eBay

ron802 · ‎12-30-2024

eBays new Local Pickup rules will get you suspended if you're not careful. eBay now requires the local buyer to provide a QR code or a 6 digit # at p/u to confirm the item was received. The problem is, many buyers aren't familiar with the rule, don't know where to find these codes or just plain forget them. We've had some swear up and down they never received the code and get VERY UPSET when we persist it's important. Try refusing to release their item if they don't have it! We usually end up protecting ourselves by having them sign a copy of the eBay payment invoice "as received". Easy Peezy right?

WRONG eBay has decided to punish the seller and not the buyer if this number isn't entered to complete the transaction. I've been a Top-Rated seller with a 100% transaction rating since 1998. Now in the last several months I've received so many transaction defects I'm about to drop to a Below Average seller. At this point they can suspend my account or START CHARGING HIGHER FINAL VALUE FEE'S.

I've tried getting these defects removed but eBay's foreign customer service agents, who can barely speak English, and are of little help. The last one could only reply in scripted English responses. And like many sellers, we find the Help pages and Automated Chat apps to be totally worthless. It's like they make it as difficult as possible to get in touch with someone who can actually help. Now we must decide whether to eliminate local sales, lose revenue, upset loyal customers or pay eBay even higher FV fees than they already charge. Or have our account suspended.

ron802 · ‎12-30-2024

That's the problem. Many long-time buyers have no idea what sellers are talking about when they ask for a code. When eBay rolled out this new rule they didn't bother educating buyers about the change. They put all of the responsibility for explaining and enforcing it on the sellers.

luckythewinner · ‎12-31-2024

@fab_finds4u wrote:
You and the clueless eBay rep are wrong. The QR CODE has been around since 2020.
I answered a post made on 09-21-2020 at 10:38 AM titled "Don't have a code to enter for local pickup" with a link to "eBay enhances local pickup experience with tracking" which explains the QR code/6 digit code.

The local pickup code were announced in the USA in April 2020.

The local pickup code were announced internationally in July 2020.

Read about it here:

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/2020/07/06/ebay-to-expand-new-local-pickup-feature-internationally/

luckythewinner · ‎12-31-2024

@ron802 wrote:
Why does eBay have to make things so complicated? If it ain't broke don't fix it. We've all picked up items we've purchased throughout our lives. AND WE SIMPLY SIGN FOR THEM. You're asked to sign for an item so you can't claim you didn't receive it

I disagree.

Signatures only work for the shipping carriers because they are an independent third-party not under the sellers control that verifies the delivery location.

For local pickup on eBay, unscrupulous sellers could simply forge a signature and keep the item. eBay does not want to get into the business of settling disputes over handwriting.

By using a QR code that only the buyer possesses, eBay pretty much eliminates the ability of the seller to forge acceptance evidence.

Again, IMHO the solution to your issue is painfully obvious - when you arrange the local pickup, also make sure the buyer has the code and brings it.

jerseyboymusic · ‎12-31-2024

@ron802

I did a local pickup item as a seller for the first time over the summer. I'm in Ohio, the buyer was in California.

As the seller, I MADE SURE that the buyer knew about the QR Code and advised I could not let them have what was purchased without it. They had a third part service pick it up. They made sure the third party freight service had the QR Code.

I believe my customer did a PDF that they e-mailed or texted to the freight company. It was easy.

YOU as the seller NEED to make sure the buyer is aware of this REQUIREMENT from Ebay. It is for YOUR protection!

readabouthorses · ‎12-31-2024

If a buyer showed up at my house with a stupid QR code I would not have any way to process it. Also, with the 6 digit code, can that be added in on a computer because I don't have a cellphone that works where I live. I don't have the "eBay app". For me, two of the stupidest words in our language are QR and app. LOL

luckythewinner · ‎12-31-2024

@ron802 wrote:
That's the problem. Many long-time buyers have no idea what sellers are talking about when they ask for a code. When eBay rolled out this new rule they didn't bother educating buyers about the change. They put all of the responsibility for explaining and enforcing it on the sellers.

eBay has an entire page educating Buyers how to arrange local pickup with a seller, which explains the QR codes.

Sellers can simply send a link to the page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/shipping-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/local-pickup?id=...

mr_lincoln · ‎12-31-2024

@luckythewinner wrote:
@ron802 wrote:
Why does eBay have to make things so complicated? If it ain't broke don't fix it. We've all picked up items we've purchased throughout our lives. AND WE SIMPLY SIGN FOR THEM. You're asked to sign for an item so you can't claim you didn't receive it
I disagree.

Signatures only work for the shipping carriers because they are an independent third-party not under the sellers control that verifies the delivery location.

For local pickup on eBay, unscrupulous sellers could simply forge a signature and keep the item. eBay does not want to get into the business of settling disputes over handwriting.

By using a QR code that only the buyer possesses, eBay pretty much eliminates the ability of the seller to forge acceptance evidence.

Again, IMHO the solution to your issue is painfully obvious - when you arrange the local pickup, also make sure the buyer has the code and brings it.

@luckythewinner

Sadly, this doesn't always work, I know because I have experienced this and simply went back and marked the items shipped-pick up on the drop down menu ... like it was always done in the past. I did not receive any defects nor was the money held but I do give up my 10% TRS Plus discount on Local Pick-up sales.

I don't use my phone for any eBay business so only the 6 digit code works for me. Many of my customers are older and don't use their phones that way either.

Last month one of my customers had the code hand written on a print out of his purchase ... ahhhh, apparently eBay did not include that code in the order printout?!? Maybe they do somewhere but they didn't on what that customer printed out and brought along.

I also have had a few customers pay cash at pick up ... codes don't apply and as far as I know they are not issued on unpaid auctions ... so on those I went back and marked the item as shipped-picked-up without issue.

Sellers can certainly send one polite message asking their customer to bring the codes (if they apply) but after that they certainly cannot "make sure" that their customers follow through and don't forget.

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

mr_lincoln · ‎12-31-2024

@readabouthorses wrote:
If a buyer showed up at my house with a stupid QR code I would not have any way to process it. Also, with the 6 digit code, can that be added in on a computer because I don't have a cellphone that works where I live. I don't have the "eBay app". For me, two of the stupidest words in our language are QR and app. LOL

@readabouthorses

I don't use my phone for eBay business either but the 6 digit code can be entered on the sold transaction, I know because I have done that. Also, if you take cash at pick up and payment was never made through eBay the codes would not be issued to my knowledge ...

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

mr_lincoln · ‎12-31-2024

@luckythewinner wrote:
@ron802 wrote:
That's the problem. Many long-time buyers have no idea what sellers are talking about when they ask for a code. When eBay rolled out this new rule they didn't bother educating buyers about the change. They put all of the responsibility for explaining and enforcing it on the sellers.
eBay has an entire page educating Buyers how to arrange local pickup with a seller, which explains the QR codes.

Sellers can simply send a link to the page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/shipping-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/local-pickup?id=...

@luckythewinner

Oh wow, never knew that page existed ... I wonder what notification Buyers get when they purchase a local pick up item? As to sending a link through eBay messaging not sure if that is allowed based on how eBay monitors messaging. I know on a local pick up contact information can be exchanged, I know I've done it BUT without a transaction that same contact information can and is blocked by eBay.

Even if that link is allowed to be sent (since its an eBay Help page) I suspect many Sellers don't know it exists.

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

bonanza125 · ‎12-31-2024

@ron802

"This has not been around for years, and that's according to eBay in the many phone calls we've had. We've done local pickup for years and the QR code and 6-digit code is a new rule just added this past year."

"It's a completely new rule according to eBay reps. Just implemented this past year. "

Ebay reps tell you what you want to hear to get you off the phone. Here we give you insight. The reality is that codes for pick up have been around for 5 years. It's nothing new. It's there to protect you as the seller. So no it wasn't added this past year. Now you can continue to argue this claim of "past year" however that isn't correct.

ryry-jj · ‎12-31-2024

Doesnt eBay state if you don't use the app, to just have the customer sign for it? Is below not accurate?

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/local-pickup?

mr_lincoln · ‎12-31-2024

@ryry-jj wrote:
Doesnt eBay state if you don't use the app, to just have the customer sign for it? Is below not accurate?

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/local-pickup?

@ryry-jj

Yes, it states the follow:

If you don't want to use the app, ask the buyer to sign a copy of the eBay order form at the time of pickup.

I suspect if an INR claim were filed the Seller would be able to provide a picture of the signed order form. Granted, signatures can be forged but I am not sure that I ever remember reading a single thread here about an INR claim on a Local Pick-up transaction. I'm sure they have happened but they may be very very rare.

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

ron802 · ‎12-31-2024

That's what it says and we follow that. But if you don't enter the QR or 6 digit code they give you a defect on your Seller Rating.

ron802 · ‎12-31-2024

You're dead wrong. We've been selling since '98 and we do dozens of local pickups a month and the QR code and the defects just started being used this past year. We have the past Seller Performance's to prove it. 100% until this year and the demand for the QR code pickup confirmation. eBay has been satisfied for years with just having the local buyer sign for the item. You obviously don't do many local pickups or understand what rule is being discussed. As others have stated on this thread it is indeed a new rule. But I see using these Community Boards just creates more confusion and misinformation.

mr_lincoln · ‎12-31-2024

@ron802 wrote:
That's what it says and we follow that. But if you don't enter the QR or 6 digit code they give you a defect on your Seller Rating.

@ron802

Do you have a screen shot of the page showing the defect for that? Since the implemented the QR code - 6 digit code verification I don't recall any defects but not sure I have been looking in the right place.

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor