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Original poster

eBay - Hints and Tips please

77 replies

crystaltips · 31/01/2004 16:50

I know that there are a number of eBay threads - but I am wanting a set of guidelines that I should stick to.

I never knoew there were so many experts out there ...

Please let me know lessons that you have learnt - and how can I track down all those bargains that we hear about
Thanks

OP posts:
GenT · 02/02/2004 09:34

here is an example, I have a book that I am sending today within UK and it weighs 3 1/4 pounds packaged.

If you can tell me the options on that, I will let you know what Royal Mail states.

I know there is a way to send items as book rate printed matter, it should contain no advertising and no correspondence. I am sure we used to get mail from the UK stamped printed matter outside, and in the US I have been able to send items as printed matter/book rate. It must be somewhere.

Will mention that at the post office when I go.

GenT · 02/02/2004 09:36

oh most of the books are hardback, I guess some packages change according to the dimensions as well.

I have received items quite large and they only cost about £7, say dimensions 30 x 18 x 12 inches, which is quite good in my books, can't remember how it came though

SoupDragon · 02/02/2004 09:40

The cheapest option is apparently Royal MAil Parcels 3 day service for £4.27

SoupDragon · 02/02/2004 09:42

When sending potentially expensive things like this, I always use the postal calculator and put an approximate cost in the item description. I then confirm this if they gove me their post code (which the calculator asks for, I just put in any old postcode for the estimate).

If you scroll down the page that my link gives you, the postal calculator is listed - you need the weight in grams though

HTH

suedonim · 02/02/2004 09:42

Gen, I have the PO booklet 'Our Services, All You Need To Know' (get a copy from your PO - it's very useful) and printed matter seems only to apply to airmail now. Afaics, the choice for books is First or Second class (only up to 750gm for 2nd) and parcel post. A 1.5k package at parcel post rates is gbp4.27. Hth.

GenT · 02/02/2004 09:53

is that a flat rate Soupdragon?

SoupDragon · 02/02/2004 09:55

The rates go in bands of weight. As Suedonim says, that's for up to 1.5kg (yours was 1.4 I think). Not sure what the lower weight of that band was.

GenT · 05/02/2004 16:50

That book cost £4.90 btw, was a parcel rate.

I would like to know when you choose to leave neutral feedback.

Secondly, if someone pays by a cheque, do you give feedback after it clears or when you receive the payment.

We have gotten 2 in one week. One seems to be from a nutter as the item took all of 2 weeks and 4 days from the auction ending to her receiving the item. This buyer paid by cheque and expected a faster service. I am a bit mad as she is just making sellers look bad, giving 3 neutrals in a week. Her excuse, she is new to Ebay, that is not my problem, read the rules.

You give them positive feedback and then there is no way of reconciling that.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2004 16:55

I give feedback when a seller confirms that the item has arrived and that they're happy.

TBH, I only give +ve feedback or none at all. I've not yet had any complete disasters though, just some annoying buyers who haven't read the details properly. You can leave "follow up" comments to your feedback if you feel you've something to say.

sammac · 05/02/2004 17:25

Like Soupdragon, if I am selling, I only leave feedback once I have had feedback from the buyer. And then only positive or none at all. I think that the negative feedback can put people off- I know that when I see not 100% positive I try to read why. There are obviously nutters out there, and you can't decide who buys from you.

I've had no disasters yet, but I've had to be quite persistant with a couple of buyers who were really slow, but kept emails to them quite friendly.

Oh and I did have a nutter who sent quite abusive emails, which got steadily worse when I didn't reply- cos I was on holiday!!( I know where you live kind of thing) Over something costing less than a fiver.

Hasn't put me off though - got stuff on this week- as all money goes to a holiday!!

My local PO is doing a roaring trade in ebay parcels, as he keeps telling me- items sent all over the world

Original poster
crystaltips · 05/02/2004 17:29

I bought something last week - it arrived ,,, BROKEN. I have emailed the seller nicely - but it's gone quiet ...
What do I do now ????

OP posts:
MammyShirl · 05/02/2004 17:34

if by magic this thread appears!
i have just registered to ebay 5 minutes ago.. yes i know, a bit slow! i work in the music biz and have a very large collection of music vinyl/cds to get rid off. since my dd's come along, i dont get to play them much.
im sure ill be on here tomorrow asking questions...

GenT · 05/02/2004 17:37

As I said 2 weeks and 4 days from the end of auction until she got her item, we waited a week for her cheque to arrive, then mailed item without even waiting for cheque clearance. Always kept in contact, mentioned the item would go out the following day due to family bereavement, yet she left neutral feedback....."it took a while"

I still can't believe it, as the other sellers she gave a neutral to. No matter how much money she spends we won't sell her anything. The thing is, she has all positive feedbacks as were given to her, and the sellers have these red numbers.

If it is Paypal, we normally leave the feedback the same day or a day later. Now the rules change, feedback will be left after goods have been received, or those paying with cheques.

I guess we have to be thankful for the others who have all given positive feedback and are happy customers.

There is always one that makes it difficult for others. She has a lot to learn.

GenT · 05/02/2004 17:40

here is a tip Mammyshirl.....when you are listing an item, do a search to see if there is any of the items up for sale, if there is one, end your sale later than theirs and make sure the postage is comparative if you don't know.

GenT · 05/02/2004 17:43

email again and attsch a ead receipt, give them a date to respond by, contact ebay if no joy.

if you have paid via Paypal, you can claim a refund within 30 days, no more

GenT · 05/02/2004 17:43

erm attach a read receipt......

HiddenSpirit · 05/02/2004 21:18

GenT as SoupDragon says, you can leave a follow-up comment under her neutral feedback. If you feel she is doing this to a lot of people, then you could always leave a follow-up comment under your positive on hers saying that she seems to be prone to leaving neutral f/b for others.

I have done this on occassion, when after a purchase and I have received the goods, left positive f/b then wait patiently on seller doing same. I emailed seller first asking nicely if they would be kind enough to leave f/b as I'm sure they know, members of ebay rely on f/b ratings. When after a few more days (usually about 3 weeks altogether from when I receive item & leave f/b) I will leave a follow-up comment under the positive I gave them saying "user prone to not leaving f/b" (this is after researching their f/b and looking at f/b they have left for others and finding out that I'm not the only one that hasn't had it left). Unfortunately, after I left a follow up comment for 1 seller, she suddenly left f/b for everyone she hadn't, then felt the need to give me my first negative even though I paid quickly (paypal at auction end)

kiwisbird · 05/02/2004 21:26

One trick if you wish to leave neg feedback but do not want a retaliatory neg yourself is leave until 89 days then neg on the 90th day, they can't leave feedback after 90 days and nor can you...
Haven't had to do this but its handy knowing, only negs I got were from buyers (USA) who said I hadn't invoiced them! As if, I'm there to sell!!!
xx J

GenT · 05/02/2004 22:38

That is a good tip to note about the 89th day if nothing is left.

We recently had to send a few emails to one that didn't leave feedback at all, when she got the third email she left for everyone. I was factual that although the delivery too a while she explained the delay. She still got a pos f/bk.

I must say all of our US buyers have left pos f/bk probably because I kept in touch with emails, even though their items weren't International Signed for. Some items take a month to arrive but always well packaged. If you keep in contact and are genuinely concerned they should leave you positive feedback.

We have received an email from her apoligizing, doesn't really help the ratings but I guess it is a start.

btw someone is offering some nice sheepskin mittens and booties for a fiver, sale ends soon. They look adorable too.

HiddenSpirit · 06/02/2004 01:02

Need your ebay id to look for them genT

suedonim · 06/02/2004 10:10

So how do you leave fb? I've only bought three times and left fb once because I got an email about it, but the other twice there were no instrucions on how/where to leave it. Do you have to go back to your item or what?

charliecat · 06/02/2004 10:30

When you are on My ebay click on the feedback bit, in between accounts and prefences and there it is, theres a button to press for you to leave feedback. HTH

GenT · 06/02/2004 10:33

suedonim...... on My Ebay page there is a section entitled Feedback, just click it and all the instructions are there, you have 90 days to do so

Wasn't me Hiddenspirit, another seller. They only sold for a fiver too. But I can put up ours for sale. We have sold 3 pairs so far, they are cute and cuddly too. What colour would you be intersted in?

suedonim · 06/02/2004 11:02

Crumbs, how did I miss that?? Thank you, I've left feedback now.

Original poster
crystaltips · 06/02/2004 20:15

What do I do here please

I sold an item .... accepting Cheque and postal order only.
Buyer emailed me and said that she had paid by PayPal.
Because I had not selected PP as a preferred payment method - the payment is sitting somewhere but I don't know how to get to it as it was not allocated to my account.

PP say that I still have a payment to claim ... how do I do this without setting up another account
Thanks

OP posts: