I have been reading, and replying to some of the latest concerns as sellers. I too have been a seller for 20 years. Yes, we are who made ebay. We are the ones who got our stuff out of the garage and basement and listed it, yes if it weren't for us ebay wouldn't be who they are today.
I too am very frustrated with all the new changes. Yes paypal was awesome. When my phone went cha ching, I had money in my pocket now!
I too have been hit with the high not as described rate and I too spent hours chatting with ebay personnel who didn't have a clue. I too have been forced into money management and I don't like it one bit.
Here is what I have come up with and my take away.
I am not a high volume seller. I do about 300 items a year/ $20,000 in sales.
I make money and it pays for my toys. I could make more if I put more into it.
I sell automotive parts. If there were another venue as good as ebay Motors I would give it a try. BUT, there isn't SOOO....
After exhausting all avenues with ebay, reading everyone else's complaints. I needed a new plan because I'm not done making money and buying toys.
First, I looked at my returns. Most of the not as described were my fault. Not all, but most. Some I sent the wrong item, others didn't work. And then damaged in shipping ( I don't agree with). And then there are some that the buyer either lied or just checked whatever was easiest to do a return.
Ok, that's what I have to work with. Now, I have to make sure the correct item is sent, check and double check. Next, better descriptions, pointing out flaws as best as I can. Better packing to prevent damaged in shipping. The next thing I did was change my feedback to a custom message. I thank them for the purchase and ask them to contact me before starting a return. I have changed my packing slip to also say that, then I took it one step further and added a sticker that I stick right on the part, again it is thanking them for the purchase and asking them to contact me first. My thinking is to cut down on return requests and maybe I can rectify the situation before a return request is activated.
The next step is after I do get a return request and the buyer states that it is not as described. I talked to several people at ebay about this. I have not used it yet since I've talked to them but, they claim that they will not let a buyer abuse the money back guarantee. If a buyer claims it not to be as described and it is exactly as described I will contact ebay as they told me to do and dispute it before I accept the return.
With these steps, I should be able to cut my returns down drastically.
The next thing that has been a problem as of late is the extra fee's we are hit with. Simple solution to that is raise your prices. That is how the economy works and why cost of living goes up. After I got hit with a 5% charge, I raised my prices 5%. My volume is still the same. Ebay can't keep raising and us eating it. Raise your prices accordingly.
Now money management. I don't like it, I don't want it, I can't change it. Yes I want paypal back, but it isn't coming back. So I have adjusted to deal with that. I set up a separate bank account for ebay only. I keep money in there for shipping and expenses. I do have to say one thing it has gotten better since they first started. I do like the fact that I no longer have a monthly ebay bill. It isn't as good as it was with paypal, I wish I could do something else but I know in the end it is ebay's game and their field that I play on.
For me leaving isn't the answer. I still make money, I can adjust. Nothing stays the same, so why do we expect a growing business to stay the same? There are those who can change and prosper and those who will be left behind. I'm not willing to be the one left behind.
