posted on October 11, 2012 08:36:41 AM new
I have sold 18 items since I resumed selling on eBay after about 10 years. It is a whole new experience for a small-time seller now!
Of the 18 items I have sold in the last month or so:
#1-the buyer complained that item didn't come with a box even though NO box was mentioned in the item description. I didn't buy it with a box so I had no idea that it even came with a box. Buyer said that I had to have bought it with a box..so was she calling me a liar? Did she think I just wanted to keep the empty box or something? She sent me 14 emails that I had to reply to.
#2- the buyer didn't like the way the package was wrapped for shipping, thought I used TOO much packing material. What? I want the breakable item to get there safely, not in pieces, so I used bubble wrap and packing beans. As costly as these items are, I don't want to use more than is necessary for a safe shipment to the buyer.
#3-the buyer (newby) didn't pay so I filed an unpaid item report and a week after eBay refunded my fees, the buyer emailed me and demanded I lift the restriction on his account so he can bid again. I suggested he contact eBay and then put him on BBL.
#4-the buyer said that her fabric had a slight smell. At one time there were moth balls in the bin, but all fabric was in individual zip locked baggies and I did not smell anything. I got the bin that the fabric was in, made sure there were no hidden mothballs, and had my husband smell every one of the pieces of fabric. He has the best sense of smell of anyone I know and he could not smell anything except the plastic smell of the Rubbermaid bin.
#5-The newby buyer that messaged me through the feedback system with a negative and eBay won't remove it even though the feedback system was not used correctly. So now my seller rating is trashed and I cannot do a darn thing about it. MAKES ME SICK!
Out of 18, there were 5 issues, so that is almost 30% of the buyers. And my feedback score is now 94.1% instead of the 100% that I should have.
This is the last straw. I am done. Ebay is not a place that is enjoyable to sell on anymore.
After I try to sell some fabric that is ready to list, I will use garage sales or donate unwanted items to charity.
posted on October 11, 2012 09:53:08 AM new
Ten years is a long time ,a lot has changed on Ebay-more bottom feeders,more resellers.
Resellers aim to buy low and sell high,that could be why they are so difficult to please.
I dont smoke but I often hear sellers who have to accept returns as their items smell tobacco?
posted on October 11, 2012 04:39:30 PM new
I feel your pain / frustration. I can go months, even years and all seems to be well in eBay land, then boom!!
In the past few days, I have had more whiners & complainers than in years past. Some of the same issues: smells, demands immediate FB, where is my item a few hours after they paid (and it took them 3 days to pay), color looks different, changed mind, ship a different way than listed, can I wait a week for payment.
I don't mind being obliging & I answer like I have a great big smile on my face even thought I am gritting my teeth most of the time.
The thing that kills me is the odor thing!! If I were that sensitive to odors, I would buy from a store where I could go in & sniff away! Perhaps items pick up odors on their journey from my place to theirs, I have never sold anything where I detected an odor, but I have had my share of those complaints.
posted on October 11, 2012 05:15:00 PM new
A lot has changed on eBay in the past 10 years, and you are right, it is no longer fun or profitable (at least for me) to sell there. Rather than being just a venue, eBay is much more accommodating to buyers rather than sellers, and I feel that has made the buyers try to get away with more.
These days, a seller can do everything right, jump through all eBay's hoops and bend over backwards for the customer, and still wind up with low ratings and bad feedback, and there is no recourse.
posted on October 11, 2012 06:18:12 PM new
I got a neg today,the overseas buyer said she should have known better,before she opened the package,she heard the noise and then she clicked two pieces against each other,shine a light,poke a heated needle thru the hole and peeled the glue from the removed label and decided this aint it.
The thing I sold her ,I have been selling for last 12 years,this is the first time someone did all of the above,most just displayed it on their desk or add to their collection!
