Thinking of coming back

[mario-64]

Hi all,

I'm in need of some advice. I used to be a prolific seller on eBay (with all positive feedback). Then it happened. A buyer defrauded me using the PayPal chargeback scheme. Waited until the day after the tracking number dropped out of USPS then opened an unauthorized charge case with their CC. Naturally PayPal would not back me since I could no longer prove I shipped the item. Buyer got my item and their money back. Thankfully it was less than $100 not a $1000 laptop or something. Still, since that day I have refused to sell on eBay.

Problem is, I have several items to sell and really could use the money right now. My question is, is it worth it? Is there anything sellers can do to protect against this (or any) type of fraud? As far as I know all of the major shippers purge tracking numbers after 90 days or so. How can we ever prove shipping afterward? 

I've tried some local marketplaces but there just aren't enough potential buyers thus this post. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you

[calntom]

I don't think much has changed other than a lot of the scammers have moved over to the River because it is even easier there. 

Rule of thumb still stands. Don't list anything you cannot afford to lose. 

[papermoneyforme]

With eBay's policies, there is absolutely no way to protect yourself from scammers.

[mrdutch1001]

Buyers have 180 day purchase protection with PayPal as well as with most CC companies.

[kensgiftshop]

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@mario-64 wrote:

Is there anything sellers can do to protect against this (or any) type of fraud?

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No.

Things haven't got any better in the last year or so.

[wesk_36]

You can make a copy of your ebay shipping label and or save the attached sheet with it that shows the tracking number and file it away. 

You cannot prevent a CC charge-back . I have read of merchants contesting them.

[flyingmvp]

Read the last 4,5, 10 or 12 pages on this board and you will get a pretty clear picture of current state of mind of many of the sellers and selling here in general, it will take some time but it's worth it.

Good Luck!

[zamo-zuan]

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@calntom wrote:

I don't think much has changed other than a lot of the scammers have moved over to the River because it is even easier there. 

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I wouldn't agree with this. 

It might be easier to try to convince sellers to voluntarily give something over there, as a simple negative feedback literally can put their account status at risk.

But it's certainly easier to have a pattern of fraudulent activity and get away with it here. Not only is the river quicker with a ban on people who break policies, but they also have much better detection systems where it's extremely difficult to get around their account linking systems. Their site, app, emails, tracking, and social links all have IP/address tracking to link accounts of those trying to get around a ban.

We've dealt with buyers on eBay who left page after page of nothing but negative feedback, who have claimed to receive empty boxes and got refunds in cases we couldn't even open a USPS Case since the item was delivered. And then proceeded to blame us because of "cheaping out on shipping by using USPS" when he CHOSE USPS as his shipping option because HE did not choose to pay for FedEx.

One specific buyer we found out had done that TWICE to us! Those people are still active on eBay, despite being reported, and having obvious patterns of abuse. Some have even left evidence of what they were doing, and eBay still stuck with their policy and refunded the buyer.

Never seen anything even remotely like that on any competitor sites. 

[mario-64]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll just trash this stuff or give it a way. It sucks that eBay and PayPal have become so anti-seller. There is a saying which goes "What you permit you promote". By permitting buyers to defraud sellers both companies are promoting this behavior. 

[bradandamber]

Closed our store over a year ago. Refuse to sell on eBay anymore and have not since the store closed. I come here every now and then and see the horror stories. eBay used be a friendly place to sell. Management has since 2003 set to a course off a cliff for sellers. We do buy from time to time but not like we used to. Managed Payments now coming up for all.  Warren Buffet got stupid eBay execs to sell off PayPal and it just has gotten worse . Higher fees for what exactly. If you wanna make a comeback you better be prepared for disappointment. eBay is a sinking ship. IMHO

[loveyourimagination49]

What are you planning on selling?

[mario-64]

I have several things to sell. Couple of gaming mice, couple of retro consoles, MSI laptop, etc

[zamo-zuan]

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@mario-64 wrote:

I have several things to sell. Couple of gaming mice, couple of retro consoles, MSI laptop, etc

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Definitely do not sell anything too costly on here.

If you get one of the more common scams, you'll be out 50% of the cost. Definitely wouldn't sell that laptop on here unless its <$500.

[loveyourimagination49]

I was afraid it would be electronics. They are in the high risk category. As I’m sure has already been mentioned, never sell what you can’t afford to lose.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi @mario-64 welcome back.

Keep in mind that what is seen here in the forums is an infinitesimal percentage of eBayer’s experiences, and since folks rarely talk about their positive happenings on the platform, the forums are left with the negative events.

People are here seeking help for problems. It is likely not an accurate representation of seller experiences. The wide majority of transactions go off without a hitch. (In the ten years i have been selling here, i have never been defrauded or even had an attempt, and i sell at a broad range of items and price points. I do not sell computers or cell phones, or expensive electronics.)

As with anything, what you put in can determine what you get out, and being cautious and planning ahead for issues can forestall some risk. There is no way to avoid risk altogether. You have a relatively high feedback score— i would think you would not be an attractive target, as most scammers look for easy, such as brand new sellers listing expensive high fraud items. Scammers are hoping to prey upon their inexperience.

As long as you are very well versed on policies and practices, and know how to best protect yourself, I wouldn't fear listing items here. You could try listing one thing and see how it goes for you. Get a feel for the selling climate yourself and go from there.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide.