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

[Fueco]

Here's another one for your block lists. Opened an SNAD case stating that the soles were worn and the interior of the sneakers were soiled, both of which were clearly photographed and stated in the listing.

View attachment 998985

Update on this one. I called Ebay, and the CSR agreed that this was a clear case of buyer's remorse. Of course, I still have to accept the return, but I need to call them back once I've received the shoes.

 

[haloitsme]

I think more experienced people will have better advice, but for starters:

1) If it's a prospective buyer messaging you, just block and move on.
2) If it's a buyer complaining about the item he got, call ebay first and tell them you have actual proof (I'm assuming it's a NWT item), and then make your decision (take a return vs fight the case) depending on what they say. Most of the experiences I've read on this thread have had to do with used items, where authenticity is impossible to prove. Your case is different, so definitely call ebay first.

Thank you, was number 1, I blocked him.
Thank you

 

[haloitsme]

Update on this one. I called Ebay, and the CSR agreed that this was a clear case of buyer's remorse. Of course, I still have to accept the return, but I need to call them back once I've received the shoes.

WOW, SNAD , I really don't know why eBay isn't doing something against those fu****. Btw, do you know how long you can "click" on SNAD, after item was received? Thank you

 

[haloitsme]

Now i know why he was spamming me with the fake mails! It is his second account, and on his primary acc. he sells fake Stefano Ricci, and I told him once . And some poor customer bought his cheap Turkish / Chinese botch.
Thank you anyways guys

 

[Lirum]

got the ad hoc query generator working. atm i set it to search all categories. i know this isn't that realistic situation - everyone likes their shirts measuring slimmer in the chest than their sportcoat, but this is a good proof of concept.

21" shoulder
38" chest.

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 19000; tolerance: 500
<shoulders> measurement: 21000; tolerance: 500

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 0 matching items.

damn

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 19000; tolerance: 1000
<shoulders> measurement: 21000; tolerance: 1000

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 0 matching items.

damn x2

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 19000; tolerance: 3000
<shoulders> measurement: 21000; tolerance: 3000

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 56 matching items.

Billy Reid Standard Cut Blue Brown Tartan Plaid Soft Lightweight Shirt M NR WOW
#1 MENSWEAR Epaulet NY Southwick Michael Kuhle Olive Multi Gun Plaid Jacket 40 R
#1 MENSWEAR Epaulet NY Southwick Michael Kuhle Navy Multi Glen Plaid Jacket 40 R
John Varvatos Made in Italy Lardini Peak Lapel Thick Ribbed Midnight Jacket 48 R
LNWOT Supreme New York Stock Issue Black Flannel Field Shirt Fall Shacket M NR
MOST WANTED Lululemon Athletica C5 Green Black Colorblock Techno Suit M NR WOW
#1 MENS Anderson & Sheppard Savile Row England Bespoke Tan Gabardine Summer Suit
LNWOT $5K Raphael Savile Row Bespoke Smiths Finmeresco 3 Patch Blazer Suit A1P
NWOT Paul Stuart Made in Canada 100% Silk 2016 Baxter Cobalt Blue Jacket 41 A1P
NWT Transit Made in Italy MODERN LUXE Burnt Sienna Orange Crew Tee Shirt XL A1P
LNWOT Kamakura Made in Japan Blue White Bengal Stripe Spread Shirt 15.75 NR A1P
Brooks Brothers Made in USA Kenton 40% Silk S/P Rainbow Inset Tweed Jacket 39 R
Et Vous Made in France Black White Twill Buffalo Plaid Button Down Chore Shirt S
MODERN Hugo Boss Made in Italy Antolini Chambray Blue Cotton Blazer Suit 2pc 38
Hickey Freeman LUXURY Green Blue Tan Shadow Plaid 52% Silk Summer Jacket 40 R NR
Supreme New York SS16 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Black Crewneck LS Tee Shirt USA L
Vintage Antique Anonymous Black Flannel Custom Morning Suit Tuxedo Tails Suit NR
Ermenegildo Zegna Italy VIBRANT Lightweight Ocean Blue Rose Stripe Shirt S NR
#1 MENSWEAR Canali Made in Italy Brown Label Solid Charcoal Dual Vent Jacket 56
Untuckit SUMMER Coral Pink Lightweight Dusty Blue Plaid Slim Fit Dress Shirt M
#1 SUMMER Suitsupply Suit Supply 100% Pure Linen Solid Navy Blue Jacket 2Vent 48
Mike Amiri Made in USA Blue Plaid Flannel Shredded Silver Stars Shirt M NR RARE
Turnbull & Asser Made in England Bespoke Solid White Poplin French Cuff Shirt NR
LNWOT Yigal Azrouel MODERN Smoke Grey Multi Pocket Rib Inset Blazer Jacket L NR
NWOT MODERN Nigels Unstructured Reda S130 Grey Blue Multi Plaid Jacket Blazer 40
#1 MENSWEAR Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Black Chiffon Overlay Shirt Japan M NR
MODERN Etro Milano 25% SILK Coffee Brown Peak Lapel Grid Paisley Lined Suit 52
NWT Royal Hem Made in Italy London Navy Wool Blend Fresco Hopsack Jacket 54 NR
Vintage 1960s 1970s Brooks Brothers Grey Herringbone Tweed 3 Roll Trad Suit 42 R
MODERN Eton For Trunk Club Slim Fit Rose Pink Spread Collar Dress Shirt 16.5 NR
LNWOT Royal Hem Made in Italy Venezia Navy Blue Chinolino Garment Wash Jacket 52
Comme des Garçons Shirt Heather Grey Tartan Lined Spring Hoodie Pub Jacket L NR
LNWOT Luigi Bianchi Rough Ochre Honey Golden Brushed Cotton Jacket Blazer 50 NR
Rick Owens Made in Italy Darkdust Blistered Lambskin Leather Trucker Jacket 40
Polo Ralph Lauren Made in Italy Cornelian Grey Speckled Dual Vent Jacket 40 R NR
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Italy 100% Linen Cantarelli Slubby Sand Jacket 40 R
#1 MENSWEAR Eton Slim Fit Blue White University Stripe Cutaway Spread Shirt 40 M
#1 MENSWEAR Polo Ralph Lauren Black Velvet Frogged Shawl Dinner Smoking Jacket M
NWT Sartoria Formosa Hand Made Navy Drago Cortina Honeycomb S130s Suit 50 52 A1P
#1 MENSWEAR Polo Ralph Lauren Sapphire Blue Velvet Smoking Dinner Jacket M NR
Oxxford Clothes Manhattan Yarmouth Navy Petrol Blue Glen Plaid 2pc Suit 43 R NR
NWT Howlin Made in Belgium Fons Cosmic Terrycloth Boucle Sapphire Blue Shirt M
Vintage SUMMER Brooks Brothers Lemon Banana Yellow Tattersall Plaid Jacket 41 R
#1 MENSWEAR Polo Ralph Lauren Italy 100% Silk Pearl Shantung Smoking Jacket 40 R
SUMMER Polo Ralph Lauren Made in USA Silky Blue Cream Maxi Plaid Jacket 40 R NR
Polo Ralph Lauren Made in Italy Cornelian Fairbanks Peak Black Stripe Suit 40 R
LNWOT LBM 1911 Limited Edition Cotton Linen Garment Washed Caramel Jacket 50 R
J. Crew Loro Piana S120s Solid Charcoal Grey Ludlow Jacket Sport Coat 40 L NR
J. Crew Loro Piana S120s Solid Charcoal Grey Ludlow Jacket Sport Coat 40 R NR
#1 MENSWEAR Engineered Garments Cotton Linen Navy Jacquard Paisley Long Coat S
Vintage Mid-Century Rogers Peet University Shop Brown Tweed 2pc Blazer Suit 41
#1 MENSWEAR Borrelli Napoli Hand Made Solid White Poplin Spread Shirt 15.5 NR
NWT Michael Bastian Made in Italy BL002 Black White Maxi Plaid Peak Jacket 52 NR
#1 MENSWEAR Borrelli Napoli Hand Made Smoke Grey Jacquard Dress Shirt 15.5 NR
LNWOT Christian Pellizzari Made in Italy MODERN Navy Unstructured Jacket 52 NR
Vintage Brooks Brothers Brookslinen Linen Red 3 Roll DAPPER Blazer Jacket 41 R

lol. i know tolerances this large render the result useless. tell spoo to stock more stuff in your size.

This is why you get at least 3 pitches tho, ive got a 40" chest w prob 19.5" shoulders these days.

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 20000; tolerance: 1000
<shoulders> measurement: 19500; tolerance: 1000

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 2 matching items.

MODERN Hugo Boss Made in Italy Antolini Chambray Blue Cotton Blazer Suit 2pc 38
Comme des Garçons Shirt Heather Grey Tartan Lined Spring Hoodie Pub Jacket L NR

 

[SpooPoker]

WOW

 

[capnwes]

got the ad hoc query generator working. atm i set it to search all categories. i know this isn't that realistic situation - everyone likes their shirts measuring slimmer in the chest than their sportcoat, but this is a good proof of concept.

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 19000; tolerance: 500
<shoulders> measurement: 21000; tolerance: 500

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 0 matching items.

damn

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 19000; tolerance: 1000
<shoulders> measurement: 21000; tolerance: 1000

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 0 matching items.

damn x2

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 19000; tolerance: 3000
<shoulders> measurement: 21000; tolerance: 3000

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 56 matching items.

Billy Reid Standard Cut Blue Brown Tartan Plaid Soft Lightweight Shirt M NR WOW
#1 MENSWEAR Epaulet NY Southwick Michael Kuhle Olive Multi Gun Plaid Jacket 40 R
#1 MENSWEAR Epaulet NY Southwick Michael Kuhle Navy Multi Glen Plaid Jacket 40 R
John Varvatos Made in Italy Lardini Peak Lapel Thick Ribbed Midnight Jacket 48 R
LNWOT Supreme New York Stock Issue Black Flannel Field Shirt Fall Shacket M NR
MOST WANTED Lululemon Athletica C5 Green Black Colorblock Techno Suit M NR WOW
#1 MENS Anderson & Sheppard Savile Row England Bespoke Tan Gabardine Summer Suit
LNWOT $5K Raphael Savile Row Bespoke Smiths Finmeresco 3 Patch Blazer Suit A1P
NWOT Paul Stuart Made in Canada 100% Silk 2016 Baxter Cobalt Blue Jacket 41 A1P
NWT Transit Made in Italy MODERN LUXE Burnt Sienna Orange Crew Tee Shirt XL A1P
LNWOT Kamakura Made in Japan Blue White Bengal Stripe Spread Shirt 15.75 NR A1P
Brooks Brothers Made in USA Kenton 40% Silk S/P Rainbow Inset Tweed Jacket 39 R
Et Vous Made in France Black White Twill Buffalo Plaid Button Down Chore Shirt S
MODERN Hugo Boss Made in Italy Antolini Chambray Blue Cotton Blazer Suit 2pc 38
Hickey Freeman LUXURY Green Blue Tan Shadow Plaid 52% Silk Summer Jacket 40 R NR
Supreme New York SS16 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Black Crewneck LS Tee Shirt USA L
Vintage Antique Anonymous Black Flannel Custom Morning Suit Tuxedo Tails Suit NR
Ermenegildo Zegna Italy VIBRANT Lightweight Ocean Blue Rose Stripe Shirt S NR
#1 MENSWEAR Canali Made in Italy Brown Label Solid Charcoal Dual Vent Jacket 56
Untuckit SUMMER Coral Pink Lightweight Dusty Blue Plaid Slim Fit Dress Shirt M
#1 SUMMER Suitsupply Suit Supply 100% Pure Linen Solid Navy Blue Jacket 2Vent 48
Mike Amiri Made in USA Blue Plaid Flannel Shredded Silver Stars Shirt M NR RARE
Turnbull & Asser Made in England Bespoke Solid White Poplin French Cuff Shirt NR
LNWOT Yigal Azrouel MODERN Smoke Grey Multi Pocket Rib Inset Blazer Jacket L NR
NWOT MODERN Nigels Unstructured Reda S130 Grey Blue Multi Plaid Jacket Blazer 40
#1 MENSWEAR Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Black Chiffon Overlay Shirt Japan M NR
MODERN Etro Milano 25% SILK Coffee Brown Peak Lapel Grid Paisley Lined Suit 52
NWT Royal Hem Made in Italy London Navy Wool Blend Fresco Hopsack Jacket 54 NR
Vintage 1960s 1970s Brooks Brothers Grey Herringbone Tweed 3 Roll Trad Suit 42 R
MODERN Eton For Trunk Club Slim Fit Rose Pink Spread Collar Dress Shirt 16.5 NR
LNWOT Royal Hem Made in Italy Venezia Navy Blue Chinolino Garment Wash Jacket 52
Comme des Garçons Shirt Heather Grey Tartan Lined Spring Hoodie Pub Jacket L NR
LNWOT Luigi Bianchi Rough Ochre Honey Golden Brushed Cotton Jacket Blazer 50 NR
Rick Owens Made in Italy Darkdust Blistered Lambskin Leather Trucker Jacket 40
Polo Ralph Lauren Made in Italy Cornelian Grey Speckled Dual Vent Jacket 40 R NR
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Italy 100% Linen Cantarelli Slubby Sand Jacket 40 R
#1 MENSWEAR Eton Slim Fit Blue White University Stripe Cutaway Spread Shirt 40 M
#1 MENSWEAR Polo Ralph Lauren Black Velvet Frogged Shawl Dinner Smoking Jacket M
NWT Sartoria Formosa Hand Made Navy Drago Cortina Honeycomb S130s Suit 50 52 A1P
#1 MENSWEAR Polo Ralph Lauren Sapphire Blue Velvet Smoking Dinner Jacket M NR
Oxxford Clothes Manhattan Yarmouth Navy Petrol Blue Glen Plaid 2pc Suit 43 R NR
NWT Howlin Made in Belgium Fons Cosmic Terrycloth Boucle Sapphire Blue Shirt M
Vintage SUMMER Brooks Brothers Lemon Banana Yellow Tattersall Plaid Jacket 41 R
#1 MENSWEAR Polo Ralph Lauren Italy 100% Silk Pearl Shantung Smoking Jacket 40 R
SUMMER Polo Ralph Lauren Made in USA Silky Blue Cream Maxi Plaid Jacket 40 R NR
Polo Ralph Lauren Made in Italy Cornelian Fairbanks Peak Black Stripe Suit 40 R
LNWOT LBM 1911 Limited Edition Cotton Linen Garment Washed Caramel Jacket 50 R
J. Crew Loro Piana S120s Solid Charcoal Grey Ludlow Jacket Sport Coat 40 L NR
J. Crew Loro Piana S120s Solid Charcoal Grey Ludlow Jacket Sport Coat 40 R NR
#1 MENSWEAR Engineered Garments Cotton Linen Navy Jacquard Paisley Long Coat S
Vintage Mid-Century Rogers Peet University Shop Brown Tweed 2pc Blazer Suit 41
#1 MENSWEAR Borrelli Napoli Hand Made Solid White Poplin Spread Shirt 15.5 NR
NWT Michael Bastian Made in Italy BL002 Black White Maxi Plaid Peak Jacket 52 NR
#1 MENSWEAR Borrelli Napoli Hand Made Smoke Grey Jacquard Dress Shirt 15.5 NR
LNWOT Christian Pellizzari Made in Italy MODERN Navy Unstructured Jacket 52 NR
Vintage Brooks Brothers Brookslinen Linen Red 3 Roll DAPPER Blazer Jacket 41 R

lol. i know tolerances this large render the result useless. tell spoo to stock more stuff in your size.

Spoiler: Results

Measurement criteria used:
<chest_flat> measurement: 20000; tolerance: 1000
<shoulders> measurement: 19500; tolerance: 1000

Searched 645 items in total.
Found 2 matching items.

MODERN Hugo Boss Made in Italy Antolini Chambray Blue Cotton Blazer Suit 2pc 38
Comme des Garçons Shirt Heather Grey Tartan Lined Spring Hoodie Pub Jacket L NR

Still cool.
If I didn't have such a hunch, i'd be easier.

 

[txwoodworker]

How do larger sellers handle questions? I'm only putting up a few dozen auctions a week and I have 5-6 questions for more measurements, details, clarifications. I can't imagine all of them are going to be the ones that give trouble, but a much bigger % of them than the general population. Do you respond? It's a double edged sword, because when I ignore them and they buy/win the item, they may come back and say they asked the questions, were ignored, and it doesn't work/fit/whatever. You answer their question and they use it as a reason it's not as you said it was. I'm not talking about simple/stupid questions, mainly about more dimensions, and questions on the "would this fit me I'm..." "is this more mauve or crimson" variety.

 

[Fueco]

I

How do larger sellers handle questions? I'm only putting up a few dozen auctions a week and I have 5-6 questions for more measurements, details, clarifications. I can't imagine all of them are going to be the ones that give trouble, but a much bigger % of them than the general population. Do you respond? It's a double edged sword, because when I ignore them and they buy/win the item, they may come back and say they asked the questions, were ignored, and it doesn't work/fit/whatever. You answer their question and they use it as a reason it's not as you said it was. I'm not talking about simple/stupid questions, mainly about more dimensions, and questions on the "would this fit me I'm..." "is this more mauve or crimson" variety.

For fit question, I just give them a boilerplate response that I cannot offer fit advice and that they should compare the measurements provided to an item that fits them well. For color questions, I'll try to give them as accurate a response as I can. I might provide them a response like "It's more U of Tennessee orange than U of Texas orange" (yes, that one actually came up), or provide d a MPS number or RGB value for the color if they are a designer. Or I might say "it's an orangish red". I don't like to get too specific unless it seems they know what they are doing, as that opens up SNAD cases.

 

[SpooPoker]

I



For fit question, I just give them a boilerplate response that I cannot offer fit advice and that they should compare the measurements provided to an item that fits them well. For color questions, I'll try to give them as accurate a response as I can. I might provide them a response like "It's more U of Tennessee orange than U of Texas orange" (yes, that one actually came up), or provide d a MPS number or RGB value for the color if they are a designer. Or I might say "it's an orangish red". I don't like to get too specific unless it seems they know what they are doing, as that opens up SNAD cases.

+1

and I find about .004% of those who ask questions actually win the item.

 

[HansderHund]

+1

and I find about .004% of those who ask questions actually win the item.

Seriously, I’m going to compile numbers about the relationship between asking a question and return/trouble. Whether it’s about the price, shipping, color, size, or any other question, the number of people that come back to buy it is relatively small but the odds of having a return/issue then go through the roof.

I ignored a question from someone wanting measurements. He sent another message 12 hours later. My wife mentioned that it could convert to a sale and I said it won’t. The reason is because those exact measurements are provided in a table at the front of every single listing. If he were serious about the item, he would have at least glanced at the description. If he were experienced with buying clothes on eBay, he’d look for those measurements. I responded, but of course he didn’t buy it.

I’ll say that I answer questions, but hope they don’t buy the thing in question. It also gives me a chance to read their feedback left for others. If I see red flags, I block.

I’m sure others here could provide more evidence, but it often results in problems.

 

[drlivingston]

Seriously, I’m going to compile numbers about the relationship between asking a question and return/trouble.

That would be a very high percentage. My wife, who is clueless about eBay commerce, has already made that correlation. Granted, she's a psychologist who is skilled at picking up on patterns in behavior. She likened question askers to people with fear of commitment.

 

[Sartoriamo]

Hmmmm . . . interesting discussion on questions vs. returns. I take a slightly different perspective, both because I have a nominal "no returns" policy (that's sometimes why they ask), and want to minimize them, but also because fit is such a nuanced thing. Also because I'm a BIN/BO seller. Auctions are a different beast.

My first response is to ask a few questions, such as what their "normal OTR fit" is, their height and weight, and in the case of tailored clothing, whether it is for an interview, wedding, daily wear, and how long they have used their current tailor etc. This is in part because I need those answers to give a (semi) accurate response, and also because their response in turn helps me gauge who I'm dealing with, their level of sartorial education, and their likely intent. Once I have assessed them as a genuine buyer with articulate questions, I will gratefully try to determine whether the item is indeed a suitable fit for them, whether the tailoring is cost effective, and to what extent is a return likely. I write lengthy and meticulous notes, and have found that the genuine buyer truly appreciates that. If I think a return is likely, I tell them it's not a good fit. I'd rather not have a sale than have a sale with a return. If I assess the fit as "highly likely to be compatible", I go ahead with the sale. Very low returns that way (on these kinds of items). In each note, I re-emphasize my no return policy, usually by complimenting them for noting that policy and being wise enough to ask. I try to engineer a written acknowledgment for them they they are aware it is a no return item, "just in case".

Not everyone will want to take the time to write OCD notes like mine (I save some time by using previous notes as templates), but as a doc, I know that prevention is better than cure . . . And I HAAAAAAAAAATE forced and fake SNAD returns that decimate margin, so I make the preventive effort. Most of my (rare) returns are therefore out-of-the-blue"WTF?" returns, and almost never from someone who has taken the time to ask.

In my 21 years of e-thrifting, I've found that garments of identical measurements may have quite different fits, so I do treat it as a genuine concern on the part of buyers, and would wonder about the extent to which perceptions of "increased returns related to questions received" might relate either to questions not being answered fully, the buyer being fobbed off, the buyer not being assessed and either dissuaded or preemptively blocked, or selling an item that will require even minimal tailoring to someone who expects an OTR fit. None of this prevents next-level douchebaggery, of course, but it has made a big difference overall. Just my 2¢.

 

[Fueco]

In my 21 years of e-thrifting, I've found that garments of identical measurements may have quite different fits, so I do treat it as a genuine concern on the part of buyers, and would wonder about the extent to which perceptions of "increased returns related to questions received" might relate either to questions not being answered fully, the buyer being fobbed off, the buyer not being assessed and either dissuaded or preemptively blocked, or selling an item that will require even minimal tailoring to someone who expects an OTR fit. None of this prevents next-level douchebaggery, of course, but it has made a big difference overall. Just my 2¢.

It's not returns after questions, it's people not buying things that they ask detailed questions about. It's incredibly annoying and frustrating to get a question and then not get the sale even if you answer the question in a way that should net the sale.

An example: two weeks ago, someone asked if I offered combined shipping. I responded and said, yes, and gave him the combined shipping rates for both First Class and Priority; and told him that I would have to send him a refund through PayPal after purchase as Ebay doesn't offer a way to combine shipping on multiple items from different listings.

Crickets...

 

[ace13x]

I don't include lengths on shirts. Other than the ubiquitous, "I'll GIVE you x for it.", it's the only question I've gotten more than once. It's not enough to start including that info. Half the time I'll reply, but it never results in a sale.