Nervous about buyer with 1 feedback.
Apologies if this is a basic question. I'm currently in the process of cleaning up my apartment and selling my collections. I've been an eBay member for a long time, but only started selling regularly the past few months.
Someone just purchased an item from me, and the account was only created yesterday, and had 1 feedback from a squaretrade warranty purchase. It's a buy it now listing and buyer so buyer paid for the item right away.
Should I be concerned? How would I be protected as a seller? Is there a way to identify if the user is a potential scammer? I must say I'm quite nervous right now because all of my previous buyers are usually ones with many feedbacks.
50 comments
e.pluribusunum7
·2 years agoI have had a lot of folks buy with 0 Feedback I never had a problem. Some folks just want to build up feedbacks and test the waters for selling. The best way to start selling is buying first. And some sellers just open new buyer accounts.
You use to be able to block buyers with less then FEEDBACKS But it's best to just to follow through on your end.
robbie31415
·2 years agoSignature delivery gives you no added protection other than meeting ebays 750 rule.
If the sale was 700 and marked delivered and porch pirates stole it. Seller would still be covered under seller protection.
Some people think signature delivery ads something more protection but it really doesn't.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoSignature delivery gives you no added protection other than meeting ebays 750 rule.
If the sale was 700 and marked delivered and porch pirates stole it. Seller would still be covered under seller protection.
It is also added security for the buyer since if it was delivered and either stolen or miss-delivered and the seller provided proof showing delivery the buyer is the one on the short end of the stick.
Some people think signature delivery ads something more protection but it really doesn't.
robbie31415
·2 years agoYes, but I was speaking from the seller side.
I understand that it can benefit the buyer from porch pirates, but it wouldn't change anything for the seller as Delivered status covers INR completely unless signature wasn't added for orders 750+
Buyers can with most carriers have package held at local hub if they are worried about porch pirates. I know fedex, and ups both allow this. Not sure with USPS.
stuffygrotto
·2 years agoI don't agree that it's worthless. Firstly, it pretty much ensures the buyer gets it from the post office or carrier. A sign-off by the addressee/buyer in itself offers improved odds that it was indeed handed over by post office/carrier to the actual addressee.
This is an important document that will back up any mishandling, mis-delivery, or 'didn't receive' queries' and also gives definite peace of mind to the buyer that just bought the item. In my little worrywort mind, after reading all the crap on these boards ... *anything* that extends peace of mind to either buyer or seller is not something to write off.
The slightly inconvenienced buyers complaining about needing to make a trip to the PO to sign for their $$$ item, well, I dunno maybe they're just having a bad day and need to whine. But they got their item!
simply-the-best-for-you
·2 years agoExactly. Sigconf does nothing. Additionally, I had a situation with a sigconf pkg that I paid extra to add it to & the USPS didn't get the sig. Of course there turned out to be a problem with this tx & when I talked to the PM at that PO (in a large city) they got all defensive & actually had the gall to say to me "well, we can't force anyone to sign anything". Sure, idiots, but then you don't deliver the item! IDK if it was an anomaly, but at least some PO's don't take it seriously & deliver the pkg even if they don't get the siggie.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoExactly. Sigconf does nothing. Additionally, I had a situation with a sigconf pkg that I paid extra to add it to & the USPS didn't get the sig. Of course there turned out to be a problem with this tx & when I talked to the PM at that PO (in a large city) they got all defensive & actually had the gall to say to me "well, we can't force anyone to sign anything". Sure, idiots, but then you don't deliver the item! IDK if it was an anomaly, but at least some PO's don't take it seriously & deliver the pkg even if they don't get the siggie.
They may not take it seriously but if they fail to obtain the required signature at delivery and the package is stolen or mis-delivered the USPS is required to refund the seller or buyer even if the tracking shows the package as being delivered. Your local PO may have gotten defensive and they are correct they cannot "force" the person to sign but in those instances they should simply return the package to the sender.
stuffygrotto
·2 years agoRegarding Signature Delivery - do it. I don't know where this item is shipping but porch pirates are rampant.
They stalk all the carriers going through the neighborhoods - USPS, UPS, Amazon, FedEx, etc.
Best to be delivered 'by hand' if possible. SIG DEL is not cheap but worth it for peace of mind IMO.
soh.maryl
·2 years agoCan you explain this statement: "Best to be delivered 'by hand' if possible."?
How else would it be delivered? Do you mean delivery personally from seller to buyer?
atlasesattic
·2 years agoI opened up a second store with one feedback now, it's only been up a week with 80 items, my main store has been up for 4 years and now I have this other one, so I wouldn't be afraid to buy or sell from New accounts, I'm in the same boat, so far I haven't had any sales and that's probably why...people forget that you get returns and ebay is on the buyers side so I wouldn't worry.
simply-the-best-for-you
·2 years agoAll a buyer has to do is say the item is "not as described" & they receive their money back, either from you or from eBay. eBay ALWAYS finds in the buyer's favor, there is no attempt at adjudication, that's why there's no reason to videotape anyting. If you allow the return, you can get the item back, IF the buyer doesn't send you back an empty box or something. If you don't allow the return, eBay steps in & gives them their money back & you get a Defect on your account. I'm not trying to scare you, most buyer ARE honest, but there are certain items & certain sellers (newer ones) that are more of a target. So you have to understand that you are always at risk of losing both the item/money on anything you sell here.
Link to MBG:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoThat really suck isn't it? So far so good on my end, but how do you all deal when these kind of things happen? Has it happened to you at all? Do you just suck it up?
simply-the-best-for-you
·2 years agoWell the point is for you to plan accordingly &/or make decisions accordingly.
Personally, no, it has never happened to me, but I've been selling since 96 & I sell low-scam items & my demographic is extremely unlikely to scam. I also make sure that I can afford to lose anything I sell based on my inventory cost. But every category is different & everyone has to mitigate their own risk.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoThat really suck isn't it? So far so good on my end, but how do you all deal when these kind of things happen? Has it happened to you at all? Do you just suck it up?
At this point all should be well. This is not about the buyer not paying for an item or you not getting the money it's about what happens after the buyer has paid and you have shipped. There are a LOT of things that could happen once the buyer has the item in their possession. You can read some of the posts on this forum
If you sell on eBay long enough you are bound to encounter some kind of buyer situation you have to deal with it is just part of doing business but that is not limited to just eBay. I have been selling on eBay for quite some time and I have had a couple of buyer issues that I had to deal with. Only one was an obvious scam and I just accepted it and moved. It's like B&M stores accept shop lifting as part of a cost of doing business, they don't like it but they accept it. They also do all they can to prevent it.
Similarly I have a dollar threshold with regards to what I will list on eBay which tops out at around $300. There are also certain items I would never sell on eBay cell phones and electronics being at the top of that list. Different sellers have different pain thresholds, some have none at all it just depends on your situation.
Losses are also tax deductions at the end of the year but that is a small consolidation.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoThanks for the comment. Would you mind sharing the situation where you got scammed? Just so I can be on the lookout.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoThanks for the comment. Would you mind sharing the situation where you got scammed? Just so I can be on the lookout.
Sure. I sold a set of vintage auger drill bits and a vintage brace. I packed the items in a USPS regional box and taped the box with flex sealing tape since the glues on the USPS boxes is not always the best. Items were bubble wrapped inside the box to prevent any of the drills from puncturing the box from the inside.
Buyer received the item and opened a INAD claiming that they received an empty box. I had the scanned post office receipt from when they took possession of the package, that receipt also included the weight of the package. I provided information to eBay showing that receipt but eBay sided with the buyer and fully refunded them which I expected them to do. A seller has little chance against an INAD claim.
I filed a complaint with the FBI Cyber Crimes division as well as the buyers local police department and notified the USPS of the situation for possible mail transit theft. I never heard back from anyone on any of these but I really wasn't expecting to.
I neglected to mention in my other response that I am fortunate in that I live in a VERY large metropolitan area and I sell a lot of items on local forums where the exchange is person to person. The buyer can examine the item before they take possession and they do not have to pay shipping costs or worry about shipping loss or damage. I save by not having to pay eBay FVF's and worry about scams, returns, shipping cost or possible loss/damage.
simply-the-best-for-you
·2 years agoYeah, NOT a good idea to tell them that & also, just FYI, no point in videotaping, eBay will not use it as evidence in case of a dispute. It's a good sign that they answered you back though, scammers usually want to avoid back & forth.
Your concerns were best handled BEFORE you listed anything. We could have told you not to list anything you can't afford to lose. I see you have a fair number of expensive items. Are you familiar with Ebay's Money Back Guarantee?
BTW, the 1 FB is immaterial, you can be scammed by a high-FB account, just as easily as a 0 or 1 FB buyer. There's a whole industry in taking over abandoned high-FB accounts & also in creating new, aged accounts for sale. In fact, the only scam attempt I ever had was from a high FB acct that had been taken over by scammers b/c the owner passed away.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoI guess need more understanding with the 'not to list anything I can't afford to lose'. I mean, I won't starve if I don't get paid for the items, but it would certainly suck.
I'm not too familiar with Ebay's Money Back Guarantee. Would you mind explaining how it would apply in my case?
mtgraves7984
·2 years agoWould you mind explaining how it would apply in my case?
@fokusfocus
It would work in the buyer's favor as eBay is very buyer-centric. Read through it now as a seller and as a buyer. Luck!
eBay Money Back Guarantee policy
lux-libri
·2 years agoLet's hope the buyer took it in the right spirit. I would avoid anything in the future that sounds as if you don't trust a buyer or their motives.
Don't forget that he just sent $700+ to a stranger and might have his own concerns. Always better to keep it businesslike until an actual issue develops. BTW, a video has no value with eBay if there is an issue. You could video the item being packaged, and then just ship a box of rocks ...
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoI totally understand. I carefully worded my message and I think they did take it in the right spirit. There's no way to tell for sure, but based on my conversation with the buyer, it sounds like everything will be ok.
Wish me luck folks. And thank to to all that replied. As a new seller, I'm still learning new things every day.
spark-chaser1
·2 years agoHonestly, thank you for coming here to ask questions and objectively receive advice.
As can be seen by scanning the boards, we are often asked for advice and then subsequently we are given the answers by the original poster like we aren't even here.😉
lux-libri
·2 years agoYou might want to send the buyer a message after shipment. Keep it short, but thank them for their purchase, tell them how the item is packaged, and advise that a signature is required due to value.
Most eBay transactions don't need post-sale communication, but in this case I think it would show you as businesslike and taking reasonable precautions with a higher-value item. Operate on the theory that the buyer isn't a scammer. Scams happen to be sure, but eBay still works because scams are only a small percentage of all transactions.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoI actually sent a message to the buyer asking just now and they responded quickly. I asked them if they'll be home to receive the delivery, since eBay is requiring me to add signature delivery. I also mentioned that I'm nervous since he's a newly created account with only 1 feedback.
User mentioned they created new account because they forgot the login for their original account. I told them I'd be taking a video of the packaging process, and they actually like the idea. So I think I'll be fine?
soh.maryl
·2 years agoSounds good. But, just so you know, video showing the packaging process means nothing. And rightly so. I could video myself wrapping that expensive item, putting it in the box, showing the address on the box, even of myself entering the PO bldg. How does anyone know that I actually mailed it? Tracking is your best friend.
spark-chaser1
·2 years agoThen yeah... Absolutely add SigCon. I just didn't want you to add it if the item was under $50... Because when I personally receive a pink slip for a ten-dollar item and it costs me $40 ×2 hours to get that item, I tend to be miffed.
That's all I was saying... Looking out for you.ðŸ‘
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoUnderstandable. Thanks for looking out!
spark-chaser1
·2 years agoHopefully this is an expensive item that justifies signature- required-on-delivery, and not just because you are worried about their feedback.
The buyer will be the one inconvenienced if they aren't home and now have to go to their post office/ leave a paid job to go get this widget. If its not an expensive item, the inconvenience alone may compound the buyer's annoyance and reflect that in your feedback.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoThe total of the item with shipping + tax is more than $750, so eBay is giving me a warning to add signature with shipping.
robbie31415
·2 years agoYou need to learn not to get anxious over this type of issue.
According to eBay policy, you would be in violation to cancel for this reason.
Because of that, you should try and have an optimistic outlook on it.
Just something for you to know. I advertise a lot on social media so I get a lot of brand new users. The only people who have sent me back items completely different have all had feedback.
And we all know buyer feedback is a pointless metric.
Honestly buyer feedback shouldn't exist. It should only be internal, and sellers should be able to leave honest feedback.
inhawaii
·2 years agoI would not be concerned.
I would ship it and hope for the best.
Did you know that any seller regardless of their feedback score can rip you off
(get a refund and get to keep the item) simply by filing a false claim?
I'm not trying to scare you, just letting you know it can happen.
Fortunately it doesn't happen that much.
That's why so many sellers say...
"If you can't afford to lose it, don't sell it on ebay."
Good luck!
inhawaii
·2 years agoSorry, i meant buyer not seller.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoYes I figured, thanks for the clarification.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoAlways go by the first rule as a seller on eBay and that is never list anything you are not willing to take the financial loss on. While scam's probably represent only a small portion of the sales on eBay, only eBay knows that for sure, it is a risk that every seller takes. You are a new seller and are more of a target for scammers since they like to prey on your lack of experience. If this relates to the $700 item I would be a bit more concerned than I would be if it was aa $30 item. It would behoove you to read some of the posts on this forum and learn what some of the more common scam tactics are. You can also search the internet.
While it does not break the threshold you may want to require a delivery signature and make sure you insure the item if it is over $100 in value. USPS only covers up to $100. EBay offers a little bit of seller protection when it comes to INR and not recognized charge claims but in the case of a INAD eBay claim or a chargeback the seller has little protection and will almost always loose the claim. If the claim is with eBay you have the potential to require the return of the item before you refund. You just have to hope you get back the same item you sent. If it is a chargeback, depending on the CC company, they may fully refund the buyer without requiring the item to be returned.
As for the buyer with the low feedback as @krazzykats mentioned everyone has to start somewhere.
stuffygrotto
·2 years ago@fokusfocus INAD = Item Not As Described
krazzykats
·2 years agoHow sellers can cancel an order | eBay
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoI don't really want to cancel unless I need to. By adding signature and extra insurance, it should cover me from the situation you described above?
If they use the emblem code and then claim inad, they can get back their entire $700.00 and you get back an unsealed item. Think about your risk.
What did you mean by 'inad' btw?
krazzykats
·2 years agoItem not as described. Buyer always gets their money back. No, there is no 100% guarantee that this item can't be opened upon receipt by the buyer, then the buyer claims it's not as described (INAD) and returns the opened/used item.
Please read the seller protections.
The only thing signature and insurance will cover you for is non-receipt or shipping damage.
stuffygrotto
·2 years ago@fokusfocus INAD = Item Not As Described
soh.maryl
·2 years agoItem Not As Described.
krazzykats
·2 years agoIf you can't afford to lose it, then don't list it.
If they use the emblem code and then claim inad, they can get back their entire $700.00 and you get back an unsealed item. Think about your risk.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoWell it's already been sold.. should I just cancel the transaction then?
krazzykats
·2 years agoIf you cancel, it will give you a defect. So it's really whatever you are comfortable with. Sometimes we need the money but overlook the risk.
Seller protections | eBay
soh.maryl
·2 years agoIf you just cancelled the transaction, what would you plan to use as your reason for cancellation?
krazzykats
·2 years agoEveryone starts at zero. They may have purchased the square trade warranty for your item?
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoI thought of the same, and hoping that's the case. Yes I understand everyone starts at zero, and I'm probably overthinking/paranoid. I guess I'm just looking for some assurance that me as a seller would be protected, since my knowledge is limited compared to those that have been selling on eBay for many years.
krazzykats
·2 years agoIf it's the item I noted, I would require a signature and put additional insurance on if you do choose to, ship it.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoYes I'm already planning on adding signature and extra insurance. That should give me enough protection if the case you described above happens?
klhmdg
·2 years ago@fokusfocus you have no protection.
You can get extra insurance and have a signature AND the buyer can file Not As Described.
IF that happens you will send a shipping label to the buyer and once you receive an item you will refund.
It doesnt matter if you get it back opened or get a box of other stuff - you refund.
IF you cancel, you need to cancel as "out of stock" - you will get a defect on your seller account.
IF you decide to cancel because losing the item and your money is too big a risk.... dont relist it.
Only you can know the amount of risk you are good with.
Sellers have little to no protection against theft.
fokusfocus
OP2 years agoWell that's definitely not good to hear. Sigh. I guess I should try to be positive and hope everything will be ok.