HOW IS THIS FAIR
Summary: saleen-s351 expressed frustration over a dispute with a buyer who purchased a silver beer can, mistaking it for a gold one due to differences in markings. Despite clear photos, the buyer opened a case citing the product was not as described. Responses from other participants emphasized eBay's buyer-oriented policies, noting acceptance of returns mitigates such issues. Several suggested clearer descriptions in listings to avoid similar misunderstandings. Participants shared experiences and perspectives on eBay's policies, emphasizing adaptation to buyer preferences as essential for sellers on the platform.
BUYER BUYS A BEER CAN FROM ME CAUSE HE THINKS ITS A GOLD COLOR VERSION. CAN COMES IN 2 VERSIONS, GOLD OR SILVER. MINE IS SILVER. SILVER CAN HAS CONTENTS 12 FLUID OUNCES AT BOTTOM OF CAN AND MY PICTURES SHOW VERY DETAILED. GOLD CAN HAS CONTENTS AT TOP OF CAN. HE BUYS. THEN CLAIMED NOT AS DESCRIBED. BUT IF HE WOULD OF LOOKED AT PICTURES CLEARLY HE WOULD SEE THIS AINT GOLD CAN. OPENS CASE NOT AS DESCRIBED. SO SINCE EBAY DONT PROTECT US FROM BUYERS REMORSE. THEY RATHER HAVE US LOOK LIKE BAD SELLERS NOT TAKING CLEARER PICTURES AND ITS MY FAULT. SO NOT ONLY DID I CHARGE $4 CHEAPER TO SHIP. I HAD TO PAY A$11 MORE DOLLARS TO FIX HIS MISTAKE AND NOW PUTTING AN ITEM HAS COSTED ME $15 AND WASTE MY TIME.
fabrics24
·2 weeks agoColor should be one of the first things listed in the title and description. Some folks have visual impairments or even just faulty monitors; you have to write like you have no photos and take photos like you have no description.
That said, returns happen; you have to learn to take the L from time to time. Refund and block the guy so you can move on.
15$ is a very reasonable amount to learn this sort of lesson; better that than something in the hundreds or even thousands.
vintage-camerastuff
·2 weeks agoIf you had described it correctly as being a sliver can in the listing there wouldn't have been a problem. I believe this is mostly your fault.
"CLEARLY HE WOULD SEE THIS AINT GOLD CAN" Maybe his computer screen has a yellow tint so it looked like a gold color can. Still your fault.
luckythewinner
·2 weeks ago · EditedeBay is not fair to sellers. It never has been, and it never will be.
The eBay return system has favored buyers since 2002 when the Money back Gaurantee was implemented. As someone who has been on eBay since 1999 and has almost 3,000 feedback from selling activity, I would expect you to have learned that by now.
But if that is not the case and this is the first time you have discovered this, let me be the first to congratulate you on having such a charmed eBay life up to this point!
momtoabeautifuldaughter
·2 weeks ago · EditedI agree with@inhawaii on this. You spent all this time coming there to describe the differences between the gold and silver can but no where does your listing for this item even mention a color.
pickapaper
·2 weeks agoYou have been on eBay for almost 30 years and have sold 3300 items on this account. You have 100% feedback which means you have a lot of happy customers accumulated over that 30 years.
Now you get a numpty buyer who didn't read a listing and you get all upset. Selling on eBay isn't like it was 30 years ago or even 5 or 10 or 20 years ago. (A lot of us on these boards are "old timers"; 28 years for me.) It has become a lot more common for buyers to not read listings especially if they are buying from their phones, some feel entitled, some lie. No, things aren't always fair, but we have learned to adapt and change and sometimes even "put up with stuff" and when we get that one numpty buyer, we deal with it and move on.
At least your buyer filed a return and gave you the opportunity to get your item back and when you get it back, you can resell it, hopefully this time with the correct postage on it.
emuestate
·2 weeks ago · EditedI had a negative review from a buyer complaining about the color of an item they had purchased. There were many photos showing the color, and the color was clearly stated in the title and body of the listing. The AI removal tool would not remove it. I would love to see an analysis of the negative feedback removal tool. AI can recognize colors and the description of colors, yet it doesn't side with the Seller for some reason, even when you sell a gray item, and the buyer states they bought a blue item. It was not blue! The AI should have picked that up. The obvious disproportionate rejection, despite evidence, has to be intentionally programmed in. One of my kids has a PhD in scientific computation, so we talk about this kind of stuff all the time. Accuracy on the part of these tools is important. I also have an issue with people that complain about others not taking returns, as it is officially offered as an option for Sellers on eBay. I worked retail as a cashier selling high quality clothing as a teenager. When you sell nice dresses, some women will wear them to a wedding or event, and then return them. It's not even a rental, because they don't pay a rental fee. We refused the return of dresses that were obviously worn and smelly, as they can't be resold in that condition. My pricing on eBay takes into account that it can't be returned. A lot of buyers only look at items that can be returned, so I'm not getting as many views as other people selling the same items, but those that do look can get a good deal.
shire123
·2 weeks ago@emuestate I think most posters on this board get what you are saying and agree with your rationale for the most part.
But this is ebay's "sandbox" so we follow their rules. For whatever reason, ebay has chosen to make the buying experience as pleasant as possible for the buyers so that they will come back and buy more. That is where ebay makes their money (actual sales).
We as sellers have to factor in any issues we run into because ebay is not going to be a perfect seller's platform.
We can complain all we want but that doesn't change the reality of the situation.
emuestate
·2 weeks agoI completely understand what you're saying about making the buying experience as pleasant as possible. Still, eBay is being paid by the Seller. If you look at some of the up-and-coming selling platforms, they are going out of their way to get Sellers. Heavy advertisement to place listings with no fees. Free shipping. They realize they have to get the inventory in order to make money. Maybe eBay has so much inventory, they don't care, but other platforms will take advantage of that. I'm surprised they haven't had any real online competition in the used car parts category. Giants could give them a run for their money! That being said, I love eBay, despite an occasional bump in the road here and there. I've interacted with so many great Buyers and Sellers. I love seeing the vintage car parts, (etc.) being put to good use, and how happy the buyers are to have found original parts. Makes my day! Overall eBay is a very positive experience, and it has kept a lot of useful and desirable items out of the landfills.
shire123
·2 weeks ago@emuestate In the end it really is the buyer that is the one who is paying ebay. When a seller sets their "price" it needs to include what the FVF's are going to be.
I kind of think those "up and coming" sites have to make themselves attractive to sellers in order to draw them away from ebay. But in time they may find they will have to change. Someone has to pay the bills so fees will eventually arrive. Ebay has been in this a relatively long time. Given their continuing success they maybe have figures out what works best overall. Even though the seller is sometimes on the short end it hasn't affected the bottom line.
Also, ebay has no inventory. They are just a platform for those who have inventory to sell.
saleen-s351
OP2 weeks agothanks for the imput. we all know certain things in life arent fair. just wish ebay had our backs once in a while anymore. and i did report buyer since he claimed i pictured the gold can but sent him a silver can instead but pictures show its the silver can with contents on bottom and sent the can pictured in auction.
bennotbill
·2 weeks agoMaybe it's not fair but who says business is fair?
You only have to look at the goings on in the news, even by those at the top, to see that it's not.
shire123
·2 weeks agoNot everything in life is fair, this is what ebay allows. With ebay's 30 day Money Back Guarantee buyers can return just about anything for a full credit.
Seller's need to accept that and not vent with cap locks on when it occurs to them. Buyers will jump on an item without reading everything or looking closely at the pictures.
Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often. Just take the return. Resell. And take the losses from the first sale off of your taxes.
inhawaii
·2 weeks agoWhy did you take the time to explain the gold vs. silver to us .... but left it off of your listing?
Not very smart.
albertabrightalberta
·2 weeks agoDo you have a question or are you just venting?
saleen-s351
OP2 weeks ago · EditedI asked how its fair. U dint answer. Dont worry 27 years selling on here, this wiil be my last year. Then you dont have to worry about my comments. And some crazy reason you people give why its mt fault I have to pay some persons return shipping for something they bought by mistake.
annadryl
·2 weeks ago(I'd scream with ya but my voice is hoarse)
Many times with "no returns" buyers may feel they need to lie about the condition just to force that return. They probably felt they were a little cornered. I always accept returns to avoid further conflict. It's not my fault, but life isn't always fair. I sell online and that's life.
christworks
·2 weeks ago · Edited@saleen-s351
I'M GOING TO TYPE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS AND ONE LONG PARAGRAPH TO SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT. YOU'VE SOLD HERE DANG NEAR 30 YEARS. YOU KNOW THE RULES OR SHOULD KNOW THE RULES. I'D ASK YOU IF YOU REPORTED THE BUYER FOR LYING ABOUT THE RETURN REASON, BUT I ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. EBAY DOES OFFER SOME PROTECTION FOR SELLERS, BUT TO QUALIFY YOU MUST ACCEPT RETURNS. YOU HAVE NO RETURNS POLICY, SO YOU DON'T GET TO BENEFIT FROM THINGS SELLERS WHO ACCEPT RETURNS GET. I PRESUME YOU MADE THIS DECISION TO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS BASED ON SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICIES, BUT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG ON THAT. NOBODY TELLS YOU WHAT TO SELL OR HOW MUCH TO CHARGE. IF YOU ARE SELLING CHEAP STUFF, YOU SHOULD ACCEPT AT TIMES THINGS MAY BE A WASTE OF YOUR TIME. NOBODY TELLS YOU WHAT TO CHARGE FOR SHIPPING. THAT WAS YOUR CHOICE MY FRIEND TO CHARGE $4 LESS FOR SHIPPING. NOT EBAY'S CHOICE. NOT YOUR BUYERS CHOICE. BUT YOUR CHOICE. SO MY ADVICE TO YOU IS PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON AND ACCEPT THERE ARE THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE. BUT THE ONE THING YOU CAN CHANGE IS YOUR REACTION TO THINGS. I'M SORRY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GOT SCREWED OVER. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES. BE THANKFUL IT WASN'T A $500 ITEM. DON'T LOSE SLEEP OVER IT. AND NEXT TIME YOU POST, PLEASE DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS OR HAVE ONE LONG PARAGRAPH. AS YOU CAN SEE IT MAKES IT HARD TO READ.
saleen-s351
OP2 weeks agoI thank you for your being honest and not making everything a person does on here an excuse. it wasnt like this when i started and every year something changes. more and more people are leaving ebay to sell on other sites. the less people that sell on ebay the less items to make money from sales. less sellers less buyers. so how does it help to only protect buyers and not sellers anymore. we cant even leave feedback for a buyer thats bad but they can leave it for us even if we dont deserve it. as far as big boy pants ... since selling on here lately ive got to wear depends. and as far as caps is concered. sorry dont take offense large caps meaning yelling is stupid. when i type in caps i can see words more clearly, and im glad you typed in caps. thanks for your common sense imput.
annadryl
·2 weeks ago