posted on June 16, 2004 07:04:45 AM new
I just recently started selling used items for sports collector. He is well known in the collecting world so I trust him when he gives me something to sell.
Anyway I recently sent out an item that was described in "excellent condition". There was no flaws to the naked eye. The item is very old to begin with but not falling apart.
I photographed the item, scanned the item. packed the item.
Bidder emails me and tells me that he should neg me because I didn't mention it's flaws. I told him I didn't notice anything wrong and my pictures and scan shows nothing wrong but I would be happy to refund the money.
He will get back with me on this.
Since I started selling sports items, I have had more complaints on the pricing and shipping cost. Everything is clearly spelled out in the auction but everyday I get an email telling HOW I SHOULD SHIP, HOW MUCH THEY WILL PAY FOR IT. THEY WON THE FREAKIN AUCTION SO WHY ARE THEY TELLING ME WHAT TO DO?
My question is this common with low cost items?
Thank you for listening. Sorry for the 'tude so early in the morning but damn it, I am pissed.
posted on June 16, 2004 07:32:02 AM new
eBay has become a garage sale venue. More and more the bidders want something for nothing. Literally. I see sellers at the flea markets making more than you can make on eBay. IMO, eBay has gone from first rate to second rate and is falling to third rate rather quickly.
IMO, you photographed and scanned the object and if it was clear and photographed completely, I'd stand my ground. You don't know what this joker is trying to pull. Could be that he has an inferior piece he's trying to pawn off on you. I wouldn't refund and I'd take the possible neg rather than get ripped off.
So many sellers are getting negged right and left, it doesn't even really matter anymore. I'm headed for my second one from a non-paying bidder. While he continues to bid and pay on eBay, he has completely ignored me and the eBay notices.
posted on June 16, 2004 07:48:36 AM new
With your shipping fees, stand by your guns. They agreed tothem when they bid on the item.
You might want to be more detailed in your descriptions, though. IMO, with collectibles nitpicking descriptions are important. Even with good photos, describe them in minute detail. What might be nothing to you can be a big deal to the collector.
You say an item you sent out recently was described as being in "excellent condition" and that there wereno flaws to the naked eye. In the next sentence you say it was very old "but not falling apart." And there's a heads up for you.
Unless it has been vacuum sealed since the day it was made, an old item will have some flaws. Your "but not falling apart" indicates that there was some sort of wear on the item. If you didn't mention or describe those flaws and the camera or scanner didn't pick them up or show them adequately, the buyer has room for complaint.
I just sell books, but I describe every flaw a book has smudges, dog-ears, whatever. My buyers know exactly what they're getting.
It pays in the long run.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on June 16, 2004 08:09:43 AM new
What I was trying to say is that item is old but it had no flaws to the naked eye. It wasn't faded, no pin holes or tears. It was still stiff (made out of felt). To me it was in excellent condition.
I do not have a problem giving the guy a refund. I want my bidders to be happy with their purchase. There were over five bids on the item so I am sure someone else will buy it.
What irritating to me is that I am finding people want a discount after they win the bid, tell me how to pack and ship. Tell me what they are going to pay for shipping. I just wanted to know if this is common with old/used low cost items.
Thanks for tip on the books. I do make sure I list every flaw I find. So far no complaints.
posted on June 16, 2004 08:43:26 AM new
the problem is, your dealing mostly with men.
If they yell and pound their fist enough, people will just do anything they want! they are just trying to intimidate you, stand up to them. i wouldn't give a refund unless he could point out the flaws.
"he'll get back to you on that" yeh, right, he was hoping you would refund and let him keep the item. feedback extortion on top of intimidation!
posted on June 16, 2004 09:27:55 AM new
I sell low priced items and I never have had a complaint about condition. I try to go into detail about flaws, scan at 150% so they can see for themselves and rarely use the term "excellent" or "mint". I use "very good" and either "some wear" or "minor wear" as a catchall.. I get lots of positive feedback for "as described". Condition is in the eye of the beholder...I am specific where I need to be and vague just in case I missed something
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posted on June 16, 2004 09:47:39 AM new
Neglus, I agree about your wording. I just go off what my business partner puts down but I think I am going to switch to your wording. I scan at 150 to 200. It depends on the item size. So far my feedback has been good with positive comments on packing, speed of delivery and item as described. I have to go. Too many things to ship....
What's been bugging me is that every time I do a round of auctions, 99% of my bidders are the loveliest, sharpest people - you couldn't ask for better.
But every round, I also seem to get one or two BIG exceptions who want to re-write the terms of the auction in some weird way, and either they try to bully and boss me around, or they go on and on for days, if not weeks, of email that goes in weird loops. The danger zone - of course - is that any winning bidder can leave feedback for up to 90 days even if they don't complete the transaction. So some of these have had me on the ropes worrying about a weird neg. They can be real "spoilers" because they ruin what would otherwise be a great round of auctions, with great bidders, and a lot of fun.
What I've found helpful is to go to "live chat" and discuss the problem with one of the reps - and get the transcript sent to you in email. So, if my TOS says "US bidders only - no exceptions," and the guy is insisting that he IS an exception because even though he has an email address in the Czech Republic, his "friend" in Pittsburgh can take delivery - and PS, the "second chance" has long since been accepted by the US underbidder and the box is long gone - the "live chat" rep will suggest ways in which you can report the abusive emails. The helpful rep will suggest that you can send them to "trust and safety," and here's a link, and you also can report the non-US bidder as an "unwanted bidder" and here's a link for that, too, and oh, you can also report him for "auction interference," and here's a link for that, too.
Then I write one last email to the problem bidder and I either attach or cut-and-paste the transcript into the email - and poof - he'll disappear.
The guy from the Czech Republic - his next response was: "Thank you for many informations." End of story.
If you ask a "live chat" rep about these people who are trying to horse trade after the fact on the price of the item or the shipping cost as stated in your ad, they'll re-iterate policy - that the winning bidder has to abide by your TOS, or the seller can issue an NPB for the "reason" that the winning bidder did not follow the seller's terms of service as stated in the ad.
Then, you can also ask the rep to re-iterate the NPB policy - the three strikes and you're out. They'll do that off-the-cuff.
I think it helps a LOT to have *someone* from eBay making statements of policy on the record in a written transcript. It shows that you're not so alone, and that you're not afraid to make contact with eBay about the person who's giving you a hard time.
I also think it's important to close the loop. I've had some of these go on and on for as long as 3 or 4 weeks. That much time, and it's clear there isn't going to be a completed transaction. But since that person can still leave feedback for another 60 days, even if they never pay up, I think it's important to get that back-up from the "live chat" reps - that you're right in refusing to discount your winning bid price or shipping cost after the fact. I think it lessens the odds of getting a weird neg from a NPB. Once they see that you're willing to contact eBay, they may not want to mess with you any further.
With time and experience, once it's become clear that someone is going to be a problem - they're not going to complete the transaction, they just want to debate it - I don't let it go on that long any more.
I get the transcript much faster now, and put a much quicker end to it.
The live chat reps seem to consider 10 days to be enough time for a bidder to pay up. If it's been 10 days and a payment hasn't come in, the response they've always given me is that it's OK to re-list immediately and start the NPB process.
posted on June 16, 2004 10:11:25 AM new
I agree with Neglus. "Excellent" is too vague and too often misunderstood (people think it means "mint". When I sell for others, I warn them sternly that I will describe the item accurately, warts and all, and if they're uncomfortable with that, don't ask me to sell their items.
I tell them that my reputation on Ebay is more important to me than the small percentage I'll get from the sale of their "rare" item, LOL.
___________________________________
As I've matured, I've learned . .
#2. . . that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the butt are permanent.
posted on June 16, 2004 02:58:57 PM new
we sell to males also, (military collectors) and quite often they do not want to pay your terms of shipping on PAPER AND PICTURE items, the are cheapo's etc!!!!. But they will be the first one to walk in and spend thousands on an item and ship it in a 37 cent envelope. Especially shipping to larger cities east and west coast cities insure the paper and photo items. Go Priority and delivery confirmation because these characters will come back and negative you and say they did't get it etc. And when you ship to apartments and PO boxes suites etc. get delivery confirmation. They are what you call tire kickers they know what they are buying, they just try to work you over.
Just curious can they tell if your a female or male selling these items? Our daughter sells military items and she is in her 20's and is pretty knowledgeable and it is really fun to watch her selling an item and some one trying to BS her at a flea market. Sometimes they are trying to get something for nothing. They may be doing the same with you.
posted on June 16, 2004 04:36:22 PM new
I agree. I've learned to almost never use terms of mint or like new or anything like that. I always say it "looks pretty good" and whatever other kind of vague term I can use. I say that when it is in outstanding or excellent condition that I almost never use that but sometimes you will have an item that is exceptional. What is great to you might not be to a true collector.
Which reminds me of the time that I sold a leather men's coat and I said it was disgusting with holes in the lining and don't bid too high on it and the darned thing still went for $99+. I held my breath on that one.
. When I sell for others, I warn them sternly that I will describe the item accurately, warts and all, and if they're uncomfortable with that, don't ask me to sell their items.