Tag Archives: help with eBay problem

Dear eBay Queen: Should I Hire Someone to Help Me eBay?

Posted on by
Reply

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: I’ve been Suspended for 7 Days! What Can I Do?

Posted on by
Reply

Dear eBay Queen:

I am completely flipping out. I woke up this weekend to a message from eBay about three different listings I have for 7 for Mankind brand jeans. I’ve been selling different brands of jeans for YEARS. I buy jeans new on clearance from stores and pre owned from garage and estate sales. This is how I support my family. I am a single mother of 3, and my ex-husband skipped out on us and after losing my corporate job of 8 years I started selling on eBay. I’ve been selling for 3 years and have 8239 positive feedback, and one negative from the first year I was selling. My DSR scores are all 5 or 4.9. I am (or was) a Top rated Seller.

The eBay email said that my selling privileges would be temporarily restricted for 7 days. They also removed the 3 pairs of jeans. They said that I was in violation of the VERO program. I’m not even sure what that means!

I read the email, and I called eBay customer care, spoke to a customer service person, and asked them to explain this violation to me. They were very kind, and told me that my jeans were deemed “counterfeit” or maybe the rights holder didn’t want me selling those jeans. I cried on the phone, and I just didn’t know what to do. The eBay CS was nice, but I didn’t think they could do anything to help me, so I asked for a manager. I spoke to the manager, who explained to me over and over that it was just 7 days. I let him know that eBay is my only source of income for my family, and what should I do? He didn’t have an answer for that.

This has been an eye opening experience for me. The jeans I have up ARE authentic. I have the receipts from Macy’s where I purchased them. They are REAL!!! What do you think I should do? Take them back to Macy’s? I work so hard on my eBay business. I can’t believe they are taking it away from me! I’ve never had another violation – and they’ve just kicked me to the curb!

I don’t know what to do. Have you had this happen? I’m afraid to do anything. I don’t know if I stop selling on eBay, how I’m going to make any money! I’ve worked so hard, and just like that it has been taken away.

Ellie

Dear Ellie:

I am sorry that happened to you. The Vero system is not kind to anyone. Most likely what has happened is your listings were reported by an individual, the company itself, OR eBay automatically pegged the listings as trademark infringement. They will normally send two notices before they suspend your account.  The good news is that you purchased these jeans at a reputable department store. I would call eBay back immediately, and let them know that you have the receipt from Macy’s for the jeans in question. Ask them how to fax that to them so that they can re-instate your account. I would also ask why they suspended you for 7 days when this was your first violation.

I have had something similar happen to me 10 year ago, for the SAME violation except it was for 3 different items where the rights holder had complained. One was a software violation, another was a motorcycle helmet, and the 3rd was a purse. I fought the violation, and won, but it took me the whole 7 days to do it – (not much of a consolation.) During my 7 day suspension I wrote up more stuff on my listing program, and started my own website.

It’s scary for me to read these kinds of stories, because we are all just a violation away from losing our job.   I have tried to diversify over the years by selling on my own website, Amazon and Etsy.

 xmaspuzzle

Strange eBay item of the week: Item #:281666570050. Christmas in July! I found this puzzle on eBay, and it sold for quite a bit! Vintage 1889 McLoughlin Bros NY Santa Claus The Night Before Christmas Puzzle SOLD: $1400.00.

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.