Selling on eBay since 1998 - more trouble this quarter than ever!
Lakesammman
Posts: 17,393 ✭✭✭✭✭
Have been selling a small consignment and have had more trouble this quarter than I've ever had, since 1998 - non-paying bidders especially.
Especially annoying is some one who didn't like a coin, hasn't returned it and the return is "closed by buyer". Buyer not responsive.
What's been your experience with "closed by buyer" returns?? Advice appreciated.
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Sorry, I hit the "closed by buyer" button in error! Can you simply refund me and I'll ship the coin back when I get my money? Thanks!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Sounds like the buyer decided not to return the coin after all and closed the return with ebay.
That is correct. I only had that happen once. It was not a problem at all. They never explained the change. They likely just changed their mind.
From the feedback, I doubt the buyer wants to keep the coin.
Just return the coin and let's move on!
The buyer changed his mind at the end. So you can move on with the money.
It’s been a few years since I had a buyer close return request. But it does sound like they decided to keep the coin.
And I agree. This quarter has been a patience tester for me.
My Ebay Store
Must of ran the purchase by the wife, and she okayed it.😀
That's kind of the reason I haven't sold on ebay in a long time...years...
I didn't have the issues, but I saw how it was getting worse and worse for many good sellers.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Too many W-E-A-K buyers on eBay.
I've had a few more nonpayers than usual in the last year. I don't really care about them, they don't really cause much of a problem. I just block turn and move on.
I've not seen any increase in the problems that actually directly cost money like returns and scams.
YMMV
Two weeks ago I had a buyer request a cancellation before the item even arrived! He changed his mind a day after I had shipped. I got the item back, but I'm out shipping both directions.
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
My "favorite" was a return after 3 weeks. Reason? "Found a better price."
There is a segment of the consumer economy that is financially stretched right now. I am seeing in my field a significant increase in credit card usage versus debit, cash. Stock market and 401K holders notwithstanding, discretionary income is thinning out in some areas. It will reverberate down to certain retailing, ebay a prime example.
It’s a sign of the times and the fact that sellers are held to a higher standard than buyers might be the real issue.
I've bought & sold on eBay since 1999 and had very few problems with buyers. Back in the day you could set a minimum feedback rating for buyers. Now, I believe the only thing you can do is adjust your settings in the Buyer Management section to block buyers who have cancelled or unpaid transactions.
Ebayer since 1998. Nowadays if you're a seller you need to come to terms with the fact that by listing items there you become a de facto approval service.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I once had a buyer of a gold coin get cold feet right after shipping, then when the coins arrives registered he ships it back, and I get an empty box. When i contact him he looks in the garbage and finds the coin.
Another time someone asked me if the PCGS PR70 platinum coin looks perfect under magnification. I should have said no, and blocked the buyer. Instead he buys it and later sends it back, claiming it wasn't a 70.
not mad at you but mad at your buer.
It also depends of what you are selling.
When I sold on Ebay (also started in 1998) I sold obsolete currency including many pieces that simply could not be found anywhere else. Not common Canal Bank remainders, but scarce issued notes from smaller locations. My customers were often non numismatic collectors that were doing searches of their hometown and came up with a piece of currency that they had never seen before or even knew existed. These people jump at a rare opportunity and don't play games with payment and returns. I would guess that my "problem" transactions were about 1 in 500.
If you sell proof sets and bullion, you are competing with many other sellers and buyers will treat you like Amazon. Cancelling and returns are part of the landscape. If you sell attractive, hard to find collector coins, I'll bet that your problems are reduced.
Agree. Ebay has been trying to become Amazon for some time now. Also agree that common/cheaper items= higher rate of issues.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I didn't realize this was a thing, particularly if you provided the tracking info via eBay before he canceled. I would have assumed the buyer would have to pay return shipping. That's disappointing.
I think it depends on if the seller offers "free" shipping and "free" returns. Otherwise I'm with you, I thought the only way a buyer could force a seller to pay for return shipping was to file a SNAD.
Philippians 4:4-7
He filed an SNAD. He never even opened the package, just pasted another label on top of the one sent to him and sent it back. I have the item in hand already. It isn't worth the time and effort to fight it over $15. Just block the buyer and move on.
FYI - it was not a coin, it was one of the other items I regularly sell.
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
I agree block and move on, but I hate it when buyers abuse the system to screw sellers out of return shipping. I don't like returns, but I realize they are a necessary part of the business/eBay, just don't lie in order to chisel me on the return.
Philippians 4:4-7
Still trying to wrap my head around how things work - he complains about the coin, has 30 days to return it (sold 11/17) but the return is closed?? Buyer not responding to emails. Is it really a "done deal"??
Wouldn't bother me but it's part of a consignment that I wanted to wrap up before the 1st of the year!
There should be a Web list of flakey buyers who can be blocked on eBay to save sellers grief.
It wouldn't work since these problem buyers would just create a new identity.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
If he closed it, he can't reopen it. He can, however, file a chargeback with PayPal or his CC company for 6 to 18 months, if he wanted. But i don't see why he would do that when he could have just gone through with the return.