eBay

busdriver4dashow · ‎04-19-2023

I have been an active eBay member since 2005 and have 100% Positive Feedback for 3.8K items sold and have 61 followers. And of course, that means absolutely nothing to eBay, and especially when it’s coming from the lowest form of life known as the eBay seller.

Tired of automatic returns because a musical item was repurposed by the buyer and then an eBay auto-approved return because it did not fit (read wrong size) above his bar as an art piece or decoration. Tired of buyers trying to get a refund by claiming the item was in worse shape, but yet eBay didn’t see the newer item, the one I sold in the background of the pictures the buyer used to support his claim on the eBay website. Tired of people leaving me bad feedback (which is a bear to have removed) for items I did NOT sell them. Like the glass jar and I sold them, and they'll leave feedback for a belt?!

Now I have a buyer who bought a manufacturer sealed item, never opened, yet has pictures of his older item complete with dust and wear, and eBay sends me an email saying take it back, even though I feel its fraud. Very easy for eBay to say that when it is not their money. Yes, I have a name and ticket number from eBay saying that's how it's done. So, now everyone knows how to replace their worn-out items with a new exact item and return their old items for a full refund (thus getting an item free) all because eBay wants to streamline their revenue. I mean returns.

Just blows me away that over 18 years, eBay is now about as helpful as a public utility or as helpful as a local government official when back just 8 years ago logging into eBay wasn’t so disconcerting or much less various eBay surprises awaiting you after logging in nowadays.

Also, could eBay actually hire people who use eBay? I have never dealt with ‘agents’ or ‘colleagues’ that have no actual working eBay experience trying to assist eBay members. Again, I have a name and ticket number from an eBay employee saying that's how it's done. As an eBay member, employee or executive how do you get up and go to work each day much less look in a mirror when blatant fraud is allowed?

gosimus · ‎04-19-2023

@busdriver4dashow

< So, now everyone knows how to replace their worn-out items with a new exact item and return their old items for a full refund >

Maybe everyone knows how, but not everyone does it ... just the dishonest essobees. It seems to be becoming more prevalent, though. A certain percentage of the population will be dishonest; as the number of eBay users increases, the number of thieves will increase accordingly, right along with it. But I don't think that fully explains the prevalence. I think there's a downward shift in morality in general ... anybody who watches the nightly news has seen the reasons for my forming that opinion.

< ...all because eBay wants to streamline their revenue. I mean returns. >

I think you're missing something there. eBay would maximize their revenue if they refused to allow refunds. When the money goes back to the buyer, then eBay doesn't earn the commission.

stuff4divas · ‎04-19-2023

@fern*wood wrote:
Your "rising star" designation is only a term used on the board. These change as you post more.

@fern*wood AND those designations are given by Khoros, not eBay

retro_entertainment_collectibles · ‎04-19-2023

@dirk12955 wrote:
One thing buyers and sellers on ebay have in common with the Venue called ebay?

We all (Including the corporation) have to thread our way thru the minefield of
selling (Or buying) online.

eBay has to find some sort of way to protect the buyers that are spending their money. eBay also has to find
a way to protect the sellers from the buyers crimes and other nonsense.

Who said? She said? Who to believe? Who not to believe? Whether a buyer or a seller, Just cause you said it don't make it true. What do we expect ebay to do?

I have no doubt in my mind that the OP was sent a picture of something other than what he
mailed the buyer.

But how can We prove what's true and what's not? Is the only sane solution to protect ourselves, Pull the plug and walk away?

People are dishonest. They lie and they steal. They care not at all if you the seller can make rent
or buy groceries this week. Ain't their problem.

I remember the idiot in Canada that claimed he didn't receive the $150.00 package I sent him and I had no way to prove whether he did or not. When I told him the Postal inspector was going to contact him as
part of the "investigation" He suddenly found the package.

Few things...

I do think some sort of front facing metrics could be helpful to sellers in determining whether they want capture a sale. Back in the day buyer feedback helped with that, being able leave a negative and I fully understand why that'd go away. I'd not like be the fella with a phone in each ear whilst being yelled at by both parties and my eyeballs poppin' out LOL.

I suppose a system could exist whereby a front facing buyer metric not even need be seen. For example if one could set in one's account some ratios. Aka: Reject any purchase/offer attempt by a buyer with 'n' return's in 'nn' transactions, 'n' chargebacks in 'nn' transactions and/or 'n' negative feedbacks left in 'nn' FB's. Granted, like putting some more pieces of chewing gum on holes in the tub LOL.

Once a transaction is consummated it becomes difficult to manage if it becomes constipated LOL. So really need be done before a transaction is to take place, buyers have the feedback mechanism albeit imperfect and IMHO should be of higher resolution data. Sellers have nothing and as you stated for eBay to step in becomes a he said/she said so preventative measure need take place before transacting.

Perhaps even a mechanism could be created on a per item basis. For example, you want sell a Playstation 5 or Samsung S1,000,23 phone which has the new feature to start you're car, so when you're phone is stolen you're car goes with it LOL. But as the seller you could set parameters of buyer sale, example: No less than 200 positive ratings, no more than 3 negatives left to sellers, no more than 4 returns, no more than 2 chargebacks etc. and can have that front facing. When a buyer goes to buy your PS/5, "Oh! Well, guess that leaves me out!"

eBay could set recommendations as defaults on high target items like the PS/5.

So at an account level could have a purchase acceptance metric and/or per item capture metric.

stainlessenginecovers · ‎04-19-2023

Returns are 'automatic' because you ACCEPT returns.

Don't want them automatic? (except NAD)- change to 'does not accept returns' (they can still be opened and you will then be able to 'deny' any 'remorse' return)

triplecgirl · ‎04-19-2023

Honest eBay sellers are people too. It is OK to rant a bit when one feels cheated. I got scammed too selling a new item, and only got my money back on appealing the case. I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHNG WRONG, and still almost lost the case. The 0 feedback scammer got paid too by the way as they were refunded the money and got to keep the item free..plus free shipping! Scammer got rewarded! Pretty scary!
What eBay is missing is that small sellers are not Walmart or Amazon, and we can't absorb the scamming costs, which is rampant throughout the internet, for long. eBay should do better standing behind small sellers with good feedback. We are sitting ducks.
I also wonder what percentage of eBay sellers are just small cottage type businesses? Don't we offer the buyer a unique experience vs big box sellers? One more time with scammers for me and I am out too.
I will in future deal with the social media or chat line staff as I agree the workers on the phone assistance line were not the best help at times.
I am also looking at different online selling alternatives if eBay no longer is viable selling venue. I am also a newly jaded 20 year selling veteran with perfect feedback .

dirk12955 · ‎04-19-2023

"Pink slap" I might have received 2 or 20 of those back in the day.

When I started posting on the T & S board in 2000 it was the wild-wild west with the

Earps and Clantons fighting it out on a daily basis.

And the Feedback board was worse.

dirk12955 · ‎04-19-2023

Anytime we ask Mother ebay to do something that is going to subtract $$$ from their bottom

line, They are going to ignore us.

Just the way it is, I guess.

isaiah53-57 · ‎04-19-2023

@gosimus wrote:
@busdriver4dashow

< ...all because eBay wants to streamline their revenue. I mean returns. >
I think you're missing something there. eBay would maximize their revenue if they refused to allow refunds. When the money goes back to the buyer, then eBay doesn't earn the commission.

I appreciate the 1st part of your post(not quoted here), but this last statement is not accurate I believe.

In my opinion and from my understanding,

1st off, ebay still keeps their commissions on some sales that end up as returns, especially if people follow Customer Service Reps comforting instructions that everything is fine and to wait 3 days and then call back.

2nd, there are people who continue to buy here because of the MBG, in theory, adding to greater sales to offset loss of return commissions.

3rd, seems there are bad actors who buy here with impunity, scamming virtually every seller they come across(based on several experiences we've had), which can be used to allow for a show of higher sales numbers and higher gross revenue.

4th, return revenue loss is a tax write off and based on their sales numbers, this can help in dramatic tax payment reductions.

5th, they have investment control of that money during the time they have it in their hands

Add these all together as well as, surely, several other benefits not mentioned here, I'm sure the bean-counters have determined it is more lucrative to allow returns through the Money Back Guarantee..

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎04-19-2023

@doc-holmes wrote:
Here's the issue. You may be an honest seller, but ebay doesn't know what you shipped to the customer. You've been around a long time and have a lot of experience, but if ebay just started to take the seller's word for it, seller fraud would be rampant. You buy a PS5 from me and I send you a ham sandwich. Hey, I've been around for 20 years and have 10,000 feedback...enjoy your $800 sandwich. I'd imagine as a buyer you'd be pretty angry. You'd probably go online and tell everyone. Then everybody who was ripped off this way goes online and tells everyone. Before you know it ebay is bleeding buyers. Ebay doesn't need more sellers, they need more buyers. It sucks, but their stance makes sense.

@doc-holmes

If a seller (as per eBay) can send an item to a buyer and the buyer can mark it as INAD, can a return be also an INAD when it arrives back at the seller? (Different item than shipped/or dreaded empty box/fictional tracking number). Maybe? Only if a tree falls in the forest when no one is around. In all the reports of this happening wonder how many times eBay has EVER sided on the side of the seller???

-Lotz

dirk12955 · ‎04-19-2023

Giving the original seller the INAD option takes us back to He-said and she-said and

how do you tell which person is being less than honest?

doc-holmes · ‎04-19-2023

@isaiah53-57 wrote:
@busdriver4dashow wrote:
I have been an active eBay member since 2005 and have 100% Positive Feedback for 3.8K items sold and have 61 followers. And of course, that means absolutely nothing to eBay, and especially when it’s coming from the lowest form of life known as the eBay seller...
...As an eBay member, employee or executive how do you get up and go to work each day much less look in a mirror when blatant fraud is allowed?
The answer to that question is you(I) don't - It is the main reason I quit listing items on this site - I got tired of seeing a sale come through with the thought of - 😀OH BOY! I sold something on ebay!😀 Only to have that bubble burst moments later with a more realistic thought of - 🙄ohhhhh boy... I sold something on ebay😓...due to the EVER-INCREASING risk of fraud.

Increasing fraud risk in conjunction with the advent of the "Promoted Listings" program was the final straw - It was easy for me to see the nature of the company I was dealing with - a company that would, in my opinion, cannibalize, victimize and sacrifice their seller assets for the sake of increased revenue boosts - I believe this site has lost its way at some point and has had to monetize in a weaponized manner, making its users pay for its mistakes.

I wish you and the owners of this site good luck and hope they turn things around before its much too late...

To be fair, I can't think of one major company that would put feelings, or anything, really over profits. Any and all major companies have zero issue with putting any of its employees out of work, causing them mental anguish and possible financial ruin, if it means it will benefit their shareholders.

gloryglorygifts · ‎04-19-2023

I absolutely hate their return policy. I inspect everything that goes out from here and wrap them all in tissue paper and, if needed, pad the box or envelope and include packing slips etc. I have my hands on every product, yet, I got a return for an item that arrived "damaged." They used the same box I sent it out in to return the item, so I could see that the box was in pristine condition, yet, the item inside was snapped in half. I sure as heck didn't mail it out like that. Of course, ebay, sent them a label to return it because it is obviously my fault and they always side with the buyer. I've had at least one INAD return, that looked exactly like the photos (I take my own) and had the right description. Again, ebay sided with them. It is very frustrating.

lesegouts · ‎04-19-2023

Some folks are dishonest at the core, and if there's Karma they are in trouble.

Best you can do is block them from future purchases.

Life is too short. Don't let these people get to you. Take the loss and move on.

gosimus · ‎04-19-2023

Hello, @isaiah53-57

Your comments are well thought out and I appreciate the effort you went to. I can't agree 100% though. One at a time:

1. eBay retains the commission when they have to force a refund. Maybe this happens frequently enough to affect the bottom line significantly, maybe it doesn't. But okay; theoretically, I'll go along with this one.

2. I think that's probably correct.

3. Gross revenue is not net revenue, and it's zero revenue when you have to give it back.

4. People often misuse the term "tax write-off". A reduction in the amount you pay taxes on is not the same as an increase in revenue. It is better to have the money and pay the tax on it, than it is not to have the money.

5. I have an IRA earning 4.5% so let's use that as an example. And let's arbitrarily choose one million dollars as an investment. And how long does eBay have investment control before they have to turn loose of the money, also let's estimate a week. 4.5% on 1,000,000 for 1/52 of a year is $865. Okay, I concede that's a healthy amount for me and presumably you, but to a company the size of eBay, it doesn't pay for a boy to empty the trash. Also, all this is assuming that eBay is holding those funds; I think Adyen is actually holding those funds, but I could be mistaken.

[6.] i.e., "surely, several other benefits" -- You can't take imaginary benefits to the bank ... and don't call me Shirley. 🙂

rosemary6525 · ‎04-19-2023

Sad truth is, ant no other way to get rid of your unwanted s##t I try marketplace but is not nearly as effective.

Bay do treat seller like feces on bottom of farmer Ted's stiletto hi heels as he walks across his dairy farm. But little to do about it. Don't forget EBAY takes care of the taxes for sellers by taking their 12.9% fee from the amount of taxes and keeping it. Ant they sweet??