Tagged and mapped.

[126celler]

I have a set of candlesticks I have been researching.  A seller has the same candlesticks and on description she has-tagged and mapped (interior & exterior) with detailed pictures.    Is this a new eBay requirement I should know about?

[pickapaper]

@126celler 

I do not know what you mean by "tagged and mapped".    Would you please explain?

[126celler]

I have a set of Imperial Carnaval Glass swirled twisted candlesticks.  I was researching on eBay as to how much I should charge for them.   I found a seller with the exact same item.  I read the listing to learn value.  In the listing was "A seller must protect themselves on high dollar items, so the candlesticks information is logged and mapped. (interior/exterior) with detailed pictures in event a return is made with a different candlestick, or a part is changed or removed."

I didn't know what it meant.   If there is a new procedure, I wanted to know what it was.  This discussion board is huge well of info.  So, I came here.     Thanks

[ebooksdiva]

I think what you are describing is the seller is saying they placed a special mark on the candlestick to attempt to deter fraudulent returns.

But that won't work since those same buyers could return a box of rocks or empty box. The seller would still have to refund especially when the buyers can ask eBay to step in if the seller doesn't refund after 2 days. 

As I have read many times in this forum that this does happen.

[gurlcat]

Thanks for the explanation; I really couldn't make any sense of "tagged and mapped" ha.  
No it's not an eBay requirement.  

[gurlcat]

Even after finding the listing, I'm not really clear on what exactly she did.  More to the point, I doubt interested buyers would either, so she probably has to spend time answering questions about it, after already spending time doing the "logging and mapping".   And it might just turn off some buyers who'll think the vintage item has been altered and they wouldn't want that.  

And for a $50 item?  Really??? 🤣

[chapeau-noir]

It won't make any difference in a return - eBay doesn't adjudicate - so I wouldn't bother. I think "tagged and mapped" is being thrown around to impress.

[gurlcat]

Reminds me of some of the spoof tactics stores use.  You probably know some of the cameras are fake, but I've seen some other interesting implementations in my local area. 

-Like the Walgreens doesn't have the shaving razors locked up (because they're too cheap to keep enough employees on the clock), but a motion detector is embedded in the shelf, so if you go and stand there or just walk by 'too' slowly, it triggers a speaker announcement "Customer service needed in shaving supplies".  -Of course nobody's coming, but it's supposed to just spook a would-be shoplifter I guess.  

Then there's the Dollar General (or maybe Family Dollar; I always mix them up, anyway I prefer the truly majestic Dollar TREE!).  You'll hear a dude get on the intercom casually say something like "This is Security, can I get a (something-something) confirmation from the front?" and the one or two workers at the registers will holler "Yeah!" with the enthusiasm of cold oatmeal.  One day I was in the store long enough to hear the same guy say the same thing in the exact same way 3 times on the horn, so it became obvious it was just a recording, and I assume the ladies' "Yeah!" is compulsory, like THEY are probably being recorded for enforcement.  So gross.  I mean it's partly for their own safety I guess, considering people do go in and shoot up these places sometimes.  But these penny-pinching, half-hearted, easily sussable measures aint the way. 

[chapeau-noir]

"Tagged and mapped" doesn't even really make sense in this context unless they're actually mapping the photos they take - Diamond Head or the Outer Banks, yeah, but a candlestick?

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi @126celler , this is not some kind of new practice of which you need to be aware of. The seller is apparently sorely afraid of being ripped off, and they think this tagged-and-mapped strategy will dissuade fraudsters.

The seller is basically advising the general public that they are prepared to fight scam attempts, so this is their effort to say “you scammers move along, please”.  (Actual scammers know this strategy does not protect a seller from anything.)

As a rule, i would never put something like that in my listing. Because it broadcasts that the seller suffers from anticipatory fear. A prospective buyer may then view the seller as being afraid enough that he/she might well even look askance at the buyer should a  legitimate problem arise.

I would not want my buyers to see me as suspicious in nature, and therefore expecting bad things to happen with their transactions.

Instead, better to project that as a seller, i am confident my transactions will be trouble-free. (And it’s better selling psychology to appear competent to handle buyer concerns or issues.) I would rather show I do not fear my customers, nor anticipate scammers targeting me, to the extent i must place warnings and disclaimers in my listings.

Just my two cents.

[chapeau-noir]

Yes - in general, I find it a lot better to conduct my business for the 99% honest, decent people and deal with the 1% other people as situations arise. Doing the opposite just leads to a negative, rather punitive experience. That includes dealing with problems as they arise.

[gurlcat]

Amen, well said. 

[126celler]

Thank you all.    This site is a deep well of information and help.