eBay

thrift-theory · ‎05-07-2017

I sold plenty of items before without a problem, but lately the past month, I'm having more issues than I ever did being a seller for years. I have researched the first situation but I want some RECENT answers as situations and rules always change.

1. Potential Buyer #1 asked questions about an item regarding shipping costs. The shoes were heavy so I couldn't afford free or cheaper shipping. About a week later, she purchased the shoes anyway. After having the shoes for maybe 1+ week later, she tells me the shoes doesn't fit properly. Since I offer returns on shoes, I accepted her return. (Good thing I didn't offer free shipping, otherwise I'd be out the shipping costs.)

That was four days ago. Paypal has my money on hold, which I'm fine with but it's still kind of annoying. Anyway, it says she has until May 10 (which I know doesn't mean anything). She hasn't uploaded tracking information, and no word about the return yet. It's still kind of early to assume she won't reutnr the item, but what happens after a certain amount time passes and she doesn't return the item at all?

2. Buyer #2: This buyer purchases the item, then leaves a note in the purchase asking if I could set up a post office pick-up rather than having it delivered to her. I never had a request like this and never done this before. I don't even know if it's possible. I contacted the buyer and told her that it's not possible (or is it?) She hasn't replied. What happens if she doesn't reply? Do I ship or not ship the item? Do I cancel the order?

Thanks!

thatisrathernice · ‎05-07-2017

1- Buyer probably doesn't want to be out the shipping on both ways. I charge for shipping for this exact reason. It isn't actually free. If she does not return it the case times out and you can close it. I'm not sure of the timeline though as I haven't had to experience this gem yet.

2- Requesting a package pick up at the PO is something the buyer would do themselves. It's called a mail hold. If the buyer paid for the item I would not cancel it as it will only hurt you the seller. Ship as normal on Monday. Buyer should have contacted you before purchase with any questions.

Good luck out there and I hope this helps!

lja440 · ‎05-07-2017

With the first issue, you are lucky that she will return on her own dime, if she filed a SNAD then you would have to provide a return label.

The free shipping does not matter in the least, free shipping is actually shipping included within the starting price.

I have free shipping on everything except my Media ID. I build in a 3-5% self insurance, based on trending prices, into all listings. This will cover any returns. I'm lucky as in over a decade the only returns I have had have been fit issues (even with my detailed measurements it will happen from time to time). I have yet to get a INR or SNAD claim.

With the second issue. There is a option for HOLD FOR PICKUP. I think you can choose it on some of the on-line postage sites similar to selecting Signature Tracking. I'm also a mail carrier, and we have several in our office with standing hold for pickup orders for packages or packages that will not fit in the mailbox. A customer can put these in for any reason. Mine is that they have dogs that while friendly will chase my Jeep down onto the road, one has already survived being hit but losing a hind leg. Which has not slowed him or educated him in the least. Other reasons are sticky fingers of neighbors or HOA's that limit mailbox size.

kattinsanity · ‎05-07-2017

OP~~problem #1. I had the same problem back in December. I had ebay send the buyer the return label. The buyer didn't ship the item back by the day they were suppose to. I called ebay the very next day and they closed it in my favor. So call the very next day after the 10th if tracking doesn't show anything.

Problem #2. I believe the buyer will have to fill out a hold form at their post office~~like when you are going on vacation to have ALL your mail held. I don't know as if they can do it for just one specific item. Their post office may tell them to get a P.O. Box if they want packages held.

thrift-theory · ‎05-07-2017

@lja440 wrote:
With the first issue, you are lucky that she will return on her own dime, if she filed a SNAD then you would have to provide a return label.
The free shipping does not matter in the least, free shipping is actually shipping included within the starting price.
I have free shipping on everything except my Media ID. I build in a 3-5% self insurance, based on trending prices, into all listings. This will cover any returns. I'm lucky as in over a decade the only returns I have had have been fit issues (even with my detailed measurements it will happen from time to time). I have yet to get a INR or SNAD claim.

With the second issue. There is a option for HOLD FOR PICKUP. I think you can choose it on some of the on-line postage sites similar to selecting Signature Tracking. I'm also a mail carrier, and we have several in our office with standing hold for pickup orders for packages or packages that will not fit in the mailbox. A customer can put these in for any reason. Mine is that they have dogs that while friendly will chase my Jeep down onto the road, one has already survived being hit but losing a hind leg. Which has not slowed him or educated him in the least. Other reasons are sticky fingers of neighbors or HOA's that limit mailbox size.

I print the label directly from eBay and didn't see this option. If the pick-up option needs to be requested by her on her own, I don't know if she did it. In this case, I'd have to ship the item as I normally would correct? I'm really hoping that she won't complain to me about the delivery option afterwards.

thrift-theory · ‎05-07-2017

@kattinsanity wrote:
OP~~problem #1. I had the same problem back in December. I had ebay send the buyer the return label. The buyer didn't ship the item back by the day they were suppose to. I called ebay the very next day and they closed it in my favor. So call the very next day after the 10th if tracking doesn't show anything.

Problem #2. I believe the buyer will have to fill out a hold form at their post office~~like when you are going on vacation to have ALL your mail held. I don't know as if they can do it for just one specific item. Their post office may tell them to get a P.O. Box if they want packages held.

Thank you for your reply! The reason why I repeated this question (amongst many I saw) is becasue the ones I read were from 2014-2015, etc. Most sellers agreed to doing nothing until 30 days pass (but that seems like really long, and I didn't see this as an official rule in eBay's Help section). A few did call a few days the deadline, but I read the deadline means nothing.

Most sellers also said to NOT contact the buyer or communicate with them at all (apparently, it adds to the problem). Supposedly, "silence" is the best tool in these situations.

kattinsanity · ‎05-07-2017

You're right~~silence is the best. Just don't remind her that she needs to return them by Wednesday. Maybe she doesn't realize she has a real deadline to meet. Then Thursday morning bright and early call ebay and customer service will close it in your favor if tracking doesn't show as accepted by her post office. Be sure to call early before she may get a chance to put it in the mail on Thursday. Don't take the chance that ebay may allow more time if tracking shows anything.