opposite coast.

Good luck to you!

 

[ChristyJ]

A friend of mine received negative feedback from someone who felt she overcharged for shipping (said-I had this weighed and shipping only cost xx, not yy)-she lives out in the country and has to drive a significant distance to the post office, has costs associated with paking materials, etc. that's why the extra costs-so she now always includes a line in the description about "shipping fees include the costs of shipping and handling." She sent the difference to the buyer just to better the situation, but the guy is still being a jerk and hasn't cashed the check.

Some people are just like that...
Most of us are not though!

 

[chniki88]

I agree that shipping charges should not be refunded. Shipping and handling charges it should state. I just ate 17.00 because of the size of the item and location of buyer. I estimated 50.00- it cost me 67.00. Now it doesn't always happen that way, but with the listing fees and paypal charges - I think it cost me $$ to sell it. Its a very tricky thing. shipping charges are located on the item and buyers are aware before they purchase- Would you call up Sears and expect a refund from shipping?? OF Course not- so why would you on ebay.

 

[MaddyVita]

Hi, I just wanted to give my $.02 about Paypal.
Re: How Safe is my Paypal Account -

Yes, buyers like the convenience of Paypal, but sellers should be very careful - and ALWAYS take your money out ASAP. I started to write out my personal horror story but it was just stirring up old feelings and getting lengthy - and what would the purpose be?! Suffice to say, if you want to use it for the convenience, go ahead, but be sure to take your money out IMMEDIATELY. Also, read the Terms and Conditions that you agreed to and signed without really reading when you first signed up for Paypal. It's enlightening to say the least.

I would also look into other methods of accepting credit card payment. We recently signed up for Propay and are very happy with it so far.

Again, just my two cents!

Maddy

 

[DMRick]

It does no good to sweep your account. As soon as you have another sale and more money (or if youhave a cc tied to it)..wham, they take it, or they can take you to court to get it. The rules with Paypal have to be followed if you don't want chargebacks. If you ship to an address that isn't a Paypal confirmed address, or don't use a type of mail that will allow it to be traced on line, or someone pays with a bad credit card, you owe the money back to paypal if a chargeback is initiated..just like with any cc company.
I'm in my 6th year using paypal. I've had one chargeback...and that was something that was paid for with a stolen credit card. Not Paypal's fault or mine..but it was my reasponsibility. I wasn't thrilled, but PP is still my payment of choice.

Yes, buyers like the convenience of Paypal, but sellers should be very careful - and ALWAYS take your money out ASAP.

 

[MaddyVita]

Right, as sellers we definitely have to comply with chargebacks.

I wasn't thinking about that though - I was referring to keeping the money withdrawn in the case of Paypal randomly freezing your account. And they do freeze accounts randomly - If you have a less than stellar credit report, if your account has been unusually active (even at Christmas time!) - whatever reason or no reason, Paypal can freeze your account and keep it frozen for MONTHS. One year at Christmastime we retailed gas scooters to ebayers and also wholesaled them to various small businesses along the east coast and to as far west as Texas. We had $3,000 in Paypal and were leaving in two days to deliver all the scooters. We left the money in Paypal because we had the credit/debit card associated with it and were going to use it for a rental truck (since our delivery truck went on the fritz the day before this) gas, food, lodging, our profit, etc. Well, two days before we were to leave, they froze our account! We had (have) excellent ebay feedback ratings, never had anyone complain about the product or do a chargeback or anything. And Paypal froze the account - and could have kept it frozen for several months. Luckily my mom was able to lend us the money to make the deliveries. Stan complained to the attorney general and several other places and PP finally released our money after about six weeks I think - but they could have kept the money for much longer.

Sorry so long! Paypal can be a very useful tool to use with your auctions - I would just recommend reading your Terms and Conditions and looking into other methods of receiving payment.

Make it a good day everyone!

Maddy
2 days to go til we leave for our first family vacation! Orlando (and Disney!) here we come!!

 

[DMRick]

I wasn't thinking about that though - I was referring to keeping the money withdrawn in the case of Paypal randomly freezing your account.

Just curious..have you heard of that being done lately? I don't think I've heard of a horror account story since they became part of ebay.I wonder if that is in the past.

 

[spoon2003]

Wow, thanks for the enlightment on Paypal. Althought it still sounds like the positive outweights the negative. I didn't realize the priority shipping boxes are free, will have to start using those boxes. Thanks again for everyone.

Sue