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.