Archive for the ‘feedback’ Category

Dear eBay Queen:

I bought several items (mostly toys) on December 17^th and December 18^th believing they would be sent by conscience sellers who would send them immediately.  I even made sure that the sellers were close to where I live, or at the very least a few states away.

My first item I purchased was a Skylanders Game Set that was in Nebraska.  This set was brand new in the box, and had free shipping on it.  I paid for the item within 10 minutes of the auction closing.  The seller did not acknowledge my payment, and did not send the item until the 20^th.  I watched the tracking, and the box went to South Dakota before it started traveling towards me in Missouri!  I did receive the game set, but it was sent MEDIA MAIL and wrapped in wrapping paper instead of a box.  The seller has 64 feedback. Should I say something to him?

My second item I purchased was a hard to find Wii Game.  I paid for this game within minutes of the auction being over on Sunday.  The seller made a label for it that same day, so I was thinking I would receive it by Wednesday or Thursday.  I watched the tracking on this item, and on Wednesday when the tracking information was not showing up, I emailed this to the seller:

“Hi.. I’m freaking out a little bit. I’ve been watching the tracking on this, and it does not show in the system. I must have this by Christmas Eve as it is a gift from Santa. Has this been mailed? It just appears to have a label made. Thanks”

The seller replied:
“Chill out, Yes it was mailed from San Francisco yesterday.  I travel for business, and made the label at my company office in Boston, and mailed it from my home in California. I don’t know why it’s not showing up in tracking. You should contact the post office.”

I replied:

It shows you made the label on the 17th.. but the item doesn’t show in the system. This is a Christmas Gift.. the ONLY thing my 7 year old son asked for from Santa. Where is this item? WHAT is going on?

The seller replied:

“Yes I printed the label on the 17th. At my company’s office. In Boston.  I shipped the item within 2.5 days of the auction ending. I do not control the postal system.  Please stop harassing me.

It was sent on Wednesday morning. The postal service has your item. This will be my final reply. Although you have been quite rude, I hope the postal service delivers your item by Christmas for your child.”

I replied:

“Harassing you? You have my money and the item! This was the only thing my 7 year old son asked for from Santa. I trusted you would send the item in a timely fashion.

I contacted my Postmaster for help with this.  It is against the USPS rules to make a label and not send it for days later. If turned in for this you could get in trouble. You made the label on SUNDAY and told me you mailed it on Wednesday, when in all actuality you mailed the item on FRIDAY evening at 4:48pm.  Your math skills appear to be as good as your selling skills.”

I didn’t hear anything else from him, but he left me a positive feedback that had a negative comment: “Horrible Harassing Buyer Doesn’t Understand EBAY.”  Now, what do I do about that?

Tracy, Independence, MO

Dear Tracy:

I am so sorry this happened to you.  I’ve had a couple of similar happenings this year when I ordered stuff.  When it comes to your first order, I would probably send them a note to thank them for the order. Let them know that the order arrived in great condition, but should not have been send media mail, since it was a video game.

I would not contact the second person, as they seem a little off their rocker.  I would contact eBay right away about the feedback comment they left, eBay should remove that immediately.  Negative positives are a big no-no.  As far as the feedback you should leave for that seller, it’s totally up to you.  I probably would not leave a positive.  I would lean toward no feedback or a neutral.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item: 3210336888807 Who says money can’t buy love? Check out 6 Love Letters from Prince Charles 1976 to 1980   SOLD $42,000.00 http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Love-Letters-from-Prince-Charles-1976-1980-Not-to-Camilla-the-love-of-his-life-/321033688807

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul, Kansas.

Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been an avid baseball card collector my whole life. While checking eBay for Jeff Samardzija cards that are M.I.A. from my collection yesterday, I found a 1/1 printing plate of Jeff that I wanted. The seller had a BIN for $44.95 or best offer. I decided I better act fast before it sells, so I went ahead and made him a best offer of $25.55. The last Samardzija plate sold for $20.00 and one before that sold for $27.00. The seller then sends me a counteroffer of $44.55, its original starting price. Then he raises the BIN price to $54.95, ten dollars more than the initial by it now! He tried to make it seem like I’m getting some kind of deal because the cards value magically went up $10 because the seller received some interest in the card. After this, I’m thinking this seller is one of those crazy book value losers who are trying to cover the cost they paid for the box with this one card. I decided to send him a counteroffer of $37.55, completely not worth it, but again, I wanted the card. He rejected my offer and sent me this message:

“What’s your problem man? It’s a 1/1 press plate…and a 2007 TRUE ROOKIE….its priced to sell……….with 2.95 shipping….that makes $45 delivered for this……..otherwise when the season starts I hope to get $100.″

In your dreams, buddy! Even his best autographed rookies don’t sell for $100, so keep dreaming and let me know when you come back down to earth and are ready to except a reasonable offer. Unless he gets some drunken moron to buy it, he will never sell that card for what he’s asking for it. By the way, 2007 Just Minors isn’t a “true rookie” of Samardzija, but whatever helps you sleep at night. If you didn’t want to entertain a best offer, why waste both my time and yours and put it on the listing?

I find it really hard sometimes to make sense of people’s stupidity…  Why do you think sellers do this kind of thing with Best Offers?

Collector, Denver CO

Dear Collector:

The logic behind “Best Offer” has vexed me for awhile now.   I think you were more than fair with your offer based on your reason was behind it.  Did you let the seller know why you offered that price? I’m not sure it would help with this seller, but it is worth a try if you really want it. In this instance I would probably move on and try to find another card.  This seller believes their item is worth more than you are willing to pay for it.

Dear eBay Queen:

I won an auction for an Xbox with games on 13th of December.  I paid the seller on the same day with PayPal, and since that time I’ve had nothing with problems with this seller.  He says that he shipped it with USPS, and gave me a tracking number.  I checked the number, and it just shows “it’s left the sorting facility” nothing else!  I don’t think they have even sent it!

I contacted my city’s police department, and filled out the Online Fraud Form.  I have contacted PayPal and eBay, and the customer support person told me to “wait just a bit longer for the item.” I’ve read over the dispute process, but eBay tells me I need to wait at least 7 days before I open a dispute.  The guy’s phone number is in his listing, and I did call him.  He just hung up on me as soon as he heard my voice.

What should I do?  Do you think I will get this Xbox? At the time of the sale he had 405+ feedback, but I just feel like the post office should actually know where the item is, don’t you?

Xbox Buyer

Dear Xbox:

I think I can help ease your frustration with this transaction.  I would say that since you purchased this item less than a week ago, even if it wasn’t the busiest shipping time of the year you need to wait a little bit longer.  I’ve been having problems with my own tracking numbers showing up, and seeming to be hung up in the system when I check on them.  My advice is to wait until at least the 21^st.  If it hasn’t arrived by then, I would contact your post master, and if it hasn’t arrived by the 24^th, I would open a claim with PayPal.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item: 160918944255. I’d like to have a few of these lying around the house!  Pink Panther Bendable Poseable Christmas Ornament SOLD $899.99. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pink-Panther-Bendable-Poseable-Christmas-XMAS-Tree-Ornament-Dangler-/160918944255

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul, Kansas

Dear eBay Queen:

I bought an item two weeks ago. After two days I noticed that the seller hadn’t marked the item shipped, and there was not a delivery confirmation number on my purchasing history page.  I sent the seller a message asking when I would receive my item.  She emailed me back to say she had lost it, and would try to find it so she could send it to me. She then asked me if I wanted a refund.  I replied that I did not want a refund since she said that she would find it soon.

Several days went by. I sent her a message asking for details about the item and what had happened, she did not reply. I sent her another message two days later asking the same thing. She rudely replied and told me to stop emailing her about the status on the item constantly. We got into a little argument, and she offered to send me a check and I refused and told her to put the money back in my card, but she hasn’t. It’s been a week, and I have not received anything. I sent her a polite message two days ago and no reply. Should I warn her that I am going to file a claim? What should I do?

Don

Dear Don:

I can’t believe that this seller would not update you herself! She’s the one in the wrong. I’m assuming, since you said she needed to put this back on your card, that you paid with PayPal, right?  I would send her one more email and ask for the money to be refunded through PayPal.  Do not threaten with a claim, feedback or anything else.  Just be professional and kind.  If she does not send the money back within 24 hours I would then file a claim.

If you do end up filing a claim, make sure you are professional and polite on the claim. eBay reviews the claims and I would not want anyone to have any ammunition to use against you.

Dear eBay Queen:

I won an auction last Friday morning.  Within 2 hours of winning, the seller sent message stating “Please check out now or I will relist.” As a seller myself, I found this to be unprofessional and rude.  I am a brand new customer for them and giving them my business.  On Saturday morning, I received another email saying if I don’t pay for the item today, that she/he will relist”. Again, it had not even been 16 hours.

I am wondering the best way to handle this.  I paid for the items in a timely manner, about 18 hours after the auction was over.  As a seller myself, I would not want to wait for payment so I do my best to pay ASAP, and I think 18 hours after the sale ended was fast.  I am just taken aback by the rudeness of the seller’s emails – not a thank you for purchasing or reminder to pay…pretty much a pay or else….

Is it worth it to leave neutral feedback, (once I receive the item and it is as described of course) – I mean the experience was not pleasant at all.  What would appropriate feedback and DSR’s be to leave for this transaction?  I’m thinking I should hit the DSR’s hard, especially the communications DSR. The DSR’s seem more important to eBay’s computers than feedback. Do you have any suggestions?

Michelle

Dear Michelle:

Before I would leave feedback I would check out his seller terms and contact him.

• What do their terms say?  Does it say it needs to be paid for the moment you win the auction?  I agree, this guy is jumping the gun a bit. 
• Have you contacted him and asked him why he was sending these emails when 24 hours hadn’t even passed?

I probably would do that before I gave him the neutral.  Another thing I would do is contact eBay to let them know that this guy is demanding buyers pay immediately, and sending threatening emails.

I’m not sure what type of feedback I would leave.  I would probably ding his communication star for his inability to communicate.  I don’t know that I would leave a neutral or a negative feedback.  Whatever feedback you do leave I would make sure it is clear and to the point.  “Item arrived in perfect condition. Seller demanded I pay minutes after the sale or else”

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item: 160898864420. I have never been one to decorate for Thanksgiving.  I wish I was so I could have a few of these to sell!  Check out this Simpich Character Doll Thanksgiving Indian.  SOLD $527.00. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Simpich-Character-Dolls-Thanksgiving-Pilgrims-and-Indians-Indian-Boy-/160898864420

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul, Kansas.