Posts Tagged ‘Top Rated Seller’

Dear eBay Queen:

I’m shocked I haven’t seen a single article about the Spring 2012 eBay Seller Update. Since no one has said anything, I’ll throw my two cents in.  I am very angry with these impossible new policies. Most national retailers (Wal-mart, Target, Macy’s, etc) don’t even offer what this new policy is requiring of us. Why?  Because it’s near impossible and so costly to the seller. Nothing about this new policy is makes sense to me.

• 1 day handling
• 14 day money back return.  Who does that?

If I ordered something from a national retailer and needed 1 day handling, I would have to pay for it.  It takes a lot of cash for 1 day handling!  Here on eBay, there’s no charge for this service!  What’s with this 14 day refund policy?, In my opinion, it is begging to be abused in every way, shape and form.  A disreputable buyer can use the NEW make-up or clothing I sell and then say it was not as described and return it all on my dime! Since I don’t have eBay representative sitting by my side, they certainly can’t make a determination if my listing was appropriate; thus, they’ll put a little check by the buyer’s name to watch them for further abuse (I assume). Meanwhile, I’ve lost not only money, but quite possibly a perfectly good item. Clothing or anything else, the principle is the same. Can you see what kind of problems this will create?  Why is eBay forcing us to pay for return shipping?  I SO dislike the new policy on automated returns.

It is my opinion eBay is imposing the latest policies to make it as near impossible to gain any reduction in our fees. (I can’t be a Top Rated Seller if I don’t have a 14 day return policy and offer 1 day handling.) Clearly greed has once again reared its ugly head. I am so very curious as to who thought this was a good idea.

For once, I would love for eBay to take the side of the sellers.  Who are the reason they make so much money to begin with. Sellers can’t leave negative feedback, yet we are subjected to it, along with the very unfair DSR ratings. I’m so sick of getting the short end of the stick and working my butt off for a company that clearly doesn’t care for the sellers.

eBay can have my 20% Top Rated Seller discount and choke on it! Next thing I expect is some equally ridiculous PayPal policy so that that can suck what little life is left in us. Wait, what am I thinking? That happened a couple of years ago when buyers were forced to pay electronically and sellers were prohibited from accepting money orders or cash, insuring eBay/PayPal would get yet another chunk of our measly change.

What a crooked operation! Too bad I depend on the scraps I get from them.  I would be interested in how you are changing your business because of the 2012 Spring Seller Update.

Annoyed

Dear Annoyed:

I haven’t had too many complaints about the Spring Seller Update: http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/SpringUpdate2012.html I have had a couple of emails about it, that I didn’t answer here, but did answer through email.  Most were upset about the same thing you are upset about: The 1 day handling time and the new return policy.

I completely understand why you are upset about the new Top Rated Seller requirements. The 1 day handling time might be considered impossible for most people, and I am in agreement with you; if a large retailer was required to do that it would cost the buyer more money. I believe eBay is doing this to get away from their image of being a place where unscrupulous people sell their items and rip the buyers off.

I want to clarify one thing with the new “Automated Returns”. This is optional, and not mandatory for you to accept the new automated process.  I think it might be a good program for some, but for me it does not fit in my business plan.  If eBay made it mandatory for me to have automated returns I would not be happy. http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/returns.html

Unlike most seller updates this one didn’t have to big of an effect on the way I do business.  I already had a 1 day handling time, in hopes that my handling time DSR would go up. The one thing that did take me by surprise was the 14 day return policy. We had a 3 day return policy.. now we have a 14 day return policy.  I was a little worried about this. Usually if there is something wrong, someone will notify me within 24 hours of receiving it.  I’m a little concerned with the new policy I might have some issues.  So far I have not.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item: 170836948017  You know you live in a big school district when tickets to your graduation are sold on eBay.  Check out this auction for 12 Windsor High School Graduation Seats SOLD $1000.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item27c6acf431&item=170836948017

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

Dear eBay Queen:

I bought a cell phone for my boyfriend's birthday from someone on eBay in early December. His birthday wasn't until a week before Christmas, so he didn't open the gift until then. After opening the phone, we discovered the place where you plug in the charger was loose, and rattling around
inside the phone.

This is a high volume PowerSeller and Top Rated one as well! I called eBay about this and they only referred me to www.ic3.gov to file a complaint with law enforcement. I wrote the seller again saying I thought it was a bit extreme to report her to law enforcement. Would she just a least please respond? I even told her I sell on eBay too, and know how hectic it can get, could she just communicate with me? If not sending a phone, then a refund? No response at all!

Vivian

Dear Vivian:

This is horrible!  In this situation I would do a couple of things:

·         Contact eBay via phone.  http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ContactCS  select the subject you are calling about, and they will give you a phone number to contact.

·         Did you pay via credit card?  Contact your credit card company and file a complaint.

·         Contact PayPal by phone, 888-215-5506 it may not be too late to file a complaint with them.

·         Leave appropriate feedback.

·         Contact the sheriff department in the city the seller lives in.  They will make a visit to their business and at least shake them up a bit.

I’m really sorry this happened to you.  I hope that one of these things will help get your money back.

Dear eBay Queen:

I really messed up this time! Somehow the free shipping box got checked.  I have no idea how that happened. The item had 12 people watching and only one person bid at the last second.  The item sold for 9.99. The buyer lives in Washington and I am in Wisconsin.

My sales on eBay have totally STUNK and now this! I have sold since 1999 and have never had such bad sales. This year is the pits. I am almost ready to quit for good.

Free, Overland Park, KS

Dear Free:

I’ve been there before, quite a few times.  In a situation like this, the best thing to do is to eat the fees and the shipping, and send the item to the buyer.  I know it will sting a lot, but it is the right thing to do.  You entered into a contract with your buyer, and it is your responsibility to honor it. 

I would contact eBay and let them know that you never checked the Free Shipping Box.  Maybe there was a glitch and they will help you out.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 300506821324 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): It’s not every day you see a religious icon in mosaic on a toilet seat.  Check out Crackhead Mary mosaic toilet seat SOLD $152.50     http://cgi.ebay.com/CRACKHEAD-MARY-mosaic-toilet-seat-/300506821324

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 really frustrated and upset.  I am a Top Rated Seller, and I am in danger of losing my much enjoyed Top Rated Seller status.  I am beside myself and can’t seem to stop crying, I feel so depressed.  I was notified yesterday that my eBay account is in jeopardy because of the new dispute policy.  I know I should have read up on this policy, but I hardly ever have a dispute, so I really didn’t think it would affect me. 

I have a customer that opened a dispute on an item that he did not pay for and I was charged with an open case. eBay customer support clearly advised me that there are zero disputes that will be removed. This customer clicked on 3 purchases and only wanted one. He opened item not received dispute and he never even paid us for the item!  eBay refused to remove it causing us to fall into a percentage of over .50 % We had another case opened where we offered to refund the customer to be nice, even though we state in our listings that there are no refunds. The customer sent it back and opened a dispute because the item got lost in the postal system, and took longer then expected to be returned to us. We finally did receive it and processed the refund.  We did nothing wrong and went above and beyond to make the customer happy, yet eBay customer support has offered me no help.  I don’t think they care that I am losing my Top Rated Seller badge.  I don’t know how I will get sales if I don’t have it!  Please tell me you have a solution to help me.  My eBay business is helping to support my family.  I don’t know what to do if I can’t sell anymore.

Embarrassed & Desperate.

Dear Embarrassed:

I completely understand your frustration.  I also lost sleep about not being a Top Rated Seller, matter of fact I’ve never been a TRS.  Am I embarrassed about it? A little bit, because really- if the eBay Queen isn’t a Top Rated Seller, what is she?  I have learned I can still sell my items on eBay without the TRS badge.  I believe that the Top Rated Seller program has a place on eBay, but I don’t think most buyers understand it, or give it much thought.

Did you file a dispute against the buyer that did not pay?  Have you contacted eBay on the phone or just through email?  If you have not done these things, I would do them now.  I don’t think you’ll have much recourse on the buyer that wanted a refund.  If eBay phone support doesn’t help you, I would consider contacting griff@eBay.com , he always seems to help me when I am in a tight situation.

I know first hand that your eBay business can be tied to your self esteem. The last few years and eBay changes have been VERY hard on mine.  Please know that you can still sell on eBay and you don’t have to be a Top Rated Seller, PowerSeller or even an experienced seller.  If you put the product up there that people want, they will buy it.

Dear eBay Queen:

I had a buyer leave me a positive feedback but it was a negative statement. That one negative statement has made other buyers do the same thing.

Here’s a sample of the last three feedback I received. 

·         No packaging was used to send this. It’s Christmas time! Please use BOX

·         Christmas present arrived with the exposed item & a shipping label attached

·         Item as described, only thing is it shipped only in the clear packaging.

What should I do? I’ve never had anyone complain before!

SW Woods

Dear SW:

In a situation like this, there isn’t much you can do.  The buyers all left positive feedback for you.  In my opinion their complaint is valid, unless you said in your listing you do not use packaging. 

I’m not sure what you sell, but I would consider letting your buyers know upfront that you do not use packaging when shipping your items.  As someone who buys many of my family’s Christmas and birthday presents online, I wouldn’t be very happy if one of my kids happened to pick up the mail with their present exposed.  I would say these buyers were pretty gentle to your feedback, it could have been a lot worse.

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): It’s almost time for a New Years Eve Dress!  Check out this vintage 1950’s Cocktail Party Dress Polka Dot SOLD $305.00     http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1950s-Cocktail-Party-Dress-PolkaDot-Bow-MINT-/250737194161

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