A bit wary of selling on ebay

jackie_w

Hello,

I have been thinking of selling on ebay, but after reading a couple of posts on here, Im a bit wary.

Ive read a couple of posts about buyers asking for a refund for all sorts of reasons, and ebay finding in their favour and giving them refunds back, and then the seller is left with no item to resell and is out of pocket.

Does this happen quite alot?


Jackie

soolin

jackie_w wrote: »

Hello,

I have been thinking of selling on ebay, but after reading a couple of posts on here, Im a bit wary.

Ive read a couple of posts about buyers asking for a refund for all sorts of reasons, and ebay finding in their favour and giving them refunds back, and then the seller is left with no item to resell and is out of pocket.

Does this happen quite alot?


Jackie

It is extremely rare.

Stuff does get lost in the post, very occasionally though. If that happens then seller needs to refund so make sure you keep proof of posting. If something is broken or damaged on receipt then again yes a seller needs to refund, and I think that is the correct decision.

I have had thousands of transactions and have probably met three scammers.

minnie123

I have been an ebay seller for 6 years - I have nearly 2000 positive feedback - and I have only had to refund for 2 items that have gone missing during that time (and they were probably genuine - and I claimed the money back from Royal Mail).

jackie_w

Thanks for replying Soolin.

I have so much stuff to sell, and I was hoping that I could sell quite a few things and put the money towards a family holiday towards the end of the year.

Can you only sell to people who have a good feedback, or is that not how its done?

Jackie

KiKi

I've sold 150 times and never had it happen to me - don't forget, you hear the bad things and not the good things!

As long as you know the rules as a seller, and stick to them, you should be fine. Unfortunately, there will always be the odd buyer who tries it on - but again, if you stick to the rules you'll be fine.

The times it isn't fine is when a buyer is deliberately trying to scam you, but I don't think there's anything you can do can prevent that happening.

(I think that happens when, for eg, you sell a nice, branded dress for £35, you send them the dress with proof of posting. They say you sent them a different item by mistake, and open a case against you. They have to return the wrong item to you to get a refund - but instead they send you an empty box, recorded delivery, and can then prove they've sent the 'dress' back. Ebay will side with them. They get to keep the dress and get a refund - I think that's how it works, I'm sure someone can confirm! But people who are *that* manipulative are few and far between.)

Look on Ebay at the number of people who have close to 100% records - huge numbers. You only tend to see the problems on here. Just bear in mind the fees that both Ebay and Paypal take. It's frustrating, but there's not much choice if you want to sell online.

Go for it with low cost items, and then if anything happens at least you won't be too much out of pocket. It will give you a taster.
KiKi

dundeedoll_2

Sorry to hijack your thread, Jackie, but if I start another 1, I will probably get told about searching before starting a new thread!

I have had a major declutter of my wardrobe and am wondering the same thing.

I'd like to sell some things on ebay, but I too have read the threads on here about the refunds Jackie is asking about, as well as the ones about the feedback statistics - in particular p&p.

Am also wondering whether it's actually worth trying to sell clothing - mostly with a starting price of 99p

What if you've gone through the 'Get postage rates' thing and then someone from Highlands or Channel Islands/Ireland wins the auction? If it costs more to post there, is that just tough on me?

As I said................sorry to ask on your thread

elsien

Bear in mind that people generally come on here to ask for help. The trouble free transactions massively outnumber them, but people don't come on to post that everything was fine.
Start off with a few cheap bits and bobs until you're feeling a bit more confident and get a decent feedback score.
I don't sell much, mainly competition wins (which have been very scarce of late) but I've not had any major problems.

jackie_w

minnie123 wrote: »

I have been an ebay seller for 6 years - I have nearly 2000 positive feedback - and I have only had to refund for 2 items that have gone missing during that time (and they were probably genuine - and I claimed the money back from Royal Mail).

Thanks Minnie. Do you just obtain proof of posting or should you send items by recorded delivery?

Jackie

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi

I have sold things on ebay from time to time over the last 5 years. My feedback is 100% which I am quite proud of. I think you are fine so long as you are completely and utterly honest. Get a good photo and list any faults or imperfections in your description. Be realistic about what you will get for things and you will make money.

I have made £60 this month and have more to sell.

I have never had anything lost or had anyone ask for their money back either, but maybe I have been lucky.

jackie_w

dundeedoll wrote: »

Sorry to hijack your thread, Jackie, but if I start another 1, I will probably get told about searching before starting a new thread!

I have had a major declutter of my wardrobe and am wondering the same thing.

I'd like to sell some things on ebay, but I too have read the threads on here about the refunds Jackie is asking about, as well as the ones about the feedback statistics - in particular p&p.

Am also wondering whether it's actually worth trying to sell clothing - mostly with a starting price of 99p

What if you've gone through the 'Get postage rates' thing and then someone from Highlands or Channel Islands/Ireland wins the auction? If it costs more to post there, is that just tough on me?

As I said................sorry to ask on your thread

Hi there, dont worry about asking on here, wel can help each other out lol. Its mostly clothes and toys that I would be selling too. Have a couple of large items that I would be hoping to list too but for pick up only.

The postage gets me too, but, I thought the highlands was just standard posting? I think I would just be selling to people in UK only.

Jackie

soapyjoe

There are a few problems that crop up along the way. My sons girlfriend has always asked me to sell for her until last month when she took the plunge and opened her own account. Unfortunately she already has a negative strike which was not her fault, buyer says great item but left neg and refuses to correct it. So poor Hayley is quite upset over it.

Having said that, this is a rare occurrence and she was unlucky on this one. Things do occasionally go missing in the post and sometimes you get some really awkward buyers.

But, it is a great way to earn some extra cash and my advice is just offer the best service you possibly can and understand that you cant please all of the people all of the time.