Sunday, October 24, 2010

Link to ebay's statement regarding filed cases scoring

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/cases.html


Policy overview

As a seller on eBay, it's important to remember that you're delivering more than items—you're also delivering service.

To keep customer service at the top of everyone's mind, we've asked sellers to meet our seller performance standards, including minimizing the number of eBay Buyer Protection and PayPal Buyer Protection cases that are opened by U.S. buyers. A buyer protection case can be a strong indicator that something may have gone wrong with the transaction, or that buyer expectations were not met.

At the same time, we understand there may be some situations when a buyer protection case may have been opened and shouldn't count in a seller's performance evaluation.

This policy outlines some of the requirements that must be met for a buyer to open a case, as well as providing an overview of what cases count and don't count in your seller performance evaluation.

Buyer requirements for opening a case

There are a number of systematic checks in place that may prevent an eBay Buyer Protection or PayPal Buyer Protection case from being opened. If a buyer tries to open a case with you, but it doesn't pass our checks, a case won't be opened and would not be considered in your seller performance evaluation. We make sure that:

The transaction is eligible for eBay Buyer Protection or PayPal Buyer Protection.

The buyer has paid for the item.

The buyer hasn't already received a full refund via PayPal.

A case hasn't already been opened for the same transaction (this includes cases under eBay Buyer Protection, PayPal Buyer Protection, or Vehicle Purchase Protection).

Enough time has passed from payment to when a buyer tries to open a case. A case cannot be opened until:
3 days past estimated delivery date when a buyer claims an item wasn't received
Enough time has passed for an item to have arrived when a buyer claims an item doesn't match the listing description
If a case passes the initial checks, but we later discover one of the above scenarios, the case won't be considered in your seller performance evaluation.

Cases that may be removed

Once a case is opened, it will usually be considered part of a seller's performance evaluation. A case will only be removed from consideration in rare situations. Both open cases and cases closed without seller resolution can affect a seller's performance evaluation. Understanding the Seller Dashboard provides detailed information on how cases affect seller status.

Cases with any of the following scenarios will be automatically removed:
Cases that have been escalated and closed in the seller's favor or no one is found at fault.
Cases opened as a result of fraudulent activity.
Cases in which the buyer is found abusing the eBay Buyer Protection program, or found to be opened by a competitor with the intention to negatively affect a seller's performance standing.
Cases in which the buyer has been suspended for a severe policy violation.
Examples of cases where eBay may not count a case upon review:
Cases opened for either an incorrect item or with the wrong seller. Occasionally a member will buy multiple similar items, and then open a case with the wrong seller for one of the items. The case can be removed once the buyer opens a case with the correct seller for the correct item.
Cases opened by a buyer when an unpaid item case has already been closed in the seller's favor for the same item.
Cases opened by a buyer when the seller was provided with the incorrect shipping address.
Cases opened by a buyer in which there is evidence that the item has been held up in customs.
If you're sure a case fits the requirements above, and wasn't removed from your seller performance evaluation, please contact us.

Cases that won't be removed

In general, cases that don't meet the requirements above won't be removed as part of the seller's performance evaluation. eBay's goal is to promote sellers who deliver issue-free transactions and provide excellent customer service.

Here are examples of cases that won't be considered for removal:
Seller responds with shipping tracking after the case has been escalated to eBay.
An item sells for $250 or more and is shipped without signature confirmation.
An item arrives after the estimated delivery date in the listing.
An appeal doesn't contain enough evidence to warrant removing the case.
Best practices to help avoid cases from being opened

Here are examples of best practices that may help cases from being opened:
Proactively communicate with the buyer, letting them know how best to contact you if there are any questions, concerns, or problems.
Send the buyer a message acknowledging when payment has been received, when the item is expected to be shipped, and confirmation once the item has been shipped.
Upload tracking or delivery confirmation information as soon as it is available.
Accept returns, while clearly outlining whether a restocking fee applies.
Communicate professionally with the buyer at all times, from listing to sale to delivery.
For more tips, see our selling practices policy.

Why d

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Auctiva has gone rogue, spamming buyers. Sellers beware.

Auctiva, over the past month or so, has converted itself into a spamming rogue. One might guess they're on the way down, and desperately trying to make money spamming to stay alive.

Sellers who use Auctiva to create listings are, by default, granting Auctiva the right to spam their buyers. While this has been true for some time, only since about September have we seen the massive spamming which identifies Auctiva as the enemy of their sellers.

The nature of the spam identifies seller as having selected buyer for extended protection, a service called "buyshield".

Buyshield spam first started in March, 2009, as I can see, but it seems to have been suppressed for a while.

Sellers universally report that they know nothing about it, but an inspection of the Auctiva agreement shows that use of Auctiva indeed grants this right to Auctiva.

In theory, seller can opt out of this program. But Auctiva can start new spam campaigns at will, and seller might not even know about the new one or the expectation to opt out of that one too.

Buyers can be expected to post negative feedback to sellers who participate in this spam. Sellers are advised to avoid Auctiva.

Friday, October 8, 2010

The shipping gouge equation

posted by low*profile

1. I want to be free to put as much of my costs as possible into shipping charges so as to maximize my profits by paying as little in eBay final value fees as possible.

2. I do NOT want to be compared unfavorably to other sellers who don't employ that strategy, or penalized for my choices by eBay or by anyone else who perceives those choices as inappropriate.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

CS nonsense

Eaby customer service can just be the pits.

Here's a record of a conversation where seller was advised to refuse the return, a trick which just does not work.

for thos who can be bothered reading,

Josette R.
Hi, thanks for waiting and welcome to eBay Live Help! My name is Josette. May I know your name please?
gustodaninja
Chris
Josette R.
Hi Chris. How may I help you?
gustodaninja
I was on ebay live chat around about this time yesterday
gustodaninja
I spoke with Jaime O
gustodaninja
who told me I would receive an e-mail from ebay within 6-12 hours
gustodaninja
its now been 24 hours with no contact from ebay what so ever. I am not too pleased
Josette R.
Im really sorry for the inconvenience Chris. May I ask what this email is for?
gustodaninja
see thats the thing, now I have to repeat to you everything that was discussed yesterday....
Josette R.
I'm really sorry Chris.
gustodaninja
I sold some shoes on ebay, buyer received them, left positive feedback, one month later after he has worn and damaged the shoes he files a claim with ebay. ebay decides i his favour, he gets a refund, im out of pocket $224.
gustodaninja
I dont understand how ebay can allow a refund 1 month after the buyer leaves positive feedback and has worn and damaged the shoes that were sold as brand new
gustodaninja
seems buyers can get away with anything on ebay
Josette R.
Im sorry to hear that Chris, bet let me see what I can do for you.
gustodaninja
thank you
Josette R.
By the way Chris, did the buyer send the item back?
gustodaninja
not yet, I prefer the item not to be sent back as the cost of shipping the item back would be worth more than the actual item has the buyer has destoyed them.
gustodaninja
sending them back will cost about $30-40 for something that will have to be thrown out
Josette R.
I see. Is the case still open?
Josette R.
Can you please provide me the case number or the item number?
gustodaninja
sure
gustodaninja
Item number: 270605991744
gustodaninja
Case # 5004279727
Josette R.
Okay Chris, and may I also ask if you have refunded the buyer already.
gustodaninja
of course not
gustodaninja
i would have to be out of my mind to refund the buyer after he wears the shoes a month later
Josette R.
I see. That's actually a good thing. Let me just check what we can do here. Please stay on the line while I check.
gustodaninja
thanks
Josette R.
Thanks for waiting Chris. I suggest you reply to the case since it is still open and indicate that you are not willing to give the buyer a refund since it has already been 30 days and the item was probably been used already.
gustodaninja
how do I do that? ebay has already decided in favor of the buyer
gustodaninja
and instructed the buyer to send the item back to get a full refund which I assume comes from my paypal account...
Josette R.
Are you on your my eBay page?
gustodaninja
leaving me $224 out of pocket and a used/damage pair of shoes
gustodaninja
i can be
gustodaninja
i am now
Josette R.
I see. Just give me a minute to read on the case.
gustodaninja
I seriously can not understand how in hell ebay decides in favour of the buyer? he even left positive feedback and then ebay allows a full refund 1 month later after the shoes have been used and damaged? thats beyond ridiculous
Josette R.
I understand where your coming from, if I were in your shoes, I'd feel the same way.
gustodaninja
thanks
Josette R.
Is it okay if I ask for some information please?
gustodaninja
if your going to help me u can ask what ever u want
Josette R.
Here is what I'm going to do, I'll escalate your concern and have one of our resolutions department agent give you a call back immediately so you can appeal the case.
gustodaninja
I am located in Japan
gustodaninja
is that going to be a problem?
Josette R.
I see, just give me a second to check.
gustodaninja
I would really like to talk to someone rather than all this online chatting, being told I would receive an e-mail which never comes
Josette R.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience Chris. I'm just checking if we can provide a call back for you in Japan.
gustodaninja
ok
Josette R.
I was able to check and we would still be able to provide you a call back even though you are outside of the US.
gustodaninja
great news
Josette R.
I just need to ask for your full name, User ID, the item number and your phone number.
gustodaninja
Chris Purvis
gustodaninja
Gustodaninja
gustodaninja
270605991744
gustodaninja
ph. number - 090-1797-3739
gustodaninja
u may need to add a dial out code
Josette R.
Thanks for all those information Chris. I'll send this immediately to our resolutions department so they could provide you a callback once they are available.
gustodaninja
its now 3.30am in japan
gustodaninja
there is a big time difference. I would need to know when I can expect the phone call
gustodaninja
and I cant afford to stay up till 3am everynight and wait 50 minutes to use ebay chat
Josette R.
Oh I see, Let me just check on that.
Josette R.
it would be within the day and I suggest you also check your mails for updates.
Josette R.
I also suggest you wait for this case to be closed to appeal.
gustodaninja
what do u mean by within the day? who's day? im assuming your day right?
Josette R.
Since the case is still open, our resolutions department would need to wait for this case to be closed. Once the case is closed, that would be the time you can make an appeal.
Josette R.
This is going to be Pacific Time.
gustodaninja
so the only way for the case to close is for the buyer to send back the shoes OR for me to refund the buyer?
Josette R.
That is correct.
gustodaninja
but I dont want to do either of those options
gustodaninja
which is what I have spent 1 hour telling Jaime O yesterday and another 30-40min explaing to you
Josette R.
It may also be closed by eBay if there is no action taken on your end or the buyers end.
gustodaninja
I have spent close to 10 hours trying to get this problem solved and I am making no progress what so ever
Josette R.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience Chris. eBay will decide to close the case if there are no actions taken.
gustodaninja
I have no option to take any action
gustodaninja
my only option is to refund the buyer which I am not willing to do
gustodaninja
please tell me what are my options?
Josette R.
You don't have to do anything, eBay will decide on this if you or the buyer does not do anything.
Josette R.
Regretably Chris, this is your only option right now.
gustodaninja
and if the buyer sends back the shoes what is my option?
Josette R.
You have the option not to accept the package or item and I doubt that the buyer is going to send the item back since it has already been 30 days.
gustodaninja
been 30 days? its been 2 days
gustodaninja
ebay decided in buyers favor 2 days ago
Josette R.
I mean 30 days since you shipped the item.
gustodaninja
so your suggesting that when the buyer sends back the item and the post man brings it to my door that I have the option to not sign for it?
Josette R.
That is correct Chris.
gustodaninja
so then the package will get sent back to the U.K and that will be another $30-40 wasted in this mess
Josette R.
It would be sent back to the buyer if you don't sign for the item.
gustodaninja
yes I am well aware of that. But this is really making no sense
Josette R.
I'm really sorry for the confussion here Chris, but this is our only option right now.
gustodaninja
2 days ago ebay decided in buyers favor advising the buyer to send the item back in order to get a refund, and now ebay (you) is advising me to not sign for the package so the item gets sent back to the buyer
gustodaninja
how do you think the buyer is going to feel after spending $40 on shipping the item back and then it just arrives back to the u.k?
Josette R.
I'm just giving you your options Chris, this is still your decision.
Josette R.
But like I said, if neither you nor the buyer, responds to the case, eBay will close the case automatically.
gustodaninja
but you work for ebay and your telling me and the buyer to do 2 totally different things
gustodaninja
I am 99.9999% sure that the buyer will be sending the shoes back so pls dont tell me again about if the buyer does nothing
Josette R.
I understand where you're coming from but if the buyer sends the item back, you would need to process a refund which you do not want to do because the item has been with the buyer for 30 days.
gustodaninja
I really appreciate your help and advice but what your telling me does not sound right
gustodaninja
so why cant ebay reconsider the case? why do the just automatically decide in favor of the buyer without taking any of the facts into consideration?
Josette R.
If this happens, all you can do then is file a report against the buyer since a seller will not be able to leave a negative feedback against the buyer.
Josette R.
We can't reconsider the case since it is still open. And I'm really sorry for the inconvenience Chris but our resolutions department decides on the outcome of the case.
gustodaninja
u say its still open but when ebay decides in favor of buyer and tells them to send the item back in my opnion the case is closed
gustodaninja
your telling him to send the item back and your telling me not to sign for the item. this is ridiculous
Josette R.
As we can see, the case is still open, only the final decision was already done. The next step would still be up to the seller and the buyer.
gustodaninja
lol
gustodaninja
your running me in circles here
gustodaninja
cant you listen to what ebay is saying here?
gustodaninja
your telling the buyer to send the item back and your telling the seller not to sign for the item
gustodaninja
so ebay is basically telling the buyer to waste $40 on shipping for nothing
Josette R.
That is what the buyer needs to do if he wants a refund.
gustodaninja
this makes no sense what so ever, these must be a more logical soultion
Josette R.
And what you need to do is appeal for the case once it is closed.
gustodaninja
so to appeal I have to accept the item correct?
Josette R.
We always encourage members to try and work things out first.
Josette R.
Yes you would need to accept the item, however you would need to issue a refund as well.
gustodaninja
what a joke
gustodaninja
so in order to appeal I need to give the buyer $224 first?
gustodaninja
I may aswell burn my money
gustodaninja
I seriously can not beleive what you are telling me here
gustodaninja
can you please arrange to have someone call me, I want this mess sorted out asap
Josette R.
That would be the process Chris since your buyer filed a case.
gustodaninja
with the time difference I can afford to stay up this late every night
gustodaninja
so your telling me that any buyer on ebay can buy and use any item for a month and then get a full refund?
Josette R.
I'm sorry Chris, I won't be able to answer that question. Not all members are the same.
gustodaninja
well I am not a power seller so if I continue to sell on ebay how can I avoid this problem happening again in the future? if you cant answer this question then how can you expect me to continue selling on ebay and risk being hundreds of dollars out of pocket??
Josette R.
Even power sellers encounter these types of problem, even top rated seller.
gustodaninja
please answer my question, how can I avoid this problem in the future?
gustodaninja
or are you telling me that I am at risk every time I sell on ebay?
Josette R.
You can check the buyer's performance to see if they are performing well or not on eBay.
gustodaninja
seems to be no risk what so ever to buy on ebay but lots of risks to sell on ebay
gustodaninja
I can not, I list my auctions with buy it now's
gustodaninja
most my auctions sell while I am alseep
gustodaninja
I can not choose who uses the buy it now option
Josette R.
You can also check the feedbacks left by their previous sellers.
gustodaninja
all buyers have postive feedback because sellers can not leave negative feedback
Josette R.
You do have the option to cancel the transaction.
gustodaninja
there is no way to determine the outcome of a sale by looking at the buyers record
gustodaninja
anyway, I am getting very tired, I dont need you to admit that sellers are the ones at risk on ebay as I have been selling on ebay for years and well aware of the risks I take.
Josette R.
That is why we do have the feedback system to let other customers how others would rate a member.
gustodaninja
and have been out of pocket on numerous occasions
gustodaninja
ebay changed the feedback system, when I started using ebay sellers could leave buyers negative feedback
gustodaninja
now that is not an option
gustodaninja
so for people that only use ebay to buy, all of them have 100% feedback
gustodaninja
and this is not helping me solve my problem at all. can you please have someone call me now
gustodaninja
its already passed 4am in the morning
gustodaninja
and I have made no progress, same as yesterday
gustodaninja
there is no way I am going to be $224 out of pocket so I suggest you help me get this problem solved asap
Josette R.
Unfortunately we are having a high volume of calls right now, so we won't be able to provide you a call back. But since I already have your contact details, someone form the resolutions department would give you a call as soon as they can.
gustodaninja
and what happens if I miss the call? there is a good chance I will be asleep when you call me
gustodaninja
or is this call going to be like the e-mail I was promised yesterday that never came?
Josette R.
If ever you missed the call, an email will be sent to you instead.
gustodaninja
cant you just give me a number to call?
Josette R.
Because most eBay members aren’t able to be on the phone and be online at the same time, we don’t have phone support for most eBay issues. We have several teams that offer phone support, but we primarily support the community via chat and email.
gustodaninja
so u cant give me a number is what your saying?
Josette R.
That is correct Chris.
gustodaninja
so basicallly I have to stay up all night?
gustodaninja
and go to work with no sleep
Josette R.
We can't provide the phone number because member's need to get the Pin from the contact us page.
Josette R.
You will be given a walk through how you can get in touch with the resolution department if in case you miss the call from them.
gustodaninja
fine
Josette R.
Thanks for using eBay Live Help! You have a wonderful day! To close this chat window, go ahead and click on the "Exit" button whenever you're

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Ebay restricts a shipping gouger

Posted to SC on 4 Oct:

Get a load of this. I have been on eBay for 11 years and have over 4400 in positive feedback with "0" negatives. Because of the DSR system eBay has restricted me from selling on eBay.
I am not the largest seller on eBay and do this out of my home. I have not changed anything I have done in 11 years.
The reason is of the low DSR rating in shipping in handling. I sell mostly sporst cards and my shipping an handling charge is $3.95. That may seem like a lot to some but I did a cost breakdown and my actual shipping and handling cost are from $3.60-$4.35.
I factored in postage with delivery confirmation ( which eBay requires for seller protection), bubble wrapped envelope, snap tites for the cards, mailing labels, extra packaging, tape, printer ink and $0.75 for handling fee which covers time spent on listing the item packaging it, delivery to post office. In most cases when a card sells for only $0.99 I am close to losing money after all the fees taken out.
Because of 21 low S/H in a year...eBay has restricted me. All my other DSR are 4.94 or higher.
No get this, if a buyer buys 5 items from a seller and leaves 5 positive feedback, a seller is credited for 1 positive. If that same seller likes everything but your S/H and leaves you 5 1's or 2's you are charged for all 5. When eBay thinks you have too many, they restrict you.
I am only allowed to sell $134 a week right now...GREAT TIMING eBay..with the hoildays coming up you are restricting one of the most dedicated and best selling sellers on eBay.


Observations:
1. It doesn't cost $3.60 to ship a sports card.
2. Hooray for ebay.