Tag Archives: help with ebay

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

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: Should I Open a eBay Store, eCommerce Store or be an eBay Seller?

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling full time for about six months.  I am thinking maybe I need a store.  Can you tell me the difference between an eBay store, online store and just listing my stuff for 30 days on eBay?

I really would like to make a go of this, and support my family.  My sales are increasing each month.  I would appreciate any tips you can give me.

Trina

 

Dear Trina:

There are drastic differences between an eBay store and an eCommerce store.  An eBay store is hosted on eBay and must abide by the rules of eBay.  An eCommerce store is hosted by the hosting provider of your choice, and you choose the rules, payment options etc.  An eBay store can cost you anywhere from $19.99 to $199.99 per month.  An ecommerce store can cost you as little as $15.95 a month, up to hundreds of dollars per month.  A buyer can search for your item on search engines either way.

The difference between an eBay store and just listing your things for 30 days on eBay are all financial in my opinion.

Subscription fees

Store type Monthly subscription fee Yearly subscription fee
Basic $19.95 per month $15.95 per month
Premium $59.95 per month $49.95 per month
Anchor $199.95 per month $179.95 per month

 

When you sell on eBay as a seller, you receive 50 free listings a month.  As a person with a store you receive more free listings, and get a discount on insertion fees.

Store type Number of free insertion fee listings per month Auction-style insertion fees Fixed price insertion fees for Books, DVDs & Movies, Music, Video Games Fixed price insertion fees for other categories
Basic 150 $0.25 $0.05 $0.20
Premium 500 $0.15 $0.05 $0.10
Anchor 2,500 $0.10 $0.05 $0.05

You also receive lower final value fees if you have a store.

I don’t think it would hurt to open an eBay store.  How many listing do you normally put on eBay per month?  If you list over 75-100 I’d start with the basic store.  If you list anything over 200 I’d try the premium store.  It may seem like a lot to list 500 items, but it might be just what you need to push you to list more and sell more.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I’m not sure what to do.  I had a buyer make an offer for 3 different counted cross stitch kits I have for sale.   I accepted one of the offers, and countered on the other two.  She accepted, and I sent her an invoice for all 3 items.  Shipping is slightly over 1.5 lbs, so I gave her a quote for exact priority mail shipping.  She messaged this back to me:

“I was not expecting shipping to be so high! Could you knock $6.00 off of this? I really feel like you are robbing me!  I want to have a good feeling about this, and I don’t. Please let me know if you’ll take the $6.00 off.”

I’m not sure what to say!  It seems like if I don’t do it, she’ll leave me a negative. I’m not ripping her off, I’m charging exact shipping, which is $8.95!  What should I do?

Diane

Dear Diane:

I would message her and perhaps send a link to the USPS website that shows how much shipping is, and how you are charging her the exact amount, then I would ask her if she would like for you to cancel all three transactions.  If she declines the cancellation, I would call eBay and see if they might give you a suggestion on what to do if she leaves a negative, or dings your stars.

The other option is to give in, and discount the shipping by six dollars.  I don’t recommend doing that.  I believe it teaches buyers bad behavior, and they could ding your stars or give you a negative anyway.

 melissashirleybasket

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #: 371295248698. Needlepoint is my hobby, and can be quite expensive if you’re searching for a specific canvas. Canvases by Melissa Shirley are highly sought after.  Melissa Shirley California Basket Bouquet Hand Painted Needlepoint Canvas, Guide & Thread. SOLD: $330.00.

 

Dear eBay Queen: Return Requests and Cell Phones don’t mix.

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Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling for a couple of years, and have always had a “no refund” policy.  I read on an eBay message board that buyers don’t want to buy from someone that doesn’t accept returns.  At the beginning of the year I started accepting returns.  Yesterday, I received my first return request, and I’m kind of confused. I received the following message from eBay:

You can issue a full refund or offer a partial refund.  In either case the buyer keeps the item.  If there is a problem you can ask us to step in and help on (date.)

I don't understand this. In the request details it says buyer pays return shipping. What am I missing? I don't want to accept return until I know what I am agreeing to.

The buyer selected “wrong size or didn’t fit” and left the following comment:

“I received the item and it’s a really cute dress, but it is too small for me.  Thank you for sending it so quickly.  How do I return it for a refund?  The tags are still attached.”

Why can’t I just get the item back and refund her money?  Why would I want to give the buyer a refund and let them keep it?

Paula

 

Dear Paula:

I am assuming you are looking at this return request on your phone.  I had a similar thing happen to me too, when I was trying to respond to a return request on my phone.  When you look at this on a computer you’ll see a different layout.  There are a couple of options when you view this from your computer you should see:

  • Accept the return. Buyer pays for shipping wait to get the item back before you refund the buyer.
  • Refund the buyer, you fully refund the buyer to close this request.  The buyer keeps the item.
  • Offer a partial refund.  You fully refund the buyer to close this request.  The buyer keeps the item.
  • Send a message.  Communicate with your buyer.
  • Ask us to step in and help. If there’s a problem, you can ask us to step in and help on  (date)

This will not give you a defect since the buyer said that it was too small. I would simply accept the return and wait for the buyer to send it back.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I’m not sure what is going on here. I seem to be having a TON of grumpy or irrational customers. Is this just the way that the first of the year goes?  I’ve only been selling full time for 6 months or so, and I have been really happy with my sales on eBay and Amazon, but handling these grumpy customers is about all I can take.  Here is the worst one:

“What a horrible eBay person you are!  Your customer service is the worst!  It’s like I’m shopping at Dollar General!  I ordered this dress for my daughter’s school recital and it has not arrived.  The tracking shows that it went to California, and I live in Texas!  I am leaving you a negative feedback for your poor customer service!  I also will be telling everyone I know that you can’t put the proper address on a package.  How stupid can you be to send it to California?  I’ll be waiting for your excuse to see how negative my feedback will be.”

I messaged this lady back to let her know that it was sent to the address in Texas, and that it was misrouted by the post office.  She still left me a negative.

Just yesterday I had a customer open an item not received case and it was just sent 3 days before that!  Do you have any advice for me?  What am I doing wrong?

Grace

 

Dear Grace:

I’ve always thought that customers were a bit grumpier in January and February than they are the rest of the year.  The best way to handle a grumpy customer is to kill them with kindness.  No matter how unfriendly they are to you, be kind to them.  It’s hard I know, but in the end when you have to call eBay, the grumpy buyer will look bad and you will be the seller that kept your cool.

I think I would contact eBay about the negative.  You just might be able to get this removed since it was not your fault the post office sent it to the wrong place first, and there is a veiled threat of feedback in her message.

eyeglasses

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #351238783836  Looking for some unique eyeglasses? eBay might be the place to look! The Worldwide Most Populare Vintage Eyeglasses by Philippe Chevallier Paris N92 SOLD: $3990.00.