Darklord Dave said:
I've been on ebay for years and have had hardly any problems or a buyer or a seller over 1000s of transactions.
Now I finally won an auction for a DCD Aquaman statue which I've been looking for for quite a while. Nothing was sent after immediate payment. I emailed the seller about 30 days in and asked about it. He said he was out of the country in the military and would have his brother send it.
Now at 45 days, the outside time for filing a greivance with paypal, I file and get the message that his brother has been in the VA hospital after being shot in Afghanistan and that's why it hasn't been sent. Meanwhile the seller continues to list items and sell on ebay.
This sounds like bull**** to me. The more extreme the lie, the more likely it is to be believed I guess.
Dave,
You sound like a kind soul. However some people take advantage of the kindness of others. eBay is a business transaction. I very rarely take excuses from a buyer or seller.
My ten rules of thumb for buying/selling are:
1- Buyer must contact me and pay within 3 days of auction's end. That leaves a little time to file a Paypal dispute if there is a problem. (10 days)
2- If a U.S. buyer pays with a money order/check, he must send via USPS Priority with delivery confirmation. That way I can confirm payment is on it's way rather than waiting and wondering for a payment that may never come. Same goes if you're buying with a money order/check. Sending USPS Priority with delivery confirmation shows seller has received your payment. Worth $5 unless of course the item is inexpensive, then use your judgement.
3- Buyer's/Seller's feedback can usually determine whether the transaction will go well. I then bid or treat the situation accordingly.
4- If a buyer/seller does not contact me within 10 days of me paying for item or auction's end, I immediately file a Paypal dispute. No furthur communication.
5- If I'm interested in an item, I'll search for others for sale as well. I sometimes will pay a bit more for an item for the security of an established seller rather than a shaky one.
6- NEVER bid on an item with a seller that has numerous transactions and feedback. I have found that excessive transactions for a seller equals ZERO communication and customer service. Of course, there are exceptions. Before bidding, send the seller an e-mail question and see how long he takes to respond. This also goes for a seller with very few transactions. I don't want them to learn how to sell on eBay with my payment in hand.
7- Communication with the buyer/seller is VERY important.
8- Don't be afraid to delete a bid from a buyer that has numerous late or no pay feedback.
9- Insurance is always included in my shipping price adjusted accordingly. That way the item is guaranteed to get there or the buyer is covered.
10- Don't be afraid to find the item from another seller. Even if it's a rare one, they'll be another one coming right around the corner.
Hope this helps eBay newbies and veterans as well.
*note: If you have paid for an item via Paypal and used your credit card, ALWAYS file a PP dispute and NEVER bypass that procedure. It's against PP rules to first contact your CC company, because that means Paypal is liable. That will piss off Paypal and you may get a suspended account because of it. Of course, if you paid directly with a credit card to the vendor, contact your CC company immediately.
