Wanted: eBay stories.

[valis2]

The good, the bad, the ugly. Bring it on.

I just realized, you see, that I've never purchased a single item on eBay, and I'm wondering if I'm packaging things correctly, or doing things that most eBay sellers do. I've pretty much just muddled through, and invented rules as I went along. It could be that I'm doing this whole thing backward, for all I know. I'd really like to see this from a buyer's perspective.

So tell me what you like in an eBay seller. What do you expect? What do you dislike?

Comments

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

No over-inflated shipping, clear descriptions, someone who takes something besides Paypal (as I won't use Paypal) whether it be a credit card, money order or personal check. Good communication is a must - I recently bought two items from two different sellers, have mailed payment and haven't heard a peep from either of them. Both payments should have reached them by now and I've heard nothing. Granted, they will want to wait for the checks to clear, but at least let me know the payment reached you.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

What do you think would be a fair shipping charge for a relatively light item, but one that can't be shipped in an envelope?

Hmm...unfortunately for me, Paypal is really something I like to use, and I've been very leery about money orders.

Hey, does this mean you've been using credit cards to pay for things, but not through Paypal? How does that work? Is it still through a system in eBay, or is it a separate thing? PLEASE let me know, because I actually can accept credit cards in RL, but hadn't tried through eBay because I just figured people wouldn't trust it.

I'm definitely going to start emailing people after I've shipped items.

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

I would think several dollars would be sufficient shipping, wouldn't it? I just hate when I want to buy a book or something and I can get a good deal on the book, but the shipping is like $4.50. I've shipped books to friends and only paid a couple dollars. Hell, I shipped a big hardcover book to a friend in New Zealand and only paid around $12 to get it there.
My problem with Paypal is that I cannot access my account with them, they are rejecting my password, and I don't feel like jumping through hoops to try and rectify things with them over the couple dollars that is in there.
I have definitely used my credit card to pay for items on Ebay. I don't think it was 'through' Ebay, it was a person or store that was set up to take credit cards. I **really** like those sellers, because they get payment fast without me using Paypal, and I get to pay right away, rather than mailing something.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Shipping is a double-edged sword. It's what makes me the most miserable out of everything in eBay (well, that and the crazy people). Seriously, I hate calculating shipping.

I sold about fifty books one at a time, and I charged $2 per book for shipping, and just about lost my shirt. I really can never seem to get the shipping right. Usually I'm too low, but then sometimes I go the other way and overcharge, and then I have to go through the hassle of sending a refund.

Wait...are you saying it was an eBay Store? Or just that the seller was a store?

I'm always leery of taking credit cards, because I think people won't trust enough to bother, but now you're making me reconsider. There are a lot of other people who hate Paypal, too, and I know I'm making it more difficult on myself by only limiting to Paypal.

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

I don't think they were stores, I think they were just high volume sellers who were set up to take credit cards. I suppose there is probably a way for me to go back and check through my account on how I paid on stuff in the past. I would rather do the credit card, personally, if something ever went wrong, I could just challenge it through the credit card company.
There are whole websites dedicated to Paypal-hatred, and I'm with them. I've never been ripped off by Paypal, but they *have* been holding on to the few bucks in that account for the last three years. When I look at items, if the seller is Paypal only, I close the window and don't bother reading any further. I'd think there are other people who feel the same way, but I could be wrong.

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

I checked one of the sellers I've used before and they take "Paypal, money order, AMEX, MC, Visa and Discover". And they're not a store, just a high volume seller.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I do accept credit cards in real life, and I always wanted to on eBay, but I was always afraid to. I just don't know how to handle it so that there's no danger of the customer's information getting into the wrong hands.

Money orders, though, piss me off royally. A lot of people will contact you, purchase the item, and then wait ages to send you the MO. I just hate keeping track of those accounts, which is why I don't advertise that I accept MOs.

I'll have to look into options on eBay to see if this is something I can hook up with.

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

That's why I'm always quick with my money orders. I know it's inconvenient for the seller, so I always get them out the next morning.
And both of the things I bought had the money orders sent out the next morning, that's why I'm a little frustrated right now that I haven't heard from those two sellers. One money order went out on 11/8, and one on 11/13. Both have had enough time to get where they were going, and I'd like to hear that the sellers have received them and will ship soon.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that I understand. Thank you so much for all the info! It really helps.

The only thing I could find on eBay about processing your own credit cards is that you either have to have them email you their information (in two separate emails to guard against difficulties), or you have to set up an external checkout, i.e., they have to go to your website and have it processed there.

I'm still trying to decide what to do, but it does help hearing that some people are turned off by Paypal.

[(Anonymous)]

you have to set up an external checkout,

Yes! That's right, now I remember, you click the button on the item page after you've won and it took you to a separate site and processed the credit card.

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

Duh. That was me.

[harry-crazy.livejournal.com]

when you are using the shipping calculator for books--remember to offer MEDIA MAIL. it's slower, but cheaper!!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I won't be making that mistake again! MM is the way to go for books, you're absolutely correct.

Hey, are you going to PR? I'm signed up for it, can't wait!

[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

That paypal password thing happened to me a while back, then suddenly started working again for no apparent reason and hasn't given me any trouble since. I have no idea what went on. I KNEW I had the right password all along!

I like half.com's method of shipping, books anyway, they basically slap on a flat fee-usually media mail but you can choose to "upgrade". They figure it out for you. It allows the seller a little extra for materials, for instance when I sell books I always send them in a nice new clean bubble padded envelope. I get them in packs of 10 but they cost a dollar or so each at least.

I also like that half.com notifies your buyer when you "mark as shipped" so you don't have to do that too.

I hate the ebay method--it's completely user unfriendly at both the buying and selling end. As far as I'm concerned everyone loses the way they've got their shipping stuff set up.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

EBay is totally unfriendly. I couldn't agree more. Until I finally started using Turbo Lister I used to have to go through FIVE SCREENS for each listing. Even Turbo Lister is not very intuitive, honestly.

I usually use a flat fee (as you already know), but sometimes it backfires.

[cactus-wren.livejournal.com]

I'll have to look at half.com for books, thanks for the info!

[harry-crazy.livejournal.com]

OMG!! Can't stand sellers who won't take paypal!! Paypal means I'm covered, it means the payment arrived right away--I can even check my account for sure...it's the only way! I steer away from sellers who want checks of any kind. It's just another hassle, to get it together, go to the post, blah, blah. Paypal is great. They even cover me if there's a problem Paypal is great, can't say enough about it. I am a "HUGE" buyer and this is how I've done it for the last 5-or-so years.

As far as accepting money orders--it's safer for you as a seller to take these than personal checks! You must wait for PCs to clear, etc, but money orders or cashiers checks clear instantly!