eBay

michael_atw · ‎12-09-2017

I remember some time ago I got used to the "money back guarantee" aspect of eBay. I recognized that in most cases, there wasn't an issue in my mind with the streamline of the issues.

I was not happy about the absolute lack of customer service with regards to the return process; however, I've figured out ways to deal.

..until recently.

In the past, lying to eBay was grounds to close cases. Now? Nope, not anymore.

I've had two instances in recent weeks of eBayers lying to eBay about their returns and abusing the process and eBay has allowed them.

One instance, someone bought an item from me which was clearly noted as "broken". They filed a return dispute with eBay which I fought. I lost, they returned it and negged me. eBay allowed them to lie in the case when it was clear my description said it was broken. They opened a SNAD, not a buyer's remorse case. I have a 15% restocking fee that would have applied.

A couple weeks ago, I had a buyer with zero feedback and had created the account that day buy an item from me. I had a very clear vibe I'd have an issue because of it. The guitar body was unloaded of parts except for the tuning keys and a metal plate on the headstock. No strings or electronics.

He bought it and opened a dispute claiming 'missing pieces' SNAD and claimed a bunch of parts were missing that weren't in photos or description. Contacted eBay. Guess what? They agreed immediately but then, she says, "But I'm seeing a 14-day-return policy so you have to accept it back".
Unbelievable. I have shouted down this garbage before but I sternly reasserted the facts. She agreed. Then she says, "He's going to return it, but you won't pay for it." And I demanded I get my 15% restocking fee. Still in disbelief.

She agrees, when I refund him... I get to without restocking fee. I settled with it. I'm over this s***. She says, "Most of them don't return it. But if he does, let us know if there is an issue."

I checked today. It's on the way back, I checked the return button: I can't refund him minus the restocking fee. I have to call again and this time raise Cain. I'm sick and tired of being lied to. And if that label comes back "package return service" (even though I didn't pay for it) I will know that eBay themselves subsidize bald-faced lies.

This is to the point where permitting lies will damage the marketplace. You can't let people lie because they will use it as a tool to damage accounts.

In fact, I have this weird sense that this guy bought it with the sole intention of returning it and wasting my time and money. It makes little sense any other way.

After tens of thousands of transactions, I'm seeing a clear picture of growth of abusive buyers.

castlemagicmemories · ‎12-09-2017

@18704d wrote:

"One instance, someone bought an item from me which was clearly noted as "broken". They filed a return dispute with eBay which I fought. I lost, they returned it and negged me. eBay allowed them to lie in the case when it was clear my description said it was broken. "
-----

If that was the 1965 1966 Fender Mustang pickup,
you selected Used as the Item Condition
which according to policy, means the item is in full working condition.

Yeah, your description stated non-working, but that won't trump the Used (implied working)
guarantee.

fwiw,
Lynn

This happens all the time. I don't think people actually read the definition of the description when they choose it. So they think used is fine, without reading the rest of the defintion, which states it must work.

I saw a doll recently listed as new. When you read the description, you find out the legs are not attached! The very last picture shows this.

I messaged the seller that new must be intact. She maintained that since it was new, that did not matter, so she kept on listing the doll as new.

A SNAD in the making.

castlemagicmemories · ‎12-09-2017

And the description does not override the condition term chosen and its' definition by Ebay.

You just have a contradiction in terms if they do not match.

campesinoplastic2014 · ‎12-09-2017

When all of us are gone, what will they have? A few huge Chinese firms selling toxic junk for a buck, with 3 week shipping, and lying buyers, lying employees, scammers and various bandits and mental cases. What are they going to do? Steal the same money from each other over and over again? That is what they want to become. It won't take long. It's a real shame because it was great here for years. I have stories of superb buyers and honest people I dealt with, incredible rapport with total strangers I could trust and it always worked out. Power Seller rep could be reached and handle a problem with common sense, but wasn't often I needed to call though. Buyer and Seller respected and trusted one another and it was never necessary for big brother to step in. It seems like that was 100 years ago.

couldabeenworse · ‎12-09-2017

When all of us are gone

I don't think ebay envisions a mass exodus of sellers. Where will they go? Is there a site that is more seller friendly that has any buyers? The sellers eBay will lose are those who would rather squabble over returns and archaic practices like restocking fees than to adapt to the 21st Century.

relztrah · ‎12-09-2017

@castlemagicmemories wrote:

I saw a doll recently listed as new. When you read the description, you find out the legs are not attached! The very last picture shows this.

I messaged the seller that new must be intact. She maintained that since it was new, that did not matter, so she kept on listing the doll as new.

A SNAD in the making.

I believe we have a new acronym here: NWOL - new without legs.

michael_atw · ‎12-10-2017

And on eBay, you can lie and get away with it. Your point?

What's the point of a description if it means nothing compared to a technical term?

Give me a break.

michael_atw · ‎12-10-2017

And my restocking fee should have applied but instead, the buyer lied.

Read the content of my original post.

michael_atw · ‎12-10-2017

They were losing business to another guitar site so bad, they lowered the fees by HALF to maintain a presence.

It's only a matter of time before other sites eat away at them - and some already have.

The only thing "archaic" about a restocking fee is it halts the race to the bottom in regards to appeasement of destructive buyers.

michael_atw · ‎12-10-2017

As I suspected from the forum - negative responses that focus on one single part of my original content and ignore the rest.

At least the forum hasn't changed. Pretty funny - for nearly a decade, posting on eBay's forums is basically an invitation to get insulted.

odditiesandantiquities1 · ‎12-10-2017

@michael_atw wrote:
As I suspected from the forum - negative responses that focus on one single part of my original content and ignore the rest.

At least the forum hasn't changed. Pretty funny - for nearly a decade, posting on eBay's forums is basically an invitation to get insulted.

You're are right there.....but let it roll like water off a ducks back. Senseless and hurtful jabs speak more about the poster than the OP. We all know who they are.

Sorry for your situaton by the way. I would be furious as well. Accepting a return is one thing but you certainly should be allowed to apply the restocking charge. I would fight for that, because if you win, maybe it will help another seller?

couldabeenworse · ‎12-10-2017

What's the point of a description if it means nothing compared to a technical term?

A good description enhances the Item Condition; it does not contradict it.

Sellers that get confused buyers always like to point out how something was "clearly stated". An item condition of "Used" and a description of "broken" is not clearly stating anything.

Regardless, this is the way successful selling sites work in 2017. If your competitive guitar sites don't already have similar policies to eBay, then why would buyers shop there?

beautybylynn · ‎12-10-2017

the policy is the same on several, except on CL and fb sites that have little or no policies, its a free for all. If I get a broken item I find I get more money for it by using itfor a tax write off giving it to goodwill

tunicaslot · ‎12-10-2017

Thanks Lynn - I was going to point that out as I tried listing one myself and there is a for parts / not working selection available. There is nothing about it not working in the title or the small item description box that pops up when you choose used or not working.

Plus the feedback says the buyer asked for a cancel - and it was sent anyways. If a buyer asks for a cancel - don't fight it as you can see what happens. As frustrating as CS can be - this time they got it right.

campesinoplastic2014 · ‎12-10-2017

One lady posted something a week or so ago about some problem she had with a scammer, and they piled on her about how she did everything wrong and how "dumb" she was. It reminded me of the old pogroms, or maybe even the witch trials in the old colonies. Starting to see more of that again, and if it keeps up my guess is people will be reluctant to come here seeking help. Maybe we just need one board where people who need some verbal abuse can go so they don't go to the advice posts to get it, I don't know.....

tunicaslot · ‎12-10-2017

@campesinoplastic2014 wrote:
When all of us are gone, what will they have? A few huge Chinese firms selling toxic junk for a buck, with 3 week shipping, and lying buyers, lying employees, scammers and various bandits and mental cases. What are they going to do? Steal the same money from each other over and over again? That is what they want to become. It won't take long. It's a real shame because it was great here for years. I have stories of superb buyers and honest people I dealt with, incredible rapport with total strangers I could trust and it always worked out. Power Seller rep could be reached and handle a problem with common sense, but wasn't often I needed to call though. Buyer and Seller respected and trusted one another and it was never necessary for big brother to step in. It seems like that was 100 years ago.

Sellers who follow the rules! No place is perfect - but it is the perfct fit for many of us. Follow the rules - continue to make money and accept that every once in a while you're going to hit a bump in the road.