DSR... most unethical system ever?

[saarzi]

So, now I have two strikes for refunds that the buyer put "Item not as described", then went on to describe issues that were CLEARLY in the listing.  No communication from these buyers prior to them opening the case. I refunded them fully, I have no issue with that, but obviously they cant read or they just changed their mind - why should sellers get a defect for this?

AND I have 3 defects for postage TIME - I post same day, every day, and in one case, positive feedback was left before the estimated postage time had expired! If Ebay leaves strikes for this, their logic must be that it is possible to post FASTER than same day??

Ebay wont remove any of them. This type of unethical business behaviour doesnt stand up in courts (I studied coporate law if anyone hadnt guessed yet), yet Ebay gets away with it because the losses are so small (until its too late) that sellers cant be bothered doing anything formal about it.

I spoke to a friend recently that works for a certain gov watchdog. He said, they do not receive enough formal complaints about particular practices in Ebay to pursue them. **bleep**ing online does NOTHING.  If Ebay gives you a strike, which is something that can lead to the permanent closure of your account, for something outside of your control (and you have proof), make a FORMAL COMPLAINT to the ACCC and FO and every other organisation available. They are very quick online forms. Its EASY, but it needs to be done every. single. time.

Meanwhile, how make strikes until an account is closed?? is it when defects hit 5%?  (no where near that, but still, just waiting for it to happen since its completely out of my control).

[yeoldecoinco]

You are spot on and I feel your pain.

The defect and DSR system are completely flawed and drive a wedge between sellers and buyers.

Feedback alone is enough to judge the overall performance of a seller.

Good sellers look after their customers and receive good feedback in return.

I hate this defect & DSR system (even though my current defect rate is only 0.18%) so much so, that I have withdrawn all my listings from eBay for a considerable time, maybe for good.

This Defect and DSR system is either (A) a deliberate ploy to get rid of smaller sellers or (B) The product of complete insanity.

I think (A) is more likely.

But be under no illusions. eBay are not going out of business, no matter how many small sellers they shed, not with the massive advertising revenues they get and the reach they have.

They are evolving and seem quite happy to court big business whilst casting off as many small and medium sellers who want to leave or get pushed.

This is stupid and has caused a lot of ill feeling, because small and medium sellers depend a lot on eBay for their living and generally look after their customers better than big business.

Looks like you either fight it by reporting every breach of their defect system to the ACCC (good luck with that, I hope it works, but the ACCC has nearly always been completely useless in my experience) or you put up with it and try to work with it, until the sword falls.

If you hate the defect system (like me) you start seriously looking for alternatives to eBay.

Not many in Australia as far as online selling goes, however, my website sells well, old and antiquated as it is.

As far as I understand, 95% or less gets you kicked off eBay, BUT once you get under 98% that can instigate a spiral (reduced listing visibility, selling limits, etc) than can easily cause you to go quickly from 98% to 95%..

Apart from absolutely first class customer service, only sheer volume can save you with the defect system, making it surely, a deliberate ploy to get rid of smaller sellers.

All round, this seems to be ruthless behaviour from a ruthless (GST avoiding) company, almost a monoply within Australia at least, but why should we be surprised?

What a pity. eBay has been so great for me, but I loathe what they have become for sellers now.

[i-love-my-sheep]

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@lovedvds2013 wrote:

Hi, I was told to put in my list that due to eBay and PayPal new rules for sellers that they hold all payment money for 21 days posting won't be done till money is released.If you want to get your item on time please pay with bank deposit so I can post straight away.Very sorry but that how it is now thank you. Would I get in trouble for that please let me know thank you Lynette

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No, you can't do that. If you do, not only could you get slapped with a policy violation, you would end up being defected off the site with disputes and negative feedback. You also can't instruct your buyers to pay via an unsafe method for whatever the reason. Most buyers wouldn't anyway because they know they lose their buyer protection. They would pay, expect their item to be posted and then open a dispute, or leave a negative when it doesn't arrive in a timely manner. It's not the buyers fault PayPal is doing this, so why should they be made to wait and also lose their buyer protection?

[retailtherapist_8]

I am not denying but struggle to understand why they want to get rid of small sellers.

Why put all your eggs in a far fewer baskets ( albeit big ones lol) when by only developing reasonable policy & customer support ebay can have it all.

Personally as a buyer, if I want to buy from the larger stores that are now appearing on ebay I will go directly to that store either their own website online or hoof it to their nearest store!

Ebay for me is for the more specialised goods I find it difficult to source in Australia or in B&M stores. For those smaller Sellers who have treasure tucked away in their closets! LOL

JMHO but you are all entitled to it

[digital*ghost]

I still feel like eBay wants small sellers, but for some reason think a high turnover of them rather than long-term mainstays is (at the very least) quite alright.