Selling limits

[73rhc]

I have been selling and buying on eBay since 2000 and actual even before this through another user name. I had a run of bad luck last June with some shipping. We had a postal strike and I list 10 day handling. Well, a couple of buyers decided to give me low ratings. And 13 months later ( with no additional low ratings ) I'm still limited! My arguments are a) if you don't like my 10 day handling fee, please don't bid ( eBay allows up to 25 or 30 day handling ) b) I am being rated for the postal and custom system. Once it leaves my possession, I have no control. c) eBay won't disallow buyers leaving low ratings within the 10 days after the buyer has paid.

So here how I was limited, for those who do not know how the all mighty eBay works. I was limited to 20 items or $200 of sales a month. They lose on any commission, btw. Paypal then locks your money away for about 3 weeks or until you hassle to release your money after the buyer has left positive feedback. They say that you can get it quicker by providing a tracking number. This is more expensive in Canada and will push buyer away with higher shipping costs.

So after a year of being limited, I call eBay. After being transferred 3 or 4 times and waiting on the phone for over 2 hours, I finally got to speak with a supervisor. Well he was very understanding and even apologetic. I think he did a great job. But I think he job is to calm people down and then get you on your way without resolving your issue. A great smoke screen. After speaking to him, it cemented my belief that eBay bows and caters to the almighty buyer.

Now 13 months later, the magnanimous eBay as upped my limit to 30 items or $380. Thanks for the loyalty, eBay!

I used to enjoy selling on eBay. It was, and I repeat was fun. I like the fact that I can access a worldwide market, however I am going local. I have access to three free local classified sites. I may not get the prices I was getting on eBay, but I can sell as much as I want.

I could go on but I digress.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

All sellers have limits. After being limited for a year, I got my limits raised. Right after that, they raised my limits without asking. Kinda like, once it starts, it keeps going.

I have been selling and shipping from Canada for a decade as well. I do not have the same negative thoughts about Customs and postal services as you do. I work with teh system, not against it. Vast majority of Cdn sellers have little or no problems.

If it is on this account, you only have 69 FB in the last year. That is very low for asking for higher limits.

Change your shipping time to 2-3 days. Ten days is very long to put a card in an envelope and mail it.

What you are doing is not working. Change what you are doing.

[ricarmic]

How does one know what one's limits are? Is there a place where you can see them?

[73rhc]

I see mine at the top of the selling page in " my eBay"

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

Mine are at the bottom of my dot com summary page.

[73rhc]

@ Inuk. I have a full time job. And I choose to have 10 day handling. And wake up Canada Post can be extremely slow, as can foreign countries postal system. It's not only putting a card in an envelope! People pay at different interval. So I make one trip to the post office, as I sell in batches. Your ignorance allows you to say that I'm not working. And p.s. I have never had a selling limit in the past 13 years!

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

You sir are potty-mouth.

Selling limits came in, in the last two years. Low, hovvy, sellers like yourself get hit the hardest. To sell more you need to sell more.

My FB is 5 1/2 times yours. When I was working, I did 10 hour days with eBay sandwiched before and after. The longest I went was three days. Customers are entitled to what they paid for, as fast as possible.

eBay is not for everyone.

[73rhc]

I'm not a potty mouth. You sir, assumed too many things. It doesn't matter if you ave 1000 more feedback than me, that is irrelevant. The point being, if I have a Rolex, I can't sell it on eBay? Unless I start it at my full limit. Then I can't sell anything else for remainder of the month. If the buyer enters a bid, he is then entering into a contract with me and the conditions that I set within. If you, as a buyer, do not like it, then don't bid. The same goes for those seller that put exaggerated shipping cost. Don't bd and then complain. It was clearly marked!

[73rhc]

Why not let me know your other user id. It seems like a lot of people hide behind a separate id on the discussion board. You were able to check out my past feedback, why not allow me to do the same!

[femmefan1946]

I have a full time job.

Me too!

And I choose to have 10 day handling.

I choose to have next business day shipping.

And wake up Canada Post can be extremely slow,

That's why I ship as soon after I'm paid as possible.

as can foreign countries postal system.

That's why I ship as soon as it's possible.

It's not only putting a card in an envelope!

Well, no there are stiffeners, and labels to print and stamps to affix. Most sellers have figured out how to do this.

People pay at different interval.

Sellers are not required toship until they are paid.

So I make one trip to the post office, as I sell in batches.

If you use Paypal labels, you don't have to go to the PO. You can drop your shipments into any red corner box that has a big enough slot. (I'd advise against the one near the high school, though.)

Actually, you can buy these neat prepaid/ pregummed labels at the PO whenever it is convenient. They come in a large number of denominations and many colourful designs. You can affix them at home and again, drop the parcel into the nearest post box. Just ask the clerk for "stamps".

[surplusdealdude]

---

@73rhc wrote:
@ Inuk. I have a full time job. And I choose to have 10 day handling. And wake up Canada Post can be extremely slow, as can foreign countries postal system. It's not only putting a card in an envelope! People pay at different interval. So I make one trip to the post office, as I sell in batches. Your ignorance allows you to say that I'm not working. And p.s. I have never had a selling limit in the past 13 years!

---

eBay allows up to 25 or 30 day handling 

ebay allows no such thing.  According to Seller Protection rules, you must ship within 7 days.

And I choose to have 10 day handling

Then you are choosing to have limits.  Get used to them.

[73rhc]

@surplus dude,

You may want to recheck your facts. I can put 30 handling time! It's even in the eBay app! If I choose 10 day handling, I am setting my conditions for the sale and the buyer should get use to it!!!

[73rhc]

I have a full time job.
Me too!
Looks like eBay is an extension of your book store in Ottawa!!


And I choose to have 10 day handling.
I choose to have next business day shipping.
I choose 10 day!

And wake up Canada Post can be extremely slow,
That's why I ship as soon after I'm paid as possible.
So someone else agrees that they are slow

as can foreign countries postal system.
That's why I ship as soon as it's possible.
Same as above

It's not only putting a card in an envelope!
Well, no there are stiffeners, and labels to print and stamps to affix. Most sellers have figured out how to do this.
The other guy posted that, not me. I bubble wrap all my boxes for safe shipment.

People pay at different interval.
Sellers are not required toship until they are paid.
Exactly, that is why I ship all at once. Once I'm paid for everything.

So I make one trip to the post office, as I sell in batches.
If you use Paypal labels, you don't have to go to the PO. You can drop your shipments into any red corner box that has a big enough slot. (I'd advise against the one near the high school, though.)

I really don't like Paypal, for any reasons. So I choose not to use their other services! And virtually all if the red boxes have disappeared in my area.

Actually, you can buy these neat prepaid/ pregummed labels at the PO whenever it is convenient. They come in a large number of denominations and many colourful designs. You can affix them at home and again, drop the parcel into the nearest post box. Just ask the clerk for "stamps".

So now I have to make two trips out. One to buy these labels and then go back out to send the packages. Not very efficient or cost effeective!

I don't want to come across a rude, but maybe you should read the entire post. You are replying to thing that were first said by Inuk and that I replied afterwards!

[73rhc]

I'm still waiting to hear from you. You have suddenly gone silent, once I've asked you for your real eBay id.

[marnotom!]

Just reading through this thread, I get the impression that you may be confusing "handling time" with "transit time," 73rhc.

"Handling time" is how long it takes you to prepare the item and dispatch it.  "Transit time" or "shipping time" is the time the item actually spends getting to the buyer.

Are you really taking ten days to prepare your items for mailing after being paid for them?

[73rhc]

I am not confusing either. But I am being penalized for the transit time.

I allow myself the ten day handling. But I usually try to get it out ASAP. However, there are times when I will sell maybe 10 items at once. Most buyers pay immediately. That being said, some buyers take longer, even after several reminders. So, like I said before, I make one trip out to the post office. The other sellers are not being penalized, as I have opted for the10 day handling. That is allowed by eBay. I am following the rules, wether anyone agrees with it or not!

The entire point is, that it is stated in the listing. And then when the buyer get it later that he/she expected, they put a low rating. This isn't fair, whatsoever!

I once sold something, years ago. And 3 days ( 3 days ) after payment was made, I received an email asking where the item was! Seller in Canada and buyer in US. They, fortunately for me, didn't leave neg. feedback.

[marnotom!]

---

@73rhc wrote:
I am not confusing either. But I am being penalized for the transit time.

I allow myself the ten day handling. But I usually try to get it out ASAP. However, there are times when I will sell maybe 10 items at once. Most buyers pay immediately. That being said, some buyers take longer, even after several reminders. So, like I said before, I make one trip out to the post office. The other sellers are not being penalized, as I have opted for the10 day handling. That is allowed by eBay. I am following the rules, wether anyone agrees with it or not!

The entire point is, that it is stated in the listing. And then when the buyer get it later that he/she expected, they put a low rating. This isn't fair, whatsoever!

---

From the page on Detailed Seller Ratings:

Rate the seller only on the time it took to mail the item, not the time it took you to receive the item.

Buyers may agree to your terms re: handling time, but it doesn't mean they have to like them.

Having said that, it does seem that the DSR for "shipping time" confuses buyers and sellers alike.  Why eBay simply didn't call it "handling time" is beyond me.

[73rhc]

Agreed, he may not like it. Then don't bid. I shouldn't be penalized, period!

[marnotom!]

You say you've been selling since 2000, and I'm afraid you're still sellin' like it's 1999, too.

The eBay you once knew has changed.  eBay and its buyers are expecting more "professionalism" from its sellers.  The garage sale mentality doesn't hold sway anymore.  eBay sellers are now being regarded more like "franchisees" than "mall tenants".  You've probably made the best decision in going to other sites and selling locally.  Good luck.

[73rhc]

You need to come back to reality. I sell within the rule that eBay sets. They change their rules and I follow. What is not fair is that the buyer can rate you from a distance without impunity. Just like most of you with made up id's for forum use. Keep hidding!

When I asked the eBay supervisor " if I list a widget for parts, describing it as inoperatable and giving the actual condition" if a buyer wanted to leave me negative feedback and/or a low rating for the "widget" being broken or in rough condition.His reply was that yes a low rating could be left. And even though, he agreed there was a flaw in the rating system. He would not do anything more about it. That's the way it is.