Archive for the ‘unhappy buyer’ Category

Dear eBay Queen:

Two weeks ago I received an email from eBay accusing me of using another account to bid on my own auction. I forget the actual term they used for this process. My issue is, I didn't do it so how do I prove that to eBay? Granted it was just a warning, but if I can be falsely accused once, why not again and then possibly have my account suspended?

Do you have any ideas or suggestions for me?

David

Dear David:

eBay has lots of ways to figure out if someone is shill bidding, or bidding on their own auctions.  If you truly didn’t bid on your own auction, could any of your family members have bid using your ID?  Have any of your friends or family logged onto their eBay accounts from your home or computer?  If so, this could be a way they have linked your account to someone else.  Using a public computer could be the answer.  I don’t know all of the ways that eBay has to track shill bidding; I do know that they do have some pretty sophisticated ways to check up on people.

Since you just received a warning, I would probably just let it go.

Dear eBay Queen:

I have found a super good drop shipper who has a large variety of good products to sell, and the items are priced reasonably. Doing some research, I found that they sell the items a little cheaper then I can because of their listing fee breaks, etc.

Thank you.

Drop Shipper

Dear Drop Shipper:

This is a good question. I am not crazy about drop shipping, mostly because I feel I am putting my business in the hands of someone else.  In this day and age of eBay shipping, time is VERY important. Drop shippers ship on their time, not yours.

I really think most of these sellers are not drop shipping, but buying their items wholesale, in large quantities.   When you buy your merchandise in bulk, most wholesalers will give you a huge discount.

Here are some ways I believe you can be above the competition no matter what the price of your item is:

·         Keywords are important. Make sure you use descriptive words in your title and descriptions.

·         Market to your past customers.  Don't underestimate the power of this. Get a list of customers-sell to them.

·         Avoid highly competitive products. Do your product research-remembering to focus on "small niches" & hard-to-find things to sell on eBay.

·         Make your auctions look professional; don’t overload them with unnecessary information and rules.

·         Always mention that you ship instantly within 24 hours. This will give you an edge over most sellers.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 230572362929 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): Are MLK items still collectible? Check out Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968 Felt Banner Pennant from 1960’s SOLD $100.00     http://cgi.ebay.com/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-1929-1968-Felt-Banner-Pennant-60s-/230572362929

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com

Dear eBay Queen:

I am a new seller on eBay. I have not sold anything; seriously my feedback is -0-.  I’ve been reading your articles for years, and thought this year I could sell a few things.  I am truly a bargain shopper, and I have several things I have purchased at deep discounts to sell on eBay.  When should I start listing my holiday items? I have perfume sets, brand new jeans and couple of fabulous new designer winter coats.  When should I start selling?  Do you have any tips for me?

Mrs. Chaps

Dear Mrs. Chaps:

You should list your items now.  Don’t let any more dust gather on your them! Here are some things to think about when listing your first things to sell on eBay.

·         Take several photos from different angles of the item.

·         Write good descriptions, including the measurements.

·         Let the buyer know in your description when you will ship the item.

I would also let your buyers know in the auction ad that you are a new seller, but you understand the importance of wrapping and sending the items out safely and in a timely fashion.  Congratulations on taking the first step to sell on eBay!

Dear eBay Queen:

I have sold and bought on eBay since 2008. I have 100% feedback and I am a Top Rated Seller.  I thought it would be a good idea to open an eBay store. Boy, I was wrong! Since opening the store, I’ve had nothing, but trouble. My listings have been removed; I get hateful emails from other people stating my items are fake or counterfeit when in fact they are originals.

I listed a Coach bag that I purchased at Nordstrom’s in Overland Park, Kansas. It was well kept and I thought since I didn't use it anymore that I would sell it. It was bid up to $375.00, and it had only three more days to go before the auction was over.  Someone turned me in, eBay gave me a trademark violation and my listing was pulled.  I really feel like it was an attack from someone out there who’s jealous that I was doing so well. Now I'm scared to list any of my older designer handbags because I think the same person is going to report it again.  My handbags are real, they are just slightly used. What can I do? Do I just cancel the eBay store? Get a different name and sell items individually? Maybe someone won't attack me if it's not a store or just forget the whole thing and try to get a website up on my own? Please help!! Any advice would be so appreciated!

One more question: Am I allowed to have a listing on eBay and have a link to a website of my own or is that against there policy? I don't know what else to do and I wanted to run a small business to help out my family.

Designer Bagger, Paola KS

Dear Designer:

I am not sure that the influx of problems you are having, have anything to do with opening a store.  I would say you’ve probably been attacked by another person selling those types of purses on eBay.  Selling designer handbags on eBay is a big business, and the competition is steep.  In this situation I would try to find the receipts for the handbags you are going to sell, and take a photo of those to include in the listing.  If you don’t feel comfortable putting the receipts in the listing you could mention you have them which could potentially ward off any attacks. 

If you can find your credit card statement or receipt for the purse that was removed for a trademark violation, you can fax that into eBay and they will remove your violation and allow you to sell the purse.   

You certainly could open your own web store.  The biggest problem with having your own site, (besides the design of it,) is driving traffic to it.  eBay already has the traffic.  Some other options for selling your bags could be Craiglist or BooCoo auctions.   When it comes to eBay the only way you can promote your online store on eBay is when you do it on your “about me” page.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 220700684710 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): Have you shot your big deer yet?  Check out these Whitetail deer shed antlers SOLD $1,600.00     http://cgi.ebay.com/huge-240-whitetail-deer-shed-antlers-taxidermy-horns-/220700684710

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com

Dear eBay Queen:

I woke up this morning to find that my account was suspended. The email I received said I was linked to a suspended user. I don’t even know what they are talking about!  When eBay suspended me, they ask that I fax all of this information in to verify my identity.  I have done that, but I have not received any other response from them.  I contacted them through eBay’s Help page and was told it was beyond their scope to help me with this problem.  They directed me to a link – I responded to that and get more automated responses. It's been 2 weeks with no word from eBay and no income.

I have sold over 125 items every month for the last two and a half years.  I sell handmade baby items. If you have any ideas on how to deal with this, I would love to know what to do. I don't live anywhere near San Jose so I can't go to their offices. I have started listing on Amazon.com, but it takes a while to build up a reputation and mine on eBay was excellent. I would really like to resume selling on eBay. Where should I go from here?

Sandy, Gardner, KS

Dear Sandy:

I am so sorry. I completely understand how frustrating this is.  In a situation like this, I would re-fax your information in and contact Jim Griffith (griff@eBay.com ).  He has always helped me out when I haven’t received the information I needed from eBay.

While you are waiting to have your eBay account re-instated, I would start listing items on Etsy.  Etsy is a great site for handmade items.  Since you are selling quite a bit of items on eBay, I would also consider creating a Website to sell your items on.  I hope this situation gets sorted out soon!

Dear eBay Queen:

I have come across what I feel is a really great opportunity.  This guy I know owns a salvage business, and has several large commercial and residential A/C units he would like to sell, among other things.  I’ve known him for a couple of years.  He and his wife opened up a Japanese restaurant I frequent here in town.  He’s a super-nice guy and he’s made me a really great offer when it comes to selling his stuff.  He wants to sell them on eBay, just to get them out of the way and wanted to split all profits (above his costs) with me fifty-fifty.  I have no problem selling something to professionals in the HVAC industry who are likely to know the meaning of "as is" in dealing with such purchases.

Here’s the problem:  He suggested I do it under my profile. Not because he wouldn’t be willing to have one, but because he really doesn’t want to fool with it he’s got his hands full with his busy restaurant.  For the profit margin, I’m more than willing to accept that I will make a handsome profit. That goes a long way in selling large items.  However, the cons are just as obvious.  Is it worth it to me to use my rating to make a sale that may or may not go wrong?  It’s worked well in the past, I’ve sold various items for friends (and did pretty well doing it, too).  I’m considering posting under my husband’s profile, an account he never uses.  Should I reference my own profile, or would this look amateur-ish?  It seems to me that going from the occasional baby outfit to $22,000 used HVAC units would be too much of a leap for some folks to grasp. Do you have any advice for me?

Hot N Cold, Topeka KS

Dear Cold:

Congratulations on finding a good consignor!  In a situation like this, I would make sure I had a consignment contract.  I found several by searching the Internet for “eBay consignment contract”.  I would also use my own eBay selling ID.  There could be a problem with any item you sell.  I would just make sure you let the buyer know upfront what the condition of the items are, and take LOTS of photos.  

Have you thought about shipping?  To alleviate headaches, I would say these are pick-up only or that the buyer is responsible for shipping.   I hope these turn out to be home runs for you and your consignor!

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 330496599332 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): It’s cold and you need a coat! Check out this Vintage Hercules Horsehide Leather Car Coat SOLD $861.00    http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Hercules-Horsehide-Leather-Car-Coat-Jacket-/330496599332  

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com