Seller beware: eBay negligence, no concern for seller, and FedEx SmartPost theft

[cabezadecabra]

The scenario:  I sold a used but most recent MacBook Pro on eBay.  eBay identified what I was selling and filled it in the details for me based on previous similar items being sold, and also included advice on the starting price.  It then listed a bunch of shipping methods with no detail on them but their price.  Wanting to offer any purchaser the best bargain, I chose the cheapest, FedEx SmartPost.  Big mistake.

The item sold more than once, with the buyer not paying in the first case.  On re-listing, it did sell.  I shipped the item, making sure to purchase the shipping label through eBay, assuming they “had my back”.  It disappeared into FedEx, with FedEx determining it to be “lost in transit” upon the final leg to the purchasers location (still in FedEx, not with USPS).  eBay then informs me they are not responsible (even though they sold me the shipping), and I find out SmartPost is only going to reimburse for $100.  Final outcome?  I’m out $1200+ dollars.  My major gripes:

* Why would eBay be happy to sell me a shipping solution, knowing the general price of the item from the time of listing creation, that covers a fraction of the selling price?  There’s no warning, no explanation as to why one vs the other, nothing.  They are selling me the shipping, why list reasons for one vs the other??

* What is the purpose of eBay compared to CraigsList if they do not help protect both sides of the transaction?

* How they they wipe their hands of this when they sold me this shipping option?

I plan on seeing how to file a property theft case as the laptop is obviously somewhere.

Final thoughts:  do not look at eBay as your partner.  I’ve been a member for over 10 years.  This platform is old and needs to be modernized.

[bonjourami]

Im sorry, you think Ebay is responsible for the lost item because you printed the label here? I would think on such a pricey item you would have purchased insurance to protect yourself.

[cabezadecabra]

You must be someone who sells a lot.  I’m not.  Call me the little guy.  I figured eBay would let me know I’m not properly insured for an item they know the price of

[cabezadecabra]

Additionally, they didn’t just “print the label”.  They sold me the shipping service.

[bonjourami]

As the seller, you choose the shipping service, I would expect its up to you to check out the coverage beforehand, just in case, especially with a pricey item,then add your own additional coverage for your protection. 

[cabezadecabra]

yes, but one would hope that eBay, wanting all parties to have an excellent experience on their platform, would help with this?  Else I might as well use CraigsList?  What does eBay provide if not protection or guidance??

[this*old*attic]

I am stunned that you actually believe it’s Ebay’s job to tell you how to do yours.

[bonjourami]

Protection for lost packages because you used their service? sorry thats not going to happen, thats not reasonable. As for 'guidance', isnt it up to you, as the seller, to make sure you are protected in the event of a lost,or damaged package?Especially for a $1200 item? Understandably, you are angry and upset..but your anger at Ebay over YOUR lost package is misdirected.

[18704d]

"yes, but one would hope that eBay, wanting all parties to have an excellent experience on their platform, would help with this? "

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With every label I've purchased through eBay,

I can clearly see the option to purchase insurance.

Lynn

[castlemagicmemories]

Of course you are upset; that is quite a loss and I hope you can recover it.

While Ebay sold you the service, you choose the service.  They just offer it as a convenience for you.  But as you found out, you need to know what you are choosing and protect yourself, especially in the case of a high dollar purchase.

I hope I am wrong but I suspect FedEx and USPS will pass this on to each other and you may have a hard time collecting anything.  Again, I hope I am wrong.

The purpose of Ebay as opposed to Craigslist is they bring the buyer to you and you don't have to meet someone you don't know who may or may not show up, or have nefarious intentions.

Ebay sold you the service but you are responsible for choosing the service, as others have said.

I'm sorry you feel this way but Ebay did not let you down.  

[twnpopcards]

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@cabezadecabra wrote:

You must be someone who sells a lot.  I’m not.  Call me the little guy.  I figured eBay would let me know I’m not properly insured for an item they know the price of

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Unfortunately Ebay does very little at all for the seller other than provide a listing venue for your items which they then post all of their advertising of similar or like products on and many that even take the potential buyer off of ebay.  All Ebay cares about when it comes to the Sellers is how much money can we squeeze out of them without anything having to be sold since their traffic continues to falter.

Sorry you learned the hard way but even if the buyer had gotten the item and then said it was not what they wanted, Ebay would back the buyer if they returned you nothing but a bag of kitty litter as they feel buyers are their customers and Sellers are a dime a dozen.  While other sites continue to grow Ebay continues to sputter with 1% growth in the 4th quarter and now their newest idea of all Fixed Price Listings will be GTC hoping to catch a lot of newer sellers who do not keep up with the rules will not notice and Ebay can once again grab a sellers money without having to have anything be sold.

[twnpopcards]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

I am stunned that you actually believe it’s Ebay’s job to tell you how to do yours.

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On this particular topic I tend to agree, but they Micro Manage every other aspect of how Sellers can run their business now, so you can't blame the person for trying.

[twnpopcards]

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@cabezadecabra wrote:

yes, but one would hope that eBay, wanting all parties to have an excellent experience on their platform, would help with this?  Else I might as well use CraigsList?  What does eBay provide if not protection or guidance??

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@cabezadecabra 

Nothing but a listing venue for Sellers, but a scammers haven for those that want to steal from Sellers.  BTW - don't be shocked when they also charge you their FVF for the item since you sold it on their site.

[cabezadecabra]

I'm not running a business.  Maybe that's the difference here.  I'm selling something for the first time in 12 months.  Just a mere end-user here who has a day job, not a professional seller or buyer.  Perhaps that's what I'm not understanding about eBay:  it's geared for business not personal users.   I'm just a guy who is out of $1300. 

And I wasn't looking for micro-managed, I was looking for some sort of "hey!  we know this item generally sells for X amount, the shipping option you chose may potentially result in you losing everything!".  That's it, that's all I was hoping for.  Something to help out an infrequent seller/buyer.

Perhaps there are better sites for this sort of thing

[fern*wood]

I would never use SmartPost based on their slowness, but I don't know of any service that would provide automatic insurance adequate to cover that large a loss without buying additional coverage.   I use USPS Priority mail for most of my shipments, and it only comes with $100. coverage since I am a Top Rated Seller, $50 coverage is standard.  I can buy more coverage,  but it is up to me.   Ebay doesn't get involved in any of this, nor do they educate or warn anyone about shipping perils.  One must learn this by experience or research. 

Ebay is not an equal partner in sharing the risk of selling on this venue.