Deadbeat bidders? Wondering how to get the most $$$ for your auction? Wary about bidding on a certain item? Wondering how to find the lowest prices on eBay? Are you sure you're protected through eBay/Paypal for selling or buying?

Ask you questions here. We'll do our best to answer.

9/12/2006 2:39:44 PM

is "wary" an alternate spelling of "worry"?

[Edited on September 12, 2006 at 2:56 PM. Reason : tehe]

9/12/2006 2:55:51 PM

are you some sort of idiot?

9/12/2006 2:59:21 PM

this thread is alread a winner

[Edited on September 12, 2006 at 3:13 PM. Reason : but ill actively participate as a semi-active ebay member]

9/12/2006 3:13:11 PM

is there a reason this thread was created now or just because in the future someone might have something to post here but forget/never know it exists and post a new thread?

9/12/2006 5:19:07 PM

I'll ignore the rhetorical nature of your question for a minute...

it was prompted by this thread http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=430854&page=2#9286830

I've also seen too many people either get ripped off (buying and selling) and figured this might be a good resource for people.

9/13/2006 11:14:38 AM

ok, I'll start things off.


Let's say I'm selling something that is worth $500, but to be clever (and save fees) I make it Buy it now of $5, and S/H $495.

now I already know that eBay will pull the listing if they catch it. Let's assume they don't and the item sells.

I get paid my $500 and everything is well + good. Until the seller initiates a chargeback. Am I covered under the Paypal Seller Protection policy? Will they only cover $5 (since that's technically what the item sold for)?

9/13/2006 11:58:09 AM

how is that clever.. the buy sees the total before they pay...

9/13/2006 12:54:20 PM

I've got a question or rather just looking for thoughts.

Here is the e-mail I wrote to the seller (which should describe my situation quickest):

Quote :

"I purchased the LG LRM-519 (eBay item number 330021383744, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&item=330021383744&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1 ) from you less than 2 weeks ago. I received that item today. The box looked ragged and torn. I had high hopes opening the box only to find that the unit rattled when I picked it up. I then flipped it over and found a couple of the padded legs are missing. The fan on the back also has a refurbished label. I then go to follow the instructions to see if it even works. The remote already has batteries in it. I go to plug it in to see if it works only to find that the power cord doesn’t even fit the model. This product was marketed as BRAND NEW. This is FAR from brand new. I don’t know what kind of scams your company runs, but I would like a brand new unit immediately. I had so many problems with your shipping as well that I would like the item shipped overnight to replace this faulty unit that was deceivingly sent to me. After getting annoyed at Fed Ex for the past couple days trying to get the package that they would not deliver, they told me you can file a claim and receive the money back that you paid for shipping for the product (since it did not get here on the day that they said it would, twice). I will call your company tomorrow morning as well, as the past 3-4 e-mails I sent concerning a tracking number initially (which I had to call for as well) were never responded to. Attached are pictures of the unit I received."

I filed a paypal dispute and escalated it to a claim after talking to them and them telling me "NO REFUNDS"

9/13/2006 1:03:15 PM

^Good job.

I would also travel to wherever the item was shipped from (as long as it was in the US) and have some words if I was no satisfied... but that's just me.

9/13/2006 1:08:15 PM

they're in buffalo, NY... but thought about it

9/13/2006 1:09:35 PM

mildew said:

Quote :

"how is that clever.. the buy sees the total before they pay..."

maybe you didn't read the very next couple words in my posts, but here they are again, in caps this time:


to SAVE FEES

9/13/2006 2:42:52 PM

ebay will shut that shit down, especially after all of us report your ass. So, your question is moot.

9/13/2006 2:49:38 PM

Quote :

"Let's say I'm selling something that is worth $500, but to be clever (and save fees) I make it Buy it now of $5, and S/H $495."

I wouldn't even consider doing that since you'll probably end up getting negative feedback (assuming you make it past eaby's radar). Sure the buyer SHOULD see that theres a $495 shipping charge, but often they won't and they'll complain about being scammed. I've seen it in other sellers feedback before. If you don't want the negative, don't try it.

Quote :

"I've got a question or rather just looking for thoughts. Here is the e-mail I wrote to the seller(which should describe my situation quickest):"

First off the seller has a feedback of 96.8% While that sounds high, its not...and its enough to make me wary. The recent negatives in his feedback would mean i probably wouldnt buy from him.

But, they did advertise a Brand New product sealed in the factory box, which you did not receive.
You deserve a full refund. Keep us updated on how the situation develops with ebay/paypal. See if theres an ebay claim you can file too. Did the money for the sale come from a credit card or your bank account? You may be able to get it back from the credit card company (though that sounds kinda doubtful for an ebay transaction).

9/13/2006 3:18:42 PM

^it was from a credit card... I thought about that as well, but I am going to see how paypal resolves first

They were telling me on the phone they don't take back "Untested" items, NO EXCEPTIONS. It does say that in their fine print. BUT, it also says brand new which isn't even correct, so we'll see how this works out. I wish there was a way to take this company down just to keep other people from going through the same thing (which it seems others have already).

9/13/2006 3:22:44 PM

irregardless of their return policy if they sold you something as "new" and it wasnt then that is false advertisment, you should get you money back.

my question is since im too lazy to look
what is the criteria to be covered under paypal protection
cause ive had 2 chargebacks already
and one is a laptop that got delivered to durham
paypal gave the card holder back their money but
the police are investigating it as we speak

9/13/2006 3:27:18 PM

its right on their site. i know for buyer protection the seller needs 50+ feedback with 98%+ rating and the item must be a tangible good (obviously).

id imagine it is similar the other way around and the buyer probably cant have negative feedback.

9/13/2006 4:00:22 PM

Quote :

"and one is a laptop that got delivered to durham paypal gave the card holder back their money but the police are investigating it as we speak"

Good luck with that, but I doubt you'll get any $$$ back.

For anyone who wants to sell on ebay, heed the following:

Read, understand, and follow the sellers protection policy when selling items over $50-$100 (set your own threshold, it can vary based on the buyer too). If you don't follow the seller protection policy you will not be protected when someone scams you with a stolen credit card number etc. The policy mainly involves shipping to confirmed addresses only and getting signatures on items over $250...but read it in its entirety below.

http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_spp-outside

Of course this sellers protection policy only applies to payments received thru paypal (which you should accept if you expect to receive the highest bids and happiest customers). If you get a cashiers check, money order or cash then obviously you don't have to worry about all that fine print.

[Edited on September 13, 2006 at 4:30 PM. Reason : ]

9/13/2006 4:28:05 PM

you always have to get delivery conf too.

[Edited on September 13, 2006 at 4:29 PM. Reason : or some type of tracking depending where you ship it]

9/13/2006 4:29:16 PM

Quote :

"but to be clever (and save fees)"

You're right I missed it... but technically you're saying you want to be clever with the price AND save on fees...which could be interpreted in the which I did...

But yeah... i gotcha now

That won't work btw

9/13/2006 5:34:32 PM

i wish the feedback system was more strict. im always tempted to buy someone and then report them for excessive shipping. too bad they are all individual sellers and not companies or else you actually could have some remedy. as of now all you'd end up with is a pissed off guy and a negative feedback.

9/13/2006 5:36:54 PM

^ you see the shipping charges when you make the purchase, don't you?

if you're not happy, move on.


but you do raise a good point: the feedback system is broken. You can't really speak out, for fear of retaliatory feedback.


mildew: it WILL work, cuz I've done it. Which is why I'm wondering if the full amount would've been covered by Seller Protection Policy.


One piece of advice for everyone (i've been burned w/this): IF THE ITEM YOU'RE SHIPPING IS OVER $250, YOU MUST GET SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION TO BE COVERED.

9/14/2006 8:59:26 AM

Quote :

"^ you see the shipping charges when you make the purchase, don't you? if you're not happy, move on."

did you see this?

Quote :

"I wouldn't even consider doing that since you'll probably end up getting negative feedback (assuming you make it past eaby's radar). Sure the buyer SHOULD see that theres a $495 shipping charge, but often they won't and they'll complain about being scammed. I've seen it in other sellers feedback before. If you don't want the negative, don't try it."

It might work a few times for you, but eventually you will get hit with a negative feedback which will cause your selling prices to fall through the floor.

9/14/2006 12:03:36 PM

right, I'm not arguing that it WOULDN'T happen.

I'm just asking cyrion a question. I mean, it just doesn't seem right to bid on an item (therefore accepting all the terms of the auction), and then go back and complain about it. If you aren't comfortable paying inflated shipping, don't buy from that seller.

9/14/2006 1:34:15 PM

i was using froogle to see how much a new laptop batter(1g222) would be

the cheapest one was about 60 bucks and had a 2 as the seller rating(only had 1 rating though)

i checked ebay and i can get them for like 46.85(supposedly "new")

i've seen some for over 130 dollars, and obviously i could probably get one for cheaper than that...what do you suggest as a decent after everything price on that(after everything=price +shipping)

i mean can i go the 60 dollar route, or should i budget maybe 75-90?

thanks

[Edited on September 16, 2006 at 4:42 PM. Reason : also, are generic brands ok or do they suck?]

9/16/2006 4:28:07 PM

Quote :

"I'm just asking cyrion a question. I mean, it just doesn't seem right to bid on an item (therefore accepting all the terms of the auction), and then go back and complain about it. If you aren't comfortable paying inflated shipping, don't buy from that seller."

i said id do it if the person was a big seller and the feedback system didnt suck. i dont have a problem with leveraging policy against them when they are abusing the system themselves to get relatively free advertising.

9/16/2006 5:17:39 PM

^^ what laptop is the battery for? Do not get generic, get the real deal.

9/18/2006 11:26:35 AM

here's a question for ya:

i ordered 2 textbooks through half.com (ebay's site) and never received them. i can't leave negative feedback b/c the sellers aren't registered sellers on ebay anymore...i can't file a claim online? what should i do?

my credit card company will refund the money and what not but i have to wait another week before i can do that (had to wait 31 days)...but i want some sort of retribution online as well

9/18/2006 11:45:53 AM

^ how long ago did you order them? you need to login into your half.com account, and file a claim on each transaction.

go to half.com, click on the my account link, login, click the purchases link, then file a claim on each transaction using the drop down.

9/18/2006 1:29:45 PM

i know if they arent a registered seller any longer there isnt much they can do (before they could suspend their account or get negative feedback).

in an ebay transaction it is a red-flag and should get you to file a paypal (and ebay if possible) claim immediately.

the only thing i think you can really do is the credit card transaction reversal.

9/18/2006 3:22:16 PM

is there any way to get paypal to default to paying with my credit card instead of bank account?

9/20/2006 7:11:26 AM

i keep trying to file a claim, but when i click on it, it doesn't let me.

9/20/2006 7:28:36 AM

Quote :

"is there any way to get paypal to default to paying with my credit card instead of bank account?"

Yep, when you make the payment there should be a link that says "more funding options" by the payment source information. Sometimes its also a drop-down on the actual page that lets you select different sources.

Quote :

"i keep trying to file a claim, but when i click on it, it doesn't let me."

For things shipped through media mail (textbooks, cds, dvds etc) they won't let you file a claim until something like a month after the transaction took place to allow time for slow shipping. how long has it been since you purchased it?

9/25/2006 3:11:21 PM

Quote :

"what laptop is the battery for? Do not get generic, get the real deal."

sorry, i didnt see your post on that

my laptop is a dell inspiron 2650, 1.7 ghz pentium 4-m with 384 mb of ram(thats the most i can get, i cant get the original 128 out to put in 2 different 256mb chips)

the battery literally stays charged for under 5 minutes, so i constantly have to plug it in somewhere

from what i hear the battery is 1g222, i guess i just was wondering what you think a decent price range is for a new one of that product.

9/25/2006 3:15:51 PM

Quote :

"thats the most i can get, i cant get the original 128 out to put in 2 different 256mb chips"

sure you can, take off the keyboard and its right there.

google for the inspiron 2650 service manual to see how to it...should be a 5 minute job.

9/25/2006 8:31:39 PM

got my money back, thanks paypal

9/25/2006 9:14:23 PM

^^if i buy the chip would you install it for 20?

thats 240/hr

9/26/2006 3:06:43 PM

25 and you got a deal

i dont work for any less than $300 per hour

9/26/2006 11:24:18 PM

oops...just saw this again

ok, i'm gonna buy the ram and then i'll let you know

just curious though...is there a certain ram thats better?

like i know there is some kinda latency thing, and i had a friend tell me like 2-1-2 or something like that(i cant remember which one he said was best)

the type i need is PC2100 DDR SDRAM

9/30/2006 1:12:20 PM

^ don't worry about that, just get pc2100

9/30/2006 1:16:28 PM

aight...i'm actually getting 2 of the 512mb chips so i can have a gb

i'll bump this thread when i actually get them and i'd pay you 25 to get them

9/30/2006 2:11:01 PM

Alright...I had an auction that ended one month ago and still no payment. The payment details said payment must be made within one week.

Over a week after the auction ended the guy responded to my invoice saying that he would mail the check the next day. He claims to have sent it, but I haven't received anything.

I sent him an e-mail today saying that I would have to re-list the item if I don't receive payment in a week. Does this sound fair? One week from today is over 5 weeks from when the auction ended and, quite frankly, I think I'll make more money by listing it again.

10/2/2006 4:04:00 PM

^ do you know take paypal? that usually avoids these kinds of things.

i would file a unpaid-item dispute to get your listing fees back.

10/2/2006 4:10:20 PM

I prefer Paypal, but I don't require it. This is the first time in over a year that anyone has sent a check.

The last person took almost three weeks to put the check in the mail, so I'm thinking about taking Paypal only from now on.

10/2/2006 4:13:15 PM

ebay has specific policies on when you can relist. i found that odd initially since so many peopel do say "i need payment by X date." i always thought the people requiring checks/money orders within 5 days of the end (particularly when it ends on a saturday) were funny.

[Edited on October 2, 2006 at 4:32 PM. Reason : .]

10/2/2006 4:31:43 PM

My auction said payment must be made within one week, but obviously I'm not a jerk about it if anyone needs more time. I really just put that there to try to weed out or motivate the really slack buyers. I do think 5 weeks is plenty of time.

10/2/2006 4:45:11 PM

http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=436793&page=1

10/4/2006 2:35:30 PM

I bought two micro SD memory cards from a seller. I recieved two cards, but neither are the ones I bid on. One is a different brand card & one is a transflash memory card. Yes, the cards are pretty similar, but still, if I bid on a specific item (as shown in the pic), shouldn't I get that specific item?

I contacted the seller about the transflash card & he basically refuses to do shit. He said if I ship him back the card he'd refund the purchase price. (leaving me short of the S&H from him & to ship it back to him) He's just being a dick about it, so I'm going to report it.

Thoughts?

10/10/2006 2:24:01 PM

we'd have to see the specific auction text to rule on it. it is definately harder to get ebay/paypal to do something if you actually receive a product.

10/10/2006 3:06:33 PM

alright, here's a legit question for ya:


What about all these people selling their PS3 pre-orders on eBay? Will they be covered, or not by the Seller Protection Policy. It says you have to ship w/in a reasonable amount of time (7 days I think). Obviously it'll be around 30 days before the PS3s ship....

10/12/2006 7:27:22 PM