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

Fueco · Mar 11, 2013

So, what do you all do when someone bids an item up, wins the auction, pays for it; and then an hour later requests to cancel the transaction?

capnwes · Mar 11, 2013

Fueco said:
So, what do you all do when someone bids an item up, wins the auction, pays for it; and then an hour later requests to cancel the transaction?

No harm no foul, I send the cancellation request in. Once they accept it, I send the refund. I'm only out the small initial ($1 or so) listing fee. It sucks, but I just relist it and hope for a higher price next time around. If the final price is up there, I will send a second chance offer to the second bidder.

The way I look at it, it's better to find out right away than have to deal with the whole return process, where they might end up making bogus SNAD accusations or something + I'd be out shipping costs.

Napaduck · Mar 11, 2013

I have to go to the gym after reading in this one.

"I was very disappointed to learn that you had made an error in the size of the suite you sold me. Your auction description labeled the suite as 43-44 R when in fact this suite was a 44 Long. The tag on the inside pocket of the jacket clearly indicated that this is a 44 Long, not a 43 or 44 Reg as indicated in your add. I would request that you promptly refund my purchase price including shipping of the suite both ways."

I listed it as a long under Item specifics, and in my item description/details. And I included all measurements... 25 1/4" sleeves, and 33" jacket length... Clearly it's a long. It said 43-44R in my title... Guess I'm screwed once again! Any way to put a requirement to have only bidders that can correctly spell and read.....

concealed · Mar 11, 2013

^ confused, but if you put 43R in your title you are kinda screwed.

Brianpore · Mar 11, 2013

Napaduck said:
I have to go to the gym after reading in this one.

"I was very disappointed to learn that you had made an error in the size of the suite you sold me. Your auction description labeled the suite as 43-44 R when in fact this suite was a 44 Long. The tag on the inside pocket of the jacket clearly indicated that this is a 44 Long, not a 43 or 44 Reg as indicated in your add. I would request that you promptly refund my purchase price including shipping of the suite both ways."

I listed it as a long under Item specifics, and in my item description/details. And I included all measurements... 25 1/4" sleeves, and 33" jacket length... Clearly it's a long. It said 43-44R in my title... Guess I'm screwed once again! Any way to put a requirement to have only bidders that can correctly spell and read.....

You put 43-44R in the title...why? If it was a mistake ok, fess up and send the guy his money back. Not sure why your upset if you messed up the title of the auction. That said, if you want to give the guy a hard time (expect a negative feedback if you do this), make him open a case, he will win, send the item back and he will get the cost of goods + initial shipping back, but not the return shipping which he asked for.

I think you really should be saying "anyway to put a requirement that sellers double check and dont screw up an auction title"

TM79 · Mar 11, 2013

You're not mad at yourself for basically messing up the most important part of the listing? You're mad at the guy who searched for a 43-44R and found your mislabled item instead?

Interesting ...

almosthandsome · Mar 11, 2013

I'm thrown for a loop today: Of the 6 or so sport coats I've had up since Thursday, only a few are showing up when searched for by size. For example, searching for "vintage tweed" brings up the listing, but qualifying it "44 regular" with the search modifiers at the side makes it vanish. Double checked my listings, and they're all correctly marked, so what gives? Depending on how a buyer shops, my merch is invisible.

capnwes · Mar 11, 2013

almosthandsome said:
I'm thrown for a loop today: Of the 6 or so sport coats I've had up since Thursday, only a few are showing up when searched for by size. For example, searching for "vintage tweed" brings up the listing, but qualifying it "44 regular" with the search modifiers at the side makes it vanish. Double checked my listings, and they're all correctly marked, so what gives? Depending on how a buyer shops, my merch is invisible.

I have noticed that I am unable to see my own listings when I search with too many criteria checked. Not sure why that happens. I just assumed it was smart enough to know I didn't really need to see my own stuff. Maybe try logging out and searching again.

chiron · Mar 11, 2013

GMMcL said:
Incredibly useful observation. I just wish I'd thought of it myself before I decided to catch up and list my backlog. I think I've just left a bunch of money on the table. :/
This may be true, but you also lose the "loss leader" effect that Hans described. Don't get me wrong, even after fees I still made a profit on every single item. Just more modest.

I'm testing out the opposite of the "loss leader" strategy currently. My thinking is that I'm attracting the non-bargain hunting crowd. Higher price points are not "BAD" they are just another way to get 'eye balls.' Plus when I do accept an offer (BIN/BO) its at 20-30% off my price rather then 20-50% off a bargain price. But, this is all dependent on your items condition , season and the brands real world value.

gyasih · Mar 11, 2013

Add blackcat949 to the banned list.

He purchased a BBBF Linen sportcoat that lists three button in Style and in the basic description I mentioned 3/2 roll. He wanted his money back because he didn't know it was a three button SC.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230936831921?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

His feedback-

Fuzzy photos and brief description fooled me into purchase. Buyers Beware!

Cotton Dockers · Mar 11, 2013

capnwes said:
I do a 10% restocking fee on items which were fit/color related, since I give detailed measurements and tons of pics. I have the terms clearly described on a terms and conditions page of my store, and also in the FAQ section of "my messages". Only once has a customer freaked out about it, and I immediately refunded the fee to avoid a major problem. For the most part, if you have already stated the terms, they generally feel bound by them...even if they did not read them before hand. Since i do free shipping, it helps cover the cost. Also, don't forget to send in the transaction cancellation request "buyer returning item for refund" to retrieve your FVF.

Thanks, Cap. Possibly a stupid question - is that 10% of the listing price or the final sale price?

chiron · Mar 11, 2013

HansderHund said:
My market is considerably different than what you guys have, so it's a bit hard to compare. I've tried a mix of BIN, auctions starting at low prices and auctions that have a reasonable opening bid. I've settled on having most of my auctions begin with a reasonable bid that is reduced weekly until the thing sells. Bidding wars are few and far between compared to ebay.com I feel, so I'm happy with a single bid at a reasonable price.

The annoying side of this is the increase I've seen in watchers allowing the auction to end and immediately sending me a message with a much lower offer. I had 25 auctions end, 15 without bids, and I received three messages for the remaining items offering lowball prices from watchers. Most often it's 33% less than my opening bid and they want free shipping.

Don't take this the wrong way but the EU is in an economic mess. Your better off sending your items to Spoo or Brian for consignment in the US.

chiron · Mar 11, 2013

What are the chances of me getting this package?

Processed through USPS ELK GROVE VILLAGE IL 60007 02/24/13 8:19am Sort Facility

Brianpore · Mar 11, 2013

chiron said:
What are the chances of me getting this package?

Processed through USPS ELK GROVE VILLAGE IL 60007 02/24/13 8:19am Sort Facility

Where from and where to? Going to take a few calls but I would say 50/50

capnwes · Mar 11, 2013

gyasih said:
Add blackcat949 to the banned list.

He purchased a BBBF Linen sportcoat that lists three button in Style and in the basic description I mentioned 3/2 roll. He wanted his money back because he didn't know it was a three button SC.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230936831921?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

His feedback-

Fuzzy photos and brief description fooled me into purchase. Buyers Beware!

That is a nice looking coat. sucks the sale didn't hold up. Be careful on that size though. A 21" pit to pit would indicate a 40 to me not a 42.

Cotton Dockers said:
Thanks, Cap. Possibly a stupid question - is that 10% of the listing price or the final sale price?

Final price. I drop it down a bit if it is a higher ending auction. can't really justify $30 for restocking a sport coat, when the shipping was only $6. The main thing is having the policy clearly in place.

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

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