Japanese sellers who don’t own what they sell…
Does EBay allow a seller to list an item they don’t actually own? I recently purchased an item on EBay that is still for auction on YJ. When I checked this seller’s other listings most were on YJ as well, under many different seller names. Is this common for items on eBay and from Japan?
26 comments
inhawaii
·1 year agoThank you for that information.
I will take the appropriate action.
tex-421
·1 year agoSounds like we all agree, drop shipping is legal and permitted on eBay, but if you don't have possession or own the goods its prohibited.
mam98031
·1 year agoNot exactly. I drop shipped for years. Ebay just wants the seller that drop ship to have an agreement with whomever they are using as their direct ship wholesaler to be that for them.
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/drop-shipping?id=4176
tex-421
·1 year agoEbay just wants the seller that drop ship to have an agreement with whomever they are using as their direct ship wholesaler to be that for them. - Agreed 100% eBay's position is consistent with is the legal definition of drop shipping, there must be a contract between the retailer and the shipper/supplier. If there is no contract, then its doesn't fit the legal definition of drop shipping.
mam98031
·1 year agoA full blown contract is nothing I've ever been aware of that Ebay requires. I don't see that in the policy either unless I missed it.
Typically sellers that drop ship do not use a "retailer" to be their drop shipper as that is a bit expensive. IMHO they usually use a wholesaler or get wholesale pricing from a program that possibly a "retailer" offers.
I'm unsure of your use of the word "legal". Are you suggesting that Ebay's policy is not "legal"?
This is the definition that AI generates: A dropshipper is a retailer in the e-commerce model who doesn't manage inventory or handle shipping directly. Instead, they partner with a third-party supplier (like a manufacturer or wholesaler) who ships products directly to the customer. The dropshipper focuses on marketing, sales, and customer service, while the supplier handles the logistics of product sourcing, storage, and delivery.
tex-421
·1 year agoLegal is the sense that some regulation or law book defines "drop shipping". I used to be, in another life time, on the legal staff of a large retail fulfillment company and negotiated drop shipping contracts.
mam98031
·1 year agoAs long as Ebay rules are not illegal, they do not have to match the legal definition of anything. Ebay does not require a full blown "contract". Their policy doesn't say that either. Or is there something I missed. I'm happy to learn new things.
I respect your experience, what you state is just something that Ebay does not require.
mam98031
·1 year agoThose two things are not the same. The seller owns the goods as soon as they pay the wholesaler to direct ship to their buyer.
tex-421
·1 year agoYou and I keep agreeing on the bottom line.
If you never owned the goods and never had possession, then you are by definition not a drop shipper.
mam98031
·1 year agoI wasn't aware that this was what you were defining. Sorry, I missed that. I thought we were discussing an agreement vs a Contract.
While all contracts are technically an agreement. Not all agreements are contracts.
For the purposes of selling on the internet, for the most part to get a drop shipper to work with you, there is usually an application process and if you are accepted into the program, they give you a list of requirements, duties and costs / discount rates.
retrogames10000
·1 year agoHello,
It is my experience that Japanese sellers are just like any other people, some good and some not so,
it is also my experience that perhaps up to half of mega-inventory sellers (+10,000 listings), do not actually own such software and price it at a point to acquire it immediately upon your purchase.
There are many reputable sellers for Japanese items in Japan and also the USA, you can generally spot who owns their items by the consistency of the feedback.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 year agoThis behavior has existed since the very early days of Ebay.
Most of its practitioners eventually lose their ability to sell here due to an inability to meet Ebay's shipment time and delivery estimates. Or their cancellation rate.
Dropshipping from a retailer, in their packaging is not permitted.
Some of these sellers who have no inventory are not dropshipping, they are offering items with a long handling time to allow for shipment to them. In some ways they are a superior group since they will not ship product which is misgraded.
This is a tough way to make a buck, and many of the sellers who play this game are not skilled enough to succeed.
toysaver
·1 year agoThere is no way for eBay to know 100% that every listing is owned by the person responsible for the listing. This type of selling is against the spirit of eBay but does happen. There have always been sites and sellers from overseas that 'hijack' listings and present them to their fellow countrymen for purchase, and vice versa, US sellers may find rare things on International sites and list making it appear they own the item. They provide the needed language translation and shipping. This is especially true for unique rare items, not common everyday consumer goods. The mark up can't be that great but minimal work is needed.
tex-421
·1 year agoHow do you know that the seller really does own the inventory ? Maybe he purchases bulk from China.
mam98031
·1 year agoThen they would own it. Purchase the inventory from ANYONE and you own it.
atlphoto1
OP1 year agoBc I found the item listed on Yahoo Japan auctions. The seller only purchased the item AFTER I bought the item on EBay.
krazzykats
·1 year agoWhat does "YJ" stand for?
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steady2304
·1 year ago@krazzykats
Yahoo Japan
atlphoto1
OP1 year agoYahoo Japan auctions
mam98031
·1 year agoIt isn't specific to a country, Ebay allows seller to Drop Ship directly from a manufacturer or wholesaler.
tex-421
·1 year agoYes drop shipping is allowed on eBay, and when a seller uses a drop shipper, they do own the merchandise being shipped.
mam98031
·1 year agoAt the time of shipment, technically yes, they must purchase it from the drop shipper to have it shipped to their buyer. Before the order, the seller does NOT own a darn thing.
I dropped shipped for years. I was successful at it. But to do it correctly IMHO it is a whole lot of work and I simply tired of the work and stopped doing it. So I'm well aware of how it works.
tex-421
·1 year agoIt’s called a flash title transfer. The seller has title for only a brief flash, but that creates a sales tax liability for the seller to collect sales and other products liabilities.
Sounds like we agree, the OP is asking why so many sellers are selling without “owning†the merchandise. I’m saying it’s likely the shippers he sees are drop shippers. From a legal perspective, the seller does “own†the merchandise long enough to create significant legal obligations
atlphoto1
OP1 year agoI spoke to an Ebay supervisor today. Ebay rules prohibit sellers from listing items they do not own or already have in their possession at the time of listing.
mam98031
·1 year agoThat is not true @atlphoto1 . Ebay does allow Drop Shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/drop-shipping?id=4176
atlphoto1
OP1 year agoAccording to Ebay live help, Ebay sellers must have items they sell in their possession before listing the item. Ebay does not allow sellers to list an item with the intention of purchasing it later should it sell on Ebay.