Buyer / Seller Obligations ebay

[Pablo393]

I sold a deck on ebay and the buyer (who had zero feedback before his purchase) claims he did not receive his deck, even though the tracking number was provided and it shows delivered to the front door. I don't see how ebay would force me to provide a refund in this case since the item was delivered, but the buyer is claiming they didn't receive it.

Any thoughts on proper etiquette? I told him to check with this postal worker and also his neighbors. I feel I am being as helpful as I can, but I do have a perfect feedback rating and would like to keep it that way.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[theCapraAegagrus]

Sounds sketchy as hell.

If the buyer responds requesting a refund, or something, IMO the proper message by you would be to suggest opening a claim with USPS (if that was the courier). It's on the onus of the buyer once the courier claims the package was "delivered".

Was the product <$100? IIRC, all tracked shipments by USPS are automatically insured up to $100. The buyer would at least be made whole if they did in fact screw up the delivery (and you wouldn't be out of any money).

[ICantShuffle]

I think the standard insurance dropped to $50, now. I think that happened the time before the last rate change.

I HAVE been in the situation described above as a buyer on more than one occasion. One was way back when I bought a DVD collection for the X-Files (it was the huge one with the magnetic flip open box) that was actually an overseas counterfeit, and a couple times where my items were just never delivered (or, were delivered to wrong address), but that was via FedEx not USPS. I hate FedEx, they blow, and I avoid them at all costs. The way the FedEx situations were resolved was that the sellers shipped another item to me and they put in the claim with FedEx for reimbursement-- that's like A++ service, there, but they weren't individuals they were businesses. I would think that would be determined in who had risk of ownership once you dropped in the mail, which I think has a lot to do with which postal product you choose (i.e. Priority Mail, Registered Mail, Express, First Class, etc.) who the loss claim needs to come from the shipper or receiver. The counterfeit item I reported them to eBay and eBay/PayPal refunded me.

This is what I am afraid of on eBay, although, I've made quite a few sales over the years and not had a problem, but I think since the internet has become more accessible you'll get more scammer types (population bell-curves are a thing). I am currently offloading a good chunk of my collection on eBay, my biggest problem so far has been with people trying to low-ball, or think they'll get someone to sell them decks at below wholesale. I mark-up my items to cover my costs + shipping, but not so much that I am making any real profit.

Exceptions are my highly prized sets. Everything else I try to price just below what the market is, or as close to it as I can (since I'm not a retailer with access to wholesale pricing).

I think part of it to is the entitlement attitude, it's easier to get away with scams on eBay, but people approach eBay like it's another big box store that has a reserve for product loss, when most of us on eBay aren't even business sole proprietorships, we're just collectors or enthusiasts participating in a hobby.

Oh, I have one small issue, but I am not sure about what is "customary" in this situation either, but I accepted a Best Offer from a buyer, but they're camping on it and haven't paid. So, I gave it 72 hours, and sent them a message last night saying I would wait until tonight before canceling the sale. However, I wasn't mean, and I don't intend to leave negative feedback, and I invited them to resubmit the offer if they still wanted the item.

Maybe we should make this an eBay Seller Etiquette thread?

[theCapraAegagrus]

Oh, I have one small issue, but I am not sure about what is "customary" in this situation either, but I accepted a Best Offer from a buyer, but they're camping on it and haven't paid. So, I gave it 72 hours, and sent them a message last night saying I would wait until tonight before canceling the sale. However, I wasn't mean, and I don't intend to leave negative feedback, and I invited them to resubmit the offer if they still wanted the item.

Maybe we should make this an eBay Seller Etiquette thread?

I know that eBay says to contact them if an item is unpaid after 72 hours. Shit happens, you know? At that time, eBay will log it, and tell you to give the buyer another week (I think eBay messages the buyer reminder at this time). After 10 total days you're allowed to file an Unpaid Item ticket.

Personally, you're being much nicer than I would. I wouldn't leave negative feedback, but I also wouldn't be interested in accepting the same offer again. It just feels like a problem waiting to happen.

[ICantShuffle]

Yeah, I was going to see if eBay would let me dump it, tonight. It's a popular item with several watchers, and I am down to my last one if this guy pays by tonight.

I wonder how much is caused by people using other people's eBay accounts inadvertently. I suppose computing devices have become hyper personal lately, but when I was younger it wasn't uncommon to go over to a buddy's house and use their computer, sometimes you'd have to sign them out of something if they were signed into it. Or, perhaps, children using a parent's account.

I'm interested in selling my collection, so if it was a genuine mistake, then why not extend another offer? If it happens again, drop the sale, block the buyer.

[theCapraAegagrus]

I wonder how much is caused by people using other people's eBay accounts inadvertently. I suppose computing devices have become hyper personal lately, but when I was younger it wasn't uncommon to go over to a buddy's house and use their computer, sometimes you'd have to sign them out of something if they were signed into it. Or, perhaps, children using a parent's account.

You would be surprised at the amount of times comic sellers receive messages like, "my child bought this without permission please cancel sale". It happens everyday and it's a complete joke. 99% of the time I guarantee it's false.

When I was U20, I had my own account, and my dad would occasionally pay for something for me (birthday, Chris-mas, etc). People just won't man-up to an agreed sale, because they found it $1 cheaper elsewhere. Excuses Excuses Excuses Excuses 98.

I'm not saying that this is your situation. I don't think that it's unreasonable to expect payment within 72 hours. Unless there's a true emergency of some sort, it's just IMO unreasonable for people to be so irresponsible with their commitments.

[ICantShuffle]

Interestingly enough, went up for my lunchtime stroll, phone dinged, I got my $$. Gonna ship deck tomorrow. I wonder if it was a user here...

You would be surprised at the amount of times comic sellers receive messages like, "my child bought this without permission please cancel sale". It happens everyday and it's a complete joke. 99% of the time I guarantee it's false.

That sucks. I would probably have believed it maybe a decade or more ago, but now you're probably right. I only would've believed it back then because of my personal experiences being the only one in a household to use online marketplaces when I was still young enough to live with my parents. I don't know why people wouldn't just be like "hey, bro, this other guy has it for XX and you're selling for YY, can you hook a brotha up?" I'd probably just be like "sure, man" and refund them the difference via paypal once it clears. I do that with Best Offers, if someone messages me and lets me know I'm significantly out in left field to the market price, I will usually adjust it after agreeing to their offer.

I sold a few things under my own account when I was U18. This was when eBay was relatively new (like 1996/97), in fact that account was so old I had lost the password to it and that was prior to the advent of Gmail on an old ISP that doesn't exist anymore so the email account it was linked to was probably deleted many years ago. I only ever sold stuff until I was old enough to have my own checking account. I had a PayPal Account, but my parents refused to pay for stuff.

I prefer using eBay to Amazon for most things, Amazon feels like shopping at Wal-Mart, but online. At least with eBay it's like the swap meet and I can haggle, there's no pretense. Also, because it's easier to be a seller, a feel like the market is more robust and even niche/cottage stuff can thrive.

[Pablo393]

Ebay is great and for the most part I have had solid experiences as both a buyer and a seller.

One time I sold a really nice Coach leather men's shaving kit bag and sent it off. Tracking showed it arrived, end of story. The buyer comes to me a week later and says she wants a refund because she never received it. I ask her to make sure and check with everyone in the house. Turns our her maid saw the box (I shipped it in an empty bulk light bulb box) and put it in the garage for future use. We laughed and she felt bad.

I have had buyers cancel for all kinds of crazy reasons and I always do it. no questions asked, even if I think they are trying to get over on me. One guy bought a David Blaine deck from me and wanted a refund bc the color of the tuck was more yellowish than white. I refunded him and told him to keep the deck. He said, "good move, now I won't leave you negative feedback."

Thanks for both of your contributions to this thread. Good stuff.

[theCapraAegagrus]

...One guy bought a David Blaine deck from me and wanted a refund bc the color of the tuck was more yellowish than white. I refunded him and told him to keep the deck. He said, "good move, now I won't leave you negative feedback."

Thanks for both of your contributions to this thread. Good stuff.

You are both way better people than me.

[ICantShuffle]

Pablo is a way better person than I am.

I don't know if it's really that smart to essentially cause that kind of financial harm to complete strangers that have your full name and address. Which is why I play nice when doing business online.

I don't mind if buyers cancel before I've shipped (I usually ship next business day, or try to depending on when order was placed), no biggie, but yeah, being in one of those situations where you are out product and they're doing something shady.

[ICantShuffle]

I have two scenarios, I need advice.

I have a user who ordered a second deck of one of my decks for sale, but in the comments they wrote "the other one I ordered was defective, please send mint condition one for my collection." I do not plan to issue a refund, as the deck is in brand-new, pristine condition when I mailed it-- so if there was a problem, they need to file a claim with USPS. But, I am debating on whether or not to just cancel this second buy of theirs. I messaged them to explain to me what the issue was with the first deck, and why they didn't contact me before hand. No response yet. I am not shipping the second deck until I get a reply. They also appear to be a reseller, so I am not going to subsidize someone else's business.

Here's my conundrum: If I ship them a second deck, I think they'll try to ask for a refund through eBay. It's my last deck, so I have no other decks to send them after this one. They know this since it's in the listing, which is adding to my trepidation to ship the deck. I am especially worried because the deck was one I had in absolutely perfect shape, they haven't been sitting on my shelf very long since it was a recent KS fulfillment-- so no loose/yellowed cellophane or anything. I also shipped it double bubble-wrapped in a moisture-proof padded envelope. Again, they haven't told me what the problem is, so I messaged them and said I wouldn't ship unless they told me what the problem was with the first deck.

I'm leaning towards just cancelling the sale. I've never done that before, but this seems sketch, especially since it is what appears to be a large eBay reseller.

The second scenario is, I keep getting messages and "Best Offers" from people who don't even apparently know what they're buying. How do you explain Lotrek's unsealed decks to a newb collector? I got one guy that's like "it sucks that there's no guarantee to the buyer of the cards what shape they're in without any seal, but I am interested anyway." And then proceeds to lowball me. For reference, this is my extra Damask deck, which I have never opened the loose plastic blister bag it comes in. How do I respond to this without sounding like an elitist @$$? I told him to go Google Lotrek and Oath Playing Cards and see what others on collector forums have to say about his work and the lack of tuck seals. I felt like saying "well, because they aren't sealed, you can always open them and check, couldn't you?" and then "how do you know that there are even cards in the tuck, if you've never broken the seal to open the tuck and look?" Or something really snarky, but rationally sound. Basically, I guess I need lessons on how to be a decent human being when interacting with these people.

[theCapraAegagrus]

I have two scenarios, I need advice.

I have a user who ordered a second deck of one of my decks for sale, but in the comments they wrote "the other one I ordered was defective, please send mint condition one for my collection." I do not plan to issue a refund, as the deck is in brand-new, pristine condition when I mailed it-- so if there was a problem, they need to file a claim with USPS. But, I am debating on whether or not to just cancel this second buy of theirs. I messaged them to explain to me what the issue was with the first deck, and why they didn't contact me before hand. No response yet. I am not shipping the second deck until I get a reply. They also appear to be a reseller, so I am not going to subsidize someone else's business.

Here's my conundrum: If I ship them a second deck, I think they'll try to ask for a refund through eBay. It's my last deck, so I have no other decks to send them after this one. They know this since it's in the listing, which is adding to my trepidation to ship the deck. I am especially worried because the deck was one I had in absolutely perfect shape, they haven't been sitting on my shelf very long since it was a recent KS fulfillment-- so no loose/yellowed cellophane or anything. I also shipped it double bubble-wrapped in a moisture-proof padded envelope. Again, they haven't told me what the problem is, so I messaged them and said I wouldn't ship unless they told me what the problem was with the first deck.

I'm leaning towards just cancelling the sale. I've never done that before, but this seems sketch, especially since it is what appears to be a large eBay reseller.

Don't replace the deck. Have them file a claim via USPS, as you mention. I would cancel the 2nd sale (or whatever it is). Better safe than sorry. Trust no one; Help no one.

The second scenario is, I keep getting messages and "Best Offers" from people who don't even apparently know what they're buying. How do you explain Lotrek's unsealed decks to a newb collector? I got one guy that's like "it sucks that there's no guarantee to the buyer of the cards what shape they're in without any seal, but I am interested anyway." And then proceeds to lowball me. For reference, this is my extra Damask deck, which I have never opened the loose plastic blister bag it comes in. How do I respond to this without sounding like an elitist @$$? I told him to go Google Lotrek and Oath Playing Cards and see what others on collector forums have to say about his work and the lack of tuck seals. I felt like saying "well, because they aren't sealed, you can always open them and check, couldn't you?" and then "how do you know that there are even cards in the tuck, if you've never broken the seal to open the tuck and look?" Or something really snarky, but rationally sound. Basically, I guess I need lessons on how to be a decent human being when interacting with these people.

Lol I can't advise you on how to NOT be an asshole. I get low-balled for my never-opened Lotrek decks, too. Either you want a Lotrek deck, or you don't. It's not the seller's responsibility to due diligence for a prospective buyer. Stupid is as stupid does, y'know.

My ass is covered on my "handled" Liturgy Treasure deck, as it's all over the listing as "OPENED".

[ICantShuffle]

I want one of your Liturgy Treasure decks, but I know I shouldn't spend the money, otherwise I would have snatched it from you by now.

I suppose you're right, I'll give it until I get home from work, to see if the buyer with the deck problem responds, and if I don't like the answer or they don't respond, I will drop them like a bad habit.

o/~ If you got deck problems, I feel bad for you son. I got 99 problems, but a deck ain't one. o/~