Tag Archives: Dear eBay Queen

Dear eBay Queen: I Gave a Good Seller a Defect! Help!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I am a buyer, and I thought a pretty good one at that. I’ve never left negative feedback, and I really have never had any problems with any of the items I purchased until now.

I bought a new case for my phone, and when it arrived it did not fit my phone. I tried to contact the seller, but it gave me a list of options, and since it didn’t fit, I wanted to return it. I opened what I believe is called a return request. The seller while being very nice, I can tell she is miffed at me. She told me in a message that I could send it back, BUT that I have hurt her eBay account. After much back and forth as it turns out I selected DEFECTIVE and I should have selected did not fit. It truly is my fault because I did not order the right size model for my phone. What should I do?

Eating Humble Pie

Dear Humble:

I think if I were you I would message the seller and apologize. Let them know this is the first time you’ve returned something and you were confused by the options. Let her know that you will make it right by calling eBay and telling them what you did. I don’t know that eBay can correct the situation right then, but I know they can do it after the return is done.

To contact eBay go to the top of any eBay page and click on “Help and Contact” then go to the bottom of the page and click on the blue “contact us” button. You will be taken to another page where you click on “buying”, “after the purchase” and then “leaving/receiving feedback.” Then a “CALL” option will appear. Tell the representative everything you told me. Then let the seller know what you did, and return your item.

eBay returns system isn’t perfect, and it really can be confusing for someone that has never used it before.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I’m a little frustrated. I accepted and offer on an item that I really just wanted gone. I should have known by looking at this chick’s PRIVATE feedback that there was a problem. She has left me SHIPPING instructions on how to ship her Starbucks mug. Here’s what she wrote:

“READ***READ***SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS*** 1. You must PRINT all the letters of my street address. It cannot say APT it must say APARTMENT. This means you are going to need to HAND print the label and take it into the post office. If you print the label online, you’ll get the abbreviation for apartment. 2. Since the Starbucks Mug comes in its original retail packaging, wrap all of that in bubble wrap 2 times. 3. Place bubble wrapped mug and packaging inside a #4 Priority Mail box with packing peanuts all around the item. 4. Place the #4 inside a Priority Mail #7 box with packing peanuts all around the #4 shipping box. Make sure both boxes are safe and secure with no rattling. 5. Seal the box and place the handmade label on the package. 6. Take the package to the post office and purchase postage and add a delivery confirmation. Any deviation from this can and will result in negative feedback.”

I woke up the next day with the following message: “I sent you a message last night attached to the PayPal payment. You have not replied. Please advise why you are not handling my issue promptly.”

What should I do about this? Your prompt help handling my issue is appreciated. 🙂

Stella A.

Dear Stella:

The first thing that strikes me about this, (other than she has lost her mind) is that the buyer is asking you to send an item to an address that is not authorized with eBay. DO NOT change the address. I would respond to her and let her know that you can’t change her address, but she can go into eBay and spell out APARTMENT on her address form, so that it will print that way on ALL sellers labels. I would tell her that by you changing the label you will be breaking eBay’s policy for you as a seller.

Your other option would be to offer to cancel the transaction because there is something wrong with her posted eBay address.

I would then immediately call eBay, ask them how to handle this, and ask them if you hand write the label if you will be protected under the selling policy. I would also point out that this buyer had threatened feedback extortion.

 halloween2015high3

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #: 310781360852. Halloween will be here soon. A search on eBay for “Halloween Costumes” yields some pretty interesting results. Basset Hound Dog Mascot Costume Suit Halloween Animals New and Ready to Ship SOLD: $750.00.

Dear eBay Queen: Should I Buy My Way Out of a Negative Feedback?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve talked to my husband about this and my neighbor. They both said I should ask your opinion. My neighbor said it’s just a newbie mistake, my husband says I’m giving stuff away and being passive with people I should not be passive with. I’m not sure if it’s a newbie mistake when I’ve been selling for 4 years!

My brother purchased a house and 100 acres in Nebraska 5 years ago. The house and 2 barns were FULL. Once a month he brings me stuff from his barns/house and to sell on eBay. We split the profit and he pays the listing fees. Some of this product he brings me is old store stock from a general store that the previous owner of the property had.

I had listed a Bakelite necklace, earring and bracelet set. I tested it to make sure it was Bakelite before I sent it, and packaged it in bubble wrap and double packaged it when I sent it. The buyer contacted me with this message:

Hello, thank you for sending the jewelry set so quickly. I don’t think this is new, and I’m not really happy with it. This looks like something my grandmother wore in the 1950’s, not the cute necklace set I thought I was buying from this century!

I paid $145.00 for the set, and I think I should receive half of it back. Perhaps if you used Buy It Now I would not have to negotiate with you for the price of the item afterwads. You know if you give me good customer service I will buy more from you.

I messaged the buyer back, and told her to send them back and I’d refund her money. She responded, and told me “it was not worth it” and if I didn’t refund in full and allow her to keep them, she’d give negative feedback. I was going to refund the buyer’s money, because I don’t want a negative, and just let my brother know what happened. I talked to my brother and he told me to NOT refund the money. So I am coming to you for help.

The buyer sent me another message today.

“Well, 5 hours have gone by, and I have not heard from you. What are you going to do? My negative feedback is not going to be nice. You will never be able to sell that crap you call inventory if you don’t give me what I want. I better receive a refund before tomorrow, or your 100% positive feedback rating will no longer be 100%.

So should I just give them their money back and save my account the negative?

 

  1. Jenkins

 

Dear M. Jenkins:

I’ve been in similar situations, and I think I would message your buyer and tell her that based upon eBay’s new rules for sellers, you can’t give a refund without her opening a request. Give her these instructions:

  • To start a return, find the item in the Purchase history section of My eBay. …
  • Select the reason for the return. …

Let her know that once that is done, you can proceed.

Once you message her, contact eBay. I’m pretty sure that eBay will side with you and this is why:

  • The item was never described as new, but as vintage in excellent, used condition.
  • By her own admission, it looks like something from the era it is from.
  • The buyer refuses to return the item.
  • The buyer wants to KEEP the item and receive half of the money back.
  • The buyer threatened negative feedback if you do not give her what she wants.

Make sure that you do not say in your message you will give her the item or a refund. Just wait for the case to be opened by the buyer.

I hope that you get a fantastic understanding eBay CS representative that handles this swiftly. I don’t think it would hurt to report this buyer either.

 ebaybakelite

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #121684686777. Bakelite jewelry is highly collectible. If you are ever lucky enough to come across a bakelite “gumdrop” bangle, you might be able to sell it for quite a bit on eBay! Rare Red and Cream Vintage Bakelite Bow-Tie Gumdrop Bangle Bracelet Late 1950’s SOLD: $3000.00.

 

Dear eBay Queen: Listing Restrictions are Ruining My Life!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I am so frustrated! I’ve been selling for a year now and I still am only able to list 200 things a month. WHY is eBay doing this to me? What can I do to get it increased? Why do they have these listing restrictions? My mother said I could use her account, because she does not have any restrictions. I don’t think that is right. I want to build this business on my own, but how can I do it if I can only list 200 items a month?

Here are some of my stats:

  • Feedback is 100%
  • Sell through rate 62%
  • Handling time 1 day
  • I’m a Top Rated Seller
  • Stars are 4.9, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0
  • I offer free shipping

What can I do? Any advice would be appreciated. I have a ton of stuff here to sell, and I just want to list it!

HRG

Dear HRG:

I am so fortunate that I was grandfathered into these restrictions that were put on new sellers in the last few years. I have several friends that are, and I completely understand your frustration. Your numbers look good. I would suggest you call eBay and ask to have your restrictions either removed or asked to have your listings up’d. I’ve heard that you can only do this once a year, but I know of others that have done it a couple of times a year.

I probably would not use my mom’s account, unless I was selling HER items for her. I hope eBay removes these listing restrictions.

Dear eBay Queen:

I am selling a Ralph Lauren women’s suit. The suit is brand new with tags. It is a very pretty blue. I took your advice from a long time ago and included 3 primary color crayons in one of the photos next to the fabric to show the color. I received this question in a message on eBay.

“Hello from New Jersey! I love your suit. I have one just like it in a pale pink. I want to buy it, but I have a few questions.

You say this is new with tags, but I don’t see the extra button tag, that Ralph Lauren clothing comes with. Does your item come with the extra button?

Your pictures are lovely, but they seem to make a weird wash over the suit. What color of blue do you think this is? Is it a light blue, a deep ocean blue, or navy?   I saw this suit a Macy’s, but it was almost a denim blue. So the 2nd photo you have in your listing makes it look like the pants are a different color than the jacket. Are they the same color? Do you know why this looks different? It’s hard to tell by your photos. I know from experience that its hard to get a good photo.  

You said that the size tag has a ¼ inch cut. When I look at your pictures, I can’t figure out why this item would have a cut and a mark through on the label.

The pants look like they have a slight flair from the knee. Do you think you could measure the knee? And across the upper back of the jacket? I have very wide shoulders.

I hate to ask this, and I don’t want to offend you, but has this been around animals or cigar/cigarette smoke?”

Should I answer all this? What if she buys it, and then wants to return it because I didn’t answer SOMETHING the way she wanted? UGH! I really don’t like this lady. Should I block her?

TPS

Dear TPS:

Well, she certainly asks a lot of questions doesn’t she? Have you looked at the feedback this woman leaves other sellers? I would check that out before I would block her.  She could be a person that has had a couple of bad sellers that didn’t describe the item correctly, which has led her to be overly cautious.

I don’t think anything she has asked has been malicious, I think she’s probably just a chatty eBayer.

 ebayweddingtopper

Strange eBay item of the Week: Item #:271923061672 They say getting married is expensive. I’m pretty sure this is one of the most expensive wedding cake toppers I’ve ever seen. Check out this Montana Silversmith Just Hitched Western Wedding Cake Topper on Tractor. SOLD:$430.00

Dear eBay Queen: My Buyer is a Drama Queen and I Don’t Know What To Do!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’m not sure what to do. I normally sell women’s clothing, and not women’s intimates. In my last shipment from my wholesaler, I received 8 bras. Four of these bras were a 38C, and the other four were a 42D. I put the items up for sale in a lot of four. I sold both lots to different people. My 42D person left me glowing positive feedback. My 38C person sent me this message:

Hi, I just returned the 4 bras you sent me as they are not the right size. The tag says they are a 38C, but there is no way they are a 38. They have to be a 36 or maybe even a 34. I expect a FULL REFUND and I am not paying your ridiculous re-stocking fee. I expect all my postage to be returned also. I have overnighted this back to you. These items are definitely not up to par as the bra is too small. My overnight charges were $34.82.

I expect a FULL REFUND of $69.99 and will report this to both eBay and PayPal to have them investigate if I do not receive the full refund. I cannot be held to pay for anything for an item that does not meet the standards of a 38C. It is your responsibility to report that these bras are not a 38C but are in fact a 36 or 34C. This bra is the only bra I’ve ever worn since I’ve become an adult. I know how these bras fit. I don’t know what you’ve done to this, but it’s not good. I’m not happy with you or your merchandise.

PS: I measured these bras from end to end and they measure 40” That is certainly not a 38!! You are a robber and dishonest your feedback from me will soon reflect that!

What should I do? Do you think I am required to refund their overnight shipping? Should I respond to this? I called eBay, and the person told me I should have the buyer open a return request. I messaged the buyer and told them to open a return request to make sure they receive their money and shipping back. They sent the following message to me:

eBay’s returns policy is ridiculous. There is no way I am going to open one of those. The last 2 times I did that eBay found in the seller’s favor because I didn’t dot my I’s and cross my t’s . I’m never going to do that. You just need to give me my money or my feedback will reflect what kind of low- life you are.”

I called eBay back, and they escalated me up to someone else, who told me we had to “wait and see” what was going to happen. They said that the buyer was using feedback extortion, and that I should not pay for the overnight shipping, ONLY what I originally paid for shipping. Do you think I’m being given good advice by eBay? What should I do? I’m a little weirded out since the item hasn’t come back yet, and if she had overnighted, it should have been here 2 days ago. What should I do? Never again will I sell bras.

KPP

 

Dear KPP:

Well, it appears that your buyer is a bit of a drama queen, and doesn’t know her own bra size. In this situation, I probably would not message your buyer until the items arrive. Once they arrive I would inspect them and make sure they were what you sent and in the condition you sent them. I would then message her and tell her you are refunding her purchase price of $69.99. I would not refund the overnight shipping charges she requested. If she leaves you a negative feedback I would immediately call eBay and have it removed for feedback extortion.

It is clear to me this woman needs a 40C and not a 38C. She even measured the bras, and they measured the way a 38C would measure. I would let the CS rep at eBay know this also, just in case she dings your stars for item as described.

I’m sorry you ran into a buyer that was less than kind. It seems there are a lot of people these days that think they are right and are offended by their own weight gain.

 dentalebay

Strange Item of the Week: Item #: 381248498153. This is by far, one of the strangest items I’ve seen on eBay. They are eerie! 5 Vintage Columbia Dentoform Dental Phantm Manikin Heads Steampunk SOLD: $1780.00.