eBay

hughs_small_shop · ‎04-19-2019

This is a fairly particular problem, but I've recently had to deal with it 3 times with 3 different sellers. Sellers who claim that due to their illness, they: didn't ship, shipped very late, didn't respond to messages about item with issues, etc. etc. etc.

I felt pretty guilty at first. Like "oh shoot this person has this disease it's completely reasonable they didn't respond". And while I want to believe that these are truths being told, I'm a bit unsure. On one hand, life is unpredictable and can screw your **bleep** up. On the other hand, sellers whether professional or amateur, make a commitment when putting up listings on this site (this is purely my opinion). If you are sick, make sure to take listings down, copy&paste a response to buyers regarding your situation, or ask a friend or family to take care and do either of the before.

I say this because in my recent issue, a seller had sent an item with slightly incorrect parts (not too big of a deal, but wanted replacement parts). I messaged the seller and there was no response for over a week. So I left a negative feedback and moved on, seems fair to me. But this seller responded back yesterday (the transaction was over a month old at this point) and informed me they were sick, would send replacements, and complained about the negative feedback.

I get it. Sickness occurs. But as a buyer, I'm paying money with the expectation to get the item in a timely manner as described. I feel like that's fair. Thoughts on this? Should I be more understanding and wait longer before leaving negative feedback or taking action?

readabouthorses · ‎04-20-2019

The vacation mode is great for those sellers with stores. Those of us without them have to have another plan. I guess I would have to make sure my daughter who lives near me would know how to end listings.

buyselljack2016 · ‎04-20-2019

@readabouthorses wrote:
The vacation mode is great for those sellers with stores. Those of us without them have to have another plan. I guess I would have to make sure my daughter who lives near me would know how to end listings.

Yup, no store makes it tough.

Last time I had an issue I was able to take care of the listing on 3 accounts before going to the ER.

I have provided the wife with step by step written instructions for ending all listings on our accounts, but there is probably only about a 10% chance that it will get done.

Once in days gone by I asked her to message a buyer that there would be a 2 day, or so delay in shipping until I got out of the hospital after my ride there in the ambulance. She added a note(seen only by us) to the listing.

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

@*madison wrote:
When buyers pay, they just want the item, they are not interested in excuses, they didn't buy an excuse.

Buyers have their own health and family issues to think about, they don't need sellers telling them about their own tales of woe. No-one cares, just ship the item please.

I see your point. It may also depend on how many times they have heard the story before. Water weareth away stone and all that. Patience may not be inexhaustible. I give people the benefit of the doubt, but you know you can also be taken advantage of in this way.

creekcoyote · ‎04-20-2019

@readabouthorses wrote:
The vacation mode is great for those sellers with stores. Those of us without them have to have another plan. I guess I would have to make sure my daughter who lives near me would know how to end listings.

I am in the same boat but I don't even have a daughter close by. And I am sure that we are not the only ones out there in E-bay land that handle their selling and buying accounts by themselves with no backup.

COYOTES RULE!!!

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

@buyselljack2016 wrote:
@readabouthorses wrote:
The vacation mode is great for those sellers with stores. Those of us without them have to have another plan. I guess I would have to make sure my daughter who lives near me would know how to end listings.
Yup, no store makes it tough.

Last time I had an issue I was able to take care of the listing on 3 accounts before going to the ER.

I have provided the wife with step by step written instructions for ending all listings on our accounts, but there is probably only about a 10% chance that it will get done.

Once in days gone by I asked her to message a buyer that there would be a 2 day, or so delay in shipping until I got out of the hospital after my ride there in the ambulance. She added a note(seen only by us) to the listing.

You are incredible, to do all that before going to the ER! That's dedication.

And that's another good point, though, even if you have back up, since it is not something they are used to doing, they may not be able to do what is outlined.

It's great that they try, but sometimes things just don't work out.

So glad you have recovered from those hospital stays!

*madison · ‎04-20-2019

@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@*madison wrote:
When buyers pay, they just want the item, they are not interested in excuses, they didn't buy an excuse.

Buyers have their own health and family issues to think about, they don't need sellers telling them about their own tales of woe. No-one cares, just ship the item please.
I see your point. It may also depend on how many times they have heard the story before. Water weareth away stone and all that. Patience may not be inexhaustible. I give people the benefit of the doubt, but you know you can also be taken advantage of in this way.

My mum was killed in a car crash in 2009. That same day I had 9 items to ship.

I shipped the 9 items that same day... I didn't contact the buyers to tell them I couldn't ship because my mum had just died in a car crash, what buyer wants to hear that? Would the buyers even believe me? Would they care? Probably not.

Thing is, I shipped the items because I know my buyers didn't buy an excuse, it's as simple as that.

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

There is nothing wrong with having standards. Just keep in mind the nature of this platform with its wide variations of professionalism. From grandma selling her collectibles to large companies with well trained staff, they are all here. Do your due diligence but don’t be surprised by the occasional lapse in professional demeaner.

So true, but hopefully that lapse in professional demeanor is not going to be so profound as to be truly far beyond the pale appalling.

Part of the problem is some have no idea what acceptable or professional behavior is~but quickly attach it to others. The buyer who is irate because he is blocked for asking if an item is authentic~the seller is rude and not fair. The seller who sends a SNAD but thinks a refund makes everything fine~the buyer is rude and not fair.

One can only hope that compassion, courtesy and understanding is a two way street.

buyselljack2016 · ‎04-20-2019

Not sure that it was a great deal of dedication, but more knowing that if I did not get the items packaged up to go, and take care of the other listings it could be the end of eBay selling. It was come, and go pain. I knew what it was, and that it would get worse.

We are fortunate that we do not rely on eBay sales to survive, but it helps to pay for some extras (wifes ebay purchases of books, DVDs, nail polish, shoes, clothes, shampoo), and provides me with something to do on long winter days.

studiocats · ‎04-20-2019

I have a chronic illness that has left me disabled for 3.5 years. Ebay is slowing becoming an important source of income. I recommend that sellers with illnesses have products and shipping supplies on hand. In the continental US, USPS delivers shipping supplies to your door. Also, if you use a my USPS account, you can schedule next day pickup of priority mail and any other packages that accompany a priority mail.
I am sure other shippers have similar options.
I have had past issues using a 3rd party drop ship. I explained in the details that shipping and handling time was extended. The Ebay listing still appeared to the buyer as 3 day delivery although I had 3 Day handling listed.
Sellers, it's best to have product on hand. Drop ship does not yet work out well
In all circumstances on EBay.
Buyers, do not leave negative feedback until you have exhausted all of your options to resolve the issue. It permanently causes harm to someones business.
I hope this information helps both buyers and sellers resolve issues regarding illness. I have not told buyers that I have a chronic illness, I have done the best that I can and learned the hard way that 3rd party drop ship is not in my control and effects my seller rating.
Good luck buyers and sellers!

myjunqueyourtreasure · ‎04-20-2019

Having just been through this early this year, it's not as easy as it sounds. "Just put your stores on vacation. Just end your listings".

Taken to hospital by ambulance from work in the middle of the night, I was so out of it on pain meds for about 3 days I couldn't do anything at all. My daughter even brought in my tablet so I could do something with ebay and I couldn't wrap my mind around it.

At least I had 2 day handling so basically all I ended up with was a massive amount of late shipping dings (and a LOT were multiple items) and now fighting my way back to TRS after they put me above standard.

None of the buyers seemed to care and I even had FB from that time about "fast shipping" so there you go - the only one who cared about it was ebay.

My daughter COULD have ended my listings or put my stores on vacation but as I was still alive and kicking she was scared she'd do "the wrong thing". I'm sure if I'd actually keeled over it would be a different story.

Did I tell my tale of woe to buyers? No, of course not. I just apologised to those where it was late shipping.

In hindsight, when I got home I SHOULD have shipped the last ones in first and I would have had less shipping dings, but I did what I thought was the "right thing" and shipped in the order they'd come in. Oh well, lesson learned LOL

Reality is the leading cause of stress.

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

@*madison wrote:
@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@*madison wrote:
When buyers pay, they just want the item, they are not interested in excuses, they didn't buy an excuse.

Buyers have their own health and family issues to think about, they don't need sellers telling them about their own tales of woe. No-one cares, just ship the item please.
I see your point. It may also depend on how many times they have heard the story before. Water weareth away stone and all that. Patience may not be inexhaustible. I give people the benefit of the doubt, but you know you can also be taken advantage of in this way.
@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@*madison wrote:
When buyers pay, they just want the item, they are not interested in excuses, they didn't buy an excuse.

Buyers have their own health and family issues to think about, they don't need sellers telling them about their own tales of woe. No-one cares, just ship the item please.
I see your point. It may also depend on how many times they have heard the story before. Water weareth away stone and all that. Patience may not be inexhaustible. I give people the benefit of the doubt, but you know you can also be taken advantage of in this way.
My mum was killed in a car crash in 2009. That same day I had 9 items to ship.

I shipped the 9 items that same day... I didn't contact the buyers to tell them I couldn't ship because my mum had just died in a car crash, what buyer wants to hear that? Would the buyers even believe me? Would they care? Probably not.

Thing is, I shipped the items because I know my buyers didn't buy an excuse, it's as simple as that.

You are really a strong, determined and dedicated person to have been able to handle all that when your Mom just died. Incredible. You are amazing, @*madison

creekcoyote · ‎04-20-2019

@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@*madison wrote:
When buyers pay, they just want the item, they are not interested in excuses, they didn't buy an excuse.

Buyers have their own health and family issues to think about, they don't need sellers telling them about their own tales of woe. No-one cares, just ship the item please.
I see your point. It may also depend on how many times they have heard the story before. Water weareth away stone and all that. Patience may not be inexhaustible. I give people the benefit of the doubt, but you know you can also be taken advantage of in this way.

Most buyers honestly don't have to worry about be taken advantage of.
This is E-bay where 99% of the time they will get their money back if they simply file a timely claim.

Yes, people want the item that they paid for but that doesn't always happen.

In a case like this, my first concern would be to ensure that I got my money back or would be able to get my money back if I didn't get the item within ten days to two weeks.   Actually, under any circumstances, quick shipping is not a concern of mine.   I have never bought anything on-line that was so important that I couldn't wait at least ten days for it to show up.

All the issues over quick shipping simply 'boggles' my mind. But that is for another thread at another time.

COYOTES RULE!!!

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

@buyselljack2016 wrote:
Not sure that it was a great deal of dedication, but more knowing that if I did not get the items packaged up to go, and take care of the other listings it could be the end of eBay selling. It was come, and go pain. I knew what it was, and that it would get worse.

We are fortunate that we do not rely on eBay sales to survive, but it helps to pay for some extras (wifes ebay purchases of books, DVDs, nail polish, shoes, clothes, shampoo), and provides me with something to do on long winter days.

You are very modest, even if adverse consequences figured in, you still had to persevere. I understand you are not dependent on your sales but they do help, and you managed to retain your selling privilege under very stressful circumstances~which is great~!

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

Buyers, do not leave negative feedback until you have exhausted all of your options to resolve the issue. It permanently causes harm to someones business.

This is a driving factor in my feedback decisions, as it is in many other's. In considering feedback, you can hurt not only someone's business but possibly their livelihood. Not everything needs to be documented in feedback. There are consequences to everything.

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-20-2019

@creekcoyote wrote:
@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@*madison wrote:
When buyers pay, they just want the item, they are not interested in excuses, they didn't buy an excuse.

Buyers have their own health and family issues to think about, they don't need sellers telling them about their own tales of woe. No-one cares, just ship the item please.
I see your point. It may also depend on how many times they have heard the story before. Water weareth away stone and all that. Patience may not be inexhaustible. I give people the benefit of the doubt, but you know you can also be taken advantage of in this way.

Most buyers honestly don't have to worry about be taken advantage of.
This is E-bay where 99% of the time they will get their money back if they simply file a timely claim.

Yes, people want the item that they paid for but that doesn't always happen.

In a case like this, my first concern would be to ensure that I got my money back or would be able to get my money back if I didn't get the item within ten days to two weeks.   Actually, under any circumstances, quick shipping is not a concern of mine.   I have never bought anything on-line that was so important that I couldn't wait at least ten days for it to show up.

All the issues over quick shipping simply 'boggles' my mind. But that is for another thread at another time.

I'm sorry, perhaps I was not clear there. When I referred to being taken advantage of, I mean in the sense that you may be falling for something that is not true~as in it depends on how many times you have heard a story~and things aren't always true. I've worked with people who took off because their Mother died~only to have their Mother call in to talk to them. That's an illustration. I'm aware that this happens but hopefully we can remind ourselves that it may be true (death in the family, or seller illness, either one) and react compassionately.

I also never meant in relation to quick shipping; that's why I say somewhat timely, and I have often said that nothing needs to be that fast~I understand it involved transit~and it isn't a heart or insulin. I'm aware of cases for not as described or INR, and that you have thirty days past the last date of the estimated delivery timeframe to file a case. I know that getting the item you paid for doesn't always happen.