Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions - Page 73

Quote:

Originally Posted by tben 

I purchased something from China on September 28. On October 4, it made it to the sort facility that I am assuming sorts the mail that goes to my local post office, then to my house. However, my item has been at that facility since October 4 and the estimated delivery was between October 17-30. Another buyer from the United States purchased something similar on October 12, and received his item on October 28. Luckily, nothing like this has ever happened to me in the past but this also means that my experience with these types of situations is limited. How do I proceed with the seller? In addition, I only have until, I believe November 7, to report any problems. Thanks in advance!

Hate to quote myself, but oh well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel 

What's the best way to photograph shirts given that I'm not great and doing a professional store fold?

I've had decent results laying a folded shirt on a white paper covered table. I use either a rolled up washcloth or folded cardboard wedge to prop up the collar and make the label more visible.

As for shirt folding, you may check out this video by T.M. Lewin. It's helped my fold a bit. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by concealed 

 

just another reason why I need to look into some of the solutions you have mentioned to me!

 

then again, i am doomed to early onset carpal tunnel already!

Weight training, stretching, and rest prevents carpal tunnel! I use to practice guitar shredding 3 hours a day then lift an hour of weights. I stretch regularly and after the practice and lifting, I rest for the rest of the day. Never had any problems!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooker4186 

How long do you guys wait before opening an unpaid item case or whatever it is? Sold some shoes on Monday, haven't heard a peep from the buyer since. I've sent him an invoice, and messaged but still nothing. (And yes I'm factoring in Sandy but pretty sure he lives in Florida).

I wait a week usually. I try to remember that not everyone is looking at ebay every few minutes like we anxious sellers are. The case will take an additional 4 days until you can close it. When I open the case, I also send a friendly reminder email to help keep buyers from becoming irate (see below)...and you will get angry customers, even if you tell them they have so many days to pay and send them a reminder every day. 

This is the process I use.

1- Bidder wins auction.

2- Ebay immediately sends an automatic invoice and congratulation email to the buyer.

3- After 2 days of non-payment, ebay automatically sends a reminder to the buyer.

4- After 5 days, I resend the invoice.

5- After 7 days, I open the case....and send the reminder/explanatory email (below)

6- After 11 days case is closed, unless I get a response out of the buyer for more time or wanting to cancel the transaction.

This is the email I send when opening the case....

"Hello, DON'T WORRY, YOU STILL HAVE 4 DAYS TO MAKE PAYMENT. The following message is just being sent as a reminder, and notification of a pending case. 

I have not yet received your payment for this item. Buyers are given 11 days to make payment for purchases. As a matter of procedure, I open a unpaid item case on the 7th day so that I can relist the item on the 11th day in the case of non-payment. Don't worry, you still have 4 more days to make payment, and the opened case has no negative effect on your eBay account. Please make payment within the next 4 days or contact me if you need more time, to avoid any further action."

Probably a little nicer than most folks, but it seems to work pretty well.

Note: you don't have to wait that long to open the case, and you can actually set ebay to do it automatically for you. If you set it to autopilot, try to keep an eye on buyers who may be bidding on your other items so you don't ding them with an unpaid item strike when they were just trying to spend more money in your store.