posted on November 28, 2000 06:56:47 AMExcecutiveGirl
I see. So the requirements aren't too stringent at all. Just about anyone can be a Powerseller. 100 feedback minimum. Big deal. 98% positive feedback. If you can't maintain 98% positive feedback, you're pretty bad in the first place. Not like it's an exclusive club that's difficult to join.
That's why I said the only difference I see is the dumb logo.
PoconoDon't sugar-coat it. Tell us how you really feel.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:06:05 AMLoosecannon:
I am a "power seller" but don't advertise it on my auctions or anywhere else. There is absolutely NO advantage to being one. Big deal, they give you an email address to write to so you get answers. I wrote to them once and they told me to email [email protected]. So once again, they were of no use.
Pocono: I sell clothing and have an "all sales final" policy. I list all measurements and all details of the items. If I ever misrepresent an item or didn't mention a flaw in my ad I would still reimburse my customer, since it would be my fault. But since I list all measurements - if the item just "doesn't fit", I cannot give refunds. My customers understand that it is THEIR responsibility to know their measurements and I've never had a problem. Just because a seller has a "no return" policy does not mean they are a bad seller.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:19:19 AM
Nope, loosecannon, I wouldn't be shortsighted enough to recommend ALL PowerSellers. But I also wouldn't adopt your foolish philosophy that ALL PS's are crooks.
Hint: Try actually reading the posts you comment on. It'll do wonders for your accuracy.
And BTW, you're also mistaken that PS's are required to have a return policy. They changed that rule over a year ago, much to my chagrin. I've long advocated that satisfaction guarantees should be required of ALL sellers.
If a seller won't stand behind his merchandise he shouldn't be selling, PS or not.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:27:35 AMfountainhouse
Did I say that Powersellers are crooks? No, I didn't.
I said that just seeing that logo on an auction doesn't insure that you're dealing with a good seller. Now, perhaps you should check your reading comprehension?
If you're proud of being a Powerseller, I see nothing wrong with that. Just don't imply that non-Powersellers aren't up to your level of competence or integrity.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:35:59 AM
You're putting words in my mouth again, loosecannon.
Please point out where I said, or implied, that non-Powersellers aren't up to your level of competence or integrity.
Since you're having a bad morning, I will rephrase my initial post: the presence, or absence, of the PS emblem that you seem to dislike so much does NOT, in and of itself, prove a seller's character.
Far more revealing, IMO, is the presence, or absence, of a return policy.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:41:40 AM
Good morning everyone. It certainly wasn't my intention to criticize Power Sellers or high feedback sellers in particular. On the other hand, I am not at all surprised to see posts here in this thread basically saying, "the BUYER is responsible" or "the BUYER is partially to blame" or "yeah, there's bad sellers, but look at all the bad BUYERS out there." I am both, but I will say that in the last year the unsatisfactory transactions as a buyer outnumber the unsatisfactory transactions I've had as a seller. But then again, I have bought more than I've sold this year on ebay. After 4 years on ebay (AuctionWeb), I consider myself an experienced buyer. I do not bid on "As is" nor "All sales final". I ask questions if I'm in doubt. When I sell, I do not hold my feedback hostage...when the buyer pays, I leave feedback, and hopefully I will get some in return, but I don't wait to leave it to see if the customer will leave mine FIRST. I am well aware of what shipping costs, selling both on ebay and from an online shop, so I know when I am being gouged. And I also know when there is extra cost to package a particularly fragile item, such as double boxing, or perhaps a very small item that needs to be insured for a high dollar amount that increases the total shipping substantially. That said, I take umbrage to remarks such as from jwpc: YES, there are people who over charge, but as a BUYER it is your responsibility to know shipping costs, and to refuse to pay if the cost is outrageous. and
When you paid $15 for shipping of 6 tumblers you only propagated the problem!
No, this is not MY fault that the seller sent me inferior and flawed merchandise, and OVERCHARGED me for the priviledge. It is not MY responsibility to send email after email questioning the SELLER's veracity and truthfulness regarding his item descriptions and auction terms. I am only responsible for my side of the transaction, the Seller is responsible for his/hers. As for "bad sellers fading away" that is not the case. In fact, in my experience, they are proliferating. And someone commented in this thread about ignorant and inexperienced sellers out to make a fast buck, with no idea (and apparently no care) about the seller's responsibilities when it comes to the mail order business. That is what this thread is about. Not a wholesale condemnation of Sellers (of which I am one). But I am also a Buyer, and while I will uphold my responsibilities to adhere to the Seller's terms, I REFUSE to be held responsible for any Seller's lousy service, nor will I continue to lose money paying return shipping on flawed merchandise. I do not ask to return items due to "buyer's remorse", and if there is damage in transit, I do not expect reimbursement from the seller, but will file the insurance claims myself, even though more times than not the damage is due to poor packaging. So do not put responsibility for ebay Seller's poor attitudes and bad customer service off on ME, an experienced and HONEST buyer.
Shoshanah Your offer is so very generous and touching. I haven't decided what to do with the bowl yet. I don't think it would be a difficult repair, but my friend is an advanced collector and somewhat of a purist when it comes to his collection. But you are the epitomy of what ebay used to be in the "old days" and what could be again. You are the best!
posted on November 28, 2000 07:42:57 AM
Your words, not mine...
In fact, those of you wishing to improve your ebay transactions (as opposed to just trashing PS's) would be well-served to seek out the quality, honest sellers among the PS ranks -- and there are many!
(My bold emphasis)
You're pushing Powersellers. Why not just say "seek out the quality, honest sellers", period?
posted on November 28, 2000 07:48:51 AMnor will I continue to lose money paying return shipping on flawed merchandise
KatyD ...... Have you considered using a CC for your online purchases? If you did, you wouldn't have to worry about paying for return shipping, or anything else.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:49:56 AM
"In fact, those of you wishing to improve your ebay transactions (as opposed to just trashing PS's) would be well-served to seek out the quality, honest sellers among the PS ranks -- and there are many."
What a difference a little emphasis can do, huh?
I'm not "pushing PowerSellers." You, however, seem hellbent on discrediting anyone who works hard enough to have earned the right to call themselves one.
Definitely detecting the odor of sour grapes here ...
BTW, loosecannon, what's your return policy?
[ edited by fountainhouse on Nov 28, 2000 07:50 AM ]
posted on November 28, 2000 07:55:08 AM
No sour grapes. If I wanted to join and be a Powerseller, I certainly could with 777 total positives against two retaliatory negs.
I offer a 48 hour inspection/return policy on everything with the exception of an advertised flawed or non-working item. Those are sold as-is.
Your change of my bold emphasis is rather lame, and makes no difference at all.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:59:26 AM
reddeer, I have a business credit card as well as one used for personal purchases, and I have used both for payment. Unfortunately, I've not yet had a sour deal where I've used a credit card for the purchase. Should that happen, I wouldn't hesitate to initiate a charge back. However, I don't see how this would take care of the return shipping cost, as I would still have to return the defective item, even though the initial purchase and shipping amount would be credited to my account.
posted on November 28, 2000 08:02:04 AM
You, however, seem hellbent on discrediting anyone who works hard enough to have earned
the right to call themselves one.
Ahhh...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you sell ONE item per month, and still be a power seller?
Not much hard work there, unless your a simpleton.
posted on November 28, 2000 08:06:36 AM
Remember, ebay is NOT rewarding you for doing a "fine job", they are rewarding you (if you want to call it that, I call it being detrimental to you, but...)because of how much dough you pay them in fees.
Sell under your two grand, and see how fast they kick you to the curb...
posted on November 28, 2000 08:08:27 AM
Sorry you aren't able to see the rather obvious difference, loosecannon. (Just to help out, I emphasized the phrase that's been there all along, and that you have been steadfastly ignoring. It illustrates the inaccuracy of your statement that I proclaimed the superiority of ALL PowerSellers.)
I'd like to stay and assist you further, but this PS has LOTS of listings to write today!
Actually, pocono, eBay reviews the PS list only once about every quarter. It's not a warp-speed "kick to the curb."
[ edited by fountainhouse on Nov 28, 2000 08:11 AM ]
posted on November 28, 2000 08:13:39 AM
I've sold between 3500.00 and 9500.00 per month for the last two years, every since I started on ebay. Unfortunately I haven't been able to break that 10,000.00 level for a month yet. But, I do it with few auctions. It's been a long time since I listed over 100 auctions in a month. The only thing holding me back is that I can't find more quality merchandise at wholesale-ish prices.
posted on November 28, 2000 08:22:44 AM
{ Actually, pocono, eBay reviews the PS list only once about every quarter. It's not a warp-speed "kick to the curb." }
So...
It is not actually monitored closely, nor making sure that the members are actually falling into the catagory?
Theoretically, a power seller can, fall below those standards, and fraudulantly fly the PS banner without any action on ebays part?
posted on November 28, 2000 08:46:13 AM
another thread with buyers vs. sellers!!!! anyone who has bought large quantities of items on internet auctions will eventually run into a problem with a seller. anyone who sells large quantities will eventually run into problem buyers. do not forget that the single biggest problem(and therefore a deterrent to buyers) is still fraud and forgery by sellers. glass items are obviously a risky area, and although i have disagreed with MACANDJAN before,KATYD- i strongly agree with them that an e-mail just to clarify condition is certainly wise on any glass item regardless of cost.
posted on November 28, 2000 08:58:34 AM
stusi, if you want to believe the headlines, yeah go ahead and think that forgery and outright fraud is the big problem for ebay. Frankly, while those problems are certainly sensationalized in the press, I do not think that they happen all that much. No, poor merchandise and customer service is much more common than outright fraud and forgery.
And I guess you won't mind if you get 30 emails in your inbox every day asking you, "Regarding your auction item XXX, ARE YOU LYING?"
posted on November 28, 2000 09:11:52 AMKatyD ...... It's rather simple, you don't return the merchandise, unless the SELLER pays for the return. Your charge back will go through regardless of whether you've returned the merchandise, or not.
posted on November 28, 2000 09:13:39 AM
if you state that an item is "perfect","mint" etc., then it may be an annoyance to get 30 e-mails questioning your honesty! however,there are many sellers stating "very good condition", "like new",etc. when purchasing a piece of jewelry, an antique, or any glass item why are you so lacking understanding as to a buyer, particularly of an expensive item that you can't see, wanting to get assurance as to the condition? many sellers will ask,"why didn't you ask me before i sent it?" regarding forgery and fraud, you are being extremely naive to think that this is just a media-created problem. maybe you deal in an area where this problem is virtually non-existent by the very nature of the product. i assure you that with autographs the problem is rampant on ebay and other auction sites. antiques, jewelry, art,and designer goods are constantly being forged and are the subject of numerous investigations by the authorities which are not publicized.
posted on November 28, 2000 09:47:10 AMreddeer, I see. Yes, I could do that. I've honestly not thought of that before.
stusi I only bid on items advertised as "mint" "perfect" "old" "original". And frankly, I have neither the time or the inclination to email every prospective seller to ask if it REALLY is "mint" "perfect" "old" "original". If they SAY so, should I not believe them?
I do not deal in autographs, nor buy them. I have heard that forgeries are a problem in this category. However, I was speaking to the WHOLE of ebay, all categories combined. And while there may be an abundance of forgery or fraud in a specific category, I do not think it is a major problem for ALL categories, and statistically including the number of completed transactions, I think there is a much higher incidence of buyer disatisfaction as to customer service rather than outright fraud. Sorry, I should have clarified this.
posted on November 28, 2000 10:22:10 AMKatyD ..... Well then, glad I could help. If you use a CC & get some funged up piece of worthless garbage sent to you, simply email the seller & demand your $$$ back, including the shipping BOTH ways.
Also point out that if they fail to do this, you will contact eBay & file FRAUD charges, and contact your CC company & dispute the charges. BTW - eBay/Billpoint charges a $10 fee to the seller when a CC charge back goes through. I imagine the seller would be quick to comply, with your terms.
I know this doesn't help solve the problem you are referring to in this thread, but at least you know you have a way to have ALL the funds returned to you, and you won't have to pay for the return shipping either.
posted on November 28, 2000 10:37:41 AM
I began buying long before I was selling. Most of the stuff I have gotten was good, and I still do fairly well.
Overcharging for shipping is actually the lowest order problem. If they do not state an amount, or will not when queried, I do not bid.
Here's my basic list of what I probably won't buy: anything made of glass or is real fragile or anything expensive unless the dealer is honest. I've gotten great service from a guy with practically no feedback and the worst service from someone with hundreds of positives.
If they hype their integrity and great feedback, I avoid them.
at pokey!