posted on August 6, 2002 04:51:22 PM
Typical Ebay… Turned in and had three auctions ended because someone did not like to competition. All they could find was the following line in my TOS and it was enough.
"Shipping to and from purchaser and auction costs are not refunded under
any circumstances."
Their reasoning was in their words. "Joining and bidding on items at eBay is free...You are responsible for paying all fees associated with using our service and our website and all applicable taxes."
So I modified the line to.. “Refunds for amount of sale only, shipping cost are not refunded under any circumstances.”
Let’s see what they say now.
People should have better things to do then to suck around ebay and try to eliminate competition. I will be back with the same auctions…
posted on August 6, 2002 06:33:43 PM
Not refundable under any circumstances? Regardless of eBay's stance reading that would instantly cause me to hit the back button and look at another auction. I wouldn't care what you were selling or how badly I wanted it.
posted on August 6, 2002 06:44:09 PM
You may not like the TOS but that was not my point. I consider myself a honorable seller and will bend over backward to satisfy a customer.
My TOS just give me an out if I run into an A**h*** buyer that decides that they just don't want it and want all of their money back no questions asked.
My feedback rating while not high 107 is that way after only 150 auctions.
posted on August 6, 2002 07:41:25 PM
Well, sorry if it wasn't your intent to discuss the TOS, you brought it up. I'm not trying to be combative.
I see your point about leaving yourself an out, but as a potential buyer "under any circumstances" is an instant red flag. All kinds of scenarios come to mind: what if they send the wrong item, what if it's not as represented, etc. I'm not even going to bother asking how you would handle that, I'm just going to move on to the next seller. Just something you might want to think about, you may be losing potential buyers. But, if you really think this TOS works for you then good luck with it.
[ edited by rocketguy on Aug 6, 2002 07:43 PM ]
posted on August 6, 2002 08:02:34 PM
Your right I did bring it up. I will put some thought into changing it to be a little better worded. I try not to misrepresent anything I sell and it would be a freak accident to ship the wrong item since I pack them myself. I guess I was just trying to keep buyers remorse from costing me money.
posted on August 6, 2002 09:23:50 PM
Unless I would want to have the item worse than anything else in this world, I most likely wouldn't buy from this seller either as many times the wrong item is sent. If you wouldn't refund shipping cost for this situation, which that statement does imply, there is now way I would bid. And that is most likely not to happen as there is so much competition that I would go to the next seller to purchase the item.
[ edited by caffeitalia on Aug 7, 2002 08:45 PM ]
posted on August 6, 2002 09:37:42 PM
THE LESS YOU SAY THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE AS MOST READ NOTHING ANYWAY. BUT,,,,,,WHEN YOU THREATEN,,,,THEN THEY SEEM TO BE ABLE TO READ. .2 CENTS.
posted on August 6, 2002 09:41:05 PM
You know, maybe I went off half cocked before thinking this through. Presumably the insurance would cover a defective or lost item. So in my mind you would only have to refund shipping in the event the wrong item was sent out.
Perhaps something along the lines of "Refunds issued for purchase price only, except in the case of a shipping error".
And then only after the customer returned the item and you verified it was yours.
[ edited by rocketguy on Aug 6, 2002 09:45 PM ]
posted on August 6, 2002 10:03:24 PM
JACKSWEBB,
You're right too. I've been reading these boards for quite a while, primarily from the view point of a buyer. It looks to me like a lot of the problems are caused by buyers not reading the TOS until there is a problem, then it's too late.
The other thing I've noticed is no matter what a seller does to idiot-proof the sales process, there always seems to be a new idiot just around the corner with a new way to screw things up.
[ edited by rocketguy on Aug 6, 2002 10:03 PM ]
posted on August 6, 2002 10:14:58 PM
THINK OF IT THIS WAY,,,,,IN YOUR AUCTIONS KEEP IT ALL FUN AND GAMES AND ALL BUBBLY,,,,YOU ARE ON STAGE....WHEN IT'S OVER,,,,,THE BUSINESS END BEGINS.....IN WHAT EVER YOU SAY TO THEM IN YOU E MAIL END OF AUCTION NOTICE,,,,THAT IS WHAT IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT. THERE IS WHERE YOU LAY DOWN THE LAW. THEY BOUGHT AND NOW IT'S YOUR TURN. THEY COULD HAVE ASKED ANYTHING THEY WANTED PRIOR TO THE END OF THE AUCTION.
posted on August 6, 2002 10:17:56 PM
Good points from all. Like Jack says, once an item is received and there is a problem, the buyer is not going to go back and read your TOS. They can still neg you regardless of what it says. What do you do when you ship an item and it is defective and the buyer wants a replacement? Do you have them return it at their cost?
posted on August 7, 2002 03:24:54 AM
Hi,I agree with everyone here. I keep it really short *all sales final please email questions prior to bidding*& they don't even try it
I don't even mention refund WHAT REFUND?! LOL
look if a good customer had something arrive broken etc & you required ins as it was fragile packed it right & everything..heck the business like thing to do would be get the ins money send it to them with a small gift..or 5.00 off their next purchase.something nice,.you will get a great comment & a repeat customer..problems don't come up that often..& IDIOTS DON'T READ so your tos will not have any effect except to scare away new & super careful bidders.
one thing,,i think i know why they were ended. i don't think it had a thing to do with the no refunds part,it was the AUCTIONS COSTS
i am guessing but i think they are thinking you are charging the listing & fvf fee to bidder ...really read it again..that must be why..take that part out..good luck
[ edited by timetravelers on Aug 7, 2002 03:26 AM ]
posted on August 7, 2002 07:04:23 PM
I took everyones advice and limited my TOS listing down to a minimum on the actual auction listing. I moved it over to my WBN instead. That should fix the problem.
