Tag Archives: eBay problems

Dear eBay Queen: How Do I Get A Negative Feedback Removed?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I had a buyer leave a negative for me a few weeks ago, and after much cajoling on my part and a refund + a new item, they’ve agreed to remove it. I’m not sure how to do that. Can you tell me how to instruct them on removing it?

Linda

Dear Linda:

Did your buyer state that they would remove it if you gave them a refund and a new item, or did you offer that? If they demanded those things, and you didn’t offer them, I would contact eBay and let them know this. I would do this before I send a feedback revision request. I have heard of eBay removing the feedback when a buyer uses the ‘Do this and I’ll remove the feedback’ attitude.

To send a feedback revision on eBay, go here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/feedback/questions/remove.html and click on ‘submit a feedback revision request’.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling whatever I can find for years. I was looking on eBay last night for my favorite Ralph Lauren Jeans, and I came across a seller that only sells Ralph Lauren. I’ve never heard of this. I see a few Ralph Lauren things here and there, at thrift stores and estate sales, but never enough to actually make a living just selling Ralph Lauren. I reviewed this person’s sales, and they are bringing in 10,000+ every month! It wasn’t a fluke! They are really bringing in over 10K a month! I want to do that! But how can I do that?

I would love to focus on just one thing, but how can I buy just one type of product or brand? If I do focus on one product or brand, what do I do with the product I have now? Should I keep my stuff all together? Or open a new eBay ID just for my branded product?

DAP

 

Dear DAP:

I do know people that sell just certain brand names, or just certain types of items, like jeans, or kitchen utensils or matchbox cars. I think a lot of times when a seller specializes in brand or a product, they personally collect it or at the very least know a lot about it. Is there a product or brand that you know a lot about that you could create your own niche market?

It’s hard to say where this seller is buying their Ralph Lauren products. If it’s vintage or pre owned, they most likely are hitting up 20+ garage sales or estate sales a week, and are going to 10-15 thrift stores a week. That’s a lot of shopping. I would also bet they travel around to a large area to find the right Ralph Lauren product. If they are purchasing their product new, they are probably are buying it from a wholesaler. When I did a preliminary Google search, there were many wholesalers that have bulk lots of Ralph Lauren. Buying a load from a wholesaler would cost anywhere from 1500 to 10,000 depending upon the lot you purchase.

Another way to achieve your goal, is to start small and work your way up to being a large seller of a name brand product without the wholesaler. To do this, go to retail stores when they are having their big discount sales. It will take longer to do this, but you won’t need all the money up front like you do for a wholesaler.

I was a lot like you I went from selling just about anything I could get my hands on, to selling a niche product. I really thought I should start selling under a new id and open a new eBay store. I never really got around to it, and I just added my niche product to my current antique and collectible inventory. I think the biggest reason I didn’t change, is because I had 20K+ feedback and I didn’t want to give that up.

ebaytinyduck

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item number –301650807195. Are you Creative? Can You work with polymer clay? Check out this Miniature handmade Mini Tiny Toy Dolly and Duck Rocker OOAK Dollhouse Doll House SOLD: $171.00.

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: Should I Hire Someone to Help Me eBay?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I have been selling consignment items on eBay for the last 5 years.  I live in an area that the population is 67,000 and median income is $43,000.  I do not require minimum values for the items that I sell because I believe that some commission is better than none, but that could change if the business expands.

It is time for me to expand my business and have “helpers”. Right now, I do all of the listings, photos, etc and my husband does the shipping at nights after he works his full time job.  I am not getting things listed as fast as I can just due to the number of items that I have to list.  I have one customer who brings me between 100 and 150 antique items every week.

Anyway, my question is about adding helpers.  I live in a college town and have read that students are good prospects for what I am looking for.  I don’t really want to have employees, just don’t want to deal with that right now.  So how do I go about and do this?

Pay on commission or flat rate per item?
Do helpers do everything (list, photo, ship)?
Do I approve everything before it gets listed?
Anything else, I have forgotten?

A couple things you should know:  I’m a control freak!  I have over 14,000 in feedback and am a top rated seller with 100% rating.  Because I am a consignment shop, I list with Auctiva, to keep track of all of the different consignors that I have.  Did I say I was a control freak? – I am concerned about losing my ratings if I give someone permission to list under my eBay id.

Anyway, if you could help me with some of the questions I have – or suggest anyone that you know of that could maybe help me, I would really appreciate it.

Deb Peterson

 

Dear Deb:

Congratulations on your fantastic feedback numbers and ratings! I know firsthand that is hard to maintain those numbers. I also know how hard it is to sell for others; I’m impressed with your success!

I wonder if you put an ad up at your local college and said you were looking for a paid intern you can train, or if they already were familiar with selling on eBay, a contractor. If they help you with listing, I would probably pay them per item, and check each of their listings until you feel confident in their work. If they are taking pictures or shipping, I might just pay them by the hour.

I would be uncomfortable giving out any of my login information. I think it might be a safer idea if you supplied the computer in your work space for them to work. Is there some aspect of eBaying that you don’t like to do? I’m not crazy about shipping or photographing things. I have people help me with that, but if you really need help listing, then I think working side by side with them on listing items might be the best answer.

 

Dear eBay Queen;

I sold a really cute Express top that was new with tags. I received a return request saying the item didn’t fit. I approved the request, and the item was sent back. The only problem is that it does not have the correct tag attached. It’s a totally different tag. What should I do?

Cinder

Dear Cinder:

I would contact eBay immediately. I think I would mention in the return request that the item came back, but the tag that is attached, is not for the item you sent. Could she have possibly bought 2 and mixed up the item? I would also go look at her buying history at www.watchcount.com. If she has purchased the same shirt from another seller, I would make sure that eBay knows this.

I hope your buyer is honest and tells you what happened with your tags/or item. I hope it’s a small mix up and can be easily remedied.

 ebaystrawberry

Strange eBay item of the Week: Item #:291521358831. Felting offers a unique way to “sculpt” wool fibers into a strongly woven fabric. I love this adorable purse! Handmade Felted Purse Shoulder large Bag Merino Wool Strawberry Red Green White SOLD: $93.27.

Dear eBay Queen: What is an APO/FPO and How DO I Ship Stuff to Them?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling 2 years, and never had this happen!  I sold four handmade tutus I made, on eBay.  When I go to print my shipping label, I receive a message that says it is going to a APO/FPO or military address.  The PayPal label wants to print a customs form.  Is that what I am suppose to do?  The address still says USA on it. Am I doing this right?  Do I have to wait in line at the post office and give them the customs label, or just attach it to my package along with the regular shipping label? I’m so confused!

TTS

Dear TTS:

It sounds like you are doing it right! Just fill out the forms, and give them to your mail carrier (if that’s how you normally do it.)  They will scan it, and it will be on its merry way.

APO/FPO is a military address.  APO is Army Post Office, FPO is Fleet Post Office.  You can learn more about military addresses HERE.
Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling on eBay for about 3 months. I have 92 feedback points with 100% positive.  I feel like I’ve been pretty lucky up until now.  In February I had a buyer purchase a very cute lot of little girl’s shoes.  Within a few days, she messaged me and told me that the shoes were not as described. I asked them to clarify, and they told me they didn’t feel that was necessary since I was a newbie seller, and they just wanted a refund.   I didn’t know what to do, so I sent them the money via PayPal.  My friend, who also sells, told me that I should not have done that, and the buyer was probably just taking advantage of me.

In March, a buyer contacted me stating that she wants her money back.  I asked what was wrong and they replied that the item didn’t come in the original box.  I messaged the buyer back and said that the listed stated it was new, out of the package, and there was not a photo in my listing showing the item was new in the box.  The buyer responded saying they want their money back, and they want to KEEP the product because I keep messaging them.  Uh.. I don’t think so!  I did describe it correctly!  I contacted eBay, and after about 1hour and 20 minutes on the phone, eBay decided to refund the buyer out their own pocket and let the buyer keep the item. The eBay guy said that it wouldn’t count against my seller account and that this way both the buyer and the seller would be happy.   I am happy it is over, but don’t you think it is weird that they did this?

I do not have a return policy, because my friend told me it was better to not have one because eBay would not make me take a return.  Is this true? In my LONG winded phone call with eBay, they told me that they could and would still force a return.  Do you have any advice about this?

Stephanie

 

Dear Stephanie:

I always make the buyer return the item when they are unhappy with it.  I believe allowing a buyer to keep the item, teaches buyers it’s ok to complain and then keep the item for free.  When it comes to your March buyer, you did everything right.  For some reason eBay thought it would be best to give the buyer their money back.  I’ve had this happen and I just shake my head and keep listing things.

I also think it is important to have a return policy.  This way buyers will feel confident in purchasing from you AND if someone tries to pull a fast one, they can’t because  your return policy says all items must be returned.

smockeddress

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #: 221705816062. Handmade, boutique children’s clothing sells well on eBay, if you have the right piece. This adorable little dress is part of a small line of handmade children’s clothing you can find. It is so highly sought after, customers must pre-order before the next batch of clothing comes out. No wonder it sold for such a high price! Girl’s WD Wolf Apron Pinafore not smocked Dress Size 6 & M2M Bow Beautiful! SOLD: $197.50.