Ebay is completely shit for sellers isn't it?

[Pamelaaaaa]

More of rant really as I'm pissed off!
Had some old football shirts hanging around so decided to sell them.

Despite having 'no returns' stated it seems people buying can indeed buy your item then inspect it and then decide they don't want it and open a return stating it doesn't match the description when all the description actually says is 'used football shirt'. I've now had 2 buyers over the weekend decide they don't want the shirts they have bought because they have found the tiniest thing not to their satisfaction. From their usernames is it clear they are shirt collector/traders and they must buy everything then inspect and then return anything not pristine. Obviously at my expense!!

I've googled and it seems ebay will always side with the buyer so there's no point even trying to argue it. So now I'm down the postage of them having to send things back! Fucking brilliant.

They do generally side with buyers. Next time you could maybe show pics of any marks etc.

I gave up with Ebay ages ago, think the local fb sites are a bit better although you do still get time wasters

@theonlywayisup33

They do generally side with buyers. Next time you could maybe show pics of any marks etc.

Agree - show pics of every scuff mark/tear etc and include a mention of them in the description. That way they can't claim to not know before they buy. You could also say "not for collectors" in the description, perhaps?

That's the thing, 1 of the shirts in particular I know had no defects at all as someone wise asked for close up pics of everything on it. They don't even say what's wrong, just filed a return stating it doesn't match description. I started bidding at 1p too so I didn't even expect loads for them but now thanks to get collectors I'm out of pocket!

Exactly the same happened to me last week. First time it’s happened and I realised having ‘no returns‘ makes no difference whatsoever. 2 people returned items and interesting it looks like they are both sellers rather than people looking to wear themselves. Cost me the postal cost to return too. Not worth it.

I have not had this problem so far. Maybe have been lucky, I think collectors can be more hard-nosed than someone who just wants to wear the item.
Particularly skanky if you started the bidding at 1p!
I believe you can block buyers.

I don't sell on ebay buy have started using it to buy since the pandemic after not using it for years. I think it's much more about professional sellers now. It used to have a bad rep for being bad for buyers a while ago so has obviously changed up and done lots to protect buyers. Unfortunately this will mean people will take the piss occasionally. But then if they did nothing loads of people would be getting ripped off. So then it's up to the seller if they want to take the ris lknif buyers being unhappy and returning items. I suspect many individuals like you don't want to which is why ebay is now mainly professionals.

It's true. I just use FB or Gumtree now.

You can very much reduce this problem by providing a more detailed description of condition and by using up your full photograph quota to show both the good points and any defects in your items so that customers are aware of defects before they buy. .

As an added bonus this will probably mean you will get higher prices for your items as I think a lot of buyers (well me anyway) would be wary of buying something where the condition is unclear. The fact that dealers feel they can make money on your items probably means you are not getting a very good price for them.

Oh that's so annoying, I think you're right it must be resellers who are doing that.

I'm back on eBay for the first time in about ten years and so far so good but I think my buyers are keeping the items rather than wanting to make money out of them.

I've been selling the baby clothes I know will attract high bids (I put most of them on Vinted) and they've sold really really well. The one thing that's changed is feedback - it used to be a given but I've only got feedback from six out of eight buyers this time around. At first I thought there must be a problem but no, people just don't seem to bother.

I agree with the above posters about highlighting any tiny issues with photos and in the description by the way, I do this. I can't imagine the collectors would bother buying if they want pristine items so you shouldn't get as many returns. I sold an item that had a stain and a tear that fetched more than I paid for it last year, it's sold out and very sought after. Crazy!

Use your photo allowance and take very clear photos. Also describe it down to the last detail. Highlight any blemishes and be totally honest.

I sell a lot and rarely have anything returned.

Lots of items on ebay with two bad photos and a short description. It's difficult to know what those items really look like. Your buyers probably know they might find a cheap gem or can return it if it's not perfect. Don't risk it.

I have been selling on ebay for a few months, just generally clearly out the attic and selling all my old toys from the 1980s, some old rings, etc.

Very early one, only about the sixth thing I had ever sd, I had my fingers burnt. I sold a beautiful barbie doll to a lady who insisted it was filthy dirty - she said she would keep it though, and risk washing the dress, but only if I gave her a refund minus postage.... A doll for free, basically....

And she was a dealer, selling dolls, obviously vintage, so she would have known exactly how to clean a Vintage barbie dress. AND there is a pandemic on.... Anyway, such a clear cut case of me bring ripped off....

And I phoned eBay for advice at every step, but of course ended up out of pocket....

I am still selling on ebay - but never clothes. I think people are just so used to a marks and Spencer or next type of customer service they then expect it. But I communicate a lot with buyers, messaging them once they have won, that sort of thing.

It made me angry at first how vulnerable I was to being ripped off and how little ebay - taking hundreds of pounds off me in fees, by the way - did about it.

I sold some books recently, separate bundles.
One buyer bought two bundles and paid straight away therefore paying postage twice .
I was able to combine into one parcel and offered a partial refund on the postage, buyer said thank you to the message and left positive feedback after receiving .
Yesterday I got two PayPal enquiries launched against me as " buyer did not authorise these payments"
Furious!

@Gotthetshirt23

I sold some books recently, separate bundles. One buyer bought two bundles and paid straight away therefore paying postage twice . I was able to combine into one parcel and offered a partial refund on the postage, buyer said thank you to the message and left positive feedback after receiving . Yesterday I got two PayPal enquiries launched against me as " buyer did not authorise these payments" Furious!

I'm not surprised you're furious, but in this case surely you have the messages as proof?

It doesn't matter if you have proof of anything - eBay side with the buyer. I've been in a couple of these scenarios and lost out. I don't put 2 shite photos and a one line description either. Think selling some jewellery with a certificate...buyer lied and said it was damaged. I had postage tracking and everything and ended up refunding the sod. I will not use eBay any more. Better success on FB.

I hate eBay as well, even if you list every minute detail and state every single thing about an item, it matters not one iota. eBay sides with the buyer, they rarely ask for proof, and if they do there is nought to stop whoever recieved the item doing stuff to it once they receive it. It's just not worth it now, I sold a laptop recently and did so for a lower price than it's worth on FB marketplace just to avoid it.

I won't sell on Ebay either. Gumtree or Marketplace is better though you do get time wasters.

I got rid of bunk beds on free cycle ( so gave them away) and the woman wrote to me after to complain that they did not come with ladders!

eBay really isn’t worth it as a seller anymore especially if you are selling low value things. Such a shame as it’s the perfect way to get rid of things post office prices dont help either when you send everything tracked. I hate fb selling though and the grief of waiting around for time wasters and having to tell
People where you live

I totally agree. They always find in the favour of the buyer. It really pisses me off. Don't get me started on the 20kg of Lego I sold and the buyer wanted to return it as some of the white pieces were discoloured

This happened to a friend of mine.
She was selling a diamond ring which had barely been worn, posted the actual description, size etc from the actual advert which was still available online. Took her own photos of ring as well obviously and clearly stating 'no returns'.
The buyer did not 'like' the ring and opened the return which was successful. Ridiculous.

I tend to use FB Marketplace now but DH occasionally still sells on eBay. It's a nightmare though and over the last year we've had.

A case opened against him for non delivery despite us having proof of delivery. Thankfully found in our favour.
Someone from Italy winning an item that was advertised as UK only delivery so then we had the hassle of sending it.
Collect only item - won by someone who lives 300 miles away who then expected it packaging for him to send a courier. Still here a month later!

To be fair we buy quite a lot off eBay and as buyers have never had to complain about anything!

Just sold a vintage computer . It turned on but stated not tested so could not vouch for anything else. Buyer took three weeks to tell me it didn’t turn on , seals were broken It was dirty etc ( 40 years old) . I had taken great pains packing it as he specifically requested! I asked him to return it and I will get it checked by someone who knows more than me. He said can’t be bothered returning. He just wants a partial refund! I think he has broken it but what do I do ?

@MaggieFS I've screen shot the messages and the feedback and sent it to PayPal.
I'm hoping ......

Seems PayPal is often an issue now , big profits for them , and eBay are all about profit now too 😞