Tag Archives: Dear eBay Queen

Dear eBay Queen: Where Can I Find Inventory During a Pandemic?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’m freaking out.  I don’t know what to do.  I need more inventory to list on eBay.  I know I will never be able to list the 50K listing eBay has given us this April, but I’d like to make a dent.  I also really miss hunting for product.  Do you have any suggestions for me?

Geri G

 

Dear Geri:

The 5oK listing was a fantastic gift from eBay.  I won’t ever hit that either, but I’m trying.   I’m sure you’ve heard of the term arbitrage.  That is  the practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two or more markets.  eBay arbitrage would be buying items at lower than usual prices and then selling them for a profit.  A successful arbitrager is one that knows the worth of the product.  There are so many places to buy online and then turn around and re-sell them on eBay.    I’m not sure what you normally sell or what product you know best.  I know that you can find something online in these places.

 

Here are a few suggestions:

  1. eBay.  15 years ago I was really into quilts.  I would surf eBay for quilts that were at a low price or had bad/limited photos.  I made a pretty good living buying and selling quilts.  Maybe there is something you know about you can could look for to re-sell.
  2. Amazon.  There are so many videos and websites that talk about buying items on Amazon and re-selling them on eBay
  3. Department stores  There are  many department stores that are taking deep discounts on their product.  Shop for items you can re-sell
  4. Facebook Marketplace  Someone is always giving away or selling something on Facebook.
  5. Goodwill Did you know that Goodwill runs it’s own website/auction where you can buy product?
  6. Neighbors Message your neighbors.  Maybe they have something they can set out for you to come get.
  7. You What do you have in your house you could sell?  Do you have old clothes?  What about any death piles (the stuff you’ve put off listing?)

I hope this gives you a few ideas of how to find inventory to help meet your listing goals.

Crazy eBay Item of the Week: Vtg Amish Quilt Diamond In A Square Fabulous Jewel Tones Hand Sewn Lancaster PA  SOLD $510.00 Check it out HERE

Dear eBay Queen: I’m Done. How Do I Sell Off Everything?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve decided I am done.  I am going to sell off all my product and get out of the business of eBay. This is how I supported myself and my family.  I’m really ticked about the policy changes and all of the negativity that is happening around Good til Cancelled (GTC)   It seems that all I get out of eBay these days are non paying buyers, low-ball offers and stupid returns.  I have a store, and I’ve done nothing but lose money.

I think maybe the best thing for me is to sell everything off and get a real job. Is there anyone that will buy EVERYTHING I have in inventory?  I am on probably 10 Facebook groups and I read the eBay boards.  It doesn’t seem like anyone is doing well on eBay these days.

 

LCC: Denver

 

Dear LCC:

Here are a couple of thoughts I have when it comes to selling off your inventory.

  1. Local auction house.  Depending on how much product you have, you will either take it to them, or they can come and get it.  I would google  “auctions near me” or “local auction houses”.  Most auctioneers will charge you 25% to 40% to sell your items off.
  2. Online auction house.  Here in Kansas we have a couple of people that will sell your product in lots to their online community.
  3. Facebook Group. Maybe one of your Facebook groups will purchase your inventory from you.
  4. Estate Sale. I’m not sure how much stuff you have, but you could contact an estate sale company to see if they would sell your items in their location OR at your home.

What is your inventory like?  Is is product that you would want to buy?  Have you done your research to see if the product you have is priced right and that it is good sellable inventory?

If you have good sellable inventory priced correctly, instead of selling everything off, you should try this:

  1. List one new item or update one listing EVERYDAY.  You should see a change in your sales within a week.
  2. Offer 30 Day free returns.  If you have some heavier items, just offer returns on those.  I was super resistant to have 30 day free returns.  I found out by offering them it changed how buyers open returns and when someone wants to low ball me on a offer,   I simply state: “Since this item has free shipping, and free returns + it is already deeply discounted this is as low as I can go”  That usually turns the offer into a sale.
  3. Free Shipping.  We all know that shipping isn’t free, you have to add it in the price.
  4. Offer 1 day handling time.  Sometimes this really kicks me in the behind, but we know how important it is, so we make the changes in our lives/schedules to meet those goals.
  5. Don’t spend so much time on Facebook/eBay boards.  Depending on the board it can really affect your opinion about yourself and the work you are doing.
  6. Run promotions or use mark down manager.  I am always running a mark down manager sale on a store category, and it changes from  week to week.

Don’t buy into it’s all eBay’s fault.  This is YOUR business.  You are responsible for your inventory, you are responsible for keeping it moving.  eBay is the tool that does that.  I would hate to see you walk away from this business you’ve built.  Remember every good business has ups and downs.  A successful person adapts and changes with the business.

 

 

Dear eBay Queen: Help! I’ve Been Blocked!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I love to buy items from a certain seller.  I had a small problem with them a few weeks ago, and I just found out when I tried to buy some more items from them that they blocked me.  I don’t know what to do!  I’ve messaged them, and I have not heard back from them.  It’s only been a couple of hours, but I’m worried.

Here are the last two transactions I had with this seller.  I placed a rather large order for 4 different dresses in 4 different sizes.  I wanted to try each size on to see which one fit the best.  As it turns out the medium in one dress fit well and the Large in the other 3 fit well.  I opened a return request for the 12 items, and they accepted the return and I received my money back.

The second transaction was similar, but involved returns on some scarves and a jacket.  I purchase 4 scarves returned 2 and purchased 3 jackets and returned 2.  They accepted my return and I received the money back.

Never have I been rude or mean.  Do you think it’s because of the returns?  They offer free returns doesn’t that mean that it’s ok to return things?

When they message back, I will do anything so that I can buy from their unique eBay store.

 

Melanie R

 

Dear Melanie:

I think it probably has to do with the returns.

You purchased a total of 16 dresses.  You returned 12.  Purchased 4 scarves returned 2 and 3 jackets returned 2.  That’s a total of 16 Return requests opened for you.  When you opened that return request was your reason for return that they didn’t fit? or That you didn’t like the item?  OR was it because the items were not as described?

Since they have free returns, they had to pay return shipping on 16 items.  If the shipping was 5.65 per item that is 90.40 in return shipping fees they paid to have your items returned.

If you opened any of those returns for a reason other than “it didn’t fit” or “changed mind”  The seller received an invisible to you strike because your returns were due to the fault of the seller.  If you did that, not only did they pay almost 100.00 in return shipping, BUT they also could have their eBay metrics skewed by your returns.  When a seller receives high “faulty” returns they are charged more by eBay in their final value fees.

I don’t know how to make the seller accept sales from you.  I would be honest and let them know that you did not realize by opening that many requests could hurt their eBay account and bank account.  I might tell them if they let you buy again that you will not open return requests like that, you’ll go through them personally and send the items back in one box.

 

Dear eBay Queen: My Buyer Doesn’t Know the Difference between a Womens & Juniors Size.

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Dear eBay Queen:

I listed a Janzen Swimsuit as a women’s size 10, because the tag said size 10.  It didn’t say “women’s,” but it was a female or women’s swimsuit. I received this message from the buyer:

“I received the swimsuit, however it is not a women’s size 10.  This is a junior’s size 10.  I have not tried it on, and the tags are still attached. I would like to return it.”

I responded:

“I realize that I have no returns listed, but I would be happy to accept a return.  I will not pay return shipping though; since it is being returned for size reasons.  If you’d like to open up a return request I would be happy to approve it.  I’m sorry it did not fit.”

The buyer messaged me back:

“Your customer service is subpar. You should try to be like a real company and pay my shipping.”

She opened a return for the item not being as described, and I went ahead and approved it because I didn’t have any other choice.  She sent the swimsuit back, and I refunded her money.  Today she left a negative, and I called eBay. eBay reversed the claim and closed it in my favor. The eBay rep said that “a size 10 is a women’s size, and it t would have to be a 9 or 11 to be a junior.”  Is there any way I can get the negative removed?

Jamie

Dear Jamie:

I would give it 24 hours and the negative should drop off.  If for some reason it doesn’t, I would call eBay and ask them when it will be removed.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I have always had great sellers up until now.  I purchased an item on eBay this week, and for whatever reason the shipping icon is showing, but the tracking number is not there.  I’ve checked every day, but no change. I messaged the seller 2 times; I still have not gotten any tracking. I messaged them again, and I asked very nicely for the tracking info.

She responded.  “I shipped it though PayPal. If you want the tracking number you can look it up there.”

I being unreasonable or is she just rude? I though updating the tracking was just standard practice? And yes I found the info (it took me about as much time to find it as it did for her to send that snarky reply). Now if I knew the info was there or had received a notification I never would have bothered her.

I know in some instances PayPal doesn’t update eBay with the tracking info, but do you as a seller normally update it yourself? I always double check to make sure the tracking is showing for the buyer. Am I missing something?  Do you think my feedback should reflect her attitude problem?

  1. Benedict

 

Dear D.

It’s a really bad practice for a seller these days to not put a tracking number in, let alone be so rude.  A seller can never hope to be Top Rated or even be Above Standard if they do not follow the basic rules of shipping items.

You can leave whatever feedback you feel is appropriate.  If it were me I would review the feedback she as received as a seller and then make my decision.  If the item arrives in good condition and on time, I would probably leave a positive with the following feedback:  “Item arrived on time in good condition Seller rude when I asked a question”

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