Basic advice when selling via Ebay and a warning.

[Trev]

For those of you that run real businesses, how does eBay compare to merchant accounts, credit card processing fees, rent, insurance, taxes, etc? Despite the buyer-friendly policies (gee whiz, consumer protection, imagine that), it's still less spendy than a "real" business. I suspect their dispute process isn't that different from a credit card charge back process.

[motrucker]

I've been selling on eBay for about two and half years, with 100% pos. feedback.  So far I have had a couple of disputes that were decided in my favor (knock on wood).
These days I will not ship to Spain, Italy, or Portugal unless it's EMSI - That may kill a few sales, but several Italian customers prefer it - with its tracking, insurance, and delivery in a few days (depending on their customs).
A list of good vs bad sellers will prove a huge task I think. And, if you check a sellers feedback list (all feedback) on eBay, you can tell if they are safe to deal with.

[Tension]

And by the way, always place a restriction so that no one with 5 positives or less can bid, otherwise you will get scammed.  Fake PayPal emails and everything.  What a nightmare

[VingtTrois]

Yep,
Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Germany...I think all European countries are "problematic" but not "systematic" very much happily for us all.  :-)
These are only sometimes numerous and punctual problems, but you cannot generalize.

Your experience and a lot of others are well documented here on the site. Some problematic countries like Spain, Italy, France and Portugal have been repeatedly mentioned. To complain 2 days after you posted it? What a crock. Sounds like a total scammer to me. On other video game and computer group sites we have a known 'GOOD' and known 'BAD' sellers & buyers lists. Maybe one could be started here?

[save2600]

A list of good vs bad sellers will prove a huge task I think. And, if you check a sellers feedback list (all feedback) on eBay, you can tell if they are safe to deal with.

Not at all. You create a new forum called 'User Feedback' in the Marketplace and for each user name (ePay, here, elsewhere), you'd start a new topic. When you want to add a positive or negative comment you simply check to see if their user name is already on the list. If it is, click on the link and 'reply' to it with your $.02. If not, start a new one and flame on or report positively!

[motrucker]

Not at all. You create a new forum called 'User Feedback' in the Marketplace and for each user name (ePay, here, elsewhere), you'd start a new topic. When you want to add a positive or negative comment you simply check to see if their user name is already on the list. If it is, click on the link and 'reply' to it with your $.02. If not, start a new one and flame on or report positively!

I guess you're right. But I still think the eBay feedback profile will prove very telling about a sellers habits, and it's already there.
I would encourage any/every potential buyer to check my eBay profile.

[Amiga_Nut]

Well here in the UK the stupid government saw no problem with ebay UK taking over the superior Yahoo Auctions UK around the turn  of the century.

And surprise surprise Yahoo auctions was shut down for good within weeks and there is no competition ever since.

There are also some loopholes in the VERO program that mean other people who have no legal claim to do so can have your account banned for good, all because

1. ebay are too dumb.
2. ebay are too chicken to challenge something serious.

As for sending stuff abroad, well I won't post anything worth double figures outside my own country any more.

[gazgod]

@gazgod

First off, I am sorry to hear about your brother :-(

Unfortunately, you will simply get a boiler-plate automated response. If you respond to that, you will likely get a secondary boiler-plate automated response. If you respond to the 2nd being very clear you demand to hear from a human being, you may get a response but it is unlikely they will bend.

Thanks Red, it was over a year ago but its difficult to handle when someone dies with no warning at 41.

I expected an automated response, but actually received an email saying the listing were removed in error and I'm free to relist, They have also contacted all bidders to state it was there error and that the item will be relisted!!

I must say that better than I expected.

Gaz

[Lando]

Well here in the UK the stupid government saw no problem with ebay UK taking over the superior Yahoo Auctions UK around the turn  of the century.

And surprise surprise Yahoo auctions was shut down for good within weeks and there is no competition ever since.

uk.ebid.net

[AndyFC]

Just want to let you know about a happy ending to this - I got a cheque from Royal Mail yesterday for the full amount I lost after I put in a claim. May be worth you doing the local equivalent if ever anything is ever reported lost in transit.