How to avoid being taken advantage of as a seller?
I've gotten to a point as a seller where I get decent traffic and whatnot to my storefront. I'm noticing an influx of people who just say things like "I never received the item" constantly despite the tracking saying that it arrived specifically on their porch or, depending on the shipping company, even providing details that they placed the package in a secure location. I know eBay typically sides with the buyer so I feel obligated to offer refunds even though I am almost confident they are simply doing this to get a free item. Is there other ways to ensure that I don't get taken advantage of as a seller? I'm not a huge business so every time this happens, it adds up and hurts my funds a lot. Anyone else run into this issue?
12 comments
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoDo NOT refund if the tracking shows delivered. I have not had any issues on my 2 seller accounts.
lakefor94
·3 years agoIf you can work your way to Top Rated Seller status and then accept 30 day returns, you get another seller protection. Unscrupulous buyers tend to avoid these accounts.
If you are a Top Rated Seller who offers 30-day or longer returns and the buyer returns something different, opened, used, etc. the seller can deduct up to 50% of the refund to recover the decreased value of the item.
chapeau-noir
·3 years agoNever thought of that, but you make a good point!
lakefor94
·3 years agoLooks like you are one of them.
Would not want to be without it along with the discount on fees.
coolections
·3 years agoYou must have some very bad luck. With that said Ebay has you covered. As long as it shows delivered Ebay will not make you give a refund. Just message the buyer back and let them know to check the tracking as it shows delivered.
chapeau-noir
·3 years agoDo not refund. Have them open an INR claim, then enter the tracking number showing delivery in the case - always, always do this. You will then be done.
hembooks
·3 years agoAre your items drop shipped? From your wide range of items listed/sold it appears you may be drop shipping which can cause a lot of problems with delivery, however as the seller you are responsible for delivery. If you are not drop shipping, my apologies for thinking that way.
playwithitagaintoys
·3 years agoYou should go to the help pages and familiarize yourself with what is expected of you in a INR case before you continue selling on eBay. Had you done so, you would have known there is never a need to issue a refund when tracking shows delivered. You would have kept 100% of your money. This is all on you.
onlinecentral
·3 years agoI know eBay typically sides with the buyer ...
That is incorrect. As long as there is a DELIVERED scan, eBay always sides with the seller and lets the seller keep the payment.
Stop issuing refunds based on conversations in the eBay Message Center. Encourage your buyers to file an Item Not Received case. That will also get negative feedback comments removed.
new_spin_boutique
·3 years agoKnowing where your responsibility begins and ends is the key to minimizing the losses, but they losses can only be minimized. If you have tracking info that shows the item was delivered, your responsibility has ended. If the customer opens a case, then you have the responsibility to provide the tracking # and update the claim, but that's it.
Depending on what you're selling, you may experience shady buyers to greater or lesser degree. High value items typically have a higher ratio of bad buyers. You'll need to incorporate your loss potential into your decision making for your business.
No way to prevent it, you can only minimize it to some extent.
Make sure you do everything you can to record evidence to prove that you're describing the items, accurately, for instance. IE - make sure to photograph every side, corner, and edge of your items. Make sure to provide photos of measurements, in the listing, for example. Think about your listings as your evidence that may go before an arbiter to decide whether or not you're guilty of being a bad seller.
Make sure to block bad buyers. Make sure to report inappropriate use of returns. Minimize your exposure as much as possible.
Again, no way to prevent, only minimize.
bill.purvis2012
·3 years agoYou can't control another person. That's why there's insurance. At best, you can set up your business practices to protect yourself as much as possible. I will agree there are some pretty smart crooks out there. But, Ebay does have business practices in place that attempt to protect the sellers.
Tracking: If your item shows tracking delivered, you are not responsible any further. Ebay will stand behind you if tracking shows delivered. Never refund a buyer who claims didn't receive when tracking shows otherwise.
Returns: Accepting returns protects sellers. I know there are those who will disagree. But, when your listing says you accept returns, you are offering a remedy for the unhappy buyer. He can return item and be made whole. Never refund until you get item back. It's also risky to do partial refunds.
Customer Service: Yes, buyers can be difficult and low-ball offers are insulting. Don't take it personally. Be polite. Be business-like.
Shipping: Ship quickly and package well. Buyers look at the package they receive and often judge its value by the effort the seller put into packing it. A so-so item goes up in esteem when well protected and a high-dollar item loses value when carelessly handled.
Build up return buyers. Do this by quick communications, follow-up on items shipped. If you see one that's taking too long to get there, contact buyer. Let him know you have your eyes on it. It's magic.
There's so much more. But, these are what I practice.
inhawaii
·3 years agoThere is no way to avoid it all together.
Remember that any buyer can rip off any seller at any time simply by making a false claim.
The best advice I can give is...
Don't sell anything on ebay that you can't afford to lose.