Tag Archives: eBay Queen

Dear eBay Queen: Why are Facebook Swap & Sell Group so Picky?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’m a member of several Facebook Swap and Sell groups.  I buy about 20% of my inventory on 4-5 different groups.  Many times, people will say that they have free items. If I believe I can sell it, then I will offer to take it off their hands.  Most of the time, however, the things I sell are items that I pay for, and not items that I got for free.

A couple of weeks ago, a woman said that she was giving whatever was left over at her garage sale to whomever wanted it.  Now, I know this woman, and knew the stuff she was selling was good. As luck would have it, I was the first to come to clear it off her hands.  Saturday, another woman said that she had baby stuff that did not sell and she would put it out by her curb.  It was free to anyone that wanted it.  I got directly in my car and went to check the stuff out.  There was a stroller, pack n-play, some puff-a-lumps, a variety of stuffed animals, and some clothing – a few pieces were new!  I picked up everything I wanted.  This has caused something similar to a small war.

Another woman (that is no friend of mine) gave my eBay name to the group and posted photos of my eBay stuff, with the stuff that I got for free side by side. Now everyone on the list wants my head on a pike and wants me kicked off the groups.

What are your thoughts on this?  What can I do to not be kicked off the group and to get these people to lay off of me?

Freebies Finder

 

Dear Freebie:
I have never understood why people are upset when you pay the price, (or lack thereof,) that they offer and get upset when you sell it for more than you paid.  Have the administrators of the group offered any advice?  Have they contacted you?  If not, why not be more pro-active, and contact them.  I don’t think it would hurt to message the administrators, and see if there is a policy on buying something, cleaning it up and then reselling it.  If they say there is, then apologize and move on.  If they say there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, I would not post or purchase for a while on that site and look for other sites that are a couple of towns away from where you are.

The other options you have are to  quit purchasing on these groups, get a new eBay name that you only sell your Facebook finds on, create a new Facebook “buying” profile, or borrow a family member’s profile to purchase from.

I am a member of several Facebook groups like this, and have seen people argue over this so many times.  If this kind of issue bothers you, it might just be best to not purchase from these sites.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been trying to source items for Amazon.  I cannot figure out how to determine what everyone else’s price is and what the seller fees are using the phone application I am using.  What mobile app do you use?

HPT

 

Dear HPT:

I use the Amazon Seller app for Android. This is free and can be found on Amazon or the Google Play store.  It is very simple to use: you can scan, speak or type in an item you want, and the app will find it and list all the things you have asked about, plus more.

fiestaamazon

Using this application you will see the Amazon ranking, low price, fees, gross proceeds, how many FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) offers and any offers from other sellers.   I really find this useful in my sourcing, and you can’t beat the price, Free.

 

swimsuitvtg

 

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #:181679359413.   The pool has opened up! Looking for a unique, vintage swimming suit? Check eBay! Vintage Swimsuit 1950’s Rose Marie Reid NEVER WORN with tags Size 14. SOLD: $609.99.

 

eBay Queen: I’m Being Stalked On eBay! I’m Not Selling Stolen Items!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I am flipping out! Friday evening, I received a message from a person that I assumed had bought something from me, but after closer inspection they had not.

“I just wanted you to know that I’ve been looking at your items, and I believe they were stolen from my partner and mine’s home.  I’m not saying you are a thief, but quite possibly you bought them from a thief.  I have attached photos from the stuff I have missing.  I hope that you will return them to me as soon as possible.”

I responded:

“Thank you for your email, I purchased most of the items in question from Goodwill and a few different garage sales.  I am sorry your items were stolen. I don’t think I have any of your items.”

The lady messaged this back to me:

“Well, I can see you want to play dirty pool.  I will be contacting the Emporia Police straight away.  I did a bit of research on you and the things you are selling.  I have sent a message to eBay to let them know you either steal merchandise, OR you are buying stolen merchandise.  You should be ashamed of yourself!  I’ve worked long and hard for my things.  It is not fair that you’ve come along to steal them!  I will not take this laying down!  You will pay for your actions.”

I have called the Emporia, Kansas police, and they all but laughed at me.  They were not mean, but they pretty much told me the person was a loon.  The police did not have any record of this person being robbed.  Over the weekend the woman contacted me through Facebook and my Youtube eBay online vlog.  My mother and sister instant messaged me because this woman sent them a message on Facebook. I contacted our local police and they said there was not much they could do about it. This is my family’s ONLY source of income.  My mom and sister messaged the woman back and said they didn’t know her and then blocked her.  I messaged her and asked her to give me a list of things that were stolen.  She sent me a message back and WANTS to COME TO MY HOUSE!  I declined, and told her that I have the receipts from Goodwill, TJ Maxx, and 2 antique stores for 90% of the items she has said were stolen. I offered to make copies and send them to the Emporia Police in care of her name.  She sent me a long list of profanities.

What should I do? Do you think I should contact eBay?   I just want to sit down and cry!  My mother is now calling 2 and 3 times a day freaking out over everything.  What should I do?

 

Freaked Out

 

Dear Freaked:

Oh my goodness! You’ve come across a real winner there!  Since you have all or most of your receipts for the items, I think I would scan the receipts in and load them onto the eBay message you were sent by the person.  In this receipts message I would say something like this:

“I am very sorry that you and your partner were robbed, I can assure you that I did not have any part in it.  I have contacted the Emporia Police, and offered copies of my receipts. They told me they did not need the receipts, because they did not have any record of __insert the person’s name__ being robbed.  Since the police did not want my receipts, I have attached scans of them to this message.  I hope that you do receive your items back, and once again I am sorry this has happened to you.”

I would not, under any circumstances meet this person at your home, or really anywhere but the police station.  It is completely up to you if you want to contact eBay.  I probably would, just so that I could report this buyer.  Make sure that you refer them to the message where you have uploaded proof of your purchases.

 shuttlelooms

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #:181703816330. While setting up our church rummage sale, I came across one of these. It’s interesting watching people come up with an explanation for what it might be. Lot of 7 Vintage 16 Loom Boat Shuttles Wood w/ Cop Skewer Bobbins 2 Eye Feed  SOLD: $59.99.

 

 

Dear eBay Queen: Return Request Can Be A Pain BUT So Can Craig’s List Scams

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Dear eBay Queen:

I haven’t been selling for very long, but I have sold 100 or more items on eBay.  My next door neighbor’s son asked me to sell his handheld game console for him.  It came with the console, 2 games, a carrying case, charger and rechargeable batteries.   I shipped it off quickly and within a few hours of receiving it, the buyer contacted me saying the console does not work with her games.

I responded to this person’s message, and they sent me a pretty rude email. I ignored how rude they were to me, and asked them what they would like for me to do.  I get NO response for 5 days, and then just this morning I received a return request for the item, saying it was not as described!  It was as described; I stated that it worked with the 2 games I sent them!  I have no idea what this lady is talking about.

I called eBay customer service, and they say that I have to pay for return shipping. I sold it for $227 with free shipping .What should I do? I don’t want to pay to have it shipped back esp. if there is something wrong with it. Do I just give her a full refund? Will I still get a defect?

Oh, and did I tell you she left me positive feedback already?  What should I do?

TRG

Dear TRG:

Electronics are a high fraud category anywhere, just not on eBay.  I don’t know the story, but maybe what the guy said was true, and only those games worked.  Either way you are obligated by eBay to accept the return.  The good thing is, you won’t get a negative.

Have you spoken to your neighbor’s son about this? Are there any identifying marks on the item that would let you know it was the one you sold once you get it back?  I would talk to the neighbor and ask them if they knew if the item only worked with the games that you sent, and let them know that the buyer will be sending the game console back for a refund.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

My mother in law passed away last month.  Since I sell on eBay, and I live in the same town where my mother in law’s stuff is, I was asked by my husband’s siblings, (who live out of state) to sell off her stuff.  I wanted to take some of the big stuff to a consignment auction, but thought I would try my luck with the “non-shippable” items on eBay.  I received this message regarding an antique hutch and dining room set.  Do you think this person is FOR REAL?

“Thanks for messaging me. I want to buy this from you. I hope you will withdraw your ad from Craig’s List and let me buy this beautiful set. I am going to have my partner FedEx our payment to you. We will be sending you a certified bank check.  Please send me the following information so I can send you the check…  I would EVEN be willing to send an extra 150.00 if you can get this to me ASAP.
Name
Address: Not Po Box please
City………..
State and Zip Code…………..
Final Asking price…………..
Cell phone # to contact you …………….

My partner will be calling you to make arrangements for the pick up as soon as the check clears.

All the Best

Cynthia Trueman

I messaged them back, telling them I prefer cash at time of pick up, and they responded with this.

I’m terribly sorry.  Because of my work schedule, I will not be able to come with the cash to pick this item up.  Please accept my check, as I have already FedEx’d it to you.

What should I do?

Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth:

I believe this is a slightly different version of a Craig’s List Scam.  You could always take it to your bank, and they could call the bank it is drawn on to see if the funds are available and that it is a real check.  In a situation like this, I am pretty sure that I would not accept it, and move on.

 frenchhangers

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #331509094273. How much would you pay for a pair of vintage clothing hangers? Some people will pay quite a bit! Pair of Divine Decadent Vintage French Silk Coat Clothes Hangers Pink Blue SOLD: $373.48.

 

 

Dear eBay Queen: I Need to Learn About eBay & Fast!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I am kind of discouraged. I’ve just started selling a month or so ago. I took your advice, and sold stuff I had around the house. I am happy with my items that are selling; my problem is that my family doesn’t really support my new career change. They’ve even kind of made fun of me for selling. Last week though, I think that all ended when I sold some of my husband’s old jeans for $200.00!

I would really like to dig deeper in the world of eBay, and to figure out how to be taken seriously by people. I really believe after what I’ve been doing, I can make a real living at this, without having a boss! Do you have any recommendations to help me soak up a lot of information in a short time? How can I gain the respect of my family?

SPA

Dear SPA:

eBaying can be frustrating, exhilarating, maddening and downright wonderful. To keep myself from going crazy, and to always be in the know, here are some ways I stay up to date:

  • eBay Radio is on Tuesday’s, 11am-2pm Pacific time and the Ask Griff and Lee show is on Thursday 11am to 1pm Pacific time. You can also listen to the archives anytime. http://www.voicemarketingradio.com/vmr/
  • The eBay announcements board is a great place to stay up to date.  Any changes or sales – you can find them here: http://announcements.ebay.com/
  • Seller Information Central has tutorials, selling guides, ways to build your business, how to ship and even ways to understand payments and fees. http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/
  • eCommerce Bytes is a great way to be in the know of everything happening in the world of internet commerce.

When it comes to gaining job respect, I have found that sometimes it never really happens. It sounds like your family is going to be on board before long. Most people do not realize that you can truly earn a living selling on eBay, and really that’s ok. You don’t need their approval. I wish you continued success on eBay!

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I never know what to do in this situation, and fortunately it only happens to me a couple of times a month- if even that! What do you do when a buyer doesn’t pay? Normally I send a couple of messages and ask them when they will pay, stuff like that. What do you recommend? I’ve only opened one unpaid item request, when I probably should have opened 20 or more. I’m afraid the buyer will be mad at me and leave a negative.

My most recent buyer bought 3 scrapbooking sets from me, and 4 days have gone by. I still haven’t received payment. I sent them a message about each sale, and NOTHING. Today she sent me a message and asked for me “to wait just a bit longer.” Do you think I should wait, or open an unpaid item case?

I’m so afraid of them being angry that I opened a dispute and having them leave a negative. What would you do?

Amanda

Dear Amanda:

I understand your concern regarding negative feedback. The only way the negative will stick is if they pay for the item, and the negative is related to the item they received.

I hardly ever message my buyers, if they don’t pay after 7 days, I open an unpaid item dispute, wait for them to pay, if they don’t I close the dispute after 7 days, and relist the item. Sometimes if the buyer is weird, or gives off a strange vibe, I will block them.

 lilypulitzerhammock

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #261857887055. For a limited time, designer Lilly Pullitzer is making items for Target. Did you miss out? If you’re willing to pay, a higher price, you just might find what you wanted on eBay. Lilly Pulitzer for Target Hammock SOLD: $499.00. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lilly-Pulitzer-for-target-Hammock-/261857887055?