3-Way Issue: Buyer and USPS

[stuff_from_dylan]

Hello,

This is my first time dealing with an issue with a buyer an eBay. To sum it up, at the end of November the buyer asked me if a jacket was genuine leather. I replied I’m not sure, and provided her with a photo of the tag. She made an offer that I accepted. Anyways, I shipped the item and everything was fine. Today she messaged me showing photos of the jacket with holes and stuff. I swear there were NO HOLES. I’m assuming that USPS damaged it. I filed a claim with them to solve that issue. She also is claiming that it isn’t genuine leather which may be true, but I said I wasn’t sure and provided her with a photo of the tag. She is claming that I never did so. I reported the buyer and offered her the partial refund that covers everything but the shipping cost, so I’ll cut even. Is there anything else I should do?

PS: I am not on eBay to make tons of money, but I want to make a profit of the items I sell. She was also very rude in messages and explicticly lies about the tag in messages and claiming I am making up lies. Thank you for reading, I am very upset that this happened.

[hillbillymedia]

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@lja440 wrote:

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@lintbrush* wrote:

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@sam9876 wrote:

"Can't just replace 1 tire because that's just not a good idea"

Why?

"Expense 2x $185ish plus $80 for alignment & tax = $480+."

Why did you get an alignment?

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I haven't yet.  Appt in the morning.  I am on the fence about the alignment - car feels fine to me.  However, there was noticeable feathering on the inside treads (when tire was removed), but that's likely because of the camber and toe.  Pothole could've impacted the alignment though.

Why 2?  Because of wear.  The slight difference in size (new to old) can actually be an issue.  While I've never worn down tires treads to the point they needed replacing, I've replaced due to weather cracking.   Also, my tires cannot be rotated which doesn't allow for evening out tread wear.  

The other 2 will likely need to be done within 12 months anyway.  

Is that sufficient @sam9876?  

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Lint, if the tires are not worn much then you can replace just the bad tire. Put the mismatched tires on the non drive axle. 

Though modern tires are not made to be rotated (from one side to the other) you can rotate them from front to back this saves on edge wear. This also gives the tire tech a easier time in checking for uneven wear, cupping or broken or failing areas on the inner sidewalls.

Easy way to check if you need an alignment is to get on a straight level road, (WITHOUT TRAFFIC), let your hands off the wheel and see if the car drifts to one side or the other. If you do this several times and the car continues to go straight you can probably put off an alignment.

I have my mechanic rotate tires and do a visual check of things behind the tires about every 2 months. Mind I travel over 100 miles of bad roads 5 days a week so we are not talking your normal wear and tear.

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I hate to be disagreeable but what you state in this post is not absolute or necessarily recommended by manufacturers or professionals in the field. For instance......just because a vehicle goes down the road straight does not mean it will not wear tires or that the vehicles alignment is correct. There is much more to it than that.

If lintbrush hit a pothole with enough force to destroy a tire it`s my opinion it would be very wise to take their vehicle to a reputable shop to have it checked out to be certain that no other damage occurred.

Although my certification has long expired, I was once auto/light truck ASE certified for suspension and steering and held 4 other certifications. I`m only stating this because these issues COULD impact safety. A good tech will inspect the vehicle prior to checking the alignment.

[stuff_from_dylan]

Hello everyone!

I am very glad to say that this case has been solved! I offered the buyer all the costs but the shipping cost, so I didn't gain nor lose any money. Even if I was forced to return the item, I would've donated it. I have one last question. I know that buyers cannot give feedback when they return an item, but could they give negative feedback when I gave a partial refund? 

[sam9876]

Yes.

[stuff_from_dylan]

Ugh. Is there anything I could do?

[sam9876]

 Pray.

[step22-51]

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@stuff_from_dylan wrote:

Hello everyone!

I am very glad to say that this case has been solved! I offered the buyer all the costs but the shipping cost, so I didn't gain nor lose any money. Even if I was forced to return the item, I would've donated it. I have one last question. I know that buyers cannot give feedback when they return an item, but could they give negative feedback when I gave a partial refund? 

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buyers CAN leave feedback when they return an item.

oh and fix your listings.

[stuff_from_dylan]

I may seem clueless when I say this, but fix what exactly? Description? Photos? Categories? Will I get more sales this way?

[lja440]

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@stuff_from_dylan wrote:

Ugh. Is there anything I could do?

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For this one, no.

Going forward there is a MULTITUDE of things you can do.

I have been on eBay since 2004. I am writing under my first ID which I use to post and buy with. Under selling ID's in that time I have gotten one neg which was a very clear case of feedback extortion and was removed a guy offered $200 less than my starting price for a saddle. I had clear and detailed pictures and a multitude of measurements. Several pictures were of a stain on the suede seat from a strap that dangled on it in the tack room from a newly oiled saddle above.  After getting the saddle he said I should refund him $300 (taking it down to what he offered) because of the stain, I replied no and said the stain was explained in the description and detailed in 3 of the 10 pictures. but if he couldn't live with the stain then he could return it for refund. (He also implied that the stain was from my period in the feedback.) (it wasn't even in the right area for that).

Bottom line is you will have people from time to time try to take advantage, the way that you currently list (bad pictures, minimal descriptions) makes it very easy for the ones that do this. I make it too much work for most of them to try.

[lja440]

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@stuff_from_dylan wrote:

I may seem clueless when I say this, but fix what exactly? Description? Photos? Categories? Will I get more sales this way?

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ALL, and yes.

[johnrj1226]

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@stuff_from_dylan wrote:

You’re not being harsh at all, but rather helpful! I’m a new seller so I wasn’t aware of a lot of these things. Yes there were lots of wrinkles but I’m positive there weren’t any rips. Anyways, if it’s fake leather what would I say? Faux leather? If not do you know? Thank you.

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Lintbrush is  spot on there are  lots of stuff made out of PU leather (fake  leather taht  has a soft feel).  Here a re couple simple tests you can do to  validate real leather vs manufactured stuff.

1.  Look closley a the  grain structure - real  leather will have a non repeating pattern adn  each pattern is unique - kinda' like a finger print.  Manufacture  faux leather or PU leather - teh  grain structure will repeat  it self.

2. The touch test.  Real leather will be warmer than manufactuered stuff.  I use the  back of my  hand to do the test - teh back of your hand is more sensitive to cold &  heat than the  palm side.  Try it with an  known  real leather item and a faux leather item.  I call faux  or PU leather - plastic  leather.

Just another unrelated to the topic hint for  wood products and maufacturered  wood look a like stuff.  Today the look alike stuff is hard to tell if it is real  or not.

Simple  test:

1.   gently drag your finger nail tip across  the  grain structure - if it is a "bumpy ride" it is real, if it is manufactured it will be a smooth ride.

2.  Again like leather real wood will be warmer than  manufactuer stuff.  Use the  back of your  hand.

Many times a real wood finished item will  have a laminated top for damage resistance.  So touch test the top  & sides.

3.   To figure out if an item is solid wood or a veneer glued over stuck-glued- together (saw dust) - some  people  will  lable the veener item as being all wood - a.)  if  the item is  really  heavy for the size it is  probably  a wood veneer over glued together saw dust.  Glue is heavier than wood. b.) follow the grain structure over the  side  edges you  should  see an end view with almost verttical  grain lines, some might be curved - if the grain pattern changes directions  - it is  wood veneer over gluded together saw dust

[stuff_from_dylan]

Oy, I would do that, but I don’t have much time on my hands to do so. I’ll try my best to get more photos and add descriptions as I list more stuff.

For now, I’ll edit the ones with watchers.

[princess_phones]

Looking at the Ralph Lauren evening dress, you can barely tell it’s a dress much less a designer evening dress! Hang it up, make sure it’s in a condition that you would put it on right now and wear it out the door. You need to have good lighting when you take pictures, gather a few floor lamps and desk lamps. For photographing dark clothing I drape a white sheet tightly over a door (use laundry pins, big safety pins, anything that will keep it tight with no wrinkles to give your background a crisp look) and get a cheap over-the-door single towel hanger to hang the hanger on. For light or white clothing I use a medium-darker blue sheet. If you don’t want to use your own sheets, Goodwill or any thrift shop is the way to go for this, as well as an extra lamp or two. You can also use the sheets for the shoes, too.

Take pictures of the front, back, sleeves, collar, waist, any details and defects.

For shoes you need both sides of each shoe, the tops, the bottoms, insides (as best as you can), the backs, and any scuffs.

Then write a description of your items like you have no pictures. Measure the sleeves from the shoulder seam down to the bottom of the sleeve, from armpit to armpit (laying flat), from center of the collar down to the hem. You already say it’s preowned so there’s no reason to guess how many times it’s been worn, never guess on anything unless you are asked, then you could respond “I believe it’s only been worn a few times but I can’t be sure”.

Then use “designer” in the title and raise the price $10. I guarantee you will get more attention and SALES by putting some time and effort into your listings.

I hope my “tutorial” helps! Good luck!

[princess_phones]

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@stuff_from_dylan wrote:

Thank you for your support!
I will take the blame for the leather mistake, but not the full blame as I did do my job by sending them a photo of the label. I am very unhappy with the two lies that the buyer made up. They claimed that I told them I'd rush the shipping and stuff when all I did was tell them I'll ship it when I drop off my other items? They also claimed I never sent them the tag when I did for sure which clearly stated the materials and claimed I never said anything which is making me mad. I'm lastly worried I'll get negative feedback from this buyer with their false accusations. What should I do?

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If you sent them pictures through eBay then you have the proof that you sent them. 

I have a feeling that you are going to get a negative since you refused to do the return, if they contact you again I would go ahead and agree to take the full hit, get the jacket back and pay full shipping. You were wrong on this, even if they lied, and you can prove it. Call it a lesson and block them as a buyer if they do neg you even if you do the full refund. We all have our teaching moments, this is yours, but you are willing to learn so you definitely have a future. 

[lja440]

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@princess_phones wrote:
Looking at the Ralph Lauren evening dress, you can barely tell it’s a dress much less a designer evening dress! Hang it up, make sure it’s in a condition that you would put it on right now and wear it out the door. You need to have good lighting when you take pictures, gather a few floor lamps and desk lamps. For photographing dark clothing I drape a white sheet tightly over a door (use laundry pins, big safety pins, anything that will keep it tight with no wrinkles to give your background a crisp look) and get a cheap over-the-door single towel hanger to hang the hanger on. For light or white clothing I use a medium-darker blue sheet. If you don’t want to use your own sheets, Goodwill or any thrift shop is the way to go for this, as well as an extra lamp or two. You can also use the sheets for the shoes, too.

Take pictures of the front, back, sleeves, collar, waist, any details and defects.

For shoes you need both sides of each shoe, the tops, the bottoms, insides (as best as you can), the backs, and any scuffs.

Then write a description of your items like you have no pictures. Measure the sleeves from the shoulder seam down to the bottom of the sleeve, from armpit to armpit (laying flat), from center of the collar down to the hem. You already say it’s preowned so there’s no reason to guess how many times it’s been worn, never guess on anything unless you are asked, then you could respond “I believe it’s only been worn a few times but I can’t be sure”.

Then use “designer” in the title and raise the price $10. I guarantee you will get more attention and SALES by putting some time and effort into your listings.

I hope my “tutorial” helps! Good luck!

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I agree with your tutorial.

My house though 2500 sq/ft has poor lighting and nowhere really good to get head on shots. So I picked up a old hollow interior door for a buck at an auction. I have 4 sheets of different colors that I drape over this outside in good light I lean this against the side of the house.

Using an over the door hook I hang the garment, I will tweak the way it hangs with a straight pin or two if needed. Standing back so I cast no shadow I take pictures front and back. A pin can also be used to pull back the sides to show a lining. 

I change the background sheet to provide the garment with a pleasing but contrasting background, though very little of it will show. Once on the computer I will crop to the edges of the garment to maximize the view of the garment. 

I know this seems like a lot of work but really once set up it takes only a minute or two per piece, and it pays off. 80%+ sell through and I rarely get a return request, and when I do it is usually on more tailored items which just may not fit right no matter how many measurements I list.  Oh and the occasional person who didn't read the fact that the size 14 jeans were girls not women's (yes they were also in the children's category).

[johnrj1226]

@princess_phones

Nice write up how to take better pics. 

I would add a good photo editing software is also very  help in creating a pic that is near or close to a color match.  You will  never get an exact match unless you have a significant investment in equipment like the pro photoraphers do - including seamless walls, pure white triggered lighting with umbrellas etc.

I use Microsoft Picture It! Express 9 - a free download  software to adjust (photo shop) my pics to get a closer match - You can  do the basic editing - crop, bright & contrast plus adjusting tint & hue & saturation - the hue and sat. really helps a lot.  But you have to invest some time to play with it & learn how to use it - lot of folks aren't willing to do that.

I primarily use a light blue background for most of my pics, never use a white back ground -   too much  reflected light  with or without flash but if the item  is bright or shiny I will use a dark background - like black or  dark blood red.