Posts Tagged ‘how to pay for eBay items’

Dear eBay Queen:

I collect old watches and timepieces.  It seems I always run across this type of thing in the item description:

This is a really neat piece from my father’s estate. We just lost him this past July. We are selling off some of his items to raise burial expenses for him. Please bid confidently & generously, as this auction is for a GREAT cause and is really so much appreciated.

Please ask any and ALL questions prior to bidding as this is an as-is auction – All proceeds are being forwarded to the funeral home, no refunds will be possible. PLEASE see all my other auctions as we have lots and lots of items to list from his estate. Always ZERO reserve auctions!

I think this is too much.  Sorry about your Dad, lady, but really! I get so tired of seeing people mention they got this or that from grandma or found it in the house they rent.  I don’t care where they got it!  It’s completely irrelevant and unprofessional to mention these details.  I also think it’s silly to mention “estate” in a listing.  Who cares?!!!  Just makes me think they probably paid too much and their prices on eBay will be over the top.  Could you let your readers know that we don’t care about their problems and where they come from?

Philip; Joplin MO

Dear Philip;

I think the problem is less about the people you are buying from, and more about what you are buying.  I have friends that collect old watches, I contacted a couple of them and they all liked knowing where the item was from and little history about it.  In my years of selling on eBay, I have found putting the history of the item in the description helps sell the item.  I would not discourage people from doing this.

I do think a seller should be careful not to make a buyer feel guilted into buying something.  It does feel a little creepy to me that we are paying off burial expenses. It wouldn’t keep me from buying an item I wanted though.  I think it would be better if your seller would tell a little about the watch, where it came from and leave out the part how they are raising money for burial.  Perhaps a better statement would be: “All proceeds from the sale of this item go back to my father’s estate.”

Dear eBay Queen;

I sold a $760 item to a buyer in Germany. After the auction ended I received an email from the buyer stating that he didn’t have a PayPal account and could only pay with bank wire transfer. His eBay rating is 142 positives, but he has only left 80 feedbacks. None have been negatives.

There are all kinds of warning on eBay and the internet about accepting Western Union wire transfers. Do you think I should accept his wire transfer?

I remember before PayPal became the big deal it is today, many of my foreign buyers would wire money via Western Union.  I have never understood why eBay has such a low opinion of this process.  I never had any problems.   The buyer would then email the ID number for the payment, and I’d call the nearest Western Union station to confirm it was there. Then I’d go pick up the money. I had to have the ID number with me, and I think I had to show my drivers license.

What do you think eBay Queen?  Should I accept the guy’s Western Union or what?

Alan ; Topeka,KS

Dear Alan;

I would never advise a buyer to send a Western Union to someone they do not know, and especially for an eBay or other online transaction.  There is no recourse if the seller does not send your item.  You will be out the money.

I realize in this transaction, YOU are the seller. As a seller I have accepted Western Union funds from several buyers without any problems. I would imagine this would be the case with your transaction also.  I have checked around and as long as you are not accepting a fake check or money order; you should be alright.  In this particular situation, the buyer is putting his trust in you.  I know you won’t let him down.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 190435819204 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): Do you like painting? How about old paint by number sets?  Check out this one! Weird-ohs Paint by Number Watercolor set 1960’s SOLD $228.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190435819204

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.