Very High Item Not As Described

[1stcameragear]

Hello eBay community, first time poster here. Figure I’d give the forums a try, I can not for the life of me get an eBay representative to understand my question; per usual.

I’m a low volume, high ticket seller and am in the cusp of crossing to the “Very High INAD” category vs my current “High INAD” standing. I sell used photography equipment and buyers open cases simply because they may or may not have read the listing description. As you all know, even if a seller wins the case, the metric goes against sellers simply because a buyer opens a return request. 

As a low volume seller and someone who’s been in the VHINAD category, paying an extra 5% in FVF is brutal, and in my case accumulates to several thousands a month. I do not want to go back to this category. I figure the only way to combat this before the next evaluation period is to have as many “good sales” as possible. 

I want to list around 100 accessories (All separate listings) at an extremely low price so that it will sell within the day. What I’m worried about is if one person looks through my eBay listings and purchases every of the 100 listings, would it count towards “100 good sales” or just “1 good sale” (because it’s only one person who purchased rather than 100 individuals purchasing 1 each.) Similar to the feedback system, if one buyer purchases 10 items and leaves 10 positive reviews, only 1 is counted toward your metric.

Thank you in advance and any expertise is warmly welcomed 🙏🏼

[1stcameragear]

UPDATE: After playing phone tag and transferring to four different reps, I was able to find a solution. This will only work for LOW VOLUME (1 or less sales a day), HIGH TICKET ITEM ($500-$10,000+) sellers. The metrics are that 1 transaction = 1 transaction, independent of how many buyers there are. Even if one buyer purchases 100 low cost items, each item counts as its own transaction. This can be a make it break it factor for low volume/high ticket item sellers, because sacrificing a few hundred dollars selling low cost accessories is much more cost efficient than paying the Very High INAD FVF. 

Hope a future seller in a similar predicament will find this post and to have a supply of low cost accessories to create a nice buffer for your metrics! I'll be posting brand name used/new camera straps the next few days for $0.99. Just pay for shipping~ Shoot me a message if you're in the market for one! 🙂

[hurryagain]

@1stcameragear 

Oooo...

I am not sure about this one.  We know that if one buyer purchased all 100 items, it would only count as 1 + in the feedback area but as for whether it would be counted as 1 + sale or 100 + sales might be a whole other thing.

If no one comes along with a good answer for you, I would suggest limiting the amount a buyer can purchase from you in a 10 day period, that way you can at least guarantee yourself multiple purchasers giving you a much higher chance of + sales.

Go to https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/buyerrequirements   then

Block buyers who are currently winning or have bought [  ] of my items in the last 10 days.

You can put a quantity between 1 - 10 items in the last 10 days.  See the area next to the red dots below.

[ten_o_nine]

I wanted to reply, but since you got your answer, I will tell you this, it's no way to build a reputable business. It's about the customer satisfaction vs. seller's eBay score.

[chapeau-noir]

As you all know, even if a seller wins the case, the metric goes against sellers simply because a buyer opens a return request.

Just to clarify - that's for INADs only (not remorse returns), and yes, getting a strike for a case settled in the seller's favour is completely skrooed up.

[1stcameragear]

Indeed there are many different business strategies, I can see you're a high volume seller and my solution could no way be applied to you as it would be way too much overhead and costly in your situation. To the little guys like myself and others in similar niches, it's the difference of five figures a year, which to you may be nothing, but for me it is! Besides, selling low cost accessories that are worth $10-15 for $.99 + shipping; what's more satisfying to customers than that lol. It's a win-win situation. 

Let me turn the tables real quick, I apologize if you were speaking on my behalf and berating eBay that it's no reputable way to build a business because the metrics totally goes against low volume/high ticket item sellers. If that's the case, i'm right by you! This is no way to build a reputable business eBay! Respectfully.

[1stcameragear]

Thank you! This is a solution to another minor issue i'm facing with shipping. 🙂

[popblox]

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@hurryagain wrote:

I am not sure about this one.  We know that if one buyer purchased all 100 items, it would only count as 1 + in the feedback area but as for whether it would be counted as 1 + sale or 100 + sales might be a whole other thing.

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I'm not sure if it's the same with INAD's, but I know for sure that all the items in a single transaction for INR's count as individual 'cases' as far as metrics go. I had a buyer purchase 13 items, then file INR's - all of them counted against me and immediately put my INR rate at very high (despite the fact they'd also already been delivered before the cases were opened). 

I couldn't agree more with setting up quantity limits. If INAD's are treated the same as INR's in this respect, it could help as much as it could hurt.

[1stcameragear]

It's unfortunate that buyers are clearly starting to take advantage that eBay will side with them no matter what. Even the remorse requests I receive from buyers are cloaked behind an INAD, but that's way off on tangent. If at least one future seller is stuck and thinking of quitting eBay, but happens to find this post and helps them. Mission accomplished.

[hurryagain]

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@popblox wrote:

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@hurryagain wrote:

I am not sure about this one.  We know that if one buyer purchased all 100 items, it would only count as 1 + in the feedback area but as for whether it would be counted as 1 + sale or 100 + sales might be a whole other thing.

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I'm not sure if it's the same with INAD's, but I know for sure that all the items in a single transaction for INR's count as individual 'cases' as far as metrics go. I had a buyer purchase 13 items, then file INR's - all of them counted against me and immediately put my INR rate at very high (despite the fact they'd also already been delivered before the cases were opened). 

I couldn't agree more with setting up quantity limits. If INAD's are treated the same as INR's in this respect, it could help as much as it could hurt.

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@popblox 

UGH!!!  So sorry to hear about such a terrible thing!

I guess you-know-who only cares about one thing...making $$$ and that helps them make more of it.

Can we get back to people over profits?  Oh wait!  Publicly traded company...nevermind...🙄

[ten_o_nine]

No my friend,
What I am saying is you build a business by gaining trust and over the years it may pay off, I am a little guy like you and don't know what gave you the impression that I am a high volume seller, as they say " Under promise and over deliver" and that will get you out instead of trying other tactics, be steady and patient and in less than 3 months you will be good.

[ten_o_nine]

" As you all know, even if a seller wins the case, the metric goes against sellers simply because a buyer opens a return request"

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My number one rule..

It should not be you and eBay against the customer, it should be you an the customer against eBay.

[1stcameragear]

Did a bit a due diligence looking at your store before I made that comment. I totally understand and am inline with your business ideology, yet we are also in extremely different niches and different circumstances. 🙂 

[1stcameragear]

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@ten_o_nine wrote:

" As you all know, even if a seller wins the case, the metric goes against sellers simply because a buyer opens a return request"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

My number one rule..

It should not be you and eBay against the customer, it should be you an the customer against eBay.

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A bit confused as to why you're point this out to me as if you don't see the abundant unfair INAD posts sellers receive, on the front page of this forum? I think we may be speaking on two completely different subjects as i'm looking for a solution to the disadvantages that sellers face, where as you're speaking on ideologies? Respectfully, your rule has nothing to do with this post.

To give a you a quick example, if a buyer opens a return request by accident and closes it. That's a point against my metric, because the buyer opened one in the first place. If a buyer opens a return request, and with my utmost enthusiastic and professional customer service skills, provide a solution to the buyer that leaves him/her happy, and they close the request. That's a point against my metric, because the buyer opened one in the first place. If a buyer has buyer's remorse and opens an INAD knowing that they'll receive a refund by playing the system. That's a point against my metric, because the buyer opened one in the first place. Point being if a request is opened, it's a hit on a seller metric no matter how they handle it amazingly or terribly.

Sorry if I gave you the impression that i'm looking for a quick way out of this. That's not the case.

[ten_o_nine]

I am trying to help you with my experience of 22 years selling online.  If you have INAD, it doesn't matter what ebay thinks and what eBay does. It's the customer that is upset and will never return and will never recommend you, and probably leave a negative review, and that's not how you build trust, under promise and over deliver will get you there, there is no reason for a buyer to file INAD if they got what they expected ( a few may) but it shouldn't be a cause of concern if you are under promising. eBay is just the means to connect you with your buyers. It's you that builds the trust even though eBay take the credit.☹️