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eBay scams
genesis156
Posts: 42 ✭✭
I'm going to be auctioning some coins on eBay soon. While I have purchased on ebay several times without issue, this is my first time selling. Are there any particular scams I should be aware of as a seller? Anyone out there had any experience with scammers when selling? Thanks.
genesis156
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A first for me but Ebay seems to be getting more treacherous.
No real way to protect yourself from that kind of claim, particularly as a new seller.
So pack it well, and print the shipping labels through eBay. You get a discount and the delivery tracking number is automatically loaded.
If the package gets lost, the seller has to refund so buy USPS insurance or else you are self insuring.
Though eBay recently raised the limit, I buy signature confirmation on anything over $250.
I assume you have a PO box. If not, get one. You don't want your home address on the label when selling high priced items.
The current scam is with returns. The buyer say they want to return it, but then put something else of the same weight in the return package and the delivery confirmation shows you got it back, so eBay will give the buyer a refund. If you do get a return, I'd suggest opening at the post office with a PO clerk as a witness. So when a buyer is returning a $500 coin and there is pocket change in the envelope you'll have some proof.
There currently is a class action suit brewing about this because eBay sides with the buyer.
Coin Club Benefit auctions ..... View the Lots
<< <i>It's the sellers responsibility to make sure the buyer gets their item intact.
So pack it well, and print the shipping labels through eBay. You get a discount and the delivery tracking number is automatically loaded.
If the package gets lost, the seller has to refund so buy USPS insurance or else you are self insuring.
Though eBay recently raised the limit, I buy signature confirmation on anything over $250.
I assume you have a PO box. If not, get one. You don't want your home address on the label when selling high priced items.
The current scam is with returns. The buyer say they want to return it, but then put something else of the same weight in the return package and the delivery confirmation shows you got it back, so eBay will give the buyer a refund. If you do get a return, I'd suggest opening at the post office with a PO clerk as a witness. So when a buyer is returning a $500 coin and there is pocket change in the envelope you'll have some proof.
There currently is a class action suit brewing about this because eBay sides with the buyer.
If a package shows delivered the USPS will generally deny a refund claim. Will eBay/PayPal deny a refund under the same circumstances?
<< <i>Will eBay/PayPal deny a refund under the same circumstances? >>
No - the buyer has a tracking number that shows the package was delivered, so eBay gives them a refund.
Was the contents of the package the same item as shipped? Who knows?
You can report the buyer who sends a brick back instead of an iPhone and dispute the return, but eBay sides with the buyer.
BHNC #203
<< <i>It's the sellers responsibility to make sure the buyer gets their item intact.
So pack it well, and print the shipping labels through eBay. You get a discount and the delivery tracking number is automatically loaded.
If the package gets lost, the seller has to refund so buy USPS insurance or else you are self insuring.
Though eBay recently raised the limit, I buy signature confirmation on anything over $250.
I assume you have a PO box. If not, get one. You don't want your home address on the label when selling high priced items.
The current scam is with returns. The buyer say they want to return it, but then put something else of the same weight in the return package and the delivery confirmation shows you got it back, so eBay will give the buyer a refund. If you do get a return, I'd suggest opening at the post office with a PO clerk as a witness. So when a buyer is returning a $500 coin and there is pocket change in the envelope you'll have some proof.
There currently is a class action suit brewing about this because eBay sides with the buyer.
I asked a teller at my local PO once to witness a return and she said that it is against policy. She said she would do it, but if asked to make a statement she would not be allowed. Not sure how true it was, but the item was ok so it didn't go any further than that for me.
My Ebay Store
Plus in a SNAD, they get to return it anyway.
I do have some "no return" auctions. Those are generally things like rolls, as I don't want a buyer-broken roll back because they didn't find an error in it or something. I'll fight the SNAD on these cases.
<< <i>doing auctions and selecting the "no returns" selection? >>
There is no such thing. With eBay's Money Back Guarantee (formerly "Buyer Protection") buyers can get a refund for "Items Significantly Not As Described" and eBay sides with the buyer 99% of the time.
For me returns are rare. If somebody wants to return something, I just give them their money back.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Other than that, if you still think this is the way to go, sell away!!
<< <i>
<< <i>It's the sellers responsibility to make sure the buyer gets their item intact.
So pack it well, and print the shipping labels through eBay. You get a discount and the delivery tracking number is automatically loaded.
If the package gets lost, the seller has to refund so buy USPS insurance or else you are self insuring.
Though eBay recently raised the limit, I buy signature confirmation on anything over $250.
I assume you have a PO box. If not, get one. You don't want your home address on the label when selling high priced items.
The current scam is with returns. The buyer say they want to return it, but then put something else of the same weight in the return package and the delivery confirmation shows you got it back, so eBay will give the buyer a refund. If you do get a return, I'd suggest opening at the post office with a PO clerk as a witness. So when a buyer is returning a $500 coin and there is pocket change in the envelope you'll have some proof.
There currently is a class action suit brewing about this because eBay sides with the buyer.
I asked a teller at my local PO once to witness a return and she said that it is against policy. She said she would do it, but if asked to make a statement she would not be allowed. Not sure how true it was, but the item was ok so it didn't go any further than that for me. >>
Yeah, I would be very surprised if postal employees either want to or are allowed to get involved in eBay squabbles. Unless this is a case being investigated by the Postmaster General or something like that I don't think the USPS witness thing is the way to go.
<< <i>The biggest scam is ebay taking 10% on the sale, 10% on the shipping, and 3% on paypal.
Other than that, if you still think this is the way to go, sell away!! >>
The biggest scam is trying to scare people away from ebay. It is by far the best coin market on earth as it has the biggest audience.
<< <i>
<< <i>The biggest scam is ebay taking 10% on the sale, 10% on the shipping, and 3% on paypal.
Other than that, if you still think this is the way to go, sell away!! >>
The biggest scam is trying to scare people away from ebay. It is by far the best coin market on earth as it has the biggest audience. >>
That really depends on what your selling/buying. Ebay does not seam to be the place to go for high grade older coins.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>The biggest scam is ebay taking 10% on the sale, 10% on the shipping, and 3% on paypal.
Other than that, if you still think this is the way to go, sell away!! >>
The biggest scam is trying to scare people away from ebay. It is by far the best coin market on earth as it has the biggest audience. >>
That really depends on what your selling/buying. Ebay does not seam to be the place to go for high grade older coins. >>
I disagree. eBay is a great place for them, especially coins over $5k and up to around $50k. The final value fees are capped at $250 on those sales and if the seller has the top rated seller discount, the fees are capped at $200. Often, buyers of those types of coins want to pay via bank wire instead of PayPal so there are minimal fees on the payment as well. Nowhere else can you sell coins of that value in the range of 1%-4% total fees!!!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>
<< <i>The biggest scam is ebay taking 10% on the sale, 10% on the shipping, and 3% on paypal.
Other than that, if you still think this is the way to go, sell away!! >>
The biggest scam is trying to scare people away from ebay. It is by far the best coin market on earth as it has the biggest audience. >>
How is that a scam? The Ebay experience has degraded immensely for many forum members that have posted on the subject.
Unfortunately bad buyers can not be negged on ebay and then blocked on that criteria on ebay. Years ago when I heard about their policy change on this I was furious. Since then I have learned to live with it. I had a really bad buyer neg me for no good reason and when he was negged in return he simply could not stand it. About every 2 month's he would write me flame mail, etc. If you can't take it, then don't dish it out. He even managed to pick up some more negs as a buyer. I believe then sellers were starting to see that and block him and for good reason.
<< <i>So far it sounds like a lot of the problems deal with returns. Does anybody have success doing auctions and selecting the "no returns" selection? >>
1) I have never had a return in 14+ years. Shoot good photos, never exaggerate, point out any problems.
2) As a buyer I avoid "no returns". It usually spells a problem. And savvy buyers know about "SNAD" anyway.
Lance.
<< <i>1) I have never had a return in 14+ years. Shoot good photos, never exaggerate, point out any problems. >>
What kind of volume do you do per year. My return rate is in the 1-2% range which I find acceptable. Folks return coins for many reasons. Buyers remorse cannot be overcome with better images.
<< <i>
<< <i>1) I have never had a return in 14+ years. Shoot good photos, never exaggerate, point out any problems. >>
What kind of volume do you do per year. My return rate is in the 1-2% range which I find acceptable. Folks return coins for many reasons. Buyers remorse cannot be overcome with better images. >>
Exactly and I have had approximately the same return rate.
<< <i>The biggest scam is ebay taking 10% on the sale, 10% on the shipping, and 3% on paypal.
Other than that, if you still think this is the way to go, sell away!! >>
Is that somehow less than other auction houses or "help you sell" sites? Please, inquiring minds want to know? Is this high compared to say Heritage, or Amazon? What are you comparing it to?