Ebay pet peeve

[jwilli]

My Ebay pet peeve is that you either win the auction or do the BIN and the seller doesn't get in touch with you within three days! That sucks. I hit the BIN button for a TR35B amp three days ago and no email from the seller. I paid via PayPal so I'm not worried. Am I being paranoid? Maybe its today's "gotta have it now" society?

[ozover50]

I hate it too, John. A number of times I've emailed the living daylights out of the seller after paying via paypal or direct deposit asking about shipping and had absolutely no response but a week later the item is delivered! Other times I get 'sorry, mate..... I was out of town on business for the week. I'll ship it in a few days'. That gives me the screaming sh*ts - especially if the seller specifies shipping within 2-3 days or something like that.

I think if you're a seller you have an obligation to stick to what you say! I've deliberately held back on putting items on ebay because of known commitments that could effect the delivery time.

[johnallg]

Not everyone is an honorable gentleman, Aitch.

[rickenbrother]

I bought something on ebay for Diane a couple of days ago, haven't heard a word from the seller.

[1965]

Maybe its today's "gotta have it now" society?

That's a problem of mine. Waiting for things to ship is just agony, then when they finally show up on my doorstep it's like Christmas day. That's why I love Zappos.com, they ship insanely quick and have free 1-day shipping always. It's nuts, I could order shoes tonight and they would be here tomorrow afternoon.

[jps]

I love the "payment must be in my grubby hands within 2 days or"... Like my money order is going to get to the other side of the country by that time!

[beatlefreak]

It seems to be an increasing problem on Ebay - sellers who don't communicate via email. I think a lot of it has to do with the automated invoices and such.

[collin]

I love the "payment must be in my grubby hands within 2 days or"... Like my money order is going to get to the other side of the country by that time!

Well, slowly but surely...the old money order system is being phased out. Less and less sellers refuse paypal. Even with all the ridiculous fees etc, Paypal is by far the easiest, safest way to send/recieve money. Cheap by money wire standards too.

My only gripe with paypal is their horrible insurance system. Only up to $200...then only up to $2000? They should have so much info on every seller before transaction #1 that each item can be insured fully without exception.

The other thing that sucks is when sellers are pushy, demand money within like 4 days or whatever...then relax for weeks before sending the item out! I expect the same service that I give out when I pay immediately for the item. oh well..

Cheers,
-Collin

[grazioso]

there is another side to this story, non-paying people - it is truly major headache when you have non paying moron. and let's not forget sellers who really don't want to sell the item - e.g. fire sales etc.. i had about three transactions in last couple months that were just such problem. and it is not easy to get anything out of paypal or ebay and paypal refund takes forever. ebay is what it is - a flea market. i think we all can think of more than one funky transaction that happened there... i am always trying to sent invoice witch some positive note etc... but i rarely get any response from buyers or the sellers these days too. the rudeness is spreading worldwide. i wish they (ebay corporation) would separate all the new items and corporate sellers from the rest of us and every invoice would have to include valid phone number and every seller and buyer has by default current data verified every month through the credit card or the account is closed. than it would be- and i am just guessing - all much easier.

[rick_ovic]

Many US sellers will only ship within the US. I can understand how this makes it easier for the US based seller, as they don't have to fill out a customs form, however it does narrow down the size of their potential market.

I'm not running a Nigerian scam and I don't belong to the Taliban. Yes, I live in another country and yes, I'm an honest 100% positive feedback genuine buyer. There are plenty of sellers who will ship outside of the US when specifically asked, and there are others who will accept my bid, provided I have the item shipped to a US address (thanks Dave and Joey!).

Every now and then I'll place a bid in the dying stages of an auction, only to find out I've been barred from bidding at all because of my residential address, and that sucks. I console myself with the knowledge that the seller didn't get the highest price, because I couldn't bid!

[bottom4]

John, I agree and I’ll take it one step further. I’ve been on a spree lately buying stuff for my new house. I either win the auction through normal course or through the BIN function. Either way, the moment I win I pay immediately through PayPal. Sometimes I get the tracking number. The product shows up and I leave positive feedback on the Seller’s account. Then I have to beg for them to return the “favor.” Most time than not – no feedback

[jingle_jangle]

I agree about Paypal...it's a nasty scheme, but oh-so-convenient. I now use it whenever a buyer will accept it, meaning they get immediate payment.

BUT, if I haven't received a notice that my item has been shipped, within 10 days of the payment having been made, I warn the seller that I will be lodging a Paypal complaint if I don't get a tracking number within 48 hours. Period.

A few times, this didn't dislodge them. I think twice I've actually gone to complaint process. And THAT works.

[Scastles]

It is my understanding that Paypal was going to a system whereas any payment made to a seller would be held in 'limbo' for 21 days before actually deposited in the sellers account. The only way a seller could receive payment earlier was if he got positive feedback from the buyer for the item, or could prove shipment, prior to the 21 day grace period.
I read this on the eBay site, I think, but have heard little about it since. This could either help or hurt the situation. A seller may just sit on the item for 15 days and then ship. But, if he's in dire need of the cash, he may move a little quicker on the shipping.


Added note. Here's an article on it.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/08/smbusin ... /index.htm

[collin]

Many US sellers will only ship within the US. I can understand how this makes it easier for the US based seller, as they don't have to fill out a customs form, however it does narrow down the size of their potential market.

Yup, totally. I list everything available to ship worldwide. I don't really see how it's much harder than shipping in the US. Just a small customs form that takes a minute to fill out- that's it!

At least it's my way of combating our ***** US economy...If Europe etc wants to pay more than people in the US will (because for them it's sort of like "half price") then cool deal

Cheers,
-Collin

[jingle_jangle]

Good for you, Collin. I find that shipping to Europe is a hassle, but I do it. (Perhaps if I had a UPS "pickup" account it would be less so.)

Shipping to Canada, however, is such a nightmare--with NAFTA paperwork--that it has the potential of destroying a profit margin on a smaller Ebay or retail item. A few years ago, I thinned my herd via Ebay, and half my buyers were in Canada. The paperwork for five guitars took an entire afternoon (usual interruptions included).