Ebay guide for Sellers and Buyers

dentedshed

dentedshed

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There seems to be a few ebay threads at the moment so I though I'd share this guide that I have been knocking together for a little while. Feel free to comment or criticise, I'm a big boy so I can take it :cool:

Sellers:

Take lots of pictures. Good, clear pictures. There is no excuse for not doing this seeing as there are so many free hosting sites around.

Describe your item well. Sit down and think about what it is you're selling and write a thorough and truthful description of it.
Make sure that your pictures back this up. A three line description is not a good description.

Starting price. Decide if you want a specific start price (the lowest you will accept) or chance it by starting at 99p and let bidders
decide the market price. If you do set a reserve it has to be at least £50 (setting a reserve costs more so you might be just as well with a higher start price).

Buy it Now. If you know what price you want then stick it on a fixed price, Buy it Now (BIN) listing. If you do a normal auction and add a BIN
price be aware that the BIN option will disappear as soon as a bid is placed if there is no reserve set. BIN listings have the advantage of
attracting lower final valuation fees (about 6% rather than 10%).

Weed out the scammers. Go to this link when you are signed in to eBay and tick all the boxes.
It will dramatically reduce hassle in an instant.

Postage cost. Set a fair postage rate or consider offering free postage. Decide whether you want to post abroad and, if you do, set
fair postage rates.
Also consider Next day delivery as an additional postage option as some buyers want the goods ASAP. (thanks AnnaV)
Postage rates are available from The Post Office

Collection. Some stuff is either too big or too costly to post so offer local pick up.
Specify in your listing whether you will only accept cash on delivery and/or PayPal.

Postage insurance. Decide how valuable the item is to you. If you cannot afford to lose a £20 item in the post then choose
recorded delivery. Over £41, choose Special Delivery. The other option is to self insure but only do this if you can afford a loss.
Keep your postage receipts so that you can track items online.

Dispatch time. You are now required to set a specific dispatch time. I suggest you put an extra day on it and that way if the seller
receives it sooner than expected it will show in the feedback you receive. When you do post the item make sure that you at least mark it
as dispatched in 'My eBay'. If you are printing your postage via Paypal you can have an email automatically sent to the buyer to inform
them that its on the way.

Feedback. When a buyer pays up they have fulfilled their end of the contract so leave them feedback. Buyers appreciate feedback
even though it doesn't really count any more.

Disputes. If you are unlucky enough to have a buyer open a dispute, don't delay. Answer any queries ASAP and do so in a polite and
courteous manner (through gritted teeth if need be).

Be truthful and factual and keep all correspondence in relation to the dispute. A buyer will normally open a dispute because the item
they have received is not what they expected. If you have described it properly this should not be an issue and the good description will
help you in your dispute.

In recent years eBay has become worse for sellers not winning disputes
but if you follow all of the above you shouldn't have too much hassle.


Buyers:

Buyers have it easy.

No really they do :)

Place bid, win and pay. (It is helpful if buyers ask questions whilst the listing is live rather than after they have won.)

Leave feedback when you have received the item.

That's all they are required to do.

Obviously, things will go wrong occasionally and when they do you're first port of call is to contact the seller as the first instance.

Decide from the response from the seller as to how you want to play it.

Sellers being cooperative (y) is what we all want and when they offer to replace/repair/refund it makes life so much easier

When a seller is uncooperative (n) don't bother playing a game of email tennis that lasts weeks. Set them a time limit of when you would
like the issue to be sorted. Generally a week is more than sufficient (but allow for weekends & holidays).

If the time limit is reached, open a case in the eBay resolution centre. Do not threaten the seller with the case, do not mention it in your
emails to them, you've given them enough time by now. Fill in all the required information stating only facts, do not let personal insults creep
in there and NEVER EVER MENTION FEEDBACK during the exchange of emails or in the dispute.

If you mention feedback in a dispute or email exchange it WILL count against you.

Most sellers will cooperate when a case is opened. Some won't. A case cannot be escalated to a claim until ten days have passed.
If you reach ten days, escalate it ASAP, you've given them more than enough time and, don't forget, they have your money and
you have an item that is not as described or worse, no item at all.
 
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If you've sold anything to a buyer who wants to collect, DO NOT accept Paypal. The buyer could open a dispute and claim non-delivery, and because you don't have a tracking number proving delivery, the buyer gets a refund and keeps your item (and Paypal won't want to know, they are only interested in a tracking number and in 99% of cases, side with buyers in disputes.)
 
wicker_man said:
If you've sold anything to a buyer who wants to collect, DO NOT accept Paypal. The buyer could open a dispute and claim non-delivery, and because you don't have a tracking number proving delivery, the buyer gets a refund and keeps your item (and Paypal won't want to know, they are only interested in a tracking number and in 99% of cases, side with buyers in disputes.)
Click to expand...

To a point. I've accepted paypal for several items that have been collected and never had any bother. I think one of the most important things is to guage your buyer from the tone of any previous communication. That's worked for me so far.
 
If you are selling, consider offering next day delivery (obviously at an additional cost). Sometimes I am desperate for something and will go with that option rather than wait and save more money.
 
Nice guide with some top tips. Wickerman is correct in what he said, the only problem is you have to accept paypal as a payment method if the buyer wishes to pay. If the item is low value and they wish to collect I will usually not quibble. If its over £50 I will usually refund the money back into their paypal account and explain to them why its only cash on delivery. I have never had a problem with doing this, as most genuine buyers once you have explained the risk are happy to pay COC. They could if they wanted give you a negative feedback but personally I would rather take a negative feedback than lose a couple hundred pounds.
 
Always ask questions before bidding and carefully check their feedback and previously sold items. All my trouble happened when I didn't do these checks very carefully.

P.S. What happens when a scam artist seller sends an empty box? I've never had it, touch wood, but it is very widespread (one of the top 3 problems in resolution centre).
 
daugirdas said:
Always ask questions before bidding and carefully check their feedback and previously sold items. All my trouble happened when I didn't do these checks very carefully.

P.S. What happens when a scam artist seller sends an empty box? I've never had it, touch wood, but it is very widespread (one of the top 3 problems in resolution centre).
Click to expand...

You have to prove it was an empty box. It can be tricky and hopefully a situation you don't want to find yourself in.
 
pitkin2020 said:
You have to prove it was an empty box. It can be tricky and hopefully a situation you don't want to find yourself in.
Click to expand...

:thinking: If it was posted via the PO then the sticky postage label/stamp would state the weight on it as well as the price - so then you could prove it was an empty box.....
 
Trig's said:
:thinking: If it was posted via the PO then the sticky postage label/stamp would state the weight on it as well as the price - so then you could prove it was an empty box.....
Click to expand...

Well they might be more generous and send a bottle of wine for example. Would you film the unboxing like the Leica owners :lol: or make the postman wait and watch?
 
daugirdas said:
Always ask questions before bidding and carefully check their feedback and previously sold items. All my trouble happened when I didn't do these checks very carefully.
Click to expand...

How are you getting on with that? Is the seller being cooperative?

P.S. What happens when a scam artist seller sends an empty box? I've never had it, touch wood, but it is very widespread (one of the top 3 problems in resolution centre).
Click to expand...

Never had it happen. I suppose I'd look at the postage cost or weight displayed and use that as proof.

How do you know its one of the top three in the resolution centre?
 
Trig's said:
:thinking: If it was posted via the PO then the sticky postage label/stamp would state the weight on it as well as the price - so then you could prove it was an empty box.....
Click to expand...

Getting a printed label from the PO only displays the cost, not the weight.

If a seller has printed a label via paypal they have the option to display the cost or weight but not both.
 
Trig's said:
:thinking: If it was posted via the PO then the sticky postage label/stamp would state the weight on it as well as the price - so then you could prove it was an empty box.....
Click to expand...

Yeah but your not likely to get a completely empty box you will get one that weights the same inside as the intended item, if they have gone to the effect to deceive you they are going to do it properly. Its the water bottle in the laptop bag scam, just via post. Thats why its hard to prove either way it could be a genuine seller and just the buyer trying it on or vicer versa the scam works both ways really.

Just to add, its important to open the box and check the contents before you sign for it, even if the postie is huffing and puffing about being held up. If you sign for it your accepting it. Atleast doing it in front of the postie you won't accept it (obviously) secondly you have an impartial witness as you may even need to go through the small claims court to get your money back especially if ebay sides with the seller.
 
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dentedshed said:
How are you getting on with that? Is the seller being cooperative?

All resolved now. I've lost postage but that is nothing compared to what it could be.


Never had it happen. I suppose I'd look at the postage cost or weight displayed and use that as proof.

How do you know its one of the top three in the resolution centre?

There are only 3 options: 1) not received 2) not as described 3) empty box received
Click to expand...
 
dentedshed said:
Getting a printed label from the PO only displays the cost, not the weight.

If a seller has printed a label via paypal they have the option to display the cost or weight but not both.
Click to expand...


Strange that as my PO does with their postage/stamp labels.... I've had labels with the weight on them from other senders....
 
One for the sellers.

If someone leaves you neg feedback, that you know you didnt deserve, you can contact ebay and ask them to remove it, or ebay will start a sort of "reslolution case" to make the buyer happier and get the feedback changed. You have several options to please the buyer, from a refund to replacement. Of course the buyer doesnt have to agree, and in this case you may need to take things further with ebay and prove the feedback is not true and harmful to your business.
 
Another one for sellers:

Don't be afraid to sell worldwide; it's the same listing price, but you're increasing your potential buyers from approximately 60 million to 6 billion! You're also going to the Post Office anyway, it makes no difference to you what address you write on the front.

There are multiple scare stories about foreign buyers, however if you follow the selling guidance already listed above you'll be much safer.
 
Nemesis said:
Another one for sellers:

Don't be afraid to sell worldwide; it's the same listing price, but you're increasing your potential buyers from approximately 60 million to 6 billion! You're also going to the Post Office anyway, it makes no difference to you what address you write on the front.

There are multiple scare stories about foreign buyers, however if you follow the selling guidance already listed above you'll be much safer.
Click to expand...

Thing that gets me about that is the customs form - ie do I need one or not :shrug:

Cant be asked to fart ass around so I dont bother tbh....
 
If you do, the PO should provide a little sticker that goes on the parcel, you just fill that out. At least my experience anyway.
 
Trig's said:
Thing that gets me about that is the customs form - ie do I need one or not :shrug:

Cant be asked to fart ass around so I dont bother tbh....
Click to expand...

As Tom points out, the PO will provide a sticky label. I *think* you only need to have a customs label if you are sending outside the EU.

Also, if you are printing your postage via Paypal, it will also supply the customs declaration for you.
 
Nemesis said:
Another one for sellers:

Don't be afraid to sell worldwide; it's the same listing price, but you're increasing your potential buyers from approximately 60 million to 6 billion! You're also going to the Post Office anyway, it makes no difference to you what address you write on the front.

There are multiple scare stories about foreign buyers, however if you follow the selling guidance already listed above you'll be much safer.
Click to expand...

I generally list as UK only but I do invite buyers to contact me if they are not UK based. This allows me to check out their feedback before deciding whether to allow them to bid/buy or not.
 
TCR4x4 said:
If you do, the PO should provide a little sticker that goes on the parcel, you just fill that out. At least my experience anyway.
Click to expand...

dentedshed said:
As Tom points out, the PO will provide a sticky label. I *think* you only need to have a customs label if you are sending outside the EU.

Also, if you are printing your postage via Paypal, it will also supply the customs declaration for you.
Click to expand...



:thumbs: I shall bear that in mind next time I decide to sell anything - thanks guys
 
I had to put a customs label on something going to Gurnsey a while back.. Is that in the EU? No idea..
 
I generally list as UK only but I do invite buyers to contact me if they are not UK based. This allows me to check out their feedback before deciding whether to allow them to bid/buy or not.
Click to expand...
I'm no expert, but my understanding is that if you've listed postage to UK only, buyers elsewhere will only find it if the specifically search ebay.co.uk, whereas if you list postage worldwide, it shows up at the bottom of their local ebay search screen.

I *think* you only need to have a customs label if you are sending outside the EU.
Click to expand...
I had to put a customs label on something going to Gurnsey a while back.. Is that in the EU? No idea..
Click to expand...

Customs forms are needed for all packages (as opposed to letters) that are leaving the EU.

The Channel Islands are funny, they're part of the UK for some things but not others - postage being one of them! In addition, they're also not part of the EU , so you do have to fill in a customs form when posting there. However, don't fret about do you/don't you need one, as previously mentioned, the Post Office will supply it if it's needed.

Once the customs form is completed, you (as a seller) don't have any further worries about it. However, your buyer might be charged duty on their purchase by their government, before they can receive the item.

In terms of eBay sales, duty is is (a) something the buyer needs to consider, not the seller, (b) something that can't be easily calculated by the seller, as different countries have different duty free limits, and charge different duty amounts, (c) something that can occasionally be circumvented by the seller if you choose to post the item as a "gift".
 
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