on 20-12-2014 09:54 PM
Today was the final straw. I received four chargebacks from an overseas buyer, for transactions dating back to October. Buyer left positive feedback and is claiming unauthorised transactions.
It's funny because the buyer has been a member of eBay for a VERY long time, buys VERY specific items in one category (mine), and today, filed these chargebacks and promptly changed their username to a phrase that reflects a popular character in my category. What I'm saying is, it's evidently the same person, or else it's a massive, massive coincidence that the "unauthorised" person buys exactly the same items in exactly the same category. They also leave the exact same feedback with the exact same wording.
Despite all of this, I will still lose the case.
They bought four items, and paid for each separately. Of course, I couldn't refund their payments and re-invoice, because I'd receive a defect for refunding their payments.
So I went ahead and posted all four of their items, using large letter (the items are only worth between $3 and $6 . . . so it was not worth it to post using registered/pack and track). So I can't prove postage, and because they paid for each item separately that means they were able to file not one but four chargebacks (and I will have to pay the $15 chargeback fee four times. $60 fee on four items that amounted to less than $20. Joy).
Merry Christmas to me?
I realise that this happens with domestic transactions too, but the postage cost is far less prohibitive and therefore it can be sent with tracking without it being too expensive. That isn't the case with international postage/buyers.
on 20-12-2014 10:14 PM
Ebay is getting to be a very risky place for international sellers. The ridiculous OS postage costs, FVF on top of that and the new crazy return policies mean you have to have nerves of steel to sell OS now. I regularly sell $40 items overseas with $80 to $90 postage cost on top. Its not doing my nerves any good, but I need the international sales to keep my figures looking respectable. Like many others have said, Ebay is just not fun anymore.
on 20-12-2014 10:43 PM
on 20-12-2014 10:46 PM
on 21-12-2014 03:15 AM
on 21-12-2014 06:59 AM
on 21-12-2014 07:12 AM
on 21-12-2014 08:01 AM
I havent posted overseas since they added fvf to postage. Just too expensive and now too risky and I wonder how legal if you have all the evidence of postage is this 15.00 charge, I would certainly go to the ACCC with that.
on 21-12-2014 08:29 AM
The minute you contest a chargeback you will be slugged with the $15 fee. Win or lose the case. This is the fee they charge to "look in to it" for you.
If you win the case because you had all the evidence of postage required then you would have to appeal to PayPal to reverse the fee. This was as decsribed to me by a PayPal CSR when we faced one of these a while back. Since we use large letter we chose not to contest and hence no fee. But we automatically conceded the case as lost by doing so.
on 21-12-2014 08:49 AM
You will get nowhere complaining re the $15 fee if you contest the chargeback. It is a charge made by the bank who is disputing the payment and Paypal are perfectly entitled to pass that charge on to you if you have no defense against the chargeback because you have no evidence of posting. Just refund voluntarily and you will not have to pay the fee.
Sending with or without tracking is a choice you make in the full knowledge that you have no seller protection if you cannot prove you sent anything to the buyer.