eBay

73rhc · ‎07-29-2013

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.

marnotom! · ‎07-31-2013

@73rhc wrote:
Were you hitting the bottle a little when you wrote this?

Not in the least, but obviously you didn't give my post much thought.

Think about the difference between using your buyers' money to pay eBay and using your own money to pay eBay.

Your money isn't your money until your buyer has received their item and they're satisfied with it, by the way. Until then, it's still the buyer's to reclaim.

surplusdealdude · ‎07-31-2013

@73rhc wrote:
What recourse would you have against say, Sears, Costco...If it took them 2 weeks to deliver an item bought online? And don't say this would never happen, it happened to me. So, why should the eBay buyer have more power?

You're not Sears and you're not Costco.

Stop avoiding the issue.

Your service is not up to the standards of the vast majority of other sellers and you're going to see increasing restrictions because of that.

You can dance around all you want and it won't change that central fact.

Adapt or die.

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. Carl Sagan

marnotom! · ‎07-31-2013

@73rhc wrote:
What recourse would you have against say, Sears, Costco...If it took them 2 weeks to deliver an item bought online? And don't say this would never happen, it happened to me. So, why should the eBay buyer have more power?

Does the term "competitive advantage" mean anything to you?

73rhc · ‎07-31-2013

No

73rhc · ‎07-31-2013

Try reading the post. Did I say I was either. Did I compare myself to either. NO! I am not avoiding any issue. I ave heard many complaints about the same thing from many other users.

When eBay started the rating system, they figured out that it was unfair for a buyer to rate shipping cost for a seller offering free shipping. My situation is similar, I am asking eBay to disallow lower ratings when the buyer receives his/her item within the handling time stated in the listing. Way keeps reminding us that when a person bids, they are entering into a contractual transaction. Like my handling time or not, IT IS A CONTRACT! I really don't care about anyone's opinion about how I handle my shipping/handling time. This a moot point. If eBay won't police what buyer are leaving as ratings, then don't allow sellers to put 10, 20,25or30 day handling!

What no one is getting here is that if eBay changes to a 3 day maximum handling time. I will, begrudgingly, comply. Until then, IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE BUYER!

marnotom! · ‎07-31-2013

@73rhc wrote:
No

An eBay buyer having buyer protection privileges that Sears and Costco do not offer means that eBay has a "competitive advantage" (real or perceived) over those two retailers.

Does an eBay buyer have "more power" over one who buys from Sears or Costco? Maybe, maybe not. But the point is that eBay has devised a "protection" scheme that makes it look more attractive than Sears or Costco to some if not many buyers.

It's not a matter of fairness. It's a matter of staying ahead of the competition.

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/competitive_advantage.asp

73rhc · ‎07-31-2013

When I replied no. It was like saying, IRRELEVANT!

marnotom! · ‎07-31-2013

@73rhc wrote:
When I replied no. It was like saying, IRRELEVANT!

When I made my follow-up reply, it was like saying, "This is why or how eBay gives its buyers the privileges it does." In other words, your contention that it's "unfair" that eBay buyers have privileges that Sears or Costco buyers do not is bunk.

73rhc · ‎07-31-2013

You just keep proving my point that magnanimous eBay bends over backwards to the almighty buyer. And, If you as a seller like getting it where the sun don't shine. Good on ya! But I have a little more pride than that!

marnotom! · ‎07-31-2013

Did I ever deny that eBay tends to favour the buyer? Looks like you're trying hard to forget our point that it's money from buyers that pays eBay in the first place.

73rhc · ‎07-31-2013

Look who's getting off track. It take's two, buyer and seller. And it's the seller who does all the work. Including the initial investment pof your items up for sale. So wake up if you think that only the buyers money is involved!

73rhc · ‎07-31-2013

Maybe you should have your wife chime in. She's the real eBayer! Not some helper who hides behind a username with 1 feedback to his credit. And p.s. I really don't care what you think, nor will I ever agree with you.

marnotom! · ‎08-01-2013

Okay, if you have all the answers, go ahead and use all that knowledge to your advantage. Obviously, you're doing something right and we're doing a lot that's wrong. We've obviously made a big mistake in adapting our business plans to what eBay wants rather than gripe and moan about perceived injustices.

surplusdealdude · ‎08-01-2013

May I suggest to all the other posters that we're beating our heads against the wall here?

The OP PLAINLY does not understand even the basic rules of ecommerce and is unwilling to learn.

Rather than seeing another 20 pages of "did not, did too" arguments, I suggest that the OP is going to have to learn the hard way and we should let him do it.

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. Carl Sagan

73rhc · ‎08-01-2013

Quite frankly, I do understand. But until this happens to you. It is you that do not understand! I have been doing this for a long time. Not only on eBay. And if everyone would read the posts properly. This all happened within one month, 13 month ago. And I have had no problems since!!! But am still paying for a small series of misfortune. And I am saying that it's unfair to be penalized for this long! And how much longer must I pay. Let's see all of you have a string of bad luck, then we'll see if your attitude and posts are the same.

73rhc · ‎08-01-2013

You're going to look at just the negative. What about ALL the positive feedback and comments about fast shipping.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎08-01-2013

Steve & B.A.D. had one of the most Horrible Strings of Bad Luck during the Winter/Spring Selling Seasons.

They garnered a lot of sympathy form the regulars as they are Great Sellers coupled with being Great Guys.

I have had the regulars point out mistakes i have made in listings over the years & my response has always been "Thanks------ I never noticed that previously, I will make the revision."

Best to treat the regulars with respect on the boards, you make not like their responses, but they are trying to point you in the right direction. I can go to many regulars offline,i have previously with concerns, & have always received Top Shelf Advice.

Trust me the advice you have been given, for free i may add, will only be beneficial to your future sales.

Keep an open mind, toss the combative attitude, make adjustments to your Business Model, & trust me, your sales will increase which will lead to Higher Selling Limits on your account.

Bottom line, Win, Win, for you.

73rhc · ‎08-01-2013

Quite honestly, I don't need advise, no offence. I was trying to point out the unfair conditions that I have been dealt. After a very small series of transactions. And it keeps on going. I cannot have a business plan with a limit of 30 items or $380 total sales a month. So this is why I get, as you say, combatitive. Can have higher sales with this limit!!!!!