Apparently I've been an eBay Seller for 17 years. It doesn't seem like that long ago.
eBay Anniversary…
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Tag Archives: eBay Queen
Dear eBay Queen: I was Blocked from Buying on eBay!
Dear eBay Queen:
I am super confused, and I don’t even know what to do. I tried to bid on an item yesterday, and I was told that I was blocked from buying from this seller. This is a seller I do business with, and has many of the items that I really like. All of a sudden, my seller has become angry with me. I contacted eBay, and they said that he has partially blocked me because I can still send emails to him. eBay told me that he didn’t have to answer the messages, because the messages are not tied to any eBay item. I sent him a message, and asked why I couldn’t purchase these parts that I have been purchasing from him for years. It took him several days, but this is what he responded with:
Hi, thank you for messaging me, I appreciate your kind words about being a good seller, but they have come too late for us. You have been a fantastic buyer, except as of late you caused some issues for me as a seller on eBay and my account can’t afford this kind of issue. Here are a few of the examples of the problems you created.
- 1-10-2015 you opened a return request without contacting me first. You selected that there was a problem with the item, and this gave me a defect. When I messaged you about the problem, you told me that you ordered the wrong size adapter. This isn’t an issue that is my fault, so in order to get the defect removed, I called eBay and was on hold for 2 hours then they transferred me to someone else where I was either on hold or waiting for 45 minutes. I got this defect removed, but it would have been so nice if you would have just messaged me or called me instead of opening a return request.
- 1-17-2015 you left neutral feedback that said “Thanks for the fast shipping, adapter wasn’t the right size” This left a defect, and I had to call and get this removed, which was another 45 minute phone call with eBay.
- 1-25-2015 You contacted me via eBay’s messaging system (thank you) but complained that you thought my buy it now price was too high on the CD drive for the Dell laptop.
- 1-26 you purchased the above mentioned CD drive, and then before you even received it, you left me a neutral feedback. “Price was higher than competitors I like the Seller” (defect received for neutral)
I understand you like me, but you are hurting my business, and costing me a lot of time in the process.
This happened over NOTHING as far as I can tell. We had a small argument about item details but even there the seller started the argument. I’ve messaged him several times since I received this message, but he will not respond to anything I send him. I'm just trying to find out what the heck is happening! He won't allow me to bid on anything, won't allow me to subscribe to his newsletter, and I can't even ASK anything about the items he has listed. This seems wrong: he owes me an explanation. With this going on, how I can buy from him or even trust him? He's angry for no reason and has done all this to me. It actually hurts me.
Tim
Dear Tim:
I think your seller gave you a pretty good explanation in regards to what they are angry about. eBay has made some changes to the way sellers are evaluated, and it is just not by neutral or negative feedback. This defect system is sometimes a scary, not-so-well oiled machine to be up against as a seller. This seller is afraid that you will create more problems for him. It seems like you might not have understood how an eBay seller is evaluated based upon the innocent comments, or moves a buyer can make.
I don’t know if this situation is repairable between you and the seller. If I were you I would message them again and let them know you did not understand that they were being given defects, or even being secretly evaluated by eBay in this manner. I would ask them to please give you another chance. All you can do is wait for them to decide.
Strange Item of the Week: Item #:171629243567. In honor of Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, I found a festive wreath on eBay: Mardi Gras Wreath with Mask Jester Feet Beads Fat Tuesday Carnival Celebration SOLD: $164.95.
Dear eBay Queen: Is this a PayPal Phishing Scam?
Dear eBay Queen:
I’ve only been selling on eBay for a couple of months. Today I received the following email from PayPal. I have no idea what they are talking about, and I’m a little afraid to click on the link in the message. What should I do?
Dear Member,
It has come to our attention that your PayPaI Billing Information records are out of date. That requires you to update the Billing Information If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update your billing records, you will not run into any future problems with PayPaI's online service. However, failure to update your records will result in soon account termination. Once you have updated your account records, your PayPaI session will not be interrupted and will continue as normal. Failure to update will result in cancellation of service, Terms of Service (TOS) violations or future billing problems.
To update and login to your account, click on the link below:
I am a little concerned by the wording in the message too! I realize I’m a retired English teacher, but I would think a big company like PayPal would know how to send a proper message. The wording: “However, failure to update your records will result in soon account termination.” This made me think that it might not be a real message from PayPal. If you can’t be certain on the authenticity of this message, do you know how to contact PayPal so I can talk to a real person?
Patty
Dear Patty:
Don’t click on that link! It’s a phishing scam! PayPal will always address you by your name instead of “Dear Member”. PayPal recommends sending emails like this to spoof@paypal.com . If you’d like to speak to someone you can call: 888-215-5506.
Your retired English teacher senses pointed you in the right direction!
Dear eBay Queen:
I’m so upset, I could just scream! I had a buyer send me a message a week or so ago asking if I would lower the price on a really nice, but used Vera Bradley purse. I haven’t been doing very well sales wise, so I took her up on her offer. She paid for the item and I sent it off. She has received her item, and sent me this message:
“I received my item yesterday and I am not happy. The purse is used! There is a chip on the underside of the toggle button. That is a hazard! I could cut myself! The quality of this purse is not what I would expect for the money I paid. I think I’m going to have no other recourse than to give you a blazin’ negative so every other dimwit like me will know what kind of seller you are! I would suggest you get a good pair of readin’ glasses, or if you have glasses, clean them for petes sake! You stated this was in good condition, I thought that meant new! So, you’ve got 24 hours to tell me how you are going to make me happy. Please don’t say to send this back.. because THAT’S NOT HAPPEN’.
I went back and reviewed my listing. It says pre-owned under the item specifics and in the condition box. I also said it was pre-owned the description. I took a photo of the chip in the toggle button. What should I do? Should I send her the money back for the purse so that she won’t give me a negative?
No More Vera’s
Dear Vera:
Your buyer is using feedback extortion to get you to do what she wants. I would call eBay immediately and ask them for help. I am pretty sure based upon her wording that they will side with you and say that she is using feedback extortion. The customer service person should put in your notes that it is extortion and once the buyer leaves negative feedback, you will need to call in again to get it removed.
You clearly put that the item is pre-owned and took a photo of the chip in the button. eBay should side with you. Have you reviewed the feedback this buyer leaves for other people? You may not be the first person she has done this too.
Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #390994539061. I hadn’t looked up advertising collectibles for quite some time. Tonight, I decided to look at the Pillsbury Doughboy. Apparently, he’s still got it! Vintage Plush Pillsbury Doughboy Pillsbury Makes it Fun Giggles 1998 Dough Boy. SOLD: $929.00.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Plush-PILLSBURY-DOUGHBOY-15-034-Pillsbury-Makes-It-Fun-Giggles-1998-Dough-Boy-/390994539061
Dear eBay Queen: Can We Talk about Top Rated Sellers?
Dear eBay Queen:
I’ve been selling on eBay for the last 10 years. I do this mostly to make up for the child support that my deadbeat, ex-husband does not pay. I have a job that allows me to work from home, so after I put in the hours for that job, I do eBay. I have heard so much talk about this defect system, and so many people are obsessed with it. Without really knowing how it works, I have grown to hate this defect system. The thought of looking at my dashboard freaks me out. I finally broke down today and looked at my ratings. I have 2.1 defect rating, it says I’m above standard, but not top rated. Are you a top rated seller? Do you think that being a top rated seller make a big difference in your sales and profits? I have spent my years on eBay worrying about selling… now I have to worry about this. What advice can you give me?
Callie
Dear Callie:
I have been both a Top Rated Seller and Above Standard. It has been my opinion that I sell more stuff when I am above standard. That being said, I really like the benefits and the discount I receive as a top rated seller.
I truly believe that eBay’s search algorithms are messed up. When I shop on eBay I always search by “time ending soonest” as opposed to “best match”. I don’t want eBay to tell me what I’m looking for, and with Best Match that’s what I feel like they are doing. When I search for “Nike size 6,” I want to see ALL the Nike tennis shoes in a size 6. Not just what eBay wants me to see.
Dear eBay Queen:
I really need your help! I am primarily a buyer on eBay and the last couple of items I bought have arrived “Not as Described”. I messaged the seller and explained to them that the shoes may say they are an 8.5, but they do not fit like and an 8.5, and I wanted my money back. The seller sent me a message, and is acting like I just want to keep this wrong item. They said I could keep it & offered me a 50% refund. Here is the message they sent me:
“I’m so sorry the shoes do not fit you. I don’t believe they are not as described, since the shoes say they are an 8.5 and I took photos and measurement of the bottom and inside of the shoes, so that you, the buyer, could better judge if these shoes will fit or not. I would be happy to offer you a refund of 50% and you can keep the shoes, or you can send them back and I will refund your money less shipping and a 10% restocking fee.”
What? The shoes aren’t as described! Why I should have to pay for it? I called eBay. The last time this happened they told me I had to pay return shipping because those were the sellers terms. This time they said I needed to pay return shipping, or I could open a not as described case and say that they were not as described. What do you think I should do?
Angry Buyer
Dear Angry:
I don’t think your seller was unreasonable. If what you are saying is true, you ordered size 8.5 shoes, and that is what you received, then they are as described. The seller went above and beyond by measuring the shoe. Now it is up to you to decide what to do. If you open a case, eBay is going to require you to return the shoes, pay return shipping and restocking fee. If you take the 50% you could turn around and sell the shoes yourself.
The only way for these to be considered “not as described” is for them to be a different size, color or different shoe all together. I understand you are upset that the shoe doesn’t fit you, but, unfortunately, that is one of the drawbacks to buying things on the internet.
I hope that you can work this out with the seller.
Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #:261734034423 Ironstone is highly collectible, especially rare pieces like this cake pedestal. Rare Ironstone Pedestal Cake Stand with Scalloped Edge Pankhurst and Hanley SOLD: $595.00.