Tag Archives: amazon

A Little Update

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I had a few readers ask me about what kind of consulting I’ve been doing..  I’ve done eBay consulting over the years, but nothing long term.  Most of the consulting I’ve done is just getting new account holders up and running or long term sellers/companies advice on making their accounts Top Rated or maybe ideas on getting their shipping to run smoother.

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In May of 2016 I was contacted by a company and asked to help them with their 3rd party listing and managing their eBay and Amazon accounts.  I worked off and on through the summer and they called me back in to help them in October, and I’ve been working on their accounts since.  It is so much fun and exciting to see how multi-million dollar companies run their business. I basically do everything for their account except ship.  I really enjoy their product, customers and the employees that work there.

So now you know when you see “consulting” on my to do list… what I’m doing. 🙂

Amazon Fulfillment Fail

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I purchased this Brio Roller Coaster for #6.  I bought it on eBay, and it was oddly enough Fulfilled by Amazon.  You might notice the labels that were stuck on the box and that it was not shipped in a shipping box. So when it arrived at my home ANYONE could have seen it on the porch.  (If you know what I mean)

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brioroller1

Here is my eBay transaction

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Here’s the Amazon Fulfillment Services label.

I messaged the seller to let them know how Amazon shipped the item, and it was a gift. I also prefaced it that I knew it wasn’t their fault.  You’d think Amazon would know better.

Dear eBay Queen: I’ve been Suspended for 7 Days! What Can I Do?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I am completely flipping out. I woke up this weekend to a message from eBay about three different listings I have for 7 for Mankind brand jeans. I’ve been selling different brands of jeans for YEARS. I buy jeans new on clearance from stores and pre owned from garage and estate sales. This is how I support my family. I am a single mother of 3, and my ex-husband skipped out on us and after losing my corporate job of 8 years I started selling on eBay. I’ve been selling for 3 years and have 8239 positive feedback, and one negative from the first year I was selling. My DSR scores are all 5 or 4.9. I am (or was) a Top rated Seller.

The eBay email said that my selling privileges would be temporarily restricted for 7 days. They also removed the 3 pairs of jeans. They said that I was in violation of the VERO program. I’m not even sure what that means!

I read the email, and I called eBay customer care, spoke to a customer service person, and asked them to explain this violation to me. They were very kind, and told me that my jeans were deemed “counterfeit” or maybe the rights holder didn’t want me selling those jeans. I cried on the phone, and I just didn’t know what to do. The eBay CS was nice, but I didn’t think they could do anything to help me, so I asked for a manager. I spoke to the manager, who explained to me over and over that it was just 7 days. I let him know that eBay is my only source of income for my family, and what should I do? He didn’t have an answer for that.

This has been an eye opening experience for me. The jeans I have up ARE authentic. I have the receipts from Macy’s where I purchased them. They are REAL!!! What do you think I should do? Take them back to Macy’s? I work so hard on my eBay business. I can’t believe they are taking it away from me! I’ve never had another violation – and they’ve just kicked me to the curb!

I don’t know what to do. Have you had this happen? I’m afraid to do anything. I don’t know if I stop selling on eBay, how I’m going to make any money! I’ve worked so hard, and just like that it has been taken away.

Ellie

Dear Ellie:

I am sorry that happened to you. The Vero system is not kind to anyone. Most likely what has happened is your listings were reported by an individual, the company itself, OR eBay automatically pegged the listings as trademark infringement. They will normally send two notices before they suspend your account.  The good news is that you purchased these jeans at a reputable department store. I would call eBay back immediately, and let them know that you have the receipt from Macy’s for the jeans in question. Ask them how to fax that to them so that they can re-instate your account. I would also ask why they suspended you for 7 days when this was your first violation.

I have had something similar happen to me 10 year ago, for the SAME violation except it was for 3 different items where the rights holder had complained. One was a software violation, another was a motorcycle helmet, and the 3rd was a purse. I fought the violation, and won, but it took me the whole 7 days to do it – (not much of a consolation.) During my 7 day suspension I wrote up more stuff on my listing program, and started my own website.

It’s scary for me to read these kinds of stories, because we are all just a violation away from losing our job.   I have tried to diversify over the years by selling on my own website, Amazon and Etsy.

 xmaspuzzle

Strange eBay item of the week: Item #:281666570050. Christmas in July! I found this puzzle on eBay, and it sold for quite a bit! Vintage 1889 McLoughlin Bros NY Santa Claus The Night Before Christmas Puzzle SOLD: $1400.00.

Dear eBay Queen: I Need an eCommerce Store!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I feel like I should tell you that I sell mostly on Amazon, and my Amazon-based web store.  I occasionally sell a few things on eBay.  It just seems easier for me to do it this way.  After doing a bit of research, I discovered that you sell very little on Amazon, and sell more on eBay and your web store.

I recently received an email from Amazon telling me they are going to cancel their web store service that syncs my Amazon with the web store.  Amazon will discontinue its web store services July 2016.  So, I have a year and a few months to figure out what I am going to do.  I really like this because it gave me an independent website, (not dependent on Amazon), that also syncs with my inventory on Amazon

How do you sync your web site with eBay and Amazon?  What kind of platform do you use for your website?  Please point me in the right direction.

 

Richard the III

 

Dear Richard

I read about this in Internet Retailer: https://www.internetretailer.com/2015/03/18/amazon-shutter-its-webstore-e-commerce-platform-service   There are several options out there for you to investigate to see which will be the best for your business. Most of these platforms will integrate a web store with Amazon and eBay, but there is a large learning curve to using them.

  • Brand Shop
  • Big Commerce
  • Ecwid
  • Shopify
  • Woo Commerce
  • Volusion
  • 1and1.com

The other option you have is using a service that does all the set up for you and will teach you the basics of running a store.  The drawback to these, is that they can be quite pricy.

  • Channel Advisor
  • Kyozu
  • Vendio

I do sell mostly on eBay and my website, mostly because of ease of listing.  I am hoping to start listing more on Amazon soon.  I use Woo Commerce on my website, and really like it.  Many of the items I sell do not have UPCs, which makes it hard to sell on Amazon. My Woo Commerce platform does sync with Amazon and eBay.

Here’s an article (from webretailer) that I found helpful when trying to find the right platform. http://www.webretailer.com/lean-commerce/ebay-sellers-webstore/

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I just won 8 auctions from the same eBay seller.  I made best offers on their items, and as soon as they countered or accepted, I paid for the items.  I received a message asking me if I am a re-seller. Why is this anyone’s business?  What happened to me just buying an item without any questions?

I’m kind of a reseller.  I buy new with tags high end luxury clothing and put it in my re-sell brick and mortar shop.  I’m not sure how to answer this.  She says that she ships in 1 day, but it’s been 3, (I haven’t answered her question,) and she hasn’t shipped yet.   There is nothing in the listing that states they do not sell to re-sellers.  Why do you think she asked that question? How do you think I should respond?  I’m a bit concerned if I tell the truth, that she will not send me the authentic Black Label Ralph Lauren jeans, plus the other Ralph Lauren stuff I purchased. Do you have a re-seller rule?

Re Sell Jane

 

Dear Jane:

I don't care who's buying my stuff or why, as long as they pay what I am asking for the product. Why would I care what a person is going to do with an item after I sell it?

I’ve been thinking about what her reasoning could be for asking such a question. She could be just curious, or she might have more and wants to see if you’d like to buy it.  I would probably respond with the truth.  If she doesn’t ship or sell to you she will be considered a “non selling seller” and could get in trouble with eBay. 

grandmaquilt

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item#111624499588. Grandmother’s Flower Garden is one of my favorite quilt patterns, and this one has beautiful Spring colors! Vintage Quilt Grandmother’s Garden Easter Spring Pastels SOLD: $135.00.