Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

[LaundryRoom]

Here's a new one for me.

I sold a Celine purse. The 'bay has "authenticators", and if a handbag sells for more than $500, it must go to them first.

My purse sold for $465, but as the shipping and the sales tax are also part of the $500 threshold (something I did not know), that pushed the total to just over $500, so off to the authenticators it went. They received it five days ago, and have authenticated it. They still have it, and have not yet sent it onward to the buyer.

Today I received this message from the buyer:

At first I thought this had to be BS. But I called the 'bay, and they confirmed that the authenticators not only determine legitimacy, but also will directly contact the buyer with their opinions as to the condition of the item. They do indeed offer the buyer a 3-day window in which to cancel. Mind you, the buyer doesn't yet have it in her hands.

I don't sell many purses, but I do sell the odd sneakers here and there, requiring authentication.

Not anymore.

 

[Leatherviz]

Hi,
Can someone help me how to build a perfect title for leather outfits? (leather jackets, leather dress)

 

[drlivingston]

Hi,
Can someone help me how to build a perfect title for leather outfits? (leather jackets, leather dress)

First, is BDSM a word?

 

[Nikola]

Gents,
It's been some time since I sold anything on eBay. I have good references as a seller, but I would like to ask - is it still possible to sell on eBay using only Paypal or do I now need to open a Payoneer account in order to sell? I heard only bad things about it so wouldn't like to waste time with it .. Also, does eBay have some quality alternatives for selling brand new designer shoes? Are we still limited to eBay in 2023?

 

[florent]

Here's a new one for me.

I sold a Celine purse. The 'bay has "authenticators", and if a handbag sells for more than $500, it must go to them first.

My purse sold for $465, but as the shipping and the sales tax are also part of the $500 threshold (something I did not know), that pushed the total to just over $500, so off to the authenticators it went. They received it five days ago, and have authenticated it. They still have it, and have not yet sent it onward to the buyer.

Today I received this message from the buyer:

View attachment 1937375

At first I thought this had to be BS. But I called the 'bay, and they confirmed that the authenticators not only determine legitimacy, but also will directly contact the buyer with their opinions as to the condition of the item. They do indeed offer the buyer a 3-day window in which to cancel. Mind you, the buyer doesn't yet have it in her hands.

I don't sell many purses, but I do sell the odd sneakers here and there, requiring authentication.

Not anymore.

Vestiaire Collective works the same way and I actually like it as a seller: if the item is validated the sell is done and anything that happens next is between the buyer and them. If the item is not validated they send it back to me at their expense and I don't have to deal with the buyer either.

 

[LaundryRoom]

Vestiaire Collective works the same way and I actually like it as a seller: if the item is validated the sell is done and anything that happens next is between the buyer and them. If the item is not validated they send it back to me at their expense and I don't have to deal with the buyer either.

I'm all for authenticating the item. But to then contact the buyer before sending the item, and effectively say, "This isn't as described; you should cancel now" is a little much for me. I had already accepted a Best Offer. Now they're suggesting that I should give an additional discount based on their opinion of the (already authenticated) item's condition?

Lesson learned. I'll just avoid these categories in the future.

 

[florent]

You may want to block this clown: dragonanni
Opened an INAD claiming damaged item over photos so blurry I couldn't even tell what the issue was supposed to be, waited the very last moment of the return window to tell Ebay he sent back the item, but actually kept it. Of course he fished insistently for a partial refund all along the process. No harm done in the end but my funds have been blocked for 2 months

 

[goatamous II]

Strange scenario but curious how you guys would handle it. This happened on grailed

I sold a shirt over a year ago. Back then guy told me he was unhappy with the shirt and wanted to return it. Fine, I accept returns, send it back

Over 6 months later I get a package delivered. It's the shirt. Guy hadnt said a thing to me in 6 months so I was surprised to get it.

Fast forward another 7 months (yesterday) and guy messages me asking if I've received the shirt. I haven't responded yet.

Now I'm not in the business of scamming people, of course, but I have half a mind to just ignore him and move on with life.

Curious if any of you wouldn't refund him at this point

 

[Fueco]

Strange scenario but curious how you guys would handle it. This happened on grailed

I sold a shirt over a year ago. Back then guy told me he was unhappy with the shirt and wanted to return it. Fine, I accept returns, send it back

Over 6 months later I get a package delivered. It's the shirt. Guy hadnt said a thing to me in 6 months so I was surprised to get it.

Fast forward another 7 months (yesterday) and guy messages me asking if I've received the shirt. I haven't responded yet.

Now I'm not in the business of scamming people, of course, but I have half a mind to just ignore him and move on with life.

Curious if any of you wouldn't refund him at this point

I’d just ignore him.

 

[Steve Smith]

Strange scenario but curious how you guys would handle it. This happened on grailed

You lost me at "Grailed". Anyone who has major complaints about ebay does not have experience with Grailed or The Real Real. TRR is the worst, a dishonest system which is abused by their employees.

 

[FPB]

Has anyone had any experience with the "new" global shipping? eBay sent me a message recently that my listings would soon allow int'l shipping (something I've never been keen on). However, the message said that the shipments actually go to eBay's hub (outgoing and incoming if case there's a return). So in other words eBay is now in the business of handling international shipping. Seems odd, but has anyone dealt with it yet?

 

[wumpyfish]

You lost me at "Grailed". Anyone who has major complaints about ebay does not have experience with Grailed or The Real Real. TRR is the worst, a dishonest system which is abused by their employees.

I still do some sniping at RR(Backed by Paypal) but they have an ephemeral lifespan.

 

[Henry S]

You lost me at "Grailed". Anyone who has major complaints about ebay does not have experience with Grailed or The Real Real. TRR is the worst, a dishonest system which is abused by their employees.

How do the employees abuse the system?

 

[Steve Smith]

How do the employees abuse the system?

Two ways.

1. They have the right to set prices according to the agreement with them. The percentage paid to the seller is tiered by sales price. So at certain 'sold price' breaks they charge a considerably higher commission. They consistently set prices $1 below the price break. So by selling for $1 more I would have had net proceeds from the sale considerably higher.

(If that is not clear enough I will give an example. I don't recall the actual percentages so I will just pick some numbers from the air. Say a clothing item which sells for $150 or above TRR will charge a 25% fee and for $99 to $149 they charge a 35% fee. They consistently sold my items for $149 or just below the actual break. In this example TRR gets $15 more by going $1 lower than the commission break point.)

2. Just before Christmas a few years ago I listed a group of shirts. One in particular was first quality, and retailed for $450. Comparables on TRR were $200+. Price was set at $100 and it sold immediately. TRR employee got a steal on that one I'm sure.

Their system is set up in such a way that you have to trust them to take care of you. And they abuse that trust. Personal integrity is important in business. You will actually make more money in the long run by being honest and taking care of your customers.

 

[double00]

gotta be careful and realistic , a lot of consignors are terrific and above board but some make an art out of self-dealing . caveat emptor etc etc