Are fruitcakes running rampant on eBay lately? Selling, buying, listing, feedback, etc...

[justapilgrim]

Call ebay, they should be able to do it for you over the phone

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[exciter1]

Well it finally happened

[justapilgrim]

All of my photos have my seller name watermarked over them, good luck using those stolen photos. Perfect way to make an immediate a** out of whoever decides to steal your pictures.

Because 90% of sellers don't download a pic from their Google search

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Brickpicker mobile app

[Guest TabbyBoy]

A mate of mine just had a neutral feedback : "I was in the bath when delivery attempted, weather too bad the next day to collect".

 

I'll have to ask for the buyer's personal hygiene schedule before posting - LOL.

 

Even though it's rare, I've had my trousers round my ankles in the past when the doorbell's rang.  Sh*t happens, pardon the pun.

[landphieran]

Recently, I had a chargeback claim filled against me. This buyer complained about things that were specifically bolded in the listing (nice attempt).

 

I thought i may have missed an ebay message... nope. . As I'm going through emails I notice a couple of old emails from a man with the same last name as the woman who filed the claim. It was addressed directly to me from his personal email (paraphrasing removing threatening language):

 

"I tried to place an order but it wouldn't accept my payment. I then bought something from Amazon. To my surprise you shipped the item!!! I can't access the tracking because it says i must be a seller or buyer of the item???!?! If I receive this unwanted merchandise i will deny the package and charge back the purchase"

 

From what i can gather they don't really know how to use Ebay. Bought something. Didn't know how to cancel it or message me. Got my email from paypal and started sending me personal emails/threats. Admittedly, I filter most of my email accounts so i didn't notice/respond to their emails.

[tdw]

I had someone purchase a 10199 on Amazon and initially complained that the "tape" on the ends had codes on them so obviously this wasn't a brand new set.  I tried to point them to the thread discussing the codes but I get a negative feedback where they also point out that the bags inside the box did not have numbers on them like newer sets.  Per the instructions 10199 does not come with numbered bags.  

[Huskers1236]

I was going to come here and complain about my lack of feedback during this season, but I actually got 2 positives today.  (sarcasm) Over the last 2 months during the busy season I was averaging about 20% feedback rate on sales. 

[PurpleSnurple]

How do you guys handle shipping this close to Xmas? I've clearly bolded in my listing that I cannot guarantee Christmas delivery, though I ship daily USPS Priority Mail. Funny cause I haven't sold anything via eBay all week (mostly Craigslist sales this week), and now I have last minute buyers each with a "hope I get it by Xmas, my so-and-so has it at the top of their list from Santa" note lol!

[KShine]

It's great to wake up to an email where someone basically calls you a liar and a cheat (going into detail about things that you never did).

[exciter1]

I've had 2 returns related to, "Oh, my husband already bought one" in the last 2 weeks.

 

1 item was reeking of cigarette smoke.

[jaisonline]

It's great to wake up to an email where someone basically calls you a liar and a cheat (going into detail about things that you never did).

  

I've had 2 returns related to, "Oh, my husband already bought one" in the last 2 weeks.

 

1 item was reeking of cigarette smoke.

Do either of you have auctions that state a restocking fee and item must be returned in the same condition as sold plus they pay return shipping? I use 20% to help deter some sleazy buyers.

eBay lets you create return rules with restocking fees. Now if that fee gets waived because the buyer claims not as advertised, that is a diff story and really depends various factors especially the eBay customer rep handling your case. I have had some success calling customer support and getting buyer won claims reversed so the final outcome is in my favor.

[KShine]

   Do either of you have auctions that state a restocking fee and item must be returned in the same condition as sold plus they pay return shipping? I use 20% to help deter some sleazy buyers.

eBay lets you create return rules with restocking fees. Now if that fee gets waived because the buyer claims not as advertised, that is a diff story and really depends various factors especially the eBay customer rep handling your case. I have had some success calling customer support and getting buyer won claims reversed so the final outcome is in my favor.

 

I have kicked around that idea of a restocking fee, but just like having quick & easy returns set up (which I have tried) - it tends to backfire.

 

The quick & easy is definitely a defect magnet, as it is too easy to claim something was wrong and avoid return shipping costs - just by clicking a button (without the need to contact the buyer to explain). I believe that restocking charges would only make buyers who experience "buyers remorse" more likely to feel justified in abusing the system.

 

By the way, I never have a problem with accepting a return, or canceling an order. It will sell again (generally it sells for more) - plus I like to have as much inventory as I can in my store.

Edited December 19, 2014 by KShine

[ravenb99]

Only issue i have with using the restocking feature is to me it opens up your risk of getting a low score. Even if they just return it and don't open a not as described you might get a neutral/neg or a lower 1-3 dsr which still gives you the defect. It also can deter the few that read descriptions into buying from someone else. It won't impact a volume seller as much but someone with lower volume can be affected greater. So far only had 2 sets out of 1500 returned this month and they were both r2. Most likely as they got them at retail when they came back in store or online. We'll see what happens after xmas but luckily most sets sold were retired / semi retired. Sold a few elsa and minecraft but not a ton. It's just such a small percentage i don't want to elevate the chance of getting a defect from an unhappy person.

[Guest TabbyBoy]

I put in bold red font at the top of my listings that Christmas delivery is not guaranteed after 20DEC unless UK buyer select Special Delivery at a much higher cost.  I'll also "close the shop" from 23DEC to 05JAN.  Serves them right for leaving it until the last minute.  My Christmas shopping was done by mid-NOV and cards posted on 30NOV.

[jaisonline]

I have kicked around that idea of a restocking fee, but just like having quick & easy returns set up (which I have tried) - it tends to backfire.

 

The quick & easy is definitely a defect magnet, as it is too easy to claim something was wrong and avoid return shipping costs - just by clicking a button (without the need to contact the buyer to explain). I believe that restocking charges would only make buyers who experience "buyers remorse" more likely to feel justified in abusing the system.

I've been lucky then. . In 2014, I had 5 ebay orders with buyer's remorse, 1 buyer changed her mind before I shipped because and the other 4 ended up keeping the sets,

The true test will be Tumbler sets in early 2015 when people can buy them pretty much everywhere for $199.99 plus tax instead of $270+ like they did this month and last.

The claim cases I talked about were in 2013. I had video and pics to support my cases. My feedback also helped I assume as well as talking nicely to ebay's claim case reps.

[KShine]

I've been lucky then. . In 2014, I had 5 ebay orders with buyer's remorse, 1 buyer changed her mind before I shipped because and the other 4 ended up keeping the sets,

The true test will be Tumbler sets in early 2015 when people can buy them pretty much everywhere for $199.99 plus tax instead of $270+ like they did this month and last.

The claim cases I talked about were in 2013. I had video and pics to support my cases. My feedback also helped I assume as well as talking nicely to ebay's claim case reps.

 

Regarding the Tumblers - You don't have the Holiday returns set up, do you?

[jaisonline]

Regarding the Tumblers - You don't have the Holiday returns set up, do you?

Nope. Not on anything I sold this year. I did enable it yesterday but I only have 1 active auction and it doesn't have it.

Are you using it?

[exciter1]

I setup extended holiday returns. I don't anticipate issues, but we'll see.  I do have a 20% restocking fee and one of the folks returning an item asked if I would lower it.  It was an expensive item, so I said I'd lower it to 10% if it arrives in the same condition I sent it.

[ravenb99]

I've been lucky then. . In 2014, I had 5 ebay orders with buyer's remorse, 1 buyer changed her mind before I shipped because and the other 4 ended up keeping the sets,

The true test will be Tumbler sets in early 2015 when people can buy them pretty much everywhere for $199.99 plus tax instead of $270+ like they did this month and last.

The claim cases I talked about were in 2013. I had video and pics to support my cases. My feedback also helped I assume as well as talking nicely to ebay's claim case reps.

Lucky the claims were in 2013.  This year they have seem to go to the "1 Time courtesy" line a lot.  Basically they'll side with you 1 instance on each different type of issue.

 

As for the Tumbler not sure about others but for me 80-90% have gone to exporters in OR and CA.  I've sold so few to regular residents I don't think they'll be to much of an issue.  The Tumbler has sold at the same price level with the exception of the 1 week in Oct. where they spiked to a little over $300 that I don't think someone will return for $50.  A lot of people that buy them can't get to a store or don't want to drive and deal with crowds and are willing to pay a little more.  $270 on ebay vs $212 in store for the regular buyer is not a ton of markup to warrant to many problems.

 

Even with the regular availability of the Tumbler the last week I sold 3 more for $260 to 1 person yesterday and was asked if I had more.  The set is desired so much overseas I think it will still stay higher on ebay because of that.  

 

I would be more concerned with the Minecraft and first Elsa's castles than tumblers and would expect to see a lot higher percentage try to return that stuff as those were all double to triple at one point in time and now will be available at retail.

Edited December 19, 2014 by ravenb99

[KShine]

Nope. Not on anything I sold this year. I did enable it yesterday but I only have 1 active auction and it doesn't have it.

Are you using it?

 

No, I was relieved when they changed the policy from being mandatory (in order to get the discount) to an extra 5% discount.

 

I would have done it (as 20% of fees is a lot to lose), but it isn't worth the extra 5% bonus. Any re-seller could have legitimately purchased your OOS items, sold them, & then re-purchased them (at msrp) next year to return to you. Not to even mention any other buyers that might have taken advantage of the policy (how many will do this is a great unknown).

[exciter1]

I'm really not too worried about Minecraft returns.  They'll be ripped open and mixed in with other pieces on Christmas morning and the parents are just relieved they could get one or two sets, as scarce as they were.

[biking_tiger]

I'm really not too worried about Minecraft returns.  They'll be ripped open and mixed in with other pieces on Christmas morning and the parents are just relieved they could get one or two sets, as scarce as they were.

 

I've had the same thought myself. I know my boys' Lego sets are going to ripped open and all over the place. This is how Christmas Lego works.

[KShine]

I'm really not too worried about Minecraft returns.  They'll be ripped open and mixed in with other pieces on Christmas morning and the parents are just relieved they could get one or two sets, as scarce as they were.

 

As long as it was parents that bought them, and not other BP'ers.

 

I agree that it is unlikely (hopefully) to be an issue, but it is also pretty certain that some re-sellers did do it.

[dcdfan]

Wouldn't the minecrafts have different seal codes therefore proving they weren't the ones that were sent?

[holleman67]

Wouldn't the minecrafts have different seal codes therefore proving they weren't the ones that were sent?

If you were determined enough to record them for proof then yes if you get the fun loving rep from eBay to understand they mean something. Good luck