Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brianpore 
First, call ebay. They are very helpful and will tell you the best way to handle it (this is always my first suggestion)
Second, the buyer needs to prove they shipped it back (tracking) just the same way you proved you shipped it to them (tracking). If he does not have proof of shipping it back then you will win (99% sure) you claim with ebay if you really go that way, but as you said it is over such small peanuts of money that it's prob best to cut your losses and just refund him the money.
Thanks for the advice!
I might try working out a 50/50 loss share with the buyer- he didn't track it back, and I should therefore win, but going through the claims process is just not worth it. I'll see how it plays out and report back for posterity.
Some advice/anecdotes of my own to give to hopefully help others (bearing in mind I'm very much small time):
-Shipping abroad: no problems to Russia (but over a month to arrive), Germany, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Ireland and Japan (standard airmail took less than a week).
-BINOBO offers: I've found people tend to offer 50%-75% of an item I gave a (realistic) BIN price on.
-Literacy: get used to people who lack it.
-Shirt photographs: I've found zero difference in prices for shirts on a mannequin vs. folded. I personally prefer the folded look (as per retail shots), so I'd use that and save the effort.
-Trousers photographs: the 'ripple' or 'single fold back'. Everything else looks off to me.
-Packaging: learn how to fold a suit (invert shoulder, fold into other shoulder to halve, place trousers along length, fold by length once or twice. Avoid creasing lapels).
:shoes can be sent without a box, just use plenty of bubble wrap/protection. That weight difference can make a big cost difference for shipping (at least in the UK).
-Auction endings: Sunday evening is the orthodox approach. So put them up Sunday, Thursday (10 day) or pay $0.10 to schedule them.
-Styleforum preferences do not equal ebay market preferences. Hugo Boss and Armani are golden. On the cheaper spectrum, a 'smart suit'- basically ANY suit without damage- will happily sell for £20+ or so on BIN. It might not be much, but I've found it much easier to shift my old 100% polyester prom suit from before I knew better for 30% of retail than high quality stuff for 5% of retail.
-Unless it's a recently hyped item. Grenadine ties will make a killing for the immediate future. If you make the PTO roundup, prepare for 600+ views. (Thanks guys!)
And the big one:
If you're ebaying regularly, keep track of net profit (i.e, after fees, shipping, cost). Really helped me to focus on what's actually worth my time.
