Posts Tagged ‘eBay buyers’

Dear eBay Queen:

I sell handmade jewelry and key chains. Lately I’ve noticed all kinds of problems with eBay figuring my shipping charges for buyers. Because of this, I’ve received some less than positive feedback and I’ve really taken a hit on my shipping DSR’S. I don’t pad shipping charges to make a profit. I charge actual shipping on my packages, with a $1.00 domestic and $2.00 International handling fee to cover packing materials.

On this last set of auctions I ran, eBay quoted shipping fees which were $1 to almost $5 less than the minimum fee from the post office. Not only that, but in every case my handling fees were not charged. Many of my buyers threw a fit and refuse to pay ACTUAL shipping fees so I canceled 4 sales and refunded them. Each auction I cancelled was for a $2.00- $4.00 sale so apparently these people actually expected me to pay out of my pocket to send them a free item.

I tried to contact eBay about the problem, and all I received was a strange apology and a denial of a problem with eBay shipping quotes.

I swear, eBay just isn’t for me! I can’t seem to do anything right!

Christine

Dear Christine:

Don’t give up! I think I have a solution for you. Since you sell mostly small first class items, have you considered listing your items with a flat rate shipping price? This way your handling and shipping charges are listed upfront for the buyers to see, and you are not relying on eBay to give shipping quotes to your buyer.

I have experienced these errors in shipping on eBay also, fortunately they have only happened once or twice in my 12 years on eBay.

Dear eBay Queen:

I was in the market for some Converse All Star shoes for my kids. I found a seller with TONS of new Converse and emailed them (before bidding) to see if they would combine shipping. The seller told me yes, so I happily bid on a few of their items. The auction ended, and I promptly requested an invoice.

I received my invoice and noticed they did not offer combined shipping and told me they make up the cost of the item, with their shipping. We exchanged a few message (mostly one sided) and the seller only took $1.00 off, so I ended up paying $28.00 worth of shipping. Not wanting to have a bad mark against my eBay account, I paid the seller the next day. Today, I log on and find the seller has opened a “non paying bidder case” on the 3 items I bought from him.

I don’t understand what the problem is. I have tried to contact the seller, but the only option I have seems to be pay the seller. I wanted to see if there are more options past that so I clicked the “pay now button” and got the following error:

“These items are not available for payment. They may be already paid for, over 30 days old, or just currently unavailable.”

So I couldn’t pay this seller, even if that was my only option (which I would not do AGAIN). What are my options and were do I go from here?

George K.

Dear George:

I am really sorry this seller has such poor customer service. Since you paid for the item, and PayPal shows payment was made, follow the instructions in the notification email from eBay. The notification will be responding to the non-paying bidder claim with the reference numbers from PayPal that show your payment to the seller. Your case will close very quickly and in your favor. eBay will instruct him to ship NOW.

The reason your only option right now is to contact seller or pay the seller, and the system won’t even let you pay seller, is that you already did. It won’t let you pay twice, not easily anyway. I would suggest that you email a copy of your response to the seller. The seller most likely has just made a mistake and has lost track of your payment.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 150502145713 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): Do you call it Soda or Pop? Check out this Antique Folwers Cherry Smash Soda Fountain Dispenser. SOLD $2025.00  CHECK IT OUT HERE

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.