eBay

the_rovers · ‎10-08-2023

We had a buyer who created their account on 10/7 order 5 items from us totaling over $700. This screams scam to us, but we are at a loss of what to do? They have not sent us e-mails and paid through “Buy it now”. Our ratings are 100%, and of course we are afraid if we decline this sale, it will be ruined, but we also fear we are going to get screwed. The items are all porcelain and I’m sure someone could report them as broken, no matter how good we pack them. What are our options? We are also trying to figure out how they show they have 13 positive reviews if they just created the account on October 7th, 2023. Today is October 8th.

maxine*j · ‎10-09-2023

Buyer pays. Seller ships. That's how it works. It is that simple.

Buyer who has paid risks a lousy seller sending junk, or stuff so poorly packed that it arrives broken, or nothing at all. Seller risks a lousy buyer who files fake INAD with eBay or a does credit card chargeback.

Happily, though, nearly all transactions go well because most buyers and sellers are honest and conscientious.

But if you are going to agonize over sales, anticipate problems, try to find some formula that will identify perfect buyers and risk-free transactions in advance, you should not sell on-line. Sell in person at a garage sale or flea market or the like.

Remember that you asked.

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vintage-camerastuff · ‎10-09-2023

You sell very lovely Christmas decorations. Just maybe they are making the purchase to give as gifts for Christmas or they could be preparing to decorate the house. If they pay SHIP!

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-09-2023

Your correct for questioning this buyer.

Your comment: We are also trying to figure out how they show they have 13 positive reviews if they just created the account on October 7th, 2023. Today is October 8th.

Sound like they are on a buying spree and the feedback was possibly left immediately from the other sellers.

Have you Google Map the address? What does it look like? Questionable, abandoned home, maybe a freight forwarder?

If you decide to ship, I subject shipping each item individually with signature required since they are fragile. I wouldn't put all in one box. Go a little extra on safe packing and mark packages 'glass', fragile', & handle with care. I sometimes take photos of the packing process and the outside of box along with shipping label, just in case I should need if buyer claims an issue.

You could also entertain contacting the buyer after doing the above and tell them your shipping with signature required for a safe and secure delivery and see how they respond. They may want to cancel. Who knows.

It's all up to you on how to handle it.

Good luck.

brightlightbookseller · ‎10-09-2023

How are they correct for questioning a very normal buyer? And there's no advantage to signature requirements if the order total is less than $750 unless you just want to really annoy your buyer. It doesn't matter one whit to eBay. Nor would shipping separately.

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-09-2023

This issue does not involve a very normal buyer who just became an eBay member on 10/7/23 and is on a spending spree with 13 feedback in just 2 days.

I understand that everyone claims signature required is not worth it if the order s under $750 and why does everyone think that? Why would you ship a $500 item with no signature and the buyer then opens INR case?

I think eBay is working more on protecting sellers due to so much fraud, but us sellers need to take control of our own protection if a case is open by the buyer.

I have shipped items for way less cost based on buyer profile+ and added signature required with USPS. In the past year, I have received about 4 packages back. Hmm?

albertabrightalberta · ‎10-09-2023

@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:
Why would you ship a $500 item with no signature and the buyer then opens INR case?

Why? Because all a seller needs to win that INR case is tracking showing delivery!

albertabrightalberta
Volunteer Community Mentor

lakefor94 · ‎10-09-2023

"This issue does not involve a very normal buyer who just became an eBay member on 10/7/23 and is on a spending spree with 13 feedback in just 2 days."

True. You wait until the end of your handling time before shipping to see if the account goes NARU in the meantime. Don't ship early on this type of scenario.

Posting ID

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-09-2023

INR is just an example. Ther are many scenarios a scam buyer can play other than INR or after even if tracking shows delivered. Think about it!

I don't think your taking in everything in the O.P.'s post.

What would you really do if you were in the O.P.'s position? I don't see any positive comments to the O.P. from you. Just wanting to argue with me.

If seller's wishes to roll the dice or do their homework and take precautions before shipping, that is their choice. I'm just giving some advice and thoughts for the O.P. to think about.

inhawaii · ‎10-09-2023

Sorry, terrible advice,

Telephone Line - Electric Light Orchestra

gloryglorygifts · ‎10-09-2023

Are you going to investigate every person that purchases from you? They paid, you ship. Wrap it well and send it with tracking and signature required and let them know it is coming that way so that it doesn't sit in the post office after nobody was there to sign for it.

If I didn't sell to people with a 0 feedback, I would have had no sales last year. Lots of new people shopping on here. As someone else said, they probably bought from other sellers with auto feedback. Don't look for problems where there aren't any.

You have BEAUTIFUL items! Happy and prosperous sales to you.

toomuchstuffagain35 · ‎10-09-2023

I would ship, but also as these are fragile items and presumably the buyer paid full shipping with no asking for combined shipping, I would send them separately. Spread your risk for possible issues.

They may claim one item arrived damaged but all 5? Highly unlikely and would raise red flags all over the place. I wouldn't bother with sig conf, and you MAY want to add insurance to a couple if it makes you feel safer.

"If a product doesn't sell, raise the price" - Reese Palley
"If it sold FAST, it was priced too low" - also Reese Palley

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-09-2023

That is sad to hear that from you. You post a lot for advice / comments, but you really did not give any positive advice / thoughts to the O.P. based on your experiences.

albertabrightalberta · ‎10-09-2023

@albertabrightalberta wrote:
@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:
Why would you ship a $500 item with no signature and the buyer then opens INR case?
Why? Because all a seller needs to win that INR case is tracking showing delivery!

@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:
INR is just an example. Ther are many scenarios a scam buyer can play other than INR or after even if tracking shows delivered. Think about it!

I don't think your taking in everything in the O.P.'s post.

What would you really do if you were in the O.P.'s position? I don't see any positive comments to the O.P. from you. Just wanting to argue with me.

If seller's wishes to roll the dice or do their homework and take precautions before shipping, that is their choice. I'm just giving some advice and thoughts for the O.P. to think about.

I read the entire OP as well as every single reply prior to posting.

When I responded to disagree with your suggestion to use s.c. on the items, it was because you specifically mentioned INR! I didn't need to repeat "positive comments" to the OP because s/he already got lots of good advice.

I wasn't posting to argue with you but rather to correct misinformation which implied that SC offered more protection to the OP than delivery confirmation would have in an INR claim. And I stand by my post.

albertabrightalberta
Volunteer Community Mentor

maxine*j · ‎10-09-2023

@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:

... Have you Google Map the address? What does it look like? Questionable, abandoned home, maybe a freight forwarder?...

Were you to Google my street address, you'd see a block-long building with retail shops. The building is an example of late-19th Century rather flamboyant eclectic architecture, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places.

What you would not see, or perhaps understand, is that like most buildings of its era, it has spacious apartments on the upper floor. The owners of the businesses lived in them, or they were provided or rented to employees. In that era, most people walked, after all. Plus, having someone on the premises at night was also a safeguard against theft and in case of fire or other emergency.

I've lived in one of the apartments for 26 years. It's convenient, especially as my eyesight prevents my being able to drive, and I like 12-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and pocket doors.

Still, I would not pass your sniff test if you Googled my address.

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