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How difficult is it to set up auctions on eBay?
DaveMMR:
--- Quote from: somunny on August 13, 2007, 12:44:22 am ---
--- Quote from: DaveMMR on August 12, 2007, 10:38:55 am ---I've sold a number of things through eBay and I've [knock on wood] never had a problem with it.
Besides what's already been said, here's some pointers based on what I've come across as both a buyer and a seller:
* Make sure you are description is thorough, but not overly long. A paragraph is good. Stick to talking about the item and don't go off on a tangent.
* Take a couple of good pics. If you know basic HTML, you can upload your pictures to a host (e.g. Photobucket) and link to them in your description without eBay charging you. However, I think eBay allows one free pic and then it's cheap for additional pics.
* Try to start the item at a low price so you'll get more views. And don't panic if you have no bidders for a while, everyone likes to "Bid Snipe".
* For 35 cents, the gallery is a good investment. A picture is added to the search listing and prospective buyers can see at a glance what the item looks like.
* Avoid getting too creative with the fonts. Standard sized text and some occasional bold/larger text for headers is fine, but I've seen auctions where people treat eBay like a Myspace page. And need I say that animated GIFs are a no-no?
* Pre-weigh your package before listing and don't charge more than acceptable for shipping (a buck or two over actual cost is fine for packaging materials). Some people charge ridiculous amounts as a way of "fee-avoidance" (especially when the item is had for much, much cheaper than expected). Some people will balk at this in their feedback and if you get way too greedy, eBay can take disciplinary action.
* Outline your return, payment and shipping policies up front so there's no confusion. If the buyer wants to send a check, hold the item until it clears.
* Be kind and leave feedback as soon as possible. It helps build your rep.
--- End quote ---
I agree with everything except the final bullet. It may be the *right* thing to do, but it isn't the *smart* thing to do. As someone who has sold several hundred items on ebay, I can attest that the possibility of receiving a retaliatory negative is the only thing that has kept an impatient (or just plain A-hole) buyer from leaving me a negative because they think the package should have arrived sooner than it did. Sometimes the Post Office loses track of stuff. It happens! Make sure you have your tracking numbers and keep the buyer posted if such a situation should arise.
The other thing you run into are buyers that simply do not leave feedback. Either they're not on ebay that frequently or they just don't give a hang. I ran across a bidder who had a 60+ rating but had never left a single feedback in return. IMO, these people have no business being on ebay. Not much you can do about 'em though.
--- End quote ---
I actually do agree with you. I simplified it because I was in a hurry and also because I was being optimistic. But yeah, I'll say that, to be safe, you don't leave positive feedback until you receive positive feedback (leave a note in your description saying that's your policy).
I'll add that I don't follow that rule religiously, however, since I'm not a "power" seller and most, if not all, of the buyers I have dealt with have been honest. I'm sure that if and when I get burned, I'll change my rules. However, I usually leave them once payment clears if a buyer has a pretty good track record.
Don't let feedback keep you up at night though, RTSDaddy. You can leave an explanation. I've seen some negatives that have "explanations" I was satisfied with when I see that the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Most buyers and sellers (at least the ones you'd want to deal with) know the difference between a legitimate complaint and someone who's just being a jerk. If you find yourself in this position, the main thing to do is relax and write your side of the story in proper English with facts.
--- Quote from: hypernova on August 13, 2007, 06:00:21 pm ---Quite frankly, I wish they'd starting hitting the sellers who charge exhorbitant shipping fees to bypass the regular fees.
--- End quote ---
I agree. There's nothing wrong with the fees (they are quite fair, IMO). But people who make their money in shipping fees are actually ruining for those who play by the rules because eBay can and will raise rates to compensate. They can't catch everyone.
Havok:
--- Quote from: hypernova on August 13, 2007, 06:00:21 pm ---That portion of the sale is NOT done. I do the same exact thing. I'll explain why furthur down. When I sell things, I will never leave a buyer feedback until I've gotten it first.
--- End quote ---
So you're one of the punks!
;D
It is done from your side, your reasoning seems to be because you got burned by a moron. So, with your system, how would that situation have changed? Lost on the chance for retalitory feedback, which isn't valid anyways? You will still have a negative on your account. It's easy to start a new account if you are a buyer. Did you really hurt him with a retalitory feedback? I think not... If you really want to tell the world what a bonehead he is, you can still leave a reply to your original feedback...
--- Quote ---Moral of the story? The transaction's NEVER over until the buyer receives the item, and gave you feedback. That way you KNOW that they fully understood the auction and its terms.
--- End quote ---
The bid is the contract, and it is fulfilled with payment. Done. Once you receive payment and ship the item, your part of the contract is fulfilled. Done. Time to leave feedback.
--- Quote ---I'll be damned before I start giving positive feedback to an incompetent, illiterate buyer who can't read 100 words of text and comprehend it correctly.
--- End quote ---
For this reason, among others, I don't sell to anyone outside the US...
Note to self: when buying from Hypernova, don't leave feedback...
:cheers:
missioncontrol:
note to self... don't buy from Hypernova
sorry dude, but I feel once the buyer sends you the money the buyer did their part. The feedback is to let people know the buyer pays for items he promises to buy. Once the buyer receives their item then they leave feedback stating the item was sent and as described. If you got burnt by a bad buyer who couldn't read your description then you shouldn't penalize all buyers.
I have bought many things through ebay, but less than half the sellers bothered giving me feedback. Those who haven't, I leave no feedback for and DO NOT buy items from them again. If I know a seller won't follow the proper feedback procedures, I won't buy from them either.
Samstag:
Immediate payment is no guarantee the seller isn't going to get screwed out of his money. When you use a credit card to pay, a buyer can cancel the payment after receiving the item. I hear enough horror stories about this happening that I avoid selling on Ebay and can totally understand when a seller doesn't leave feedback for me until after I've left feedback.
Feedback isn't very important to me. I don't have much (around 125 maybe), but it's plenty to show I'm a trustworty buyer or seller. A seller with 10,000 points is no better than one with 20 in my book. Before I decide to buy from a seller I'm only concerned with the text in the feedback, not the numbers.
missioncontrol:
A++++++ awesome post will read again
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