Tag Archives: eBay Queen

Dear eBay Queen: My buyer is Rude and Doesn’t Read the Descriptions!

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Dear eBay Queen:

My husband  and I started a business selling broken items for parts.  We sell phones, TV’s and other electronics.  We have over 85,000 feedback, and I really feel like we’ve had everything happen to us, until this buyer.  We’ve had our fair share of buyers that say they didn’t read the description well, and didn’t know they were purchasing an item for parts.  A couple of weeks ago I woke up to this message:

“I just received confirmation that you sent the item! Are you dumb? I asked you not to send me that broken phone! Refund my order NOW!”

I respond and tell them I never received a message from them that they did not want their item.  They respond with this:

“Well, isn’t that fantastic? Just give me my money back, or I and all my friends will be buying more of your cheap broken crap and leaving you a negative for each item we buy. I’ve opened a not as described case against you.  I hope you choke on it.“

I immediately call eBay and they confirmed that this was feedback extortion, but I don’t think I should have to refund this guy’s money because of the way they are treating me.  eBay said that because I have a refund policy I should accept the refund.  I messaged the buyer and told them that I would be enforcing my return policy, and that when the item was returned I would refund their money less the restocking fee.  I received this back:

“I don’t care what your policy is.  You will give me my money back and I will be happy or you’ll be sorry.  This has not been a positive experience for me.  I think you deserve at least 5 negatives for this experience. I’ve looked at the crap you sell, and you sell some cheap items.  You need to respond to me quickly, because I will be acting on my urges to give you the negatives.   I’ve spoke to my partner about you, and she has set aside some money for us to purchase from you and then we will be hitting your feedback blitz!   Your feedback will be affected, I promise you that. “

I called eBay once again, and they told me not to respond.  The eBay rep told me to just wait for this buyer to send the item back. The buyer sent me another message.

“What now you are not going to message me? I look forward to teaching you a lesson.  I have sent you a money request through PayPal.  You need to send me my money back.   I’m not going to send you this broken phone until you do.  I don’t want to hear about how I need to send it back, or you restock fee.  I just want my money you con artist!  I believe in karma, and the secret.  My partner and I are sending you bad vibes.  We are believing that you will be receiving bad reviews.”

eBay has told me I just need to wait it out.  What do you think?

 

Rene

 

Dear Rene:

I’ve had a few buyers that have made similar promises, and just like eBay has told you wait for the buyer to make good on their threats.  Once they do that, eBay will take action.

Just in case, I would call eBay again and tell them this buyer opened a not as described case, and point out that the item IS as described, they just did not read the description.  Maybe, eBay might close the case for buyer’s remorse.  If that doesn’t happen, and they don’t send the item back within 30 days, contact eBay and they will close the case that the buyer opened in your favor.  Once that is done no feedback will be able to be left.  If you haven’t done so already make sure that you block the buyer.

 jovanidress

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #:231464944849. How much would you pay for a prom dress? Jovani 98040 Prom Evening Dress Guaranteed New Authentic Gown. SOLD: $1018.00.

 

 

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.

Dear eBay Queen: I Need an eCommerce Store!

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Dear eBay Queen:

I feel like I should tell you that I sell mostly on Amazon, and my Amazon-based web store.  I occasionally sell a few things on eBay.  It just seems easier for me to do it this way.  After doing a bit of research, I discovered that you sell very little on Amazon, and sell more on eBay and your web store.

I recently received an email from Amazon telling me they are going to cancel their web store service that syncs my Amazon with the web store.  Amazon will discontinue its web store services July 2016.  So, I have a year and a few months to figure out what I am going to do.  I really like this because it gave me an independent website, (not dependent on Amazon), that also syncs with my inventory on Amazon

How do you sync your web site with eBay and Amazon?  What kind of platform do you use for your website?  Please point me in the right direction.

 

Richard the III

 

Dear Richard

I read about this in Internet Retailer: https://www.internetretailer.com/2015/03/18/amazon-shutter-its-webstore-e-commerce-platform-service   There are several options out there for you to investigate to see which will be the best for your business. Most of these platforms will integrate a web store with Amazon and eBay, but there is a large learning curve to using them.

  • Brand Shop
  • Big Commerce
  • Ecwid
  • Shopify
  • Woo Commerce
  • Volusion
  • 1and1.com

The other option you have is using a service that does all the set up for you and will teach you the basics of running a store.  The drawback to these, is that they can be quite pricy.

  • Channel Advisor
  • Kyozu
  • Vendio

I do sell mostly on eBay and my website, mostly because of ease of listing.  I am hoping to start listing more on Amazon soon.  I use Woo Commerce on my website, and really like it.  Many of the items I sell do not have UPCs, which makes it hard to sell on Amazon. My Woo Commerce platform does sync with Amazon and eBay.

Here’s an article (from webretailer) that I found helpful when trying to find the right platform. http://www.webretailer.com/lean-commerce/ebay-sellers-webstore/

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I just won 8 auctions from the same eBay seller.  I made best offers on their items, and as soon as they countered or accepted, I paid for the items.  I received a message asking me if I am a re-seller. Why is this anyone’s business?  What happened to me just buying an item without any questions?

I’m kind of a reseller.  I buy new with tags high end luxury clothing and put it in my re-sell brick and mortar shop.  I’m not sure how to answer this.  She says that she ships in 1 day, but it’s been 3, (I haven’t answered her question,) and she hasn’t shipped yet.   There is nothing in the listing that states they do not sell to re-sellers.  Why do you think she asked that question? How do you think I should respond?  I’m a bit concerned if I tell the truth, that she will not send me the authentic Black Label Ralph Lauren jeans, plus the other Ralph Lauren stuff I purchased. Do you have a re-seller rule?

Re Sell Jane

 

Dear Jane:

I don't care who's buying my stuff or why, as long as they pay what I am asking for the product. Why would I care what a person is going to do with an item after I sell it?

I’ve been thinking about what her reasoning could be for asking such a question. She could be just curious, or she might have more and wants to see if you’d like to buy it.  I would probably respond with the truth.  If she doesn’t ship or sell to you she will be considered a “non selling seller” and could get in trouble with eBay. 

grandmaquilt

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item#111624499588. Grandmother’s Flower Garden is one of my favorite quilt patterns, and this one has beautiful Spring colors! Vintage Quilt Grandmother’s Garden Easter Spring Pastels SOLD: $135.00.