My question is how does eBay protect the seller from a major sale?

How does eBay protect sellers in high-value sales?
For example:
I have a $500 ring for sale. A buyer purchases it. Later, that buyer opens a return. I accept the return. However, a different ring arrives. If I open a case claiming the ring I received is incorrect and include a photo, will they believe me?
Why would it be their word against mine?
Thank you very much.

cristian3_6

2074 View listings

Posted 7 months ago·Last reply 7 months ago

16 comments

soh.maryl

·7 months ago

110 View listings

Some sellers, and I don't know how many, have a policy of "I don't list anything I can't afford to lose". The level will, of course, vary among sellers.

eBay is well known for its Money Back Guarantee for buyers. That means that eBay offers better protection for buyers than for sellers. It's just the way it is.

ryry-jj

·7 months ago

1910 View listings

For items in eligible categories, you can pay for authentication for items priced from $200-499. That cost is $40

gurlcat

·7 months ago

1962 View listings

@ryry-jj wrote:
For items in eligible categories, you can pay for authentication for items priced from $200-499. That cost is $40

OUCH. I bet the Mafia gives protection cheaper than that. Then when you add the FVF, your remaining profit might be an even bigger ripoff than what your local pawn shop would offer. And they hand it over in immediate cash.

OH and let me guess: you pay the $40 whether they authenticate or not?

albertabrightalberta

·7 months ago

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.104 View listings

@ryry-jj wrote:
For items in eligible categories, you can pay for authentication for items priced from $200-499. That cost is $40

I'm not 100% certain of this but in this case (items lower than the required AG level), I think it's the buyer who opts for and pays for the authentication.

ETA: I should have looked it up before posting but I was correct. If the buyer opts for it, they pay for the authentication.

Policy: https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/buying-authenticity-guarantee/buying-authenticity-guarantee?id=5470

Fees and costs for Authenticity Guarantee

For most categories, eBay covers the costs of the Authenticity Guarantee service, including both the expert inspection and shipping from the authentication facility to you.

In some categories, you'll see Authenticity Guarantee available as an add-on option for lower-priced items. If you purchase the service, you can pay for it along with your item at checkout. All authentication processes and policies remain the same for optional Authenticity Guarantee
- Optional Authenticity Guarantee is currently offered for:
  - Wristwatches from $500 to $1,999.99, for a fee of $80 (plus applicable taxes)
  - Handbags from $200 to $499.99, for a fee of $40 (plus applicable taxes)
  - Jewelry items from eligible brands and categories from $200 to $499.99, for a fee of $40 (plus applicable taxes)
When purchasing an ungraded trading card that is also eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, youâ€™ll have the option to purchase grading services
For sneakers, you'll be charged an additional flat shipping fee to ship to your address after authentication
Buyers are responsible for paying any customs or duties due on imported items that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee

albertabrightalberta

·7 months ago

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.104 View listings

@cristian3_6 wrote:
How does eBay protect sellers in high-value sales?
For example:
I have a $500 ring for sale. A buyer purchases it. Later, that buyer opens a return. I accept the return. However, a different ring arrives. If I open a case claiming the ring I received is incorrect and include a photo, will they believe me?
Why would it be their word against mine?
Thank you very much.

I had to reread your post in order to understand your question. I thought you'd said the buyer purchased, returned and sent back a different ring.

But you're asking what happens IF a buyer tries to do a switcheroo.

In your case, the ring hasn't been sold and your post is a hypothetical question.

But since your ring is part of the "authenticity guaranteed" program, it will go to the authenticator first. They will verify that it's "as described" before forwarding to the buyer. If it fails, you get it back but if it passes and gets sent to the buyer, it then would abide by your no return policy.

So the buyer can't return it.

ETA:

In cases in which the seller has a return policy, the item first goes back to the authenticator where they verify that it's the same item that was sold. If a switch is occurring, the buyer gets it back without a refund.

If it's the same item, it goes back to the seller in accordance with the seller's return policy.

cristian3_6

OP7 months ago

2074 View listings

Hi, thanks for the reply.
But what you mentioned, at what price does it start? For example, if I sell the ring for $50, does that not happen? Is it only for $500 and up?

broto_64

·7 months ago

0 View listings

@cristian3_6 wrote:
Hi, thanks for the reply.
But what you mentioned, at what price does it start? For example, if I sell the ring for $50, does that not happen? Is it only for $500 and up?

It can happen with any item, any price.
I have only had it happen once in close to 20 years, and it wasn't a switcheroo in that sense, the buyer simply sent back an empty envelope.

inhawaii

·7 months ago

Ebay's most handsome seller.4838 View listings

They don't.

That's why many experienced sellers do not sell expensive items here.

Remember: Any buyer can rip you off simply by making a false claim.

kibble-net

·7 months ago

8237 View listings

@inhawaii wrote:
They don't.
That's why many experienced sellers do not sell expensive items here.
Remember: Any buyer can rip you off simply by making a false claim.

Not sure if you would consider me "experienced" but I've been selling regularly since '99 with over 21,000 transactions.

I've not had this happen once.

Your mileage may vary.

gurlcat

·7 months ago

1962 View listings

Same here and I sell jewelry in particular. I kinda can't believe it hasn't happened to me because it would be so easy to do what the OP described. But I don't even get (non-scam) returns of jewelry very often, and when I do it's more often the cheaper pieces. Years ago I did have a $1200 ring returned, but she filed an honest 'just didn't like it' remorse return, said it looked too big on her finger. Cool, no problem.

I've sold all kinds of categories but the buyers are one of the major reasons I landed on jewelry as my main one. Just a dream to deal with.

inhawaii

·7 months ago

Ebay's most handsome seller.4838 View listings

@kibble-net wrote:
@inhawaii wrote:
They don't.
That's why many experienced sellers do not sell expensive items here.
Remember: Any buyer can rip you off simply by making a false claim.
Not sure if you would consider me "experienced" but I've been selling regularly since '99 with over 21,000 transactions.

I've not had this happen once.

Your mileage may vary.

Yes, I consider you a experienced seller. I'm also from the class of 1999. I'm glad that it never happened to you, but the fact remains that any buyer can rip off any seller by simply making a false claim. It happens all the time.

adamcartwright

·7 months ago

46 View listings

@inhawaii

So many expensive things are sold here.

And the AG offers protections against false claims. I've sold a few things through that program and am hoping to sell more.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

adamcartwright

·7 months ago

46 View listings

@cristian3_6

Selling with Authenticity Guarantee

cristian3_6

OP7 months ago

2074 View listings

Hi, thanks for replying. Do I need to activate that? Or pay anything?

kibble-net

·7 months ago

8237 View listings

@cristian3_6 wrote:
Hi, thanks for replying. Do I need to activate that? Or pay anything?

As stated on the linked page, it activates automatically. You don't have to activate it. There is no additional fee.

adamcartwright

·7 months ago

46 View listings

@cristian3_6

If you're referring to that diamond ring you have listed, you'll see the Authenticity Guarantee has been added to your listing automatically because it meets eBay's criteria.

So you will have those protections for free. Good news!