eBay

pierrelebel · ‎10-07-2013

By David A. Utter
EcommerceBytes.com
October 07, 2013

While conventional wisdom and a morally grounded upbringing teaches the concept that there's no such thing as a free lunch, there are many people who are happy to be unencumbered by such a guideline. Their unfortunate attempts at exploiting "the system" make victims out the undeserving.

It's seen everywhere in society, and in the microcosm of ecommerce such accounts of this behavior are easy to find. Using eBay as an example, there exist some buyers who not only engage in thieving behavior, but apparently want to instruct others how to rip off eBay sellers.

For more: http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y13/m10/i07/s01

bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-07-2013

I would imagine eBay has tried to step in to have these " How To Get Free Stuff From Ebay" searches removed.

There were similiar "Free Stuff" searches on You Tube at one time & they were removed. Haven't checked in a while if those searches have made a comeback.

What can we do?

bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-07-2013

Exchanged some emails with a friendly competitor this morning.

Since there were too many INR Claims all their items are shipped with tracking including overseas shipments.

They get a few negs for this & DSRs somewhat take a hit but they were just tired of issuing refunds.

While they admit some claims could be legit, they believe the majority are not.

While they do not issue the tracking numbers on the original shipping date, there is a reason for this.

They wait for the buyer to make an INR Claim & then bust them with the tracking number showing as delivered.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-07-2013

Same friend just sent me an email to check the buyer who left a Negative Feedback for me last winter & to check feedback left for others.

The one that claimed the item was not made right, but i had offered a full refund & return shipping.

Thought she was looking for a freebie.

Now I'm convinced.

She left a NFB for a buyer as Not Received, No Refund but the seller busted her with the tracking number in Reply To Feedback Received.

No i know why the competitor never mentions a tracking number upon shipment.

mr.elmwood · ‎10-07-2013

People who lie, steal, and cheat are everywhere. They are a consistenet % of all transactions. You can't stop them as either they have no morals or their brain is broken and really do not know they are doing wrong. I have lived with examples of both.

My 35 years of liquor stores gave me a very thick skin. I am not going to let a tiny minority affect the majority. I am also not going to let it affect me.

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bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-08-2013

I agree Inuk, the majority are great buyers.

Friendly competitor sells very pricey items so i can see why they want to protect themselves with tracking from here on in.

rose-dee · ‎10-08-2013

@bb_cool_stuff wrote:
While they do not issue the tracking numbers on the original shipping date, there is a reason for this.
They wait for the buyer to make an INR Claim & then bust them with the tracking number showing as delivered.

This would definitely work to demolish INR claims, but for me it would be a problem because I sell the majority of my items to U.S. buyers, most with tracking, and I like to be able to "follow" the progress of a parcel, especially for pricier items.

I usually email my buyers to let them know once the parcel has crossed into the U.S. -- I tell them it will be going through U.S. Customs and then be on its way. Many customers have told me they appreciated the personal update, and I imagine it helps with those pesky shipping time DSRs.

There is also the issue that if you want (or have) US TRS and use tracking, you must upload the tracking information within 24 hours to get credit for it.

If you aren't concerned about US TRS and can justify the cost of tracking, this strategy you mention is protection against INR claims. But I think for some sellers it would be a matter of balancing the cost (and DSR risks) associated with tracked shipping against the number of INR cases expected. If INR cases are fairly rare for the category, it might not be worth the risk.

I just wish eBay would (or could) think up some policy to deal with this particular issue.