Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Paul R.

When I was a child, ebay was the place to go. I learned how to shop, how to snipe, how to sell, and why to avoid paypal, all before I turned 16.
I rarely drop in on ebay anymore. However, a while back I noticed the trend toward “free” shipping, meaning the shipping is factored in. And here and there I spotted a few outrageously high shipping prices (example, over $200 to ship a ceiling fixture that was BIN at $100); ebay used to frown on dodging fees by hiking the shipping charge. Apparently they no longer care so much.
I still turn to ebay for some obscure books, or for a better idea of the prices on items I see elsewhere.
Amazon is much quicker, and you don’t have to study the shipping terms. Facebook marketplace is even better, shop within driving range and go pick it up. That’s a buyer perspective.
Having sold a thing or two on ebay, I have to say I swore off doing that ever again. Ebay rules had gotten byzantine. They treated sellers abominably. They favored buyers, who treated sellers abominably. (I carefully read the community forums.) Buyers would claim whatever ebay was likely to accept as a reason to pinch the seller for a refund. You agonize over shipping and buyer says it never arrived, or it arrived damaged, or not as described...and they got the item free.
Bottom line, ebay and paypal decide your fate every time. Yes, they get the traffic, but there are other venues now. Unless some other factor means more than having the greatest number of eyes on your merchandise, accept the shortcomings and the often one-size-fits-all approach.
May paypal never freeze your account and may you never be tempted to ship overseas! :)


8 posted on 09/01/2024 9:02:43 PM PDT by Buttons12 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Buttons12

>ebay used to frown on dodging fees by hiking the shipping >charge. Apparently they no longer care so much.

There’s no more of that since years ago Ebay includes shipping charges when they calculate fees.


10 posted on 09/01/2024 10:25:50 PM PDT by Gigantor (Either the United States respects its Constitution, or there is no need for a United States.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: Buttons12

after 26 years on ebay, i am moving to other platforms (amazon, temu). ebay has gotten very sloppy with regards to bad sellers. had one list an item, but when i got it they informed me that it would have a 2 MONTH delay. when deadlines started lapsing, i had to demand a refund. another seller showed a photo of one item, and delivered a much different one. still another reported an item lost in the mail, and failed to resend, or refund. ebay took teh case then after doing nothing, announced that they had closed the case without refund nor item. had to spend two days going back and firth with ebay itself to get refunded. you’d figure that with all that AI
going on, they’d find a way to better police their sellers. they are a shadow of what they once were


12 posted on 09/02/2024 4:58:52 AM PDT by camle (keep and open mind and someone will fill it full of something for you)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: Buttons12

I went through an issue with Ebay where I know the buyer scammed me. No word from buyer that package had not been received until on the day escrow closed I get notified by eBay.the buyer claims they have not received the item,. (I believe The buyer knew the drill— and communication with them had been odd from the start ) I alert Ebay that this is fishy. And strangely enough, the tracking number has vanished from the USPS site. EBay is unresponsive. I immediately froze my bank account while I waited for a response from Bay (I was not going to let them take my money.) To this day, eBay only is interested in getting the funds from me that they paid to their buyer. they seemingly don’t dare question the buyer or take interest in the obvious scam people are pulling off a lot these days.
I will no longer do business there. It’s a land of scammers and customer service is basically non existent.


13 posted on 09/02/2024 5:25:19 AM PDT by Free Louie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: Buttons12

Agree with you 100% but I see a lot of counterfeit items on eBay where with Amazon, returns are no hassle. Very rarely do business on Feebay any longer. I have a Prime account and between my adult children using it, it pays for itself in about two months and I do comparison shop and with s&h costs, rarely does anyone beat Amazon.


21 posted on 09/02/2024 8:33:45 AM PDT by Mean Daddy (Every time Hillary lies, a demon gets its wings. - Windflier)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson