Did I Get Hosed on Ebay???

leo

leo

Well-known member
Recently there was a post regarding Model A parts being sold to nefarious individuals who would then claim the part arrived damaged and return a damaged substitute part to the seller for a refund. I recently sold a baseball bobble-head (don't laugh) to someone who then claimed it arrived to them with both arms broken. It was shipped in it's original box with styrofoam packing within another box. Of course the buyer wanted a refund which I gave him and said no need to return the damaged item as the postage would be more of an expense on an already lost cause. Now I'm wondering if this was all a scam and if so how can you protect yourself from this type of theft in the future? Would buying postal/shipper insurance protect you from this?
 
I have had a couple of problems recently with items I bought and the seller requested pictures before returning or refunding money. I sent pictures but also asked why he needed them and he said he had been ripped off by a couple of buyers and now was requesting pictures of the damage.
 
Whenever I receive damaged stuff, parts from vendors, I take pictures and call and email to them instantly. Usually poorly packed with too many heavy parts. Steve at Bert's is the best packer of them all.
 
PayPal has become a big problem.Now it's tied into EBAY and Facebook somehow. People will complain and the seller automatically has the funds deducted, even though he may not be at fault. I am hesitant to use it for incoming funds.
 
Sold a guy a late 60's radio on ebay. I sold it used as is. He comes back to me to tell me it needed capacitors and wanted half the money back so he could get it fixed.

The guy had bought a few other collector radios and by the way he worded his comments he knew the radio needed the caps. I think he bought radios and complained as his business model.

FWIW, he got now where with me and went away after a carefully worded letter letting him know I knew what he was doing and would tell ebay.

You have to know your rights and word your listings properly. I have not done any ebay selling since they put in all these extra buyer protections.
 
Postal insurance is a joke..........just try collecting on it sometime.

Use the same money to buy a can of spray foam, then put the part in a couple of plastic bags, and pack cardboard and spray foam around it.

I bought a pair of 1950 Studebaker Land Cruiser bumper guards on ebay a couple weeks ago for $50. The seller listed them as NOS with some rust from storage. I expected some rust on the backside, where they don't plate well, but I didn't expect rust and deep scratches from them being used on a car and run up on cement.

I told him I'd keep them if he refunded $30, or I'd want to return them for a full refund including return shipping. He refunded $30, but still insists they are NOS.
 
I sell on ebay and most of the time everything goes well. Over many years I have had some international buyers that said they didn't receive the item . Now I use the ebay global shipping program and have not had one complaint. When buying on ebay I check the photos very careful. If the photos don't show the item as it shoud I will ask for more photos. If the seller seems to on purpose turn the item in there photo or do not show the important side then I pass. Norm
 
figment said:
I sell on ebay and most of the time everything goes well. Over many years I have had some international buyers that said they didn't receive the item . Now I use the ebay global shipping program and have not had one complaint. When buying on ebay I check the photos very careful. If the photos don't show the item as it shoud I will ask for more photos. If the seller seems to on purpose turn the item in there photo or do not show the important side then I pass. Norm
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agreed, its much easier to not even get involved in a deal if the product isnt as described or the seller not willing to send more pics.
 
Here's the pictures of the supposed NOS bumper guards I mentioned in reply #9. Also one of them had an odd mixed set of flat washers about 1/2" thick and a nut on it.
 

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Ive had about 600 transactions through ebay since the late 1990s. Ive been very fortunate to have only been ripped off a few times and then they were little money. EBay has helped me find stuff all around the world I likely would have never found. Likewise it has connected me with buyers that have paid a premium for my usually top notch parts and collectibles. Yes the fees have gone up so I use it less these days. Here's some tips:
1. Only put higher end things on eBay. Sell less expensive items locally or at swap meets.
2. On heavier items list the item that postage will be calculated after the sale. This keeps eBay from getting a percentage of the shipping costs. I've had many items shipped to Europe where the shipping cost more than the item sale price, so the savings can be significant.
3. Accept PayPal but add the expected fees into your eBay price. If the item is desirable it will bring the money.
4. Only deal with users with good feedback ratings. I check for negative feedback before clicking to bid or buy.
5. Lastly is that Karma will usually get you. I have a buddy who regularly scours u pull it junk yards for remain alternatives and other parts that he returns to parts stores as warranty returns. His return rate is so high he often is put on restrictions. He began legitimately selling instrument. Clusters on eBay and getting shafted by buyers returning their defective clusters to him and getting a refund. I'd say this happens 25% of the time. I just laughed and told him what goes around comes around

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3 ways.

Only buy on Ebay.

Never accept paypal.

Sell elesewhere other than Ebay.

well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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