To never want to sell on ebay because it brings disaster into your life?

[PuffinNose]

In the last month, I've bought 12 things from ebay. However of those sellers:

• 1 had an unexpected bereavement so couldn't post for ages
• Another's partner was rushed into hospital so couldn't post for ages (must have ruined the holiday they told me they had planned a few days after I paid).
• 1 was flooded and hasn't had a computer so couldn't post (but thankfully they had their phone of something because they could reply to feedback)
• 1 of them had a pesky dog who damaged the item. I was a bit disappointed because the item went for much less than it should have done.
• 1 of them has posted it but it's gone missing but darn it, the post office printer wasn't working so she has no proof but she did post it so no won't refund (don't worry, I know my rights).

So, ebay sellers seem to be an unlucky lot.

What are the best lines you've had from ebay sellers/buyers?

For the record, I'm generally not bothered about delays as long as they tell me. I've replied nicely to all the messages and symphasised as apprpropriate.

I had the opposite experience to PP with a region 1 DVD - The description said PAL/Region 2, the picture was of a region 2 DVD complete with BBFC rating, the box that arrived was R2 - but the DVD inside was region 1!

The seller was really rude, sent me links to buy a region free DVD player or software for my computer and eventually I had to open a dispute and I was refunded. I offered to send it back to the seller but they didn't want it, it's actually probably still knocking around the attic somewhere.

I haven't bought anything for a while as I'm sick of listings saying "UK seller" with a UK address and the items still take forever from HK/China.

Ok. So I need to add that guy who said his partner was rushed into hospital actually sent the item next day delivery to make up for the delay.
He won't have made any money on that now so I feel bad but if I send him any extra then it cost much more than I would have originally paid.
I still think he just forgot to send it before his holiday and it turned out to be a different size to the listing anyway. :/ I'm just going to suck it up.

I've just remembered:
I sold a taylors dummy to a lady who was making costumes for a charity show. I had a load of good quality material in suitable sizes so I put that in with the box as I thought she might like it. It meant I paid more on postage than she paid. She emailed me after to tell me she was going to leave negative feedback because I'd put lots of "rubbish" in the box to justify the postage price (which doesn't even make sense!). I emailed her back telling her it cost more to post than she paid. Luckily she never responded or left feedback. I was actually quite upset about that.

I'm still confused about the following experience, obviously she was lying but it's all a bit odd (and I was foolish)... I sold a box of baby clothes. Posted item and received proof of delivery. Woman emailed later to nicely ask where it was. I sent copy of POD and she acknowledged the signature was hers. Then a few days later the parcel was returned back to my house. I checked it and it was as I'd posted. So I emailed woman to ask what was going on. She said she had not been able to leave her flat or get to the building front door for weeks because of a broken ankle so would not have been able to open the door to the courier so would not know if it had been delivered (she broke her ankle before bidding apparently?). She said they must have tried to deliver it but couldn't, so had returned it. It made no sense! She was really nice though so I agreed to resend the parcel. She apparently was due a c-section in the next couple of days (althoigh she was still saying she couldn't leave the house) so for some reason (can't remember why) I said I'd send next day delivery and she could send me the postage aftetwards. Cost a fortune and needless to say, I didn't get the postage back so ended up out of pocket. Then within a day or so of her getting the box she was reselling the items. What she does with them after I sell them is her business but I'm in awe of her listing 100ish items individually with a broken ankle and whilst recovering from a c-sect.

I also had the random withholding of funds by Paypal. I sold about £170 of items and I had to spend £50 on postage without having received any this money. I also had to pay all the fees on those sales before they released the money. I went through all the hassle of selling because I wanted the money but ended up in a worse financial state.

I mainly buy from Amazon and I previously sold stuff on eBay. But these were very niche things that often sold for the price I bought them for (or more), e.g. new horse rug that didn't fit my horse, new riding boots that didn't fit me, used leather filofaxes, outgrown Designer dog coats, etc.

I package them up very well (as though they bought from shops rather than me), sent them within days of being bought (next day mostly), and all of my 'customers' so far have been very happy. However, I also put minimums or 'Buy It Now' options (most of them were sold with Buy It Now), and I check their feedback from sellers, too.

Cailleach do you sell clothes? Just asking because people are saying not to - just wondered what you thought as I have quite a few bits of my own that I've not worn for ages or never worn and don't want any of the hassle that others seem to be experiencing

serial- no I don't sell clothes.

I do think that some types of items do create a lot more hassle than others, and indeed attract scammers.
I think clothes can be tricky, shoes particularly. there are sizing issues, possible disputes over wear etc.
It's worth a try, I have sold a few garments over the years and had very little problem.

Thank you - I will maybe have a go and sell bundles ... just no clue what I'm doing so probably will attract the ones who are out to get something for nothing - used to always send clothes to charity shop but could do with the money at the moment

serial you can have a look to see what similar garments have sold for recently on ebay.

Decent labels will usually sell well, click on advanced search and completed items- that will give you an idea of what your items are worth.

I remember buying great maternity clothes bundles about 10 years ago. Lovely stuff, don't think I'd risk it again these days!

I've been on the opposite end where iv been the person not receiving an item. Obviously seller thought I was trying it on, seller claimed to have sent it recorded delivery and it must have been stolen. I did point out that the postman would require my signature for a recorded delivery and wouldn't have just left it lying ? Said she should be able to find out if I'd signed for it but no, apparently not Then said I had been refunded twice and wanted money back from me (I hadn't) had proof of that though via PayPal
Never had a bother selling though tbf and always send recorded delivery or ask for a signature on delivery from courier !

I bought an item and it went for 99p plus about £4 postage - so obviously lower than expected.

It didn't arrive and the seller messaged me saying she had been ill and would send it that day (this would be about a week later).

Ten days later still no parcel so I messaged her asking if it had been posted (and hoping she was better). No answer. I opened up a dispute a few days ago - no response.

I wondered why - then I saw that she had three identical items for sale, so obviously she has no excuses to give - she could easily have sent one of them - and is just waiting for Paypal to refund me.

Why on earth couldn't she price her stuff properly in the first place?

I am wondering whether to bid on one of her other items when my refund comes through, except that I resent giving her the business after she has messed me around - why send the original message in the first place? This could have been resolved a fortnight ago if she hadn't done that.

Cailleach666 Thank you, didn't know you could do that - very helpful, thanks so much

You see, Cailleach, your next chapter should be eBay masterclasses.

Cailleach - you work for Ebay, right? PR?

Some interesting stories there. I gave up ebay after a few years mostly buying but selling a few items, because there was a transaction of 100 Euros on my Paypal account (being taken out) and I had no satisfactory response from Paypal. My bank refunded the money, and I unlinked the Paypal account from my bank account.

I did buy some nice things but I'm not sure that the sellers could have made anything after postage.

Late back to the thread, good to hear some are still doing well cailleach that's great!

Would you mind having a look at my store to try & see were im going wrong? You sound far more knowledgable than me with it.
Id appreciate another point of view Good or bad any tips to point me in the right direction.
I have tried everything, customers are happy they like the stock the service and they think it's well priced. I do the key word changing although can't say im too good with that but still all very quiet.
So another point of view may just see something I dont!

Wow there are some piss takers, both sellers and buyers. I have never had any problem buying or selling thank goodness.

I joined eBay back when you didn't need to be involved in a transaction with someone to leave feedback. A lot of buyers and sellers on forums would leave feedback on eBay for private transactions, of course that was stopped eventually.

In the days before PayPal I sold a lot to the US, an item I could get relatively easily in the UK that they couldn't and I did well out of it. I was paid either with $$'s cash in an envelope (never had a dime go missing!) and on one occasion a cheque.
I banked the cheque, it cleared and I sent the $80 item. All good.
About six weeks later I had a letter from my bank, cheque bounced. What I didn't know at the time was a US cheque would initially clear, but could take 2 months to properly clear.

I contacted the buyer and expected to hear nothing, but he apologised profusely, had actually changed accounts thinking like me that the cheque cleared. A week later I received a lovely Christmas card with $80 and his best wishes.

Sadly, the days of honesty and eBay are now long gone.

Pandamanda3- I'm no expert but I am happy to take a look.

I have sold an electric wall heater twice on EBay recently.

First buyer didn't turn up after arranging collection. I reported to eBay and she messaged asking to cancel the transaction because her husband had left her.

Sold it again while I was away on holiday (thought I'd set up seller away thing but mustn't have done it correctly). Message when back and she offers to collect the next weekend. I was away again but arranged for someone to be there for when she comes. She didn't turn up and I didn't hear anything for a week. When she gets in touch, she apologised for lack of communication but a family member has died. I didn't see the message right away as it was over the weekend and she puts in a dispute with eBay saying she couldn't arrange collection. I message her again and ask if she still wants the item and she says no because my lack of communication has made her lose faith in the transaction

Couldn't be arsed with a sob story but my long term relationship has just ended and I have a suicidal child so could do without this crap. I hate other people sometimes! Feel better for the rant

Mega LOLZ @SteampunkPrincess

I think I've just had a cheeky fucker. Emailed to say item hadn't arrived. As it happens I obtained proof of posting and the reference tells me it's been delivered. I sent an email stating this and haven't had a reply as yet.

I also got robbed. Bought an item which didn't arrive. Neither did the refund. Seems they'd done it to several people recently and have now disappeared.

cailleach that would be great, thanks
Shall I pm you? Don't think I'm allowed to say name here or you pm me, either or.
It's always good to get another opinion.

As a seller i Was selling two pairs of shoes, i posted them to the wrong people, luckily they both agreed to swap addresses so they could be posted to the correct person, and i refunded their postage costs.

Interestingly it was the person who bought the cheap shoes and got the expensive shoes that told me :)

does being charged 4.99 for postage and packing count as cheeky when item was a light weight cardigan wrapped in a cheap flimsy black bin bag and sellotaped closed. seller refused to refund the packing part...or the item part as to add insult to injury cardi bobbly and not in the "pristine worn once" category described. I threw it away in the bin bag it conveniently arrived in!

I have quite a few but on the whole I like ebay for selling stuff.

1. I was accused of sending an item without postage so the buyer had to collet from the sorting office and pay postage and a PO fee. I had proof of postage and the item was far to big to put in the post box so it was a nonsensical complaint. I refunded her the additional postage and sent her a replacement item in the meantime while the one with the missing postage sticker floated around the sorting office and I paid return postage so she could send me the spare one back. I ended up about £15 out of pocket but she grudgingly left me positive feedback.

1. The buyer chose to have the item delivered to Argos. He seemed to think that the item was sold by Argos so when I contacted him to say I was delayed in posting the item but would send it 1st and not 2nd class so it would still arrive in time he sent me a nasty message to say that my message was suspicious and he would report me to ebay for theft of his money if the item wasn't waiting for him at his local Argos by a specified date. I had to put a signature on that one to ensure I could keep track of it and so lost money there.

1. I sold an item, posted it and then ebay got in touch to say the buyer's account had been hacked and not to send the item. I'm still waiting to discover if I get to keep the money I received on that one as this has only just happened and their email said I had to contact the courier and get them to stop the delivery. I went to the PO but it was too late and so there was nothing I could do. Ebay's email didn't say what would happen if I had posted it and couldn't stop the courier and the rest of the email was about refunding of fees. I couldn't fathom whether the money is mine or not :-/