Why do sellers fight eBay tooth and nail?

[jason_incognito]

It is what it is. eBay gets to set rules.

If they want you to list with best offer, figure out a way to make it work to your advantage.

If eBay wants to to take take returns, figure out a way to make it work....

Why is it that so many want to try and fight eBay to keep doing things the way they used to, and eBay is moving on from? 

Why are there 491 people that have an auction for Harry potter dvds? There are over 8,000 fixed price listings. I'm pretty sure that by now we all know what a Harry Potter dvd should sell for, no matter what the edition. It is a comodity. If you have a signed copy of the very first edition we can talk about an auction being a great way to sell it, but why?

I get that people don't like offers, but they exist and eBay hawks them. Why not figure out a way to make that work for you?

The number of people that just flat out refuse the item specifics part of a listing boggles me.

eBay is eBay, and fighting that.... expecting eBay to do things your way just seems so ridiculous. Why?

[jason_incognito]

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@tellmemama wrote:

My stores have become under $10 widget type stores on eBay. Sad. I have a lot of lovely things to sell, high dollar items, another site is getting them.

And this, gentle readers, is one of the biggest reasons why I believe there is a lack of buyers.  Possibly even more so than the lousy search.  All those gorgeous expensive items that are too risky to sell here are  selling somewhere else and taking those sorely missed FVFs with them.  Every day we tell sellers not to list something they can't afford to lose, which is very sound advice considering the dangers of selling here.  But we are also helping contribute to the eBay we have now...a giant dollar store/cell phone case emporium.

I don't want to fill my cart with color.  I want to fill it with the stuff that isn't here.

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In the last week I've made 2 sales that I am convinced that the average seller on this forum would have not made, and in fact the buyer would have gone straight to the blocked bidder list. 

One I had to explain to the user how a multi item listing worked, that I was not selling 11 plates for $7.99, but that it was $7.99 each for up to 11. She wanted just 4 and asked if I could do that. In the end after a couple emails and watching the computer for a response (at 10pm while I was watching a show I like) I got it nailed down and it was paid. I went to bed with a sale, but so many would have gone to bed with no money and a blocked bidder because it was frustrating to walk a new user through the process.

The other offered me a ridiculously low price. I got them up $25 and made the sale. I didn't get offended. I didn't block them for a low offer......

[missjen831]

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@emerald40 wrote:

No you do not have to accept best offers, but you do have to accept return for SNAD.

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No you don’t have to accept SNAD returns.

You do have to issue a refund though 😉

[lisbornstei0]

Does anyone else have a problem with the new system for marking down items?? Has to be 14 days+ to qualify to markdown prices even if it has been listed over a month but only 7 days at a time???? Do not like this new update and have let eBay know.  Anyone else see this as a huge selling problem???  Thank you for your response.

[rt_21_trading_co]

"Success in retail happens because a seller is constantly changing, and specifically is not doing what they did last year. Success doesn't care how long one has been selling on eBay, that one has 100% feedback on eBay, or that one had great sales in 2016 ... success only cares that one is able to adapt to whatever retail environment exists today."

This is a vague and generalized reply which is no where near accurate.

Maybe your idea will work for designer clothes or phones or jewelry where the trends change, but what about the rest of the REAL items sold by retailers? You know, the necessary stuff they have to buy but don't want to, not items that are bought with expendable income.

Take for instance when someone buys headlight bulbs. There is the person who is buying them because one blew and they need it. They buy what they can afford, a standard light bulb. Then there is the buyer who has expendable monies that buys the expensive super white xenon headlight bulbs. Not because their headlight was blown, but because they want to change to a bulb that is advertised as "better" and they can afford to find out.

Same thing with motorcycle parts, car parts, home repair parts, plumbing parts, electrical parts, tractor parts, farm parts, etc. There are those that are buying what they can afford because they need it, and those who are buying up because they want to upgrade and can afford it.

Even with clothes you have buyers who buy because they need it, and buyer who buy more expensive because they WANT it.

With repair parts it is a foolish thing to assume that buyers go to an autoparts to buy custom or expensive accessories more than they do hard parts (brake, rotors, bearing, suspension, steering, etc). First thing those companies teach their employees is that hard parts are their bread and butter, and the accessories are the gravy.I was a manager at a national chain autoparts, had to teach alot of dummies that.

And the same vehicles are driven for man many years and will require the same repair parts in 20 years that they do in 1 year. All parts that are high wear, including brake and tire and headlights and exhaust. They won't need a new chrome lug nut set every year.

[b_moto_industries]

As a top rated plus seller on eBay for the past 4 years, we have certainly seen a decrease in seller appreciation from eBay. They have reduced our eBay fee monthly discount from 20% to 10%, made our listings stricter, and most importantly returns of any reason are at the highest I’ve ever seen. I can live with that restrictions on listings and the cut of discounts, but where I as a business owner draw the line is when I repeatedly get taken advantage of over returns.

Now before I start this rant I will say if at any reason I am at fault for a return (i.e. damaged item or non-working item) we take complete responsibility. However; this past year alone, buyers are taking advantage of eBay’s return policy and selecting reasons such as not as described because they now know how to get around the system. I have had buyers selecting these “get by reasons” and we receive damaged or different parts after paying the return shipping as well! Resulting in opening cases and hours on the phone with eBay representatives. And the buyer still gets a full return just because you have received “A” item back. Multiple reps have told me that there has been an uprise in faulty returns across the board.  We are left with no protection from eBay. There is no selling protection in place for these situations.

My next return system complaint is the fact that eBay is essentially promoting more returns by making it easier for the buyer and at the cost of the seller. Note this will only increase returns and drive away sellers and result in lost revenue for eBay. How is it fair as a seller, which i have to give a full refund because my buyer purchased the wrong item? Sure the buyer will be responsible for return shipping, but you also have initial shipping to originally get that item to the buyer as well as listings fees twice. Whose pocket does that come out of the SELLERS of course! So now we have a new higher bill every month, the cost of initial shipping to buyers who simply just changed their mind or purchased the wrong item, note it adds up especially when some of these shipments cost 30-40$ each to ship. EBay does not want their sellers selling outside eBay which I understand and agree; however these stricter policy’s and no help from eBay on issues has sellers wanting to sell elsewhere than eBay.

They are fueling their own problem.

Ultimately for what we pay our eBay bill every month I expect better protection and incentives from eBay during these situations.

[tunicaslot]

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@lovefindingtreasures2 wrote:
Who is "We"? There are no us, them, and we here.

Agreed, I am selling on other venues, fighting eBay is pointless. I can't change it. It is what it is. eBay no longer works well for me, so I have left to other selling sites. So far so good, but I LOVED eBay and I am saddened it came to this.

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We are the many seller here who donate our time trying to help sellers with problems. Many of us have been here for the past 15-20 years. We've been through the highs and lows - we've been disgusted by many of the changes - but we take a different approach and work within these changes and try to make it work for us as this is the venue that has consistently provided the best sales for us. We're all sad it's come to this as many of us have also cross listed our items - but for many continuing to fight a losing battle is useless. Next someone will pop up with the Let's start a class action lawsuit bit. If it's time to move on - more power to you and good luck.

[zamo-zuan]

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@ed8108 wrote:

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@zamo-zuan wrote:

I think regarding returns, it comes down to an issue of fairness. 

EBay is truly driving sellers away. This isn't a good thing for eBay.

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EBay recognizes what is good for ebay may not necessarily translate as being good or fair for ebay's sellers.

EBay does an extremely good job in protecting it's interests, which can be argued results in a seller's interests failing to be adequately protected.

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Since eBay gets FVF's on every sale, it "should" be in eBay's best interests to get more sales, correct?

Then why on earth would their CFO express how he's aware their favoring "high priced branded items" in search, led to "really less sales"???

Their CFO is aware that their search manipulation led to LESS sales??? Who is this good for, aside from the few brands that eBay is supporting? 

Is this not a conflict of interest?

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

I am using the quarenteed delivery and not any problems with it. 

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 The Guaranteed Delivery service, I have no problem with directly. My only issue is they market it to sellers by saying "eBay will cover you if the item gets there late". But then they changed other policies, so that nowdays, after a 3rd day they can literally say it's INR, and GD does NOT protect you from INR??? And they don't give you a 10 day hold to see if the INR arrives anymore??? 

This means the only time you are actually protected from lates, is if the post office does their job and scans it regularly. But if the post office did their job, it would have been there on time. So sellers will be stuck with a defect, and paying for a full refund of the lost item. When they did their part, sent on time, and were TOLD BY EBAY that they would be protected if the item was late!

The kicker? If the item is delivered hours after eBay closes the case. Too bad. They don't require the buyer to send the item back? You have to give them a full refund, and then they can keep the item too? 

That is my only issue with GD. We're told we would be protected. But in reality, your not actually protected, and hte policy was changed to be more exploitable than ever.

[tunicaslot]

Glad you're doing well elsewhere - but there are plenty of sellers selling high priced vintage items right here - 

Caines Bros 20th century wood mallard $650,000

Rolexes

Cartier Earrings

Original Star Wars Figure Collection $9,500

[jason_incognito]

Sometimes it just boggles me that people don't hussle and make it work.

Do I enjoy doing it? No, it wears me down. But what is the alternative? Lay in bed in a pitty party while the house goes into foreclosure?

Or I can see things coming and get a second job, sell stuff on eBay, or somehow figure a way to keep making the mortgage payments.

When the credit car company charges me an annual fee I can complain and get upset, but in the end I pay it and work to a better solutuion later. I analyze the hit to my credit from closing the account, etc.

That's what being an adult is. 

I'm listing stuff that I want out of my house. I look at sold items and make a decision of either listing them at a price that will sell, or I don't list them. I'm not gonna play the game and list stuff at some crazy price hoping that some person will come along.....

I put in best offer and I negotiate. I pack well and ship them out fast.....

everything that eBay asks of me, I do. Last night I was at the post office 10 minutes before they close emptying packing peanuts into the box because after I got off work I ran over and bought a box and then stopped at the post office. I taped up the box in their parking lot and then had the stuff already wrapped in bubble wrap. 

Why? Beause I want eBay to be there when I need it. I don't want to get dings and demerits. Do I think it's fair? No, but it is their site and I can do it the way they want it done.

I spend all day doing this at work and then all night doing this with eBay. Yes, it sucks, but I kinda like a soft mattress in the air conditioned house. 

[bubbleman2010]

I'd opt for a second job or if you live in a can redemption state pick up cans along the highway the return on hours spent would be better and less stress...

[pburn]

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@seattlemagpies1 wrote:

This is the accepted solution?  Really?  Come on moderators...

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You're apparently unaware that the member who starts the thread is the one who chooses the solution, so you can thank @jason_incognito for making that selection. 

[yuzuha]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

Two things I came across yesterday while researching:

One listing, from an old, established seller, had one dark photo, no Item Specifics, an unreadable description (fonts, pictures, NOT mobile friendly, with the "See Item Description" button) huge TOS ... it had a broken link to "eBay Blackthorne" !!! at the bottom. Blackthorn has been dead for how long now?

The other was from a new seller:

Title: "Nortke China" (sic)

Price: $300

The gallery photo was dark and blurry. It showed a creamer and sugar bowl without lid 😞

You had to open the listing to see that she was selling a 12 Place setting set with serving pieces (70+ pieces total). No condition, no IS, no PATTERN name. And not charging enough shipping.

I fear that if someone is able to find the listing and if they take a chance on the seller (who shows zero experience in selling fragiles) they will be disappointed one way or another 😞

So, older sellers are stuck in their rut ... and new sellers have no guidance (besides silly "suggestions"). To add to the horribleness, using the Quick Listing Form and listing on the Mobile App make terrible listings, IMO.

Then both sets of sellers come here and ask why their item isn't selling, or why they got a SNAD. *sigh*

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Yep.  A few months ago I was looking to buy a particular thing that came in two different sizes.  Half the listings I found for this item didn't even mention which of the two sizes they were selling, which is kind of an important thing to know!  How many sales did those sellers lose out on because they couldn't even be bothered to put that one little piece of basic info in their listings?

[kathieskorner]

I have no problem living within ebay's rules.  

However, that doesn't mean I have to also follow ebay's "suggestions".  I would never list an auction for 99 cents.  If I want to deal with offers I'll have a yard sale or set up at a flea market.   As long as ebay permits me to list with a no return policy - I will continue to do so.  Who in their right mind would list a book with a 30 day return policy much less free returns??    Free shipping isn't free - why should a person living 100 miles away pay the same amount as someone living 3000 miles away for items shipped priority mail when  packages other than those going media or first class mail have zoned shipping. 

And I check the competition before listing an item - I don't waste time listing items that have more than a handful of the exact smae items already listed. 

I don't view doing things that I am comfortable with as fighting ebay tooth and nail. 

[tunicaslot]

I've been here 20 yrs and gone from an anti-Ebayer to just accepting what it is and trying to do the best I can to stay in business - and all those 20 yrs I've made great sales and bought great items at prices I couldn't find around me.

To hear some moan and groan about incentive cuts - have they ever sold on any of the other platforms - because I haven't run across one yet that gives an incentive of your FVFs. They give a coupon here and there so you'll buy - but there are no advantages for sellers. 

My inventory is sitting on other venues right now - that don't have glitches - but I'm seeing sales here, however low, glitches and all. Been saying for a long time - that the time spent moaning and stressing is better spent goin somewhere where you think your items will sell or cross listing. The fact of the matter is that the grass is always greener on the other side until you're on that side. The forums on the other venues are full of complaints of no sales, their listings being hidden ect. Anyone who sells on Posh and does well is spending as much time sharing as they are listing and packing - it's more than a full time job and it wears on people.

[jason_incognito]

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@kathieskorner wrote:

I have no problem living within ebay's rules.  

However, that doesn't mean I have to also follow ebay's "suggestions".  I would never list an auction for 99 cents.  If I want to deal with offers I'll have a yard sale or set up at a flea market.   As long as ebay permits me to list with a no return policy - I will continue to do so.  Who in their right mind would list a book with a 30 day return policy much less free returns??    Free shipping isn't free - why should a person living 100 miles away pay the same amount as someone living 3000 miles away for items shipped priority mail when  packages other than those going media or first class mail have zoned shipping. 

And I check the competition before listing an item - I don't waste time listing items that have more than a handful of the exact smae items already listed. 

I don't view doing things that I am comfortable with as fighting ebay tooth and nail. 

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That's part of the "making it work"

I don't take returns. I just sent out a box that cost $70 to ship. Do I want it back? not in a million years. Do I want to pay to get it back and refund the original $70? nope. I know that push come to shove I may have to, but I definately don't want to encourage it.