Thoughts on this sale
Summary: curatedbleu expressed concerns about selling a large antique item on eBay to a new buyer with zero feedback. They worried about the buyer not fully understanding the item's dimensions despite clear photos and descriptions. darn_yankee mentioned that canceling the order could negatively affect seller ratings due to eBay’s transaction defect policy. Other participants, kensgiftshop and annadryl, suggested shipping the item and handling potential returns if necessary. tobaccocardyahoo emphasized the importance of detailed written descriptions for expensive items to avoid complications, advising against canceling the sale due to potential reputation risks.
Hello, all! I had no idea that there was a part-time seller group! I posted to "ask a mentor," and haven't had any suggestions for my dilemma. But now I can ask you all because you might understand the situation better. I will copy what I posted there.
Hello! I am hoping to get a bit of honest advice. I made a sale of a very large antique item. The dimensions of the box are 38" x 17" x 27". The item measurements were very clear in the photographs, since so many buyers do not read descriptions. I pictured all issues and also listed everything in the description. Even with all of that, I had dozens of messages asking about the dimensions from those who didn't bother to scroll through the pictures. The item was sold to a brand new buyer on ebay with 0 feedback or purchases. I have sold to many new buyers, but those sales were mostly new items or small items without a ton of detail. I reached out to the buyer, reaffirming that they viewed the pictures and the description of any issues. I also restated the dimensions and have not received a message back. I do not feel good about this sale. I sell part-time and have worked hard to maintain my top-rated seller status with 0 defects and 100% positive feedback. I am on the East Coast, and it is shipping to the West Coast. I had a flat-rate shipping amount and factored the rest into the price. It would be a huge loss to have this returned if the buyer did not read the description or look through all of the pictures. I want to cancel the sale, but I am not sure how this will affect my rating. Thank you for any advice or words of wisdom that you all can provide.
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks ago"The item measurements were very clear in the photographs,"
This is a potential problem.
I make heavy use of photos for condition information on inexpensive light items, so do not take this as an inconsistency between my practices and advice.
When listing an expensive or high shipping cost item, I make sure that the words in my listing include key information like the dimensions and all defects.
Although in the past, I have been less rigorous with expensive items than I might have been, the experience of having some of my items sent to Ebay authentrication made it very clear that if the words are not there things will be more risky and delays may occur.
When an item is sent to Ebay for authentication, the authenticator will not approve the item if all of the defects are not identified in words. They will contact the buyer, tell them of the defects and allow them to decide whether they wish to cancel the order.
Seeing this process in action has led to greater care in how I list.
If you are posting under your selling account, your volume is low enough that I would avoid cancelling this order. You cannot afford many defects and using one for this order will leave you too vulnerable to bad luck.
curatedbleu
OP3 weeks agoThank you so much for your very helpful advice! Yes, I have gone back to school full-time, and ebay has taken a back seat to studying. I appreciate your words of wisdom and voice of experience!!
annadryl
·3 weeks agoYour buyer didn't do anything wrong, they're just new. You offered it, they paid so you ship it. Be sure to round the box dimensions up, that's a big box, don't want any surprises later.
curatedbleu
OP3 weeks agoOh, no. I didn't think that they did anything wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time a buyer has not read or looked at pictures. I have listed things as, local pick-up only, in bold letters. Three times, one item had been sold to people 1,000+ miles from me, so I donated that one. It wasn't worth the trouble. I was being over-cautious, I suppose, because of the size. Yes, I definitely rounded up to account for lots of bubble wrap and packaging. Thank you for responding.
kensgiftshop
·3 weeks agoIf the buyer paid, I'd ship and worry about a possible return later.
darn_yankee
·3 weeks agoCheck out eBay's Seller Standard Policy at Seller standards policy | eBay.
If you cancel this order it will count against you as a transaction defect. You're allowed up to 2% of transactions with defects within an evaluation period. Looking at the policy it sounds like a seller can go to Below Standard swiftly, which would sting.
I truly understand your discomfort. Still, if it were me, I'd ship the order and keep my fingers crossed that it works out. My opinion for what it's worth.