posted on January 13, 2006 08:39:23 PM
"Mr. Lister - Syracuse, NY's LARGEST EBAYER"
(From their ME page)
Anyone know whats going on with these guys??
I have been waiting for my purchase since Dec! Didn't think much about the delay because they had over 800 auctions running at one time during Christmas. This week I emailed for a shipment update and have yet to receive an answer.
I would prefer my merchandise, but luckily I paid with PP, so I guess I can wait til the last minute to file for a refund.
Bad part is, I've been checking their feedback and they are getting negs left and right. Many of them say that ML is bankrupt and the doors are locked! But strange thing is many of them are positives from people receiving items from auctions that closed as recently as 01/02/06.
I just checked their website and they quit accepting consignments 01/09/06. Wonder if I will get my item??
posted on January 13, 2006 09:26:12 PM
I've been wondering how some of those consignment places have been doing. Friends of mine, several of them, who have never bought or sold on Ebay mention them to me from time to time, all excited, asking if I've ever heard of those shops. I just do not see how they can do a good job with collectibles.
______________________________
posted on January 13, 2006 09:39:36 PM
Roadie, they don't! I have found they are great places to buy because most of them do such a poor job of describing what they have.
posted on January 13, 2006 10:21:16 PM
I sometimes think some of these places thought it was a easy quick buck type business and afterwards found out just how much work it really is to make any money.
Just another white mouse in the ebay maze looking for some cheese. --- Mike
posted on January 14, 2006 11:53:17 AM
LtRay, just as I was getting my feelings hurt, I read the next sentence. Thanks.
It is true, however, that consignment is at something of a disadvantage with collectibles. I've learned a good bit about old Lionel, Hummel, and some other items (and there are great books / Google to fill in the gaps), but I can't compete on knowledge with someone who really knows the product. My only offsetting virtue is that I provide good customer support, auction bonding, decent photos, etc., which not all sellers who are collectors themselves do (many do, but not all).
In rank order, I make my money on handbags, watches, electronics, and then collectibles (and most of them of relatively recent vintage and "obvious", for example, identifying a Lionel train isn't exactly tough, nor are Absolut Vodka items).
posted on January 14, 2006 12:48:16 PM
A drop off eBay consigner franchise is opening in Salem OR. I looked at their parent site and found they only accept PayPal for their auctions, you must use their check-out which doesn't support Mac users.
posted on January 16, 2006 09:08:47 PM
They are finally NRU but not until eBay managed to bill for their fees. Guess eBay thought they might collect for a few thousand $$'s worth of auctions.
I just filled for a PayPal reimbursement. Wonder how long that will take??
posted on January 16, 2006 10:03:25 PM
Luckily I had used a credit card transfer thru PP, so I should be double covered.
I try not to keep much of a cash balance in PP.
Sparkz, I like the new sig line but I hope Murphy gets that one wrong!
posted on January 16, 2006 10:18:54 PM
PP's Buyer Complaint Policy Eligibility.
Buyer complaints must be filed within 45 days of the payment. Even if the buyer’s claim is justified, the buyer will receive a recovery only if there are funds in the seller’s account. RECOVERY OF YOUR CLAIM IS NOT GUARANTEED.
What BS, guess I'll get in touch with my VISA as well!
Those franchisers won't accept anything other than PayPal because they take 4-5% (one of the majors does, the other charges a flat $1800/month) of the GROSS from the franchisees, and this is the way that they can make sure that they're bleeding every last nickel out of them.
They typically don't allow cash even for pickups, which makes the transaction dicey for the franchisee.
Consignment is tough; consignment through a franchise is usually doomed to failure, or at least a much less profitable enterprise than it would be as an independent.
