More Headaches For Ebay Sellers

[tymespan]

Ebay's has instituted a new dispute policy. If a buyer says an item is not as described they open up a Return Request and you have two choices: either refund their payment and let them keep the item or pay the return shipping to have the item returned.
There are no other choices. You can't communicate with the buyer, offer a partial refund or dispute the claim. You choose either A or B and that's it.

And starting in November buyers will be able to open a dispute for up to 6 months in Paypal (instead of the usual 45 days)

But wait there's more. Also starting in November to be a Top Rated Seller you have to offer a 90 days return period for anything bought from November 1.
Bought a record in November and found a cheaper copy in January? No problem, just say the item was not as described and return it with free shipping and a full refund of your purchase price including the original shipping.

 

[Frantic]

Looks to me to be just for extended holiday returns. But you're right, sellers must now pay for return shipping. B.S.

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/holiday2014/ehreturnsfaq.html

 

[Mr.Segment]

About bloody time if you ask me. Why should I pay for a return of poorly graded, or cracked records? The majority of sellers grade like crap.

 

[chas_kit]

Doesn't even have to be 'not as described', someone can just say they found a cheaper copy to get the refund.

 

[bosshoss]

Doesn't even have to be 'not as described', someone can just say they found a cheaper copy to get the refund.

If that is true (which I'm not doubting), then that is extremely unfair to the seller.
However I agree with Mr. Segment that a "not as described" item should be returned at the seller's cost.

If I had my way, the seller of a "not as described" item would also have to pay my currency conversion costs, and compensate me for the time I wasted buying and returning the item.

In general, eBay sellers should have to live up to the same standards of accountability and honesty as any other retailer, especially if they set themselves up as an online "store".

 

[chas_kit]

there's even another option for returns: "I Don't Need It Anymore"!

How about "I have buyer's remorse" or "Now that I've listened to it, I've decided I really don't like this song after all".

Of course sellers often complain that buyers take advantage of the easy returns to rip them off and I'm sure that's true.

It would be smart to return to the old ways of leaving feedback for buyers so a seller wouldn't have to allow a buyer with much negative feedback to bid on his/her auctions.

 

[bosshoss]

As for the "only two options", I have no problem with that either, for items which are "not as described". If it has got to the stage of a formal dispute being opened, then presumably the buyer has already unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with the seller, or else he has no desire to negotiate with the seller, and just wants his money back without an argument.

 

[bosshoss]

there's even another option for returns: "I Don't Need It Anymore"!

That's just ridiculous.
Ebay just seem to have no idea what they are doing.

 

[Heitkotter77]

That's just ridiculous.
Ebay just seem to have no idea what they are doing.

It'sjust further evidence that eBay, a site started as an auction house for collectibles, has no concept anymore of the idiosyncrasies of collectibles.
Rules like this are geared toward the sales of common items (clothing, etc.) and are just anotehr part of eBay's vain attempt to compete with Amazon.
And I can't wait for the day Amazon destroys them, which will likely come not long after eBay spins off Paypal, it's only profitable segment.

 

[bosshoss]

It'sjust further evidence that eBay, a site started as an auction house for collectibles, has no concept anymore of the idiosyncrasies of collectibles.
Rules like this are geared toward the sales of common items (clothing, etc.) and are just anotehr part of eBay's vain attempt to compete with Amazon.
And I can't wait for the day Amazon destroys them, which will likely come not long after eBay spins off Paypal, it's only profitable segment.

That sounds good. But how can Amazon destroy eBay? Does Amazon run auctions? I haven't checked lately..

 

[Heitkotter77]

That sounds good. But how can Amazon destroy eBay? Does Amazon run auctions? I haven't checked lately..

eBay has been pushing more and more toward the seller stores and making things more difficult for auctions, with the intention believed to be eventual elimination of the latter. As it stands right now, fixed privce offerings far outnumber auctions, plus eBay has it s own sales (as they always had even when it was strictly an auction site).
The purpose is to compete with Amazon and try to take their market. As a (at the moment) former eBay seller, I get flooded by them with messages inducing me to sell at fixed prices. As a buyer, I 'm flooded with messages and adverts on my eBay page to buy items in no way connected to my actual buying habits on the site strictly vinyl, CD's & movie DVD's).
It's not so much that Amazon will work to destroy eBay as a competitor, but that the Bay will destroy itself trying to compete. Amazon's business model is far more efficient than eBay's and that's why they attained their position and will continue to rule the internet market. They are a vastly better run company and far more trustworthy than eBay (I don't hesitate to buy from Amazon and go well beyond the scope of what I buy on eBay).
I was talking with a friend last night an dwe got onto Amazon. He was saying that Amazon should either buy Paypal from eBay or wet up their own electronic payment company. With their efficiency, they would take over that field with ease as well.

 

[Frantic]

That sounds good. But how can Amazon destroy eBay? Does Amazon run auctions? I haven't checked lately..

What Mark said.

 

[Frantic]

I was talking with a friend last night an dwe got onto Amazon. He was saying that Amazon should either buy Paypal from eBay or wet up their own electronic payment company. With their efficiency, they would take over that field with ease as well.

Wouldn't that be great. I'd bet a million dollars that Amazon would take Ebay back to the glory days.

 

[barry selcovitz]

I have been an ebay seller and buyer since 1998. I miss the good old days. I am thinking of starting to sell on Amazon next year due to the insane 180 day return rule being placed on ebay sellers. I grade strict ( as a collector first ) and pack securely but cannot leave negative feedback when a buyer does not pay for their bids.

 

[Frantic]

I am thinking of starting to sell on Amazon next year due to the insane 180 day return rule being placed on ebay sellers.

Not sure where you got the 180 return rule from. Here is the correct return info. It is only for Holiday months.
How long is the holiday return period?

Sellers who offer a holiday return policy will be expected to accept returns through January 31, 2015, for items sold between November 1 and December 31, 2014.

 

[barry selcovitz]

Frantic, I received the Paypal updated policy last month which states that their claim period will be extended from 45 days to 180 days as of November 18th. That is in addition to powersellers offering extended periods through the holidays. You can see the notification in Paypal under policy updates. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

 

[Frantic]

Frantic, I received the Paypal updated policy last month which states that their claim period will be extended from 45 days to 180 days as of November 18th. That is in addition to powersellers offering extended periods through the holidays. You can see the notification in Paypal under policy updates. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

so ebay has one policy and paypal has a different one. Figures.

 

[tymespan]

eBay has backed down on the 90 days holiday return. You won't lose your Top Rated Seller Status (and 20 % discount) if you don't offer 90 days return but you get an extra 5% discount on your bill if you do. (And supposedly better placement in their searches.)

If you sell on Amazon they have a 90 day holiday return policy that you can't opt out of.

 

[Frantic]

eBay has backed down on the 90 days holiday return. You won't lose your Top Rated Seller Status (and 20 % discount) if you don't offer 90 days return but you get an extra 5% discount on your bill if you do. (And supposedly better placement in their searches.)

If you sell on Amazon they have a 90 day holiday return policy that you can't opt out of.

yes but if paypal is going honor 180 day returns, ebay's return policy means nothing. right?

 

[Outside_Lookin_in]

You guys could make G45 the number 1 marketplace for garage sales (not the park-your-car-in kind ebay keeps suggesting to me). Those willing to put up the resources / time to set it up could benefit from joint ownership and charging fees. The only drawback I see, is that nothing would get past Mark...