Tag Archives: eBay problems

Dear eBay Queen: Selling Hatchimals Brings out the Worst in Humanity

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Dear eBay Queen:

I am so upset.  I purchased 5 Hatchimals at the local Wal-Mart on Black Friday.  I stood in line and waited for hours to just have the opportunity to buy these things.  I put 2 on eBay and 2 on Amazon.  The last one I offered up for sale on the local swap and talk group.  To say I was eaten alive is an understatement.  I received numerous messages about what a bad person I was for making money off the item.  What is the deal?  I purchased the Hatchimals for 59.99.  I had them listed on eBay & Amazon for 159.99 with free shipping.  I sold each of those.  The one I put on Facebook I listed for 125.00.  That one not only did not sell, but I received Death Threats over it.

Here’s one message I received:

“I want you to know that I am disgusted with your ad.  I bet you were raised here, right?  The people here take pride in their community and in helping each other.  You aren’t helping people! You are gouging them!  You know how much these sell for at the store! Why would you do this to the good people here?  Someone should shoot you.  Better yet just choke on the ugly bird egg.  I hope you get kicked off of Facebook for being dishonest.  Some of us live paycheck to paycheck.  We can’t afford to be taken advantage of like this.”

I took my listing down after all the bad “press” I received.  Why don’t people understand supply and demand?  Why is it my fault this person lives paycheck to paycheck?

AN
Dear AN:

This kind of thing happens every year.  There always seems to be some toy that is the hot thing. Parents go crazy over it and there are always people that don’t respect the time it took for you to be first in line on Thanksgiving to get the item.  Other people’s choices are not your fault.  I think that Facebook groups are a great way to sell a few things you don’t want any more without having a garage sale, but just like going to Wal-mart you never know who you’ll run into.

I would not take any of this personally and list your last one on eBay.

 

Dear eBay Queen

Before Thanksgiving I had a buyer open a return on a pair of brand name leggings.  The buyer stated that she misread the listing, and that she thought they were a different size. I’ve waited and the buyer has not sent the item back.  According to eBay’s messages the buyer was supposed to send it back by December 1st.  She has never uploaded any tracking info but I finally received a package today.  I opened it, and it did not have the leggings in it that I sent.  It has a necklace in the box.  There is no return address or tracking. What do I do?  Should I contact the buyer?

Abbie

 

Dear Abbie:

What does the postmark say? Is it the same town or close to where you sent the buyers package?  If it is, I would contact him through the returns Que.  If it now where near where he lives, you should call eBay and get the return escalated and closed.

To have a return closed you need to go to eBay and at the top of the page

  • ­­Click on “Help and Contact”
  • Go to the bottom of the page and click on “contact”
  • Click on Selling and then Money Back Guarantee and Returns
  • Click on Handling claims and Returns
  • Then at the bottom of the page click on “call us”

Once you speak to a customer service representative tell them they the buyer has not returned the item in the time eBay has given them.  They should close the case right away.

If your buyer returned the wrong item, I would message them (through the returns Que) and let them know that you received a necklace.  I don’t think it would hurt to attach a photo of the necklace and of the label.  I would then call eBay and they quite possibly will close the return after you do this.

hatchimals

 

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #332011849348. Hatchimals really are one of the hottest toys this year, and prices are all over the place for them on eBay. This one sold particularly high: Hatchimals Draggles Color Green Brand New Super Hot Toy VHTF SOLD: $7600.00.

Dear eBay Queen: This Seller is Mad I Sold His Item for More Money!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I feel horrible! I am guilty of eBay arbitrage.  Quite frankly, I’ll sell anything. I like to search for things that are mis-marked or spelled wrong, specifically in dinnerware, flatware, crystal and glassware.   At the end of May, I purchased a set of flatware that was not marked correctly.  The seller did not have the pattern name, and only had one picture of the large flatware lot.  I purchased it for his asking price of 29.99 with 12.99 shipping.  I received it in the mail, washed it, and relisted it with its proper pattern name and 5 photos.  I sold the set for over $200.00.  The seller I purchased it from sent me several messages while I had it listed, and was not happy that I was selling it for more than I paid.

“Why do you think it’s ok to rob me of my livelihood?  It’s people like you that give eBay a bad name.  I’m going to start watching you, and report you for what you are doing!”

I did not respond to his message.  I did leave him positive feedback that said: “Perfect as described! Fast shipping!”

He left me a positive (because that was all he could leave) with a negative wording.  “Seller beware bad for eBay community Cheats Steals Avoid”

I contacted eBay about this, and they removed the feedback.  I went back last week and I see that he has been suspended!  I really feel bad for him.  I think I was the reason he was suspended.  I contacted eBay and they would not confirm that is what they did, but they said he COULD have been suspended for that reason.  Do you think I should send a message to his email and apologize?  I never wanted to have this guy suspended.  I just called in because I didn’t think that feedback was fair.  What would you do?

SG

Dear SG:

Holy Smokes!  Every seller should profit from what they sell.  If they don’t, they are not doing it right. This seller set his price, and you paid what he asked.  I’m not sure why he is mad at you!   I would feel bad if someone was suspended too, but it’s not your fault.  They broke the rules.

I’m sure this kind of thing has happened to most sellers on eBay.  If you are not selling something you specialize in, then chances are you might be putting a low price on the item.  When I am selling something I don’t know much about, I do some research on it, or I put a price I would be happy with selling it for, and let it ride.  I’ve seen plenty of people get bent out of shape for this kind of thing on a Facebook group I’m in, and even at garage sales.  I had someone refuse to sell something to me at a garage sale a couple of years ago because she knew I would resell it for more money.

I wouldn’t give this suspension a second thought. This is your seller’s fault for not figuring out the pattern name, and only having one picture. If he contacts you again, I would message eBay.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I sell vintage post cards and other paper collectibles.  I just had a buyer ask if I combine shipping.  I said yes.  They sent message back and want to know if I give a shipping discount.  I told them I wasn’t sure what they meant, but I charge exact shipping charges.  Then I get a kind of rude, condescending message TELLING ME how to ship the product and how much it should cost.  I guess I’m just in a bad mood, but I really want to block this buyer, and tell them to go away.  What should I do? Oh, and did I mention they sell too?

 

Vintage Paper Seller

 

Dear Vintage:

What is your gut telling you to do?  Have you reviewed the feedback they leave people? If they leave lots of negative feedback, I would probably block them.  If not, I would ask them which items they are interested in and give them a shipping quote.

 ebayjuly4thpin

 

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #381641067121.  Costume jewelry is always interesting. Here, we have a piece from (as noted by the seller,) “the flashy, not trashy” Lunch at the Ritz Company. Very cute and  patriotic! July 4th Lunch at the Ritz Fireworks Pin Brooch Pendant Charms Crystal SOLD: $159.95.

 

 

Dear eBay Queen: What’s the Deal with Rude Sellers?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been trying to spend an eBay gift card I have for about 2 weeks. I ask seller after seller questions, and they NEVER respond or they send some kind of horrible message back to me. Do people not want to buyers to buyer there products anymore? I tried to buy several items, and NOTHING. I finally had my eye on some Ralph Lauren Mandarin Blue Dishes that would complete my set. Here is my first message to my seller:

“Hi, you say the salad plate is 9”, but I thought the salad plate was 7”. Could you verify which it is?”

I did not receive an answer from the seller, and ended up purchasing another lot from a seller THAT did answer my questions. I messaged the seller again when I saw they still had the same set up.

“I messaged you about this same lot of Mandarin dishes a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to know the size of the salad plates. You had them at 9” when I thought they were 7. You never answered my message, and quite frankly it upset me. I don’t understand why people like you are sellers! Why don’t you step up to the plate and do the right thing and answer question a legitimate buyer asks! I bought a different set of dishes from someone else for less money! I hope people like you are run out of business by good buyers like myself. All I wanted was a clarification! I hope you learn your lesson. Thank you.”

Here’s what this seller responded with.

“I think we need to clarify something here. I saw your message, and I went to look at the feedback you leave sellers. I see that you think you are owed something by every seller that comes in contact with you. You leave more negatives than positives, and each one of those has something about how you wanted to keep the product and get a partial refund. I can’t figure out why one of those sellers has not turned you in to eBay! One of the neutrals you left stated: “Took the seller 8 hrs to respond.” – That’s not even 24 hours! Maybe the seller was at work, and couldn’t answer you. Maybe a loved one was in the hospital and they were visiting. You’ve got a real issue, lady, that you need to get over. While eBay maybe a person’s way they make money, it’s not their life. eBay is being ruined by buyers like you. I’ve blocked you from buying from me, and I reported you to eBay. I hope that you will learn something from this.

I then responded:

How dare you look at the feedback I leave people! That is none of your business. Here’s my advice to you, do your job by answering questions and you won’t have a problem with people like me!

I am livid about this seller. How can they look at the feedback I leave others and decide not to sell to me? Is there any way for me to report this seller? Would it do any good?

M.P.T.

Dear M.P.T.;

Anyone can view the feedback you or any other eBayer leaves. To do this simply click on the feedback number next to a buyer or seller’s name and you’ll see four tabs under the overall scores: Feedback as a Seller, Feedback as a Buyer, All Feedback and Feedback left for others. Select “Feedback left for others,” and you or anyone else can see what feedback you’ve left for other buyers and sellers.

You could report this seller, but I’m not sure what reason there might be. I’m not as concerned about the seller’s behavior as I am with yours. I don’t think it was necessary to berate or chastise the seller. There could be any number of issues they were having that day when they did not answer you. You did not give me your eBay ID, but if that seller is correct and you leave a lot of negative and or neutral feedback for your sellers, I too am concerned. Most people only have 1 problem out of every 100 transactions. If you are having more issues with sellers than this, you perhaps have your expectations to high, and eBay might be the wrong place for you to purchase things.

diorsnowglobe

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #: 331677134307. Snow globes are a unique collectible, and some of them can be pretty pricey! Christian Dior Lady Handbag Snow Globe Ball Collector’s Harrods Paris SOLD: $751.21.

 

Dear eBay Queen: A Blocked Buyer is Threatening to Bombard Me with Negatives

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’m not sure what to do about this. I had a potential buyer message me and tell me that they tried to buy a pair of shoes from me, and they were told *I* as a seller would not sell to them. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about, and I went did a bit of research, and figured out that I blocked them a couple of years ago, for leaving me a negative feedback. I messaged them and said the following:

“Thank you for letting me know you were unable to bid. I did some research, and I see that you left me a negative feedback on April 21, 2013 regarding a pair of shoes that you bought. The feedback stated ‘Took 5 days to arrive. Won’t refund Shipping.’ I sent you an email and asked if you would be willing to remove the negative, because I sent your shoes in less than 24 hours of your payment. You responded that you ‘would not unless I refunded your money and let you keep the shoes.’ I was unable to do that, so I kept the negative, and blocked you.

Today I reviewed the feedback you leave other people on Toolhaus. I see that you still have an issue leaving negative feedback for unsuspecting sellers. At this time I am really not interested in selling to a person that gives negatives so freely. Thank you for your interest.”

I guess that was the wrong thing to do, because that made this person FREAK OUT. She sent me back a crazy email that says:

“Oh, REALLY? So now you get to decide if I can buy on eBay? What is the world coming to these days? Who died and made you the eBay Queen? It’s a good thing you don’t know who I really am! I can get my friends to buy your crappy shoes and lame gifts and see if their experience is good. And before you send me a message about how I can’t do it, Just Wait.”

I guess I should not have responded to this lady. Who knew she would react that way? I’ve contacted Seller Support about this, is there anything else I should do?

Linda P.
Dear Linda:

Well, normally I would tell you to message her back and explain to her that you are NOT the eBay Queen, but you know who is ;). With this lady I would not respond. If you have contacted eBay support by phone, I would say that is all you really can do.

I hope that she does not follow through with her threats, and if she does, eBay handles it swiftly.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I’m really frustrated. I bid on a cute leather jacket with fringe, and 2 days later I found the same jacket in the color I really wanted. It had a buy it now, so I bought it. I told the first seller that I no longer wanted their jacket, and they told me I needed to cancel my bid. I thought it was enough that I told them, so I didn’t do it. Well, come to find out they have filed a non-paying bidder against me. I’m pretty ticked about this. I called eBay, and they told me I would need to pay for the item, or work it out with my seller. I DON’T WANT THE ITEM! Why do I have to do work it with the seller? Just re-list it. Is there something I can say to this seller that will keep me from getting a strike against my account?

 

GLD

Dear GLD:

eBay is really the final authority on this. If you haven’t messaged the seller yet, it wouldn’t hurt to message them and ask if they would cancel it. The worse thing they can do is say no.

 

 

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #371384898461. You can find very unique pieces of jewelry if you look on eBay. I found these just by searching for pearl earrings. Designer Trianon 18K Yellow Gold Carved Shell Turquoise Pearl Earrings SOLD: $2698.98.