Beemermark
Veteran
There was a recent thread about beware Chinese buyers on eBay. The seller has sold a lens or camera and ended up with a negotiated amount of money to "fix" the item sold. Evidently a scam. I posted that you should never, ever negotiate a money settlement you should always tell the seller to return the item.
Well today I learned something and I thought I'd post some tips I've learned over the years. (1) If the buyer says it's not as described then it's not as described. No argument buyer wins. Seller pays on shipping costs both ways. (2) If the buyer says it's defective, it's defective. No argument buyer wins. Seller pays on shipping costs both ways. (3) Seller has no protection except due diligence.
In 20 years I've had maybe a dozen bad deals. All buyers. Now I've learned that a lot of buyers once they figure out they can't actually get any cash back won't bother to return the item.
Tonight, even though I won't ship internationally and the as is marked such, a buyer in Europe bought my camera for $249 USD through buy it now. EBay automatically added $65.00 USD for shipping. You see the issue. Seller claims not as described or needs repair and I can give him maybe $100 or face $130 in shipping charges.
Buyer has excellent feedback, around 300 +. 24 in the last 6 months. Buyer has turned on a privacy feature so that I can't see what he bought in the last 6 months. I'm always interested to see if the buyer is someone buying camera gear or expensive stuff. But since eBay allows the buyer to hide this information you can't tell. But I can go look at who is leaving the feedback. My buyer buys from sellers who sell items for under $10.00, interesting.
So he (or she) is probably a very honest person that has decided to dive into rangefinder photography. But I'm not interest in wagering $130 to find out.
Well today I learned something and I thought I'd post some tips I've learned over the years. (1) If the buyer says it's not as described then it's not as described. No argument buyer wins. Seller pays on shipping costs both ways. (2) If the buyer says it's defective, it's defective. No argument buyer wins. Seller pays on shipping costs both ways. (3) Seller has no protection except due diligence.
In 20 years I've had maybe a dozen bad deals. All buyers. Now I've learned that a lot of buyers once they figure out they can't actually get any cash back won't bother to return the item.
Tonight, even though I won't ship internationally and the as is marked such, a buyer in Europe bought my camera for $249 USD through buy it now. EBay automatically added $65.00 USD for shipping. You see the issue. Seller claims not as described or needs repair and I can give him maybe $100 or face $130 in shipping charges.
Buyer has excellent feedback, around 300 +. 24 in the last 6 months. Buyer has turned on a privacy feature so that I can't see what he bought in the last 6 months. I'm always interested to see if the buyer is someone buying camera gear or expensive stuff. But since eBay allows the buyer to hide this information you can't tell. But I can go look at who is leaving the feedback. My buyer buys from sellers who sell items for under $10.00, interesting.
So he (or she) is probably a very honest person that has decided to dive into rangefinder photography. But I'm not interest in wagering $130 to find out.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
So eBay proceeded with international shipping even though you indicated you don't ship internationally? I wonder, did you click to disable international shipping? When I don't want it, I click "No international shipping" and also opt out of the option (whatever they call it) where the item goes to a USA depot that reroutes to the buyer and charges the buyer for the international part.
michaelwj
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I usually don't ship overseas unless I have interacted with them previously - usually here. I've had people buy from overseas on eBay when I specify that I don't ship overseas, and I just cancel the order and move on.
Beemermark
Veteran
Yes, clicked when filling out the form. I think in eBay's defense when it's buy it know the buyer can click and buy it no matter where he's from. I called eBay and they confirmed I clicked the correct box. They also admitted a buyer having "buyer's remorse" will start the return process under that condition. When they find out they have to pay shipping many of them will change it to defective. And eBay will then pass the shipping to the buyer.
I can't ever figure out why someone feels "cheated" on eBay. It's a more generous return policy than Wally World.
michaelwj
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As a buyer, yeah, it's a "full money back including shipping both ways sir is there anything else we can do for you sir" kind of thing. No recourse for the seller. I only use eBay as a last resort or when buying small items theses days - it's not worth the hassle to sell big ticket items.