eBay Sending Out Mass Emails for Private Sellers to Upgrade to Business

soolin

MR1988 said:

Any idea why the discussions on eBay got shut down? Is it because of the backlash from Business Sellers towards the incentive?

I don’t know, perhaps they didn’t want people comparing accounts and trying to find a pattern as to why a few sellers were targeted but not others. 

shapala

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

soolin

shapala said:

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

shapala said:

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

I copied a return policy from someone on here years ago and use it on all my accounts, business and private. I see no reason not to have a proper returns policy on my private account as I wouldn’t treat people any differently. A return policy though is basically just to safeguard a business seller against paying for a change of mind return. I won’t offer mine as it may well be out of date and over wordy and need tidying up, and I think I’d rather review it away from scrutiny. However have a look at other policies and use a suitable one. Basically all it needs to say is that for change of mind returns buyer needs to pay for the return postage . SNAD returns are not affected and there’s no difference between SNAD returns for a private or business seller.

MR1988

I've got a question regarding the displayed registration address.

Is it possible and is it acceptable to use a different Registration Address (The address displayed publicly on eBay) while sending out items and accepting returns to another address?

Basically, I do not wish to display my home address publicly due to safety reasons. Maybe I am a bit paranoid at this point but I don't wish to be too naive either. I don't want people randomly turning up to my door wanting to negotiate or collect items, or even worse, be targeted by thieves.

I've spoken to my accountant and they offer their services to have my registration address set to their office, which would be ideal if I were to jump the ship and upgrade to a Business Account on eBay, so thought I would check with other members if this is acceptable and/or if eBay makes it difficult to do so.

Thank you!

Spoonie_Turtle

I don't know about eBay's rules but as a buyer it is concerning when a seller sends me a return label to an address that's different from the one displayed on their details.*

However, I only usually check the details if a seller is already being awkward and I get the feeling they might be trying to scam me, and if for some reason I noticed the difference in details for a co-operative seller, seeing "c/o" in the first line of the address would be reassuring.


[*To be fair though, when I've been concerned, it's usually been that their displayed address is already a residential address and the return address is different, either another residential address or an industrial estate.]

eBay aside though, from what I understand it is a perfectly common and legitimate business practice to have your registered business address being elsewhere such as your accountant's office, even if day-to-day your work is done from home.  I've recently had cause to look up a few LLCs on Companies House, and every single one has been registered at their accountants' office.

soolin

It used to be possible to have the addresses different but the last I saw it caused issues. Return labels generated by eBay have the return address pre printed, there were reports that eBay used the wrong address even when the return address on the account was correctly filled. 

This meant that returns were automatically going back to an address not capable of accepting returns, and buyer was getting their refunds without sellers getting their items back. 

shapala

soolin said:

shapala said:

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

shapala said:

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

I copied a return policy from someone on here years ago and use it on all my accounts, business and private. I see no reason not to have a proper returns policy on my private account as I wouldn’t treat people any differently. A return policy though is basically just to safeguard a business seller against paying for a change of mind return. I won’t offer mine as it may well be out of date and over wordy and need tidying up, and I think I’d rather review it away from scrutiny. However have a look at other policies and use a suitable one. Basically all it needs to say is that for change of mind returns buyer needs to pay for the return postage . SNAD returns are not affected and there’s no difference between SNAD returns for a private or business seller.

So I've checked other known biz sellers who sell similar items to my own, cross checked eBay policy and consumer factions to make sure all legal and fair, so written down my own.

However, I can't see anywhere to do a 'Terms of Sale' or similar which outlines my return policy (and other bits, which is about 3000 characters. There are rules you can set but eBay only allow 250 characters which is a nonsense when you want to set out what a buyer can expect if item is faulty, changed mind etc, what happens if item goes missing. I can't see anywhere so either I'm blind or eBay don't allow me to do this (I haven't signed up to a store as I don't see any point, esp as I won't even get to 100 items between now and end of year, so unsure if that's different).

Anyone the same or can add a link? When I had an eBay biz years ago it was easy and all info was part of each listing under the 'business information'

soolin

shapala said:

soolin said:

shapala said:

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

shapala said:

I'm another here. In my case, after recent house move, I sold various items, getting on for about £15k in sales the past year - expensive projector, monitors, camera lenses and such which either not going to use or replaced in new place. 

Is there a template for best biz policies that can be added to each and every item? I want to be firm but fair, in line with distance selling but wish it was a bit simpler. Recently I, as a buyer, had a right pickle trying to return a not as described item from a business seller who didn't seem to be aware that he also needed to be responsible for return costs and accept my return since the item clearly was not as described (this was within 2 days of receiving it, not months later lol). Once returned said eBay case was left unanswered by seller so had to have eBay sort it out. So is there something I can put together as a stock policy in case a buyer isn't satisfied with a sale and is viewable on each item for sale? And yes, I sorted issues with buyers ASAP with my old private a/c but obviously as a biz it's got to be more formal surely?

It's been a while since I was a business on eBay and it's changed a good bit so feel a bit lost at sea. TIA.

I copied a return policy from someone on here years ago and use it on all my accounts, business and private. I see no reason not to have a proper returns policy on my private account as I wouldn’t treat people any differently. A return policy though is basically just to safeguard a business seller against paying for a change of mind return. I won’t offer mine as it may well be out of date and over wordy and need tidying up, and I think I’d rather review it away from scrutiny. However have a look at other policies and use a suitable one. Basically all it needs to say is that for change of mind returns buyer needs to pay for the return postage . SNAD returns are not affected and there’s no difference between SNAD returns for a private or business seller.

So I've checked other known biz sellers who sell similar items to my own, cross checked eBay policy and consumer factions to make sure all legal and fair, so written down my own.

However, I can't see anywhere to do a 'Terms of Sale' or similar which outlines my return policy (and other bits, which is about 3000 characters. There are rules you can set but eBay only allow 250 characters which is a nonsense when you want to set out what a buyer can expect if item is faulty, changed mind etc, what happens if item goes missing. I can't see anywhere so either I'm blind or eBay don't allow me to do this (I haven't signed up to a store as I don't see any point, esp as I won't even get to 100 items between now and end of year, so unsure if that's different).

Anyone the same or can add a link? When I had an eBay biz years ago it was easy and all info was part of each listing under the 'business information'

You don’t need to over complicate it. EBay rules cover lost items and also INRs so you don’t need to duplicate that. You just need to make it clear that change of mind returns are at buyers expense. 

This is a random business seller *

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282085808403?_nkw=model+car&epid=1128446219&itmmeta=01J5TEN1WFKX78H7MC9QW12TPG&hash=item41ad9fd913:g:r04AAOSwHoFXq0BL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkZwmG7QpOPu2ZM2g5plHGYyx9NVeEkOOUwPySj3lqQg2ql5PIXMUWpa2fxotNxgMJeVNqsnjgJpdjoLsyvuDLkkNoTGRCvh4FaPuVAeB8pFdaT3HcnnuZdgWHX1TGw75JIDog0ignpA9GNEwiYh8IguTz7Z2WxRQK3HNrk6%2FhP%2BoMLQqy7ExXSEMFDc9ZpYdCshmF7xmkZLz5zonwvsnK2F5AX1kYgLxib%2FcDM87QbiQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7Ce1M6uZA

 and if you look at the top RH box under the sellers name, feedback score and postage it shows their 3 line policy. That’s all you need. Mine does also say something along the lines of suggesting tracked postage is used, but mine is an old policy. 

*it took a real effort to find a business seller , I found a lot of sellers with 700+ items, often MVLs as well on private accounts, this was basically the first properly registered business I could find. 

soolin

I should add that my policy is within the postage options, both on my business and my private accounts. I have the same policy copied across all my various postage options (letter, large letter parcel etc). 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

You don't really need a return policy on eBay, if you are a business seller you have to accept change of mind returns with the timeframe set at a minimum of 14 days, the buyer will open a return, send the item back with tracking and eBay will refund.

Anything you have written in your listing about returns won't override eBay's process, it will only deter buyers who take the time to read the listing and pick up on the mistakes many sellers make in thinking they have much of a choice over how returns work on eBay.

If you shop via the app, the seller description is well hidden anyway, I highly doubt many people bother to read the seller description and those that do are looking for a specific piece of information, i.e the size of something, rather than wondering about returns. 

For SNAD the process is the same for business or private, i.e return opened, seller to arrange return and refund given. 

eBay has a general policy for returns abuse for all sellers:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protections?id=4345

An item is returned after it was used or damaged by the buyer

Sellers who are not Below Standard are eligible for this protection for listings that offer free returns.

You can deduct up to 50% from the refund to recover the lost value of the item

We'll automatically remove any related negative or neutral Feedback

If the buyer had requested the return because the item didn't match the listing, we won't count the return in your "Item not as described" rate in service metrics

Now putting eBay aside if you are legally classed as are a trader there is certain information you need to provide under The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 which includes many things but, on this topic specifically, it includes information covering the buyer's right to cancel the contract plus providing them with a model cancellation form. I don't think I have ever purchased anything on eBay from a business seller and been given this information in accordance with the regs. 

So if you want to offer a returns policy use either the returns box or T&C box here:

https://accountsettings.ebay.co.uk/business-seller

(T&C box does show on listings, not sure about return) and study the regs to see what your legal obligations are, that's if indeed there are any as I don't know what a genuine private seller with an eBay business account would be viewed as.