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.

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-09-2023

You mean (S.R.) Signature required right? It does offer more protection and a little less worry / stress for the seller for what $3.50+ if seller buys label online.

As I commented, I had a few sketchy sales and shipped with S.R. 4 came back in the last year. The buyer did not want to sign because they were simply scammers. The headache was it took over 30+ days to receive the package back and relist to sell to a real buyer.

I

dbfolks166mt · ‎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.

Happens to me quite often. I have made a LOT of sales to guest buyers over the years, not so much these days since I use the auction format but never had an issue. I have more problems with seasoned buyers.

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?

If the items shipped with a service that has tracking the only reason a buyer would be opening an INR is if the item was lost by the carrier. All the seller has to do is provide the tracking showing delivery.

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.

Small improvements but generally not much has changed and the buyer is going to win a NAD case with eBay 99% of the time and with a chargeback not only are they likely to win the NAD case but the buyer will probably be allowed to keep the item as well as being fully refunded.

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?

Not surprising if you are using signature required on everything you send. The carrier will only make so many attempts to delivery, generally in the daytime when most people are working, before they return the item to the sender since they were not able to obtain a signature.

With the items you are selling being low targets for scammers not really sure why you are using signature required. If they wanted to scam you it's easy enough to simply do a NAD case with eBay and you get to pay for the return shipping if it is not a remorse return.

dbfolks166mt · ‎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!

True statement and if a scammer has you in their sights there is literally nothing you can do to protect yourself that is why I always go by the #1 rule as a seller on eBay and that is never list anything you are not willing to take the financial loss on.

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 it were me I would ship it, no signature required but I would add additional insurance to cover the full value of the combined shipment.

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.

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-09-2023

This is when a seller can also look at the satellite view for the most recent details and if still in question based on buyer profile & all feedback, ship with signature required. Simple.

If I see it is an apartment, I have no idea how mail is delivered. Is it to the front office, outside mailbox, inside mailbox, or actually to your door. I will ship to you with signature required for safe / secure delivery.

dbfolks166mt · ‎10-09-2023

I agree with googling the address.

The ones that make me nervous are the gated communities where no views of the houses are available.

Gated communities don't really present much of an issue for Google Earth and the satellites.

Best are the ones where the address is a strip mall with a "mailboxes R us" type business.

Rented mail boxes, PO or private, are the safest addresses, followed by freight forwarders*

* Because when the buyer uses a forwarder most of the MBG ends when the forwarder accepts the shipment.

Unless the buyer opens a NAD chargeback in which case the MBG means nothing.

cardxcraft · ‎10-09-2023

Don't forget to add signature confirmation. It's Ebay policy for delivery confirmation on transactions of $750 usd or more, including taxes and shipping.

If you're worried about items being broken claim, buy Shipcover insurance on checkout...not USPS but Shipcover. If anyone can chime in on Shipcover insurance experience, please do.

I purchased Shipcover on a recent order that's not fully completed yet, so I'm basing off of reviews I read throughout internet.

cardxcraft · ‎10-09-2023

One other thing: please come back and update this thread with the outcome, when your transaction is settled. Thanks.

dbfolks166mt · ‎10-09-2023

This is when a seller can also look at the satellite view for the most recent details and if still in question based on buyer profile & all feedback, ship with signature required. Simple.

If I see it is an apartment, I have no idea how mail is delivered. Is it to the front office, outside mailbox, inside mailbox, or actually to your door. I will ship to you with signature required for safe / secure delivery.

To me it would seem cost prohibitive to pay $3.65 to USPS for signature confirmation on shipping a $15-$20 item. However, if you feel that reduces your risk continue to do so. As a buyer I would be PO'ed if the seller added signature confirmation to an item I had purchased after the fact. I would probably simply request to cancel the order and go elsewhere because odds are that I am not going to be home when the carrier arrives and it's going to get returned to the sender after so many delivery tries.

maxine*j · ‎10-09-2023

@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:
This is when a seller can also look at the satellite view for the most recent details and if still in question based on buyer profile & all feedback, ship with signature required. Simple.

If I see it is an apartment, I have no idea how mail is delivered. Is it to the front office, outside mailbox, inside mailbox, or actually to your door. I will ship to you with signature required for safe / secure delivery.

Anyone who lives in an apartment has to sign for anything they buy from you? Good grief.

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traditonalproducts · ‎10-09-2023

Option, look at sending your orders with signature delivery w/insurance. That might help if the buyer claims the items are broken or damaged that way hopefully when you get them back you can prove they r broken and receive some $ back on the insurance to offset the loss.

yuzuha · ‎10-09-2023

@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:

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?

Because eBay does not require a signature for items under $750. A simple "Delivered" on the tracking is all that you need to win an INR.