Ebay annoyances

[Hal Nail]

18 hours ago, hayfield said:

 

Not negative feedback, but I always get proof of postage for items under £20 and tracked/recorded for over. If a customer claims to not have received an item I put a claim into the Royal Mail and let them judge the validity of the claim

Tracked 48 for a small parcel is only something like 50p more than 2nd class and has £150 insurance so I always use that for everything now (unless it's worth more than 150 obviously).

 

It's cheap so avoids putting off buyers but only takes 2 days so if I get things out the next day, its plenty quick enough.

 

As an added benefit I subsequently discovered it takes seconds to buy through eBay but I was doing it manually for ages.

 

Doesn't support the post office which is a downside but unfortunately you can't be a capitalist and a socialist all the time :)

[hayfield]

2 hours ago, Hal Nail said:

Tracked 48 for a small parcel is only something like 50p more than 2nd class and has £150 insurance so I always use that for everything now (unless it's worth more than 150 obviously).

 

It's cheap so avoids putting off buyers but only takes 2 days so if I get things out the next day, its plenty quick enough.

 

As an added benefit I subsequently discovered it takes seconds to buy through eBay but I was doing it manually for ages.

 

Doesn't support the post office which is a downside but unfortunately you can't be a capitalist and a socialist all the time :)

 

One of the reasons for using tracked, but I also use 1st class so it gets there quickly. I explain this in the posting and customers seem to appreciate going the extra mile. From memory only once has someone in the past 5+ years downgraded me on the star rating for postage costs. Simply I charge what it costs and if they don't like it dont buy from me. I try to give a good service, nothing worse than waiting ages for someone to be bothered to send the item, unless that is they have stated due to circumstances delayed posting (at least it gives me the choice

 

Nothing worse than premium postage charges and lax service !!!. On the other hand if economy service offered and charged for a few days wait is acceptable

[Captain Slough]

just had to cancel a sale after the end of the auction but - fortunately - before payment,. because unknown to me, eBay automatically allows overseas bidders to bid & I don't do international shipping. Winning bidder was in Ireland and hadn't even contacted me in advance to check if this was OK

 

Should at least be fairly easy to resell - bodyshell for the Hornby-Dublo "starter set" locomotive, which is pretty rare in decent condition. Now changed my eBay settings to restrict my auctions only to the mainland UK.

Edited May 8 by Captain Slough

[Sjcm]

Don't think its been mentioned here but Royal Mail signed has changed. Apart from the  big price increase in April you now only get covered upto 20 pounds instead of 50 for insurance. And they wonder why they are losing business😳

[woodenhead]

And I don't think it's even signed for anymore, just handed over with a smile.

 

I used to use Signed For on smaller sales, but there's not much I would sell for under £20.

 

[hayfield]

50 minutes ago, woodenhead said:

And I don't think it's even signed for anymore, just handed over with a smile.

 

I used to use Signed For on smaller sales, but there's not much I would sell for under £20.

 

 

This is from the Royal Mail "Post Office guide"

 

UK Tracked

Royal Mail Tracked® Tracked 24 Tracked 48 Size

Weight up to and including Price Price Large Letter 750g £3.50 £2.70

Small Parcel 2kg £4.79 £3.89

Medium Parcel 2kg £7.09 £6.29 10kg £8.79 £7.79 20kg £12.89 £11.39

Includes compensation up to  £150 £150

 

Small parcel  1st £4.79  2nd £3.89 Tracked both with up to £150 compensation. The only difference I can see is Royal Mail has reverted back to small package size from medium size (size is important again

 

Small parcel up to 2kg   45 x 35 x 16 cm  (17.5" x 13.5" x 6.25")  Careful packing is required to keep within limits, but compensation up from £50 to £150 

 

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion around what the changes were, but this seems quite clear. However you might have to buy them online then take to the Post Office

[woodenhead]

I had a shock last year with an item I was sending by post, looked up the price and then got stung in the post office because I had found the online purchase price. 

 

[hayfield]

5 minutes ago, hayfield said:

 

This is from the Royal Mail "Post Office guide"

 

UK Tracked

Royal Mail Tracked® Tracked 24 Tracked 48 Size

Weight up to and including Price Price Large Letter 750g £3.50 £2.70

Small Parcel 2kg £4.79 £3.89

Medium Parcel 2kg £7.09 £6.29 10kg £8.79 £7.79 20kg £12.89 £11.39

Includes compensation up to  £150 £150

 

Small parcel  1st £4.79  2nd £3.89 Tracked both with up to £150 compensation. The only difference I can see is Royal Mail has reverted back to small package size from medium size (size is important again

 

Small parcel up to 2kg   45 x 35 x 16 cm  (17.5" x 13.5" x 6.25")  Careful packing is required to keep within limits, but compensation up from £50 to £150 

 

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion around what the changes were, but this seems quite clear. However you might have to buy them online then take to the Post Office

 

Its seems to get the higher insurance you must buy on line and then take the item to the post office.

[hayfield]

4 minutes ago, woodenhead said:

I had a shock last year with an item I was sending by post, looked up the price and then got stung in the post office because I had found the online purchase price. 

 

 

The price list I am quoting is from the Royal Mail (View our Post Office price guideOpens in a new windowpdf, 3.85 MB) I guess it implies you buy online but send via the Post Office. I guess with the Post office offering two other companies its their way of controlling/increasing their cash flow 

[woodenhead]

4 minutes ago, hayfield said:

 

Its seems to get the higher insurance you must buy on line and then take the item to the post office.

I think Royal Mail wants a bigger share of the income so is making it more attractive to buy online, so basically buying at the Post Office costs more (their cut) and has less benefits to the end user.

 

The Post Office now acts as a hub for DPD and Evri in selected branches.  The seperation of these two entities (RM and PO) accelerates.

Edited May 8 by woodenhead

[jjb1970]

My big pet hate is models which are pre-owned and decades old being described as 'new' and sellers which write reams of petty minded demands for buyers. 

 

I collect brass HO models, many of the models I search for were made decades ago by (or for) defunct companies yet it's amazing how many are described as 'new' by private sellers flogging very old models which are pre-owned. Describing them as 'like new' or 'unused' is fine, but to call them new is dishonest and misleading. In the case of manufacturers or shops the term 'new old stock' is good for ancient unsold stock.

 

The second trait really alienates me. I saw something I liked yesterday but the tone of the long list of demands turned me off. There's a way of saying things ('buyers are kindly requested to pay within.....' rather than a demand which reads like the person is a frustrated prison warden or something). A twist which really, really annoys me is when the list includes a high and mighty statement about the item will be photographed before dispatch, inferring buyers are scam artists. Again, a polite comment that items are checked before dispatch makes the point without annoying people.  And frankly I couldn't care less how many photographs they have if the item arrives damaged.

 

I sold loads of stuff on EBay and tended to emphasise negatives if anything to try and avoid disputes. 

[Hal Nail]

On 08/05/2024 at 15:59, jjb1970 said:

My big pet hate is models which are pre-owned and decades old being described as 'new'

Saw a Slaters kit today in an old style box with all the parts laid out so clearly opened thus second hand/used (which is part of the problem - If they went back to calling things second hand there wouldn't be the same scope for misinterpretation).

 

Listed as new and even wrote in the description that it is brand new and asking for what you'd pay at Tower for a genuine new one.

 

Out of interest I tried to report it and their AI wouldn't let me submit, saying the reason wasn't legitimate.

[Hal Nail]

On 08/05/2024 at 12:31, hayfield said:

 

Its seems to get the higher insurance you must buy on line and then take the item to the post office.

You dont necessarily have to take to a post office - there is an option to have items collected although you are then stuck in waiting. You can also use a delivery office which might be closer (and more likely to be open earlier).

 

On which note, I need to pack and get  off to mine!

[hayfield]

 

I try and not get annoyed these days by what others do, infact quite often these false claims make me smile

 

Had a good chuckle the last week, it was an old style (small cardboard boxed) GEM tank loco, as usual new old stock !!

 

Nothing perhaps wrong with this except the body was half built !!!

 

Why should I get annoyed when someone makes a total fool of themselves with a totally inaccurate description, other than it clearly breaks the law of miss description of goods, In my opinion its eBay who should be prosecuted under the trades description act, especially if its caused by or inconjuction with their AI system

Edited May 14 by hayfield

[Bucoops]

Could you imagine - 3 counts of false representation with a further 23 million taken into account?

[cessna152towser]

On 24/04/2024 at 00:34, Colin_McLeod said:

If he can't pay now he really shouldn't have purchased,but then you did agree to wait and you're stuck with that.   I hope you won't  be posting the item until you get paid 

 

He may be waiting to see if he can get the same item cheaper elsewhere but let's hope that is not the case.

 

Lesson learnt I'm afraid.  Been there myself.

 

So the agreed payment day arrived and I sent the "buyer" a reminder.  No response to this or to a further reminder yesterday giving him till today to pay.    So I have cancelled the sale and will be relisting, as the item has been packed and ready to post for a month now.   People like this "buyer" only spoil it for everyone else, because next time a successful bidder asks for more time to pay I won't be cutting them any slack.  As you said Colin, lesson learned.

[Mark]

23 hours ago, cessna152towser said:

So the agreed payment day arrived and I sent the "buyer" a reminder.  No response to this or to a further reminder yesterday giving him till today to pay.    So I have cancelled the sale and will be relisting, as the item has been packed and ready to post for a month now.   People like this "buyer" only spoil it for everyone else, because next time a successful bidder asks for more time to pay I won't be cutting them any slack.  As you said Colin, lesson learned.

There seems to be an increase in people doing this. One guy recently won two auctions from me and then only paid for one and demanded I forget the other item. I pointed out the rules on EBay about bidding and got the standard tirade of rubbish about it never being a problem before. I cancelled the order then, raised a complaint and blocked him from bidding on anything in future. I have quite a lot of items to sell from my late father and I am not wasting my time with these people. One strike is probably the best strategy.

[hayfield]

9 hours ago, Mark said:

There seems to be an increase in people doing this. One guy recently won two auctions from me and then only paid for one and demanded I forget the other item. I pointed out the rules on EBay about bidding and got the standard tirade of rubbish about it never being a problem before. I cancelled the order then, raised a complaint and blocked him from bidding on anything in future. I have quite a lot of items to sell from my late father and I am not wasting my time with these people. One strike is probably the best strategy.

 

Thankfully I have virtually never had a problem in well over 15 years of selling on eBay. The norm is for the vast majority pay within a few hours of winning. But my interests are in the kit building side of the hobby, not sold any RTR items for years.

 

The biggest issue (if you can call it an issue) is about 40% of buyers not leaving feedback. Not that I want any praise just to be confidant the item has both arrived safely and the buyer is happy. I leave feedback after receiving it, simply if they cannot be bothered why should I. I have tried leaving feedback for all, but it makes no difference. As a buyer I allways leave feedback, if for no other reason to confirm the item has arrived.

 

As for expensive RTR new or collectable items I keep well away  

[2E Sub Shed]

 

12 hours ago, Mark said:

There seems to be an increase in people doing this. One guy recently won two auctions from me and then only paid for one and demanded I forget the other item. I pointed out the rules on EBay about bidding and got the standard tirade of rubbish about it never being a problem before. I cancelled the order then, raised a complaint and blocked him from bidding on anything in future. I have quite a lot of items to sell from my late father and I am not wasting my time with these people. One strike is probably the best strategy.

 

Recently sold a large collection over a period, and had a issue with a buyer, who purchased from several auctions and always paid at the 4 day eBay limit, when everyone else paid within 24 hours,  so I lengthened my dispatch  time so his purchases went in the following weeks trip to the Post Office, 

 

Then he didn't pay for some items,and so blocked him, however he re-appeared with another eBay user ID bidding on items, which was not aware of until a completed auction.

 

Best excuse for wanting to cancel an order was "my girlfriend won't let me buy it", most annoying issue when selling, bids cancelled after 3-4 days, with less than 5 hours to go before auction end  with "wrong amount entered", which I am sure depressed my sale price.

[cessna152towser]

5 hours ago, hayfield said:

The biggest issue (if you can call it an issue) is about 40% of buyers not leaving feedback. Not that I want any praise just to be confidant the item has both arrived safely and the buyer is happy. I leave feedback after receiving it, simply if they cannot be bothered why should I. I have tried leaving feedback for all, but it makes no difference. As a buyer I allways leave feedback, if for no other reason to confirm the item has arrived.

A new one on me this week.  Two days after sale, buyer messaged me "Please leave feedback on my recent purchase".    Normally I wait to check the item has been delivered and then wait a few more days to make sure there are no complaints.   The following day I noticed that the item had indeed been delivered on the day he messaged me, and he had made no complaint, so I left favourable feedback.   Give the guy his due, at least he had the decency to then leave positive feedback for me, which I first noticed when I logged in today.

[John M Upton]

One issue I think is that there is an increasing amount of youngsters, logging on, bidding on things to ridiculous levels then assuming Mummy & Daddy will pick up the bill when they realise their pocket/dinner money will not cover the cost by a country mile.  The buyer then either starts to wriggle out of it when the Bank of Parents refuses to cough up or they just disappear and then resurface with a new user i.d.

 

Look at the Eastleigh works lot's sales of bits of Class 313 last year, parts bid up to eyewatering levels, I am told many were never paid for and they later gave up the sales, probably too much hassle.

 

If there were better parental controls on what youngsters were doing online (yes, I know, that particular horse bolted, came back and was sent to the proverbial glue factory long ago) then there would be less of these issues, as it is, I fear it will only increase.

Edited May 18 by John M Upton

[Mark]

On 18/05/2024 at 11:13, 2E Sub Shed said:

 

 

Recently sold a large collection over a period, and had a issue with a buyer, who purchased from several auctions and always paid at the 4 day eBay limit, when everyone else paid within 24 hours,  so I lengthened my dispatch  time so his purchases went in the following weeks trip to the Post Office, 

 

Then he didn't pay for some items,and so blocked him, however he re-appeared with another eBay user ID bidding on items, which was not aware of until a completed auction.

 

Best excuse for wanting to cancel an order was "my girlfriend won't let me buy it", most annoying issue when selling, bids cancelled after 3-4 days, with less than 5 hours to go before auction end  with "wrong amount entered", which I am sure depressed my sale price.

I don’t mind people cancelling bids if they made a mistake and realise within 24 hours but I do wonder if the activity of bidding high and then cancelling the bid just before the auction is bordering on fraudulent as it drives away other people meaning the cancelling bidder has less competition and can therefore achieve a lower price in the final moments of the auction. I have decided to terminate any item of mine where this happens and then block the bidder and re-list.

 

Mark

[Hal Nail]

A slight diversion but on the topic of cancelling bids, I couldn't work out how to the other day?

 

I'd placed a low opening bid on a used wagon just to remove the "or best offer" than carried on browsing and found an identical listing using the same photos. The seller confirmed there were two but said they are both the same so didnt bother to photo both. I decided to cancel since I didn't know if I was getting the actual one shown but couldn't see anywhere obvious to retract?

 

In the end someone else bid so I didn't bother but curious for future reference  

[Hal Nail]

We all judge peoples actions on our own values and expectations, myself included, but I try to remind myself some people will just have a different perspective.

 

I think feedback is one. Generally I get left feedback on sales but plenty don't. Since I track things, I know when it has been delivered and if I haven't had a complaint within a day or two, I assume it was OK and stop stressing. It doesn't really bother me and similarly though I generally give feedback, I tend to do a load in one go, not necessarily instantly.

 

It see it more as an arms length business deal, not a personal interaction.

 

Very occassionally when buying I don't feedback if i wasnt happy but hadnt really got a legitimate complaint. eg I bought a loco that wasn't as quiet or smooth as my others and paintwork was a bit chipped and worn but there wasn't actually anything untrue in the listing and it was plastered with sold as seen. So athough I wasn't happy, I couldn't really complain - I didn't leave feedback and sold it on. The buyer left feedback instantly to say he was delighted!

 

So we just have different expectations sometimes.

[MrWolf]

I've got a rusty and battered motorcycle frame up for sale as spares or repairs. The description states that it will require the attention of someone skilled in metalworking and there's plenty of pictures of the item showing the amount of work needed.

 

Already there are bids but I just received a message from a potential bidder asking: "If I win, can I pay cash on collection?"

 

I responded with a reply saying that was perfectly fine, but the winning bid is the the price and there will be no haggling on the day.

 

I seriously doubt that I will be hearing from him again.