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Bad Ebay Buyers (and Sellers)

Started by wds, October 19, 2014, 09:41:23 PM

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wds

I sold a phone item on Ebay to a buyer named "hanson64".  After he purchased, he questioned how much was being charged for postage.  (not before he purchased, but after!)  Apparently he lives in an area that has a high postage rate, at least from my house.  His email acuses me of marking up my postage by at least $5.  I don't mark up my postage, but I do add a dollar to cover shipping materials.  After reading his profile on Ebay, it turns out he has a habit of leaving negative feedback to the regular telephone sellers.  You might be advised to read the negative feed-backs he has left, and block this guy if you are a seller before he does the same to you.   I'm just waiting now for my negative feedback, just because he doesn't think he should pay the going rate for postage. 
Dave

sebbel

Its a slippery slope. Do you clearly mention in the listing that you will charge extra for the packing material?  If, according to ebay, the buyer is right you are overcharging him.  I personally agree if I buy a TV only I don't expect to be told after the fact that I have to pay extra for the foam and box it will ship in.

As a seller I do not charge anything for packing material. I mark it as a business expense. I charge only the actual cost of shipping. If the shipping estimate is hight than the actual final cost I refund the difference. Sometimes I even give the buyer a little extra discount just because. You are better off giving a $5 discount that getting a negative feedback. Just block that user from now on.


On the other hand if there is a pattern of bad feedback, and there is, report him to ebay for feedback abuse.  If you use the shipping calculator then the buyer knew clearly what the shipping rates would be prior to buying the item. In the even of bad feedback complaining about the shipping cost you can ask ebay to remove it.  If a bad feedback is left for something that was described ebay will side with the seller. They have done for me in the past.

I feel your pain,


Seb.

wds

#2
I don't do this as a business, and Ebay notes this as a shipping charge, not a postage rate.  Charging for shipping costs is an industry standard, and proper packaging of these old phones can be expensive.  Charging a $1 or $1.50 to cover tape that is $5 a roll, or peanuts and bubble wrap that is $50 a bag is not out of line.  Proper packaging is not cheap.  Isn't that what we preach here on the forum?  Pack it well!  In addition, shipping costs are disclosed on the Ebay listing.  If a buyer has an issue with the amount, they should question it before they purchase - not after.  I feel like this is a shake down - and I am expecting another "shake down" after the item is received by this Buyer.  By the way, I have 100% feedback, and a large portion of my feed back is very complimentary on my packaging, and the speed at which they receive the item. 

As far as this Buyer, it turns out that the person I'm shipping to is not the person who purchased.  In addition, now it's going to a PO box.  Should I require a signature from the Buyer?  I don't like requiring a signature as most people work during the day and it's a huge inconvenience for most ( including myself ).   
Dave

Dan/Panther

You need to beat him to the punch and send all info including his accusations to eBay. If you fear he will leave negative feedback, at least you have a 50/50 chance to stop it. Or you can cancel the transaction.

D/P

The More People I meet, The More I Love, and MISS My Dog.  Dan Robinson

Russ Kirk

I agree with Seb and D/P. 

Even if you do give a shipping discount that is no guarantee he will not leave bad feedback or be a pain after he received the item. You still have the money and the item.  My suggestion is to get out of this auction ASAP, cancel, give his money back and say the item is no longer for sale. Think of a way/reason to get out they makes you comfortable. I'm not saying to lie, but many sellers have said the item was damaged, previously sold, incorrect description, etc. or some other excuse/reason eBay allows and is no longer for sale.   Once you are out you can block the seller.
- Russ Kirk
ATCA & TCI

tallguy58

No matter how hard you try, some people you just can't please.

A risk of doing business.
Cheers........Bill

wds

Thanks for your comments.  I would cancel the sale, but he can still leave feedback, even after the cancellation.  My main reason for posting this was to warn the rest of you to block this guy - if he gets you later on because you didn't block him, it will be your own fault.  Check the feedback he leaves other Sellers and decide for yourself.
Dave

Russ Kirk

When I was selling 10 years ago I received one negative feedback.  It was a long time before eBay protection I sold some decorative wine glasses and one glass arrived broken. The buyer gave me negative feedback before emailing me about the broken glass.  I received the glasses free and sold them for about $10. I told the seller I would have given all her money back if she had told me about the breakage  beforehand.  She stated it was OK and she did not want a refund.  Huh?  Oh well,  I provided a rebuttal. The negative feedback disappeared a year later and I have been 100% since then. 

My point is even is this buyer is a pain,  the negative feedback will not last forever. 

I have also blocked your buyer.     
- Russ Kirk
ATCA & TCI

Doug Rose

Medium Priority Flat box is a sellers best friend, for us it is a life saver. Boxes are free. We do not charge for packing materials, we feel it is part of selling. I clearly list the shipping in the auction for the States  $14.99 for shipping and insurance. A seller who does not include insurance is their own worst enemy. Most phones easily fit in a MPFB with plenty of room for packing. Overseas shipping cannot be listed because of eBay's Global shipping, but it does protect the seller.

Sellers always risk buyer extortion, it happens more than you think. Its just not the sellers who are bad! Buyer is not completely satisfied, would be more satisfied if you took $20 off because of a little buyers remorse. It beats a negative. I am on both sides as I buy and sell.

I sold a half seed master CD for $30. Buyer said it was perfect, but one of the corners of the pamphlet had a slight bend. Send it back for a full refund plus your shipping or Buyer extortion. Held us up for a $5 refund. The door swings both ways.

eBay is a love it / hate it proposition. eBay ALWAYS sides with the buyer.....Doug
Kidphone

sebbel

When "I'm shipping to is not the person who purchased" is he asking you to ship to another address? If so DO NOT SHIP. You have zero protection if you ship to any address other than the one on the account. Ebay will not protect you. Unless it is someone you know don't do it.

As for  charging for the cost of packing materials I was not implying that what you are doing is wrong or out of line. I was merely pointing out that if you are doing so, ebay will expect you to tell the buyers you are. Otherwise, in the event of a dispute, they will side with the buyer. 

I think we all agree with you. Your buyer is a bit of jerk and obviously trying to scam some money out of you.  Your only option at the moment is damage control and improve the wording on the listing next time to leave no room for ambiguity.





Quote from: wds on October 20, 2014, 08:46:22 AM
As far as this Buyer, it turns out that the person I'm shipping to is not the person who purchased.  In addition, now it's going to a PO box.  Should I require a signature from the Buyer?  I don't like requiring a signature as most people work during the day and it's a huge inconvenience for most ( including myself ).   
Seb.

Sargeguy

If the transaction is cancelled there is no feedback.  The buyer needs to agree to cancel the auction, however.
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

wds

I remember having a transaction cancelled on an item I purchased, then the seller relisted it for a higher price.  I was able to, and did leave negative feedback after the seller failed to respond to my emails.  I called ebay yesterday, and they told me that if I cancelled the transaction the buyer would be able to leave feedback.  So cancelling the transaction is not an option.  However, ebay did tell me that if the negative feedback was unwarranted, or matched a trend of negative feedbacks from that buyer I could have it removed.

On shipping, I only list two forms of postage, priority mail and standard post.  75% of the time priority mail is cheaper than standard post.  And 95% of the time the regular priority mail is cheaper than the flat rate box.  I must be in a cheap postage rate area to all but a few areas. 

I'll know if a couple days what the intentions are from this Buyer.
Dave

Babybearjs

once upon a time I had to do this..... then I learned how to rob Peter, to pay Paul..... Payday Loans.....  but I'm careful with it.... oh, yeh.... and there's always paypal credit....!
John

Fabius

I rob Peter and write a bad check to Paul.

Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Greg G.

Quote from: Fabius on January 15, 2015, 10:34:09 AM
I rob Peter and write a bad check to Paul.


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