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

[capnwes]

hey guys, reading this thread has been so helpful. i had a question that i was wondering how i should proceed with.

i have an auction and one bidder. that bidder contacted me and asked if he could make an offer to purchase the item. no one else has bidded on the item. would i be allowed to close the auction and perhaps do a buy it now at the agreed price with the buyer or a set price with a best offer, then have the user send me an offer and accept that offer?

just wanted to make sure i stayed within the rules of ebay.

You can do an "end listing - with option to sell to highest bidder" then edit the invoice to the agreed price. This way you won't have to pay two rounds of final value fees.

 

[ScottW]

On a suit shipped 3 days ago, tracking says "no such number" and package will be returned to sender due to incorrect address. That was on Dec 9, with no reported tracking activity since. Is this just another example of them screwing up the scan? I can type the guys address into the ship interface and it works fine, and if I google map it I can see the guy's house with the street number visible in the photo on street view, so it's definitely a good address. Anyone ever seen that "no such number" and subsequently had it correctly scanned at delivery? IDK if the box is enroute to the buyer, or on the way back to me, or still sitting at my post office. Shall I pester the USPS in person or just wait it out another day or two?

 

[capnwes]

wow, would get this right now if not for the price of shipping. is ~$100 a decent price for this thing?

It's a great deal, and the shipping is pretty reasonable for such a large package.

See HERE

 

[capnwes]

On a suit shipped 3 days ago, tracking says "no such number" and package will be returned to sender due to incorrect address. That was on Dec 9, with no reported tracking activity since. Is this just another example of them screwing up the scan? I can type the guys address into the ship interface and it works fine, and if I google map it I can see the guy's house with the street number visible in the photo on street view, so it's definitely a good address. Anyone ever seen that "no such number" and subsequently had it correctly scanned at delivery? IDK if the box is enroute to the buyer, or on the way back to me, or still sitting at my post office. Shall I pester the USPS in person or just wait it out another day or two?

I'd wait. I had a "RTS no longer lives here" a couple weeks ago after a buyer forgot to change his address. I go the suit back, but it took a week longer than it should have, and didn't track well along the way.

 

[gerbilunit]

You can do an "end listing - with option to sell to highest bidder" then edit the invoice to the agreed price. This way you won't have to pay two rounds of final value fees.

awesome, thanks capn!

 

[Snoogz]

Block user isaiah55902

Did not pay for item....twice. No communication after multiple attempts...

 

[othertravel]



I shot him a message first saying I'm unable to send the item as he requested. Hopefully he'll be okay with it but I offered a cancellation if he has any reservations. Seems like the best course. Good thing to know eBay has my back, though.

Brokerage on $90 shouldn't be that much.

 

[VLSI]

So the tracking on that package yesterday finally updated. 10 days of nothing, but now shows in buyer's state

 

[Snoogz]

So the tracking on that package yesterday finally updated. 10 days of nothing, but now shows in buyer's state

Had a similar slow tracking issue...buyer opened case after 9 days of no delivery (first class) for a dress shirt. Finally updated yesterday and was delivered...but still seems within normal range time for first class delivery for domestic shipping.

All is good

 

[TheNeedMachine]

I shot him a message first saying I'm unable to send the item as he requested. Hopefully he'll be okay with it but I offered a cancellation if he has any reservations. Seems like the best course. Good thing to know eBay has my back, though.

I tell buyers that when I print international labels in eBay, it automatically fills in the values and won't let me adjust it. Basically I play the dumb good cop and make eBay out to be the bad cop. Haven't had anyone ask in a while, but has shut 'em up in the past.

Block user ....

Did not pay for item....twice. No communication after multiple attempts...

One favorite thing about having a store now is the "block bidder" option being right in front of my nose, instead of having to hunt around for it.

'tis the season, so I bought my mannequin a new tie. Tired of the old purple one, he asked for something more festive for the holidays but could be worn year-round as well. He was so excited he insisted I take a photo and post it, so here ya go.



He's so proud, standing up straight, chest out, shoulders back. He just stands there all day, like his father did before him, and his before him.

 

[Snoogz]

I'll be putting in my resignation at my current career (day job) tomorrow and take the plunge into online eBay sales full time from here on out...wish me luck

 

[concealed]

IMO, if you have a halfway decent career, its a huge mistake to quit a full time gig to sell on eBay...

Benefits, thrift shops getting sharper with pricing, if you want to go back to working in a reasonable career then the big empty spot on your resume invites questions, and finally the fact that it is quite easy to do eBay as a side business...

 

[Fueco]

Running your own business is no hole in the resume... If you do it right, that is!

 

[capnwes]

Running your own business is no hole in the resume... If you do it right, that is!

Took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[Snoogz]

IMO, if you have a halfway decent career, its a huge mistake to quit a full time gig to sell on eBay...

Benefits, thrift shops getting sharper with pricing, if you want to go back to working in a reasonable career then the big empty spot on your resume invites questions, and finally the fact that it is quite easy to do eBay as a side business...

I understand from the surface it looks skeptical, but with other factors at hand, it is a very good decision. I could break down my pros cons and everything in between, but really was doing this shoutout as a way to gain some encouragement from the community that has given me this opportunity at hand. Its a way to show others that I am taking a leap of faith, I have a family to support, and responsible for others. But I have no doubts I can make it happen with hard work dedication and belief.

Many of the members contributed in more ways then they will ever know. And I am here to give back what I can, because the Mansion of SF and the west wing of Thrift/Flip threads have given me the chance.