Ebay is changing............buyers are getting worse.

2manycoins2fewfunds · August 24, 2011 5:11AM

Before anyone says "do this" or "do that" let me say I have 10+ years and over 7,000 positive feedback so I'm not exactly a newbie.

None the less I have to say Ebay and Ebay buyers are becoming more and more unreasonable.

THey delay paying for items a week or more then they send requests for tracking info on under $20 items 1 day after auction closes...............do these people have no other lives??
Do they really sit there at their computers tracking the progress of the truck with their treasure??

They file complaints at the drop of a hat with no attempts to contact you. Then you have to wade through the Ebay/Paypal maze to get it resolved.

They want to return sealed, new in the box items for every reason under the sun and expect you to pay for return.

At one time I thought it would be nice to make it to 10,000 feedback.
Now I look forward to day when all my Ebay sales are over.

LindeDad · August 24, 2011 5:26AM

eBay nothing

greghansen · August 24, 2011 5:27AM

I've pretty much abondandoned sales of coin related items under $50 on EBAY just because the type of buyers those auctions attract have a much higher incident of those types of problems you've outlined. As a result, I have a far lower number of EBAY transactions, but the gross sales has stayed at or above the old levels (due to the higher value of items I'm selling) and I have had virtually no buyer problems for over a year....knock on wood. The only EBAy issue I've had in the last year was with a seller.

IMO, if your business model includes selling low cost numismatic items on EBAY, your going to have a fair number of buyer issues just due to the type of buyer that business model attracts. Again, not characterizing that as good or bad, just my anecdotal observation and opinion developed over about the same amount of time as you've been selling on EBAY.

johnny9434 · August 24, 2011 5:38AM

im glad i dont deal with fleebay and others are feeling the same way these days

kryptonitecomics · August 24, 2011 5:47AM

I could live with the sometimes troublesome buyers if ebay would stop creating policies to screw over the sellers

now Charging a fee on shipping fees
can't leave negative feedback for buyers when they don't pay
now there is a mandetory no return/2 week return policy...nothing in the middle like a week etc

mkman123 · August 24, 2011 5:59AM

EBay is getting worse and worse. I stick to bst if I need anything.

JamesMurray · August 24, 2011 6:00AM

While i agree Ebay buyers have some bad apples in the bunch i don't think asking for a tracking number 24 hours after an auction ends is in any way unreasonable and in fact its in your interest to do so.Better dashboard points= bigger discount on fee's. I'm not by any means a high volume seller but i think if i had streams of complaints i'd have to look at my practices maybe,ive been selling for almost 20 years total and hardly ever a complaint.
You are right though , a lot of people have realised ebay is a prime spot for freebies right now.

mrearlygold · August 24, 2011 6:01AM

Work hard

, save your money and one day you'll pick and choose who you do business with, not the other way around.

Believe me it will happen if you follow the path and you'll feel like this more often than not!

koynekwest · August 24, 2011 6:03AM

I've been a participant for 13 years. Not just buyers-the sellers have gotten much worse as well-misrepresentation, gross overgrading, damaged, corroded junk, outright fraud etc. It's becoming more and more of a waste of time and will soon end up like yahoo auctions if things don't change for the better.

OPA · August 24, 2011 6:09AM

<< While i agree Ebay buyers have some bad apples in the bunch i don't think asking for a tracking number 24 hours after an auction ends is in any way unreasonable and in fact its in your interest to do so.Better dashboard points= bigger discount on fee's. I'm not by any means a high volume seller but i think if i had streams of complaints i'd have to look at my practices maybe,ive been selling for almost 20 years total and hardly ever a complaint.
You are right though , a lot of people have realised ebay is a prime spot for freebies right now. >>

As a buyer of bullion related items on eBay (Art Bars) I do expect the seller to mail my item promptly. In most cases they get paid within minutes after the auction closes, and I expect the same prompt shipment. There is no reason why an item cannot be mailed out within 48hrs after payment is received. To bad, we don't have eBay's side of your dilemma. BTW, I'm no rookie either...been selling & buying for almost 11 years on eBay.

JCMhouston · August 24, 2011 6:43AM

<< There is no reason why an item cannot be mailed out within 48hrs after payment is received. >>

Actually there are any number of reasons this might not happen, but that doesn't fit in with instant gratification. I don't think it is just ebay but more a sign of our times. People can click a mouse button and pay for anything, anywhere, instantly, and they just can't understand why the seller can't click a button and have it arrive at their door.

Some of us that used to sell there aren't dealers, i just used to sell my duplicates when I replaced them. Unfortunately I have to work for a living, no lounging around coin dealering with 2 hour lunch breaks for me

. My day typically starts with me in the office around 6:30 am, and often ends around 8pm with a conference call to China. Some days I can get out of the office to go to the PO, some days I can't.

JamesMurray · August 24, 2011 6:52AM

I dunno JCMHouston, i know what you are saying and have experienced it but once a seller realises the implications of selling and uses the tools provided it gets easier.I set my auctions to end when i know i have time to go to the post office and in the listing are choices where a seller can state how many days before it gets shipped as well as the option to say in the text.The only flaw in the plan are buyers who don't pay quickly,that's another trip to the post office although i used to send before payment based on feedback,i found out the hard way not to do that.

pf70collector · August 24, 2011 6:54AM

've pretty much abondandoned sales of coin related items under $50 on EBAY just because the type of buyers those auctions attract have a much higher incident of those types of problems you've outlined. As a result, I have a far lower number of EBAY transactions, but the gross sales has stayed at or above the old levels (due to the higher value of items I'm selling) and I have had virtually no buyer problems for over a year....knock on wood. The only EBAy issue I've had in the last year was with a seller.

I usually sell higher end items and have never run into any problems with any of my buyers. I agree its the smaller priced items where you can get the most trouble from buyers.

he only flaw in the plan are buyers who don't pay quickly,that's another trip to the post office although i used to send before payment based on feedback,i found out the hard way not to do that.'

I never ship until i get paid, but the one time I sent an item first before getting paid(it was not intentional), the buyer did not pay.

LanceNewmanOCC · August 24, 2011 7:00AM

.
.
It is unfortunate that you seem to be having so much negative experiences.

I do pretty well with buying/selling on ebay. Some really good deals constantly for purchasing.

Done business with CEOs, Presidents(companies), Business owners, representatives from heritage, teletrade etc etc the list goes on.

Maybe it would be good to analyze like was stated the types of items being sold. I do have more incidents with lower dollar items than the higher dollar ones.

You are more than welcome to look through my feedback on a couple of my IDs over on ebay "oldcollectorcoins" and "oldercollectorcoins" to see the results I am gettin in sales price and feedback if it helps you to have a more positive experience.
.
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airplanenut · August 24, 2011 7:11AM

<< I could live with the sometimes troublesome buyers if ebay would stop creating policies to screw over the sellers

now Charging a fee on shipping fees
can't leave negative feedback for buyers when they don't pay
now there is a mandetory no return/2 week return policy...nothing in the middle like a week etc >>

I agree on the second two points, but the fees WENT DOWN when they started charging on the shipping fee. Unless your shipping fee is enormous, the net fee you pay dropped.

<< There is no reason why an item cannot be mailed out within 48hrs after payment is received. >>

That's true most of the time. If I know I'll be away, I make sure the buyers know, too, so there are no surprises. But what about when someone pays late and I'm away. I wasn't planning on shipping during that time period, but some buyers still assume that the clock starts the second they pay. eBay should have a rule that after X days, handling time can increase, too, with no potential ill effects (such as a DSR ding for slow shipping) to the seller.

illini420 · August 24, 2011 7:14AM

Some of the sellers are getting worse too. It's getting really hard to navigate listings when the same dealers are relisting the same coins over and over just to keep them looking like new listings. I think David Lawrence takes down and relists their entire inventory every other day. Makes it very difficult to do any search with newly listed coins first and it really makes me never want to buy from dealers like that.

ziggy29 · August 24, 2011 7:17AM

Not surprising. EBay has gone to such lengths to favor buyers over sellers that more buyers think they practically own the seller.

ebaytrader · August 24, 2011 9:28AM

<< 
now there is a mandetory no return/2 week return policy...nothing in the middle like a week etc >>

The return period is a defacto 45 days. A buyer just needs to make a SNAD claim and you will be taking that certified bullion coin back after a month as the metal price dropped by 30%.

Oh, and then you get an email from Paypal telling you they'll be holding payments up to 21 days because there was a SNAD claim against you.

agentjim007 · August 24, 2011 9:48AM

I quit ebay 2 years ago and I'm doing just fine.

BryceM · August 24, 2011 10:22AM

Not being able to leave negative feedback for a no-pay is ridiculous. I went to do this today and found out I couldn't. Now how am I supposed to vent?

CoinCoins · August 24, 2011 11:29AM

<< Before anyone says "do this" or "do that" let me say I have 10+ years and over 7,000 positive feedback so I'm not exactly a newbie.

None the less I have to say Ebay and Ebay buyers are becoming more and more unreasonable.

THey delay paying for items a week or more then they send requests for tracking info on under $20 items 1 day after auction closes...............do these people have no other lives??
Do they really sit there at their computers tracking the progress of the truck with their treasure??

They file complaints at the drop of a hat with no attempts to contact you. Then you have to wade through the Ebay/Paypal maze to get it resolved.

They want to return sealed, new in the box items for every reason under the sun and expect you to pay for return.

At one time I thought it would be nice to make it to 10,000 feedback.
Now I look forward to day when all my Ebay sales are over. >>

cheers....... i completely hear you loud and clear. i'm 9 years in, around 4500 feedbacks.. plenty of horror stories, it's just *ridiculous* sometimes

i was just telling someone the other day that it beats a 9-5 job, but i cant wait to be done with it

mrpotatoheadd · August 24, 2011 11:39AM

<< THey delay paying for items a week or more then they send requests for tracking info on under $20 items 1 day after auction closes...............do these people have no other lives??
Do they really sit there at their computers tracking the progress of the truck with their treasure?? >>

Exactly. What's up with the fixation on tracking (ignoring the fact that the post office doesn't actually offer tracking on anything other than Express Mail) anyway? How does knowing where the package is (assuming the post office's info is accurate- it often isn't) help get it to you any quicker? It's going to get there when it does- watching your computer isn't going to make the tiniest bit of difference.

OPA · August 24, 2011 12:02PM

<< 

<< THey delay paying for items a week or more then they send requests for tracking info on under $20 items 1 day after auction closes...............do these people have no other lives??
Do they really sit there at their computers tracking the progress of the truck with their treasure?? >>

Exactly. What's up with the fixation on tracking (ignoring the fact that the post office doesn't actually offer tracking on anything other than Express Mail) anyway? How does knowing where the package is (assuming the post office's info is accurate- it often isn't) help get it to you any quicker? It's going to get there when it does- watching your computer isn't going to make the tiniest bit of difference. >>

I don't know what P.O. you're dealing with or in what State you live in. It has been my experience for the last 12 month, that every shipping label ( I print mine through PayPal which includes Del. Conf.), that in all cases the date delivered was available, however, in addition 90% of the time it even has the accepted time date stamp, the local BMC time stamp, the receiving BMC date & time and the date delivered indicated on the "alleged not available tracking info for 1st class parcel mail." How much more can you ask for $.19?

One of my sample USPS Tracking below for 1st class mail. You have to start on the bottom and work up for the history

20120659101128882300812750925

First-Class Mail® Delivered August 06, 2011, 1:57 pm CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065

Expected Delivery By:
August 6, 2011

Delivery Confirmation™

Out for Delivery

August 06, 2011, 9:56 am

CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065

Sorting Complete

August 06, 2011, 9:46 am

CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065

Arrival at Unit

August 06, 2011, 6:44 am

CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065

Processed through Sort Facility

August 05, 2011, 11:58 pm

ALBANY, NY 12288

Processed through Sort Facility

August 04, 2011, 10:19 pm

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD 20790

Acceptance

August 04, 2011, 2:49 pm

BOWIE, MD 20720

Electronic Shipping Info Received

August 03, 2011

mrpotatoheadd · August 24, 2011 12:08PM

<< "alleged not available tracking info for 1st class parcel mail." >>

"Not available" is not the same thing as "Not an included feature".

In other words, the fact *you* got something not promised is not evidence *everybody* can always count on getting it.

OPA · August 24, 2011 12:16PM

<< 

<< "alleged not available tracking info for 1st class parcel mail." >>

"Not available" is not the same thing as "Not an included feature".

In other words, the fact *you* got something not promised is not evidence *everybody* can always count on getting it. >>

but it is an included feature as shown in the above example and probably utilized more than not if you have the proper label and pay the correct postage.

mrpotatoheadd · August 24, 2011 12:21PM

<< but it is an included feature as shown in the above example >>

The fact you got something the post office doesn't claim to provide for the fee paid is in no way an indication it's an included feature. It's a freebie. And it's one the post ofice has no obligation to provide.

I can post a link to the USPS web page that documents the fact that tracking isn't included in the DC fee you paid if you like.

devious · August 24, 2011 12:31PM

I just became a top rated seller/power seller all at the same time 4 days ago. And I am almost out of the product I was selling and I'm not acquiring any more inventory. I am using eBay strictly for purchases and when my stuff is gone, I'm done selling. Wish I could transfer those ratings to somebody who will now use them...would had been handy a year ago.

OPA · August 24, 2011 1:12PM

<< 

<< but it is an included feature as shown in the above example >>

The fact you got something the post office doesn't claim to provide for the fee paid is in no way an indication it's an included feature. It's a freebie. And it's one the post ofice has no obligation to provide.

I can post a link to the USPS web page that documents the fact that tracking isn't included in the DC fee you paid if you like.

>>

Do whatever you wish, the fact of the matter is, I'm getting tracking on my 1st class parcel mail regardless if it's officially sanctioned or written up in the PO manuals and I suspect, I'm not alone. Ever hear of the saying: "My mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts?"

Mission16 · August 24, 2011 1:18PM

Yeah. I haven't sold anythinh on eBay in I don't know how long. Only use it to buy. When I first started on eBay it was to sell about 200 plastic auto models I had and could not get a decent offer locally. Ebay offered the opprotunity to get my stuff before millions of eyes and it worked GREAT!!!

jt88 · August 24, 2011 1:20PM

I think ebay has some good thing but also has some bad thing. It also depends on the seller as well. I agree that some buyers did not pay right away. I give them 7 days after 7 days I don't receive the payment and no communication I will file a "none pay claim" with ebay. So far this year I sold over 100K coins on ebay and have to file 2 to 3 such claims and every buyer paid after I filed the claim. I mail the coin out the next day after I receive the payment. I always charge $3.99 for US shipping and $16 or express mail for international sale. I don't care if the buyer thinks the shipping charge is high or not but I have to get tracking info to meet ebay requirement. This might affect the sale but that's OK. I did get a buyer said he will not buy from me again because I declare the value on the customs form and he got charge 30% fee on the value. Nothing I can do about that as I told the buyer. I think ebay fee is pretty high. I used to get 20% discount as top rated seller but someone complaint that I charge high shipping then the discount drop to 5% but this year I did not receive any discount at all. I think ebay changed the discount policy. Ebay give seller a big expose to many buyers that it is hard to get on your website.

mrpotatoheadd · August 24, 2011 1:22PM

You're getting tracking on your packages? Good for you. Here's another fact- not everybody does. Anyway... if facts aren't sufficient to get you to reconsider your position (read: "I've been getting gifts of unpaid-for services from the post office. Therefore, I expect to keep getting them.") there's obviously no point in continuing the discussion, I suppose.

Lakesammman · August 24, 2011 1:30PM

Here's a fun recent reply from a guy who bought a coin from me on ebay and subsequently filed a claim.........

Sorry Tim, i am new to sending emails. I feel the same way you do ,about concers over scams,I did not no there where prombles with pay pal I was told that they where secure . I realize your concerns .I am a new listing for ebay , Ihave made several buys without eny prombles, i dont no why or what unverified is but trust in me cause I am trusting in you I guess we are both trusting in pay pal, trust sould be a common bond, thank you for your reply. look forward to doing business with you.

coinsarefun · August 24, 2011 4:26PM

Check out my thread in the bst and you might be interested
Lets start an alternative to Ebay, many have joined already

PerryHall · August 24, 2011 4:38PM

<< Not being able to leave negative feedback for a no-pay is ridiculous. I went to do this today and found out I couldn't. Now how am I supposed to vent? >>

Block the deadbeat and publish his name here so others can block him and then let him know what you did.

derryb · August 24, 2011 4:58PM

Vent here, but be sure you out the buyer to the rest of us.

TwoSides2aCoin · August 24, 2011 7:44PM

eBay is like a big turd in the path of life. Once you step in it, relax... you can find new shoes with a mouse.

notwilight · August 24, 2011 11:23PM

I don't think I'm having problems that you are but I am noticing some of the same things. I think ebay is training buyers to expect a tracking number and the less experienced think they should ask for it "to protect themselves".

I use paypal shipping so it gets sent to them automatically but when I need to ship otherwise it sometimes requires some coddling. --Jerry

Ebay is changing............buyers are getting worse.

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