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



hbkshin said:

It's up to you, really. I've sold to a few people through the forums and it's never really run through my mind they might screw me. eBay will offer much more protection, though.

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Your main protection is being able to publicly shame him here if he screws you. But I think it's pretty safe.



JezeC said:

I recently agreed on price to buy an item from a SF user. He suggested, rather than going through Ebay, we should just go straight with Paypal so he can save some money on the Ebay fees. There will be an additional upcharge if we were to go through ebay. Since this is my first time using Paypal exclusively , is there any actual protection from this type of transaction? User has about 30 posts since creating an account in 2010. 

He offered to write me an invoice, but I'm not sure how that works either. Please advise. Thanks. 

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How many places on SF did you post this exact same question?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask but I'm gonna toss up a SC on ebay just trying to get an idea of price to list it? I was thinking $50 but I'm not sure since it appears an older EZ...

If this type of questioning is frowned upon, please disregard.



capnwes said:

Not sure on Greece, but the other 4 are my only blocked countries.

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Thanks!

Ebay "potential challenges". I've been buying and selling on Ebay for 15 years and just had my first WTF?? experience. Most people are very reasonable, and couple that with my attitude of "trying to leave something on the table", I've always had great experiences with buyers and sellers. However, I recently picked up a new pair of C&J cordovan tassel loafers marked 11.5. It wasn't marked UK or US, so I made the mistake of assuming they were UK. When I received them, of course they were US and too small for me. Mea culpa for not asking. I did not ask to return them and re-posted on Ebay at a loss. I took several pictures and requested that ANY and ALL questions should be asked and I'd be happy to photo specifics and answer questions. But NO RETURNS unless not as described. Complete with box and dust covers. Someone snapped up the shoes at the low but it now. I expedited the shoes in good faith-I also paid all shipping. The buyer held them for several days and then I received an email from Ebay stating that the buyer wanted a refund AND shipping fees. Buyer's remorse but stated shoes were not "new" Nice! I spoke to Ebay, they reviewed all of my photos and concurred they more than sufficiently portrayed enough vantage points to determine condition of the shoes. I was now doing what I didn't want to do-waste time and energy. Long-longer story short: Buyer got refund. Ebay told me that buyer is always right. So...there is no such thing as a "No Return" policy. I apologize for the length of the post but thought that it pertinent to understand what truly happens in a disputed process. Silver lining is that after I received the shoes and gave the refund, another Ebayer contacted me about the shoes and was bummed he missed out on them. I sold them to him for the same price and he was stoked! He offered to purchase outside of Ebay but I politely declined and paid the fees associated. When he got them he was more than happy and stated so on feedback. The same day a new pair of Edward Green tassel loafers popped up in my size for the same price. Talk about Karma....

grid said:

I need to come up with a 'shopping list' for packing/shipping supplies.

I just read Brianpore's shipping guide (thanks Brian!) and have ordered some regional A and B USPS boxes.

What does everyone find to be necessary to have on hand for shipments? Sizes are helpful too. So what's next - tyvek bags? Padded envelopes? Plain envelopes? What's the go to source for these items?

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This is what I have / keep on hand:

• Scale
• Scotch tape
• Packing tape
• Tissue paper
• Bubble wrap
• Variety of boxes purchased, for the rare item that won't fit into a free USPS box
• Variety of padded mailers purchased, for the rare item that won't fit into a free USPS mailer/box
• USPS Priority Tyvek mailers, 12x15
• USPS Express Tyvek mailers, 12x15
• USPS padded mailers, 9x12
• USPS medium flat rate boxes, both kinds
• USPS large flat rate boxes
• USPS game board boxes
• USPS shoe boxes
• USPS Regional Rate A boxes
• USPS Regional Rate B boxes (rarely used)
• USPS Priority "mailing" boxes in various sizes
• USPS small flat rate boxes
• USPS roll of Priority Mail stickers
• USPS roll of Express Mail stickers
• Plastic garment bags from the dry cleaner's / other bags I can re-use that don't resemble garbage bags
• Misc used boxes I can re-use for shipping
• Misc used packing materials/peanuts I can re-use
• A shelf to hold most of it in one place

For USPS stuff, look it up on usps.com, write down the item # and quantity you want, then call in your order.
For tape and other stuff, I just buy it when I see it on sale at the grocery, Lowe's, etc.

mr monty said:

Received this message

"Hi whats the lowest you will take for these. Just coming back from 2nd tour in Afghanistan wife sold all my gear help a brother out. Thanks for your time.
God bless"

Buyer has nearly 200 transaction during the last 12 months and most are for golf related equipment.

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Eesh - I've gotten those, also pleas from pastors who are trying to help clothe people coming out of jail / rehab / halfway houses. Wish I wasn't such a cynic but reading their feedback spoke for itself.

thefastlife said:

So I just headed outside to see if I could find a suitable spot for my manne.

This is all I came up with :/

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Nice rustic look. I'd shoot photo above the moss line.

Here is a new one.....my highest selling item lately too.

Hello Dear weso0119
I am endeared to you for your kindness, my dear Blessed Sir!

Please know Sir I would not bring any ill will your way weso0119 for anything! I am just in such a pickle at this time in my life owing to my dear husband's poor health! I feel so very very terrible for the domino effect this brings your way and to that of others! Please know that I know nothing about Ebay but friends from my Anglican Church are stepping forward to assist me, so that I may have the guidance I need! I pray I may have the fortitude, kind Sir, to meet your goals and expectations, dear Sir!

If I may ask, dear weso0119, could you please keep me posted as to your expectations of me? My reason for this question kind Sir, is that I am not sure what the future holds for me in terms of my dear husband's health! Heaven only knows, and I may end up befallen with grief, which could take me completely to a place I do not comprehend.

So sorry dear weso0119, he is in a coma at this time and I pray deeply he is spared! Please do not hesitate to telephone me @ xxx-xxx-xxxx. Your kindness bespeaks volumes of the true gentleman you are! Just my dear husband!

My sincerest thanks from the deepest depths of my soul, kindest weso0119,

Madame John Doe.


I guess I have no choice but to believe the message....but it does seem a tad fishy perhaps. Without prying too much I asked what happened and when, to see if the story coincides with the bid time. I had a similar think last year, involving a buyer who had a heart attack. His wife contacted me about it and linked me to a post on Fedora Lounge where she had addressed the forum about her husband's condition. I ended up canceling the transaction and then sent the items as a get well soon gift. He made a full recovery and became one of my regular customers. Thinking of it, I haven't heard from him in a while, I hope he did not have any other bouts with that.

capnwes said:

Here is a new one.....my highest selling item lately too.
Hello Dear weso0119
I am endeared to you for your kindness, my dear Blessed Sir!

Please know Sir I would not bring any ill will your way weso0119 for anything! I am just in such a pickle at this time in my life owing to my dear husband's poor health! I feel so very very terrible for the domino effect this brings your way and to that of others! Please know that I know nothing about Ebay but friends from my Anglican Church are stepping forward to assist me, so that I may have the guidance I need! I pray I may have the fortitude, kind Sir, to meet your goals and expectations, dear Sir!

If I may ask, dear weso0119, could you please keep me posted as to your expectations of me? My reason for this question kind Sir, is that I am not sure what the future holds for me in terms of my dear husband's health! Heaven only knows, and I may end up befallen with grief, which could take me completely to a place I do not comprehend.

So sorry dear weso0119, he is in a coma at this time and I pray deeply he is spared! Please do not hesitate to telephone me @ xxx-xxx-xxxx. Your kindness bespeaks volumes of the true gentleman you are! Just my dear husband!

My sincerest thanks from the deepest depths of my soul, kindest weso0119,

Madame John Doe.


I guess I have no choice but to believe the message....but it does seem a tad fishy perhaps. Without prying too much I asked what happened and when, to see if the story coincides with the bid time. I had a similar think last year, involving a buyer who had a heart attack. His wife contacted me about it and linked me to a post on Fedora Lounge where she had addressed the forum about her husband's condition. I ended up canceling the transaction and then sent the items as a get well soon gift. He made a full recovery and became one of my regular customers. Thinking of it, I haven't heard from him in a while, I hope he did not have any other bouts with that.

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That's such a weird message...

I'm still unsure what it all means...

I'm confused.

ATLnoob said:

That's such a weird message...

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I am assuming she is not originally from America. My wife and I sponsor some children in Indonesia and the letters we receive from their mother are very similarly written, constantly re-addressing the recipient and full of compliments and blessings. She used my real full name in her actual message, I edited it to my ebay username.

How do you all ship your ties? I have poly bags I use. I wrap them in tissue paper and put them in the bag. But I'm starting to think I should probably start boxing them. What size box do you use if you box them?

Trying to move away from not boxing items and start boxing everything - more professional looking.

Just got a second reply....

Dearest weso0119,

Thank you ever so kindly for the kindness and dearest friendship which is filling your letter so graciously! You are so kind to offer to cancel the sale! I can't thank you enough for this gracious move on your part, Sir! Would you mind waiting a bit longer until we see how my husband's health progresses as I know he was so looking forward to this item? I hate to put you on the spot, kind Sir, it's just that he was looking ever so much to having this item.

Thank you, sir, Ms. John Doe

PS. You inquired as to how this health problem commenced. Out of the blue, this very healthy man had a heart attack! It is simply maddening, as he was always very healthy and ate correctly. He saw his doctors regularly and always exercised! I am just beside myself. I appreciate your patience and consideration, weso0119



hbkshin said:

How do you all ship your ties? I have poly bags I use. I wrap them in tissue paper and put them in the bag. But I'm starting to think I should probably start boxing them. What size box do you use if you box them?

Trying to move away from not boxing items and start boxing everything - more professional looking.

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I roll them up and put them in a 4x4x4 cardboard box along with some packing to keep the tie from moving around. That box will ship two ties.



hbkshin said:

How do you all ship your ties? I have poly bags I use. I wrap them in tissue paper and put them in the bag. But I'm starting to think I should probably start boxing them. What size box do you use if you box them?

Trying to move away from not boxing items and start boxing everything - more professional looking.

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I fold loosely into 4ths, wrap in tissue, ship usps priority small box, charge 5.50 to ship if auction or build the price in if BIN. Have used the 4x4x4 for 2+ ties, rolled.