Selling on EBay

[Jarhead0331]

Anybody here do it?

I've been using eBay for decades, mostly as a buyer, but on occasion, I've listed some things and sold them. I've managed to maintain 100% positive feedback in hundreds of transactions. Never had any problems until recently.

Lately, I've been listing used books in my personal collection that are duplicates. I have so many that I sometimes buy them again at the local used book store since I forget what I already have. In any event, one really great classic photo book on naval aviation happens to be very valuable. It sells at auction in the $200 - $300 range. The copy I listed was what I think meets eBay's definition of "very good" condition:

A book that does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the cover, with the dust jacket (if applicable) included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins.

Still, it wasn't perfect and I wanted it to move so listed it at a sharp discount and it ended up selling for around $100.

Well, I get a message last night from the buyer complaining that some of the pages have brown spots on them and he provided photos of two pages that has these little brown spots. I honestly did not notice them when thumbed through the book before listing it, but I think they most probably were there at the time of sale because I did notice a little spotting on the outside face of pages opposite the binding when I was packing for shipping. In any event, it's a 40 year old used book sold as in very good condition. Not new, not like new. The cover, jacket and all photos inside the book are pristine.

After very limited back and forth, I offered a 20% refund, which he declined, instead requesting eBay issue a full refund. Here's where I perceive the real problem. eBay accepted his request without any feedback from me, or hearing my side of the argument. The policies, particularly the money back guaranty, are extremely pro-buyer. As a seller, you basically have to accept the return and refund the purchase price if someone claims the product was not as advertised, no question asked. eBay's "claim review" process was automated and virtually instantaneous. So now, for me to dispute the outcome, I have to appeal. Meanwhile, the buyer gets to return the item and a refund is issued from my funds.

I guess it's a lesson learned. I buy a lot of used books on eBay and unless it's a disaster when received, i would never bitch about wear on an obviously used book. Still, I guess I have to be much more careful and detail oriented when listing an item. At the end of the day, it probably isn't worth it. I end up losing money between shipping costs, eBay seller fees, etc. but for the fact I need to free up the space on my shelves and get rid of the clutter, I would keep them all.

In any event, just venting. Thanks.

[ArizonaTank]

I used to sell quite a bit on eBay about 20 years ago, and had a great experience.

I set it aside for about 10 years... 

Last year, after a long absence from eBay, I put up some old 15mm Napoleonic minis that I would never get around to painting/mounting.

The fees eBay charges now...some of them hidden...were shocking.

I did sell my minis, but decided to stay away from eBay until fees get better.

It turns out, I can do just as well, with less hassle selling on Facebook groups such as CONSIM Marketplace, for board wargames for example. Of course, you don't get any protection, and there is no rating system for buyers sellers. But so far, the honor system has worked for me.

Still, I am not certain I would sell something expensive on FB like a PC. I might go to eBay for that.   

[Redwolf]

I used to sell guitar related stuff. Had a bad experience when I couldn't figure out where a Hamer ws made and just put "Asian made" and the buyer got upset that it wasn't the Asian country he perceived from the photos. Conflict dragged over to a web based forum. Quite a mess.

[undercovergeek]

Yup, it's always been pro buyer - I always wondered what would happen if the buyer just outright said it was never received so I always sent signed for delivery - i used to paint minis to sell on eBay but the fees sometimes went crazy but stopped

One thing someone told me was always sell at a level under what you think because you're biased and will always grade it above what you think

Some of the 'pro painted' minis would make you cry laughing

[beauharlan]

I used to sell guitar related stuff. Had a bad experience when I couldn't figure out where a Hamer ws made and just put "Asian made" and the buyer got upset that it wasn't the Asian country he perceived from the photos. Conflict dragged over to a web based forum. Quite a mess.

I sold my guitar. The experience wasn't as bad as yours, but the manufacturing problem also caused me to have to explain a lot to my buyer.

I learned a lot from that sale. A little panicked.