Have a few questions regarding selling on eBay.

Darlyd

Since I sold many moons ago, eBay has changed, so have a few questions.


When I use the drop down in items sold and use the drop down despatched. Does it automatically tell the buyer it's been dispatched?

I have mentioned in my auctions that I will combine postage for multiple purchases, does eBay automatically so the buyer can just pay straight away at check out? OR have I got to send a combined invoice?

And because I am a private seller, do I have to except returns if the buyer does not like the item OR it does not fit? (I am selling off a lot of clothes and nic nacs we no longer need/want)

I am sure I have more questions, will pop back when I remember.

Thank You :cool:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

When you mark as dispatched eBay will (should) send the buyer an email and you can add a personal message here:

http://contact.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ManageBuyerCommunication

If you have time sending another message via the 'contact member' form (from the same drop down menu) is likely to increase your comms ratings.

You don't have to accept returns but if a claim is made then it's most likely the buyer will get a refund upon return from eBay/Paypal.

You can set up combined postage rates here:

http://cgi5.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SellerShippingPreferences&sourcePage=MyeBay

but if your items are different weights/sizes/etc it may be best to do it manually.

MissGivings_2

darlyd wrote: »

Since I sold many moons ago, eBay has changed, so have a few questions.


When I use the drop down in items sold and use the drop down despatched. Does it automatically tell the buyer it's been dispatched?

I have mentioned in my auctions that I will combine postage for multiple purchases, does eBay automatically so the buyer can just pay straight away at check out? OR have I got to send a combined invoice?

And because I am a private seller, do I have to except returns if the buyer does not like the item OR it does not fit? (I am selling off a lot of clothes and nic nacs we no longer need/want)

I am sure I have more questions, will pop back when I remember.

Thank You :cool:

Dispatch note. Yes for private sellers, eBay sends the dispatch note to your buyer when you 'change status'

Combined Purchases. The invoice can be combined automatically if you've chosen the option in Site preferences, postage & packing option.

Returns. Private sellers do not have to accept returns. But think about this- if a buyer opens a Not as Described case and returns the item tracked at their own expense as required, you must refund full item price and original postage AND they can leave negative feedback for you too. Too many cases and poor feedback means your account gets limited so you sell less.
So never back an unhappy buyer into a corner with a refusal-it's not in your own interests. Try to keep your buyers on side outside the resolution centre.

Little note-hope you don't mind me saying- you'll confuse your buyers if you say 'except' instead of 'accept' !:)

Best Wishes

Darlyd

Thank You guys

I have re read my OP a few times now, and can see mistakes, I not long took pain killers..

Am on it

MissGivings_2

darlyd wrote: »

Thank You guys

I have re read my OP a few times now, and can see mistakes, I not long took pain killers..

Am on it

Good luck with selling!:)

Crowqueen

If you are selling clothes, you will have a tough time of it - make sure you check with other people to see if they would be happy to buy your item, never assume buyers will put up with stains or marks that you can't get out, never sell something not properly washed and laundered and put proper measurements on the listings. Emotional attachment to the money old clothes do bring in can lead some sellers out of their depth. Even if someone only pays 99p for something, with max postage on clothes at £4, that's a fiver of someone else's money you're taking for it - it's thus very important to get it right first time and not have an angry or upset buyer thinking they've wasted money.

Be VERY selective in what you list as buyers are VERY fussy.

Take the time to get good, well-focussed and lit photos as well, including close-ups of detail and damage and ensuring all colours are not distorted by lighting effects such as artificial light (take your photos outside out of direct sunlight, which washes dark colours in photos and misleads buyers into thinking some colours are lighter than they actually are). You can have up to 12 free in clothing categories, so it is definitely worth doing. A good, well-illustrated, clear listing with measurements is better than any old thing shoved up with no thought as to how the buyer sees discrepancies. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES use the photos to hide any flaws. Remember the rights buyers have from online businesses are quite extensive and growing yearly - so it is a good idea in the clothes market simply to accept you may have to honour those, even for "doesn't fit"/changed-mind since buyers cannot try things on before they receive them.

If you want to sell them, remember other people out there want to buy them, and you want to make them buy them, so just saying "if you don't like it, you can lump it" doesn't endear you to anyone other than genuine timewasters. You can't make your buyers come to you, so you have to go to them if you want the reward.

It is a very tough market but rewarding if done right.