Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

Been pondering the implications of the seller performance standards that are not so explicit as the DEFECTIVE Defects

 

I would welcome other sellers thoughts (prefer no hysterical rants please) on the implications of the very, very low minimum performance standard re paypal disputes decided in a buyers favour where there was no seller resolution.

 

It would seem there is little to no buffer to protect sellers from scammers and makes preparing well evidenced paypal submissions against a claim  even more important, as your ability to sell is truly under significant threat.

 

 

Cases closed without seller resolution

To meet our minimum standards, you can only have 2 transactions (or 0.3% of transactions) resulting in cases closed without seller resolution over the most recent evaluation period. The percentage requirement applies after the account has exceeded the maximum number of occurrences.

 
Based on the minimum standards, an my current low level of seller activity on this ID if I lose three paypal claims in 12 months it is game over. 
 
Now I have not had many paypal disputes opened against me over the years, and have usually refunded due to an error I have made, or won those that went to claims where I truly believed the claim was baseless, however I am now feeling uneasy that my business seems to more exposed to closure by scammers than ever.
Message 1 of 29
Latest reply
28 REPLIES 28

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

Yep, it certainly is scary - 2 in 12 months - open slather for the scammers and vindictive !

 

I've only ever had one Case opened & that was for Item Not Received.  And whilst it was Case Closed WITH Seller Resolution - it still counted as a Defect !  It was my Russian Customer.  No idea what delivery time frame eBay quoted, but Aust. Post told me 25 - 30 days.  It had Tracking, luckily.  Paid & Posted same day. Buyer opened case on day 16 by memory ! - as it was Registered International I had to ring Aust. Post every second day to track, by the day he opened the case, it was already in Russia.  Every time I got up-dated info as it moved across the country, I messaged the Buyer and advised - he received the item on day 26.  He left excellent Feedback, no mention of slow delivery and from what I can see and determine no 1 or 2 stars, yet still it was a Defect !!

 

Twas very time consuming and so frustrating trying to get this defect removed - I gave up !  But it has now mysteriously disappeared !

 

So yes, I get what you're saying.  But really I don't honestly think we have any chance of having this Defective system changed.  It's as some others have said, that's the system and we either suck it up or find somewhere else to sell.  It's so sad, but I think that's just the way it is - we like it or lump it as they say  Smiley Sad

Message 2 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

I have no expectation to change the eBay system, but I will continue to be vocal about a range of eBay policies that do not work for my business.

 

I am more seeking to explore with other sellers additional things they might be thinking of putting into place to mitigate risks such as this 3 strikes your out policy change.

 

 

 

 

 

Message 3 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

Sorry cats, I probably didn't word my response so well.  Would have been more accurate if I'd said, change the policy, rather than the system I guess.  Either way, I don't think anything will change.

 

The problem being, it seems to me, we are very limited as to what we can do as Sellers to mitigate the risks.  You know what I mean, you can offer the best customer service, post within 24 hours etc etc, but it only takes one or two disgruntled Buyers or a few Buyers to click the wrong number of stars and your gone !  That's the sort of thing I was referring to and think needs to be changed.

 

I have never done it myself, but have received 'notes' accompanying orders, basically explaining a Seller really only wants 4 or 5 Star Feedback and if you are considering leaving any less, to please contact the Seller.  I wasn't sure if this is actually against eBay policy, thought I read somewhere it was, but even if it is OK, as with anything I think there are pros and cons.

 

Just a thought . . . .    hopefully more along the lines of what you're looking for Smiley Happy  and hopefully others will come along with more and better ideas !

 

 

Message 4 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

No worries MB just very concerned about being in a 3 strikes your off eBay position Cat Sad

 

Gosh maybe I need to shift some eggs back to this basket, and ramp up sales on a couple of IDs again, including this one.

 

Noting that I am asking for the purposes of improving my protection from scammers, not to reduce my service in anyway, what quantities would I need to sell in 12 months to increase the allowable paypal case losses

 

To 3, to 4, to 5  ??

 

 

New Picture.jpg

Message 5 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

I went to this a few weeks ago, not sure if there is anything in it of use to you but I may as well share it around:

 

http://www.slideshare.net/eBay_Academy/ebay-seller-standards-defect-removal-policy-seller-recharge-a...

Photobucket
Message 6 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

The options are pretty limited - as I see it, they are... send everything with proof of postage so that you can successfully defend any INR claims, and refund voluntarily for any INAD disputes if your chances are any less than 100% of being able to win it (and they always are less than 100%, unless the buyer clearly indicates that the reason for the dispute doesn't qualify for a PP case, like "I ordered the wrong size" or "it's a bit more pink than I thought" etc. and even then my faith in PP / eBay isn't 100%).

 

It seems to me like they basically want sellers to "voluntarily" offer a money back guarantee in almost all circumstances, except the ones where it would really count as something. Smiley Frustrated And it's unfortunately difficult to mitigate the risks when a third party is deciding what risks to expose a business to, and how that risk plays out and/or affects said business. 

Message 7 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims


@thecatspjs wrote:

No worries MB just very concerned about being in a 3 strikes your off eBay position Cat Sad

 

 

 

 

New Picture.jpg


This actually looks like an evaluation measure for Top Rated only, so the 0.3% alone shouldn't result in account suspension ?

 

Message 8 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

Thanks Donna, appreciated.

 

I think the discussion regarding defects, on the boards anyway, has been pretty much on the star ratings, rather than on other aspects of seller performance that are in play, and IMO are just as  important in giving thought to, to stay on top of your game. 

Message 9 of 29
Latest reply

Pondering implications of losing paypal claims

DG not sure what you were asking ?  The minimum performance standard across the board in this area, top rated or not is .3%

 

 

I think I can mitigate the risk slightly by putting concerted effort into increasing my sales (as I have run down stock on some IDs) to allow for an extra paypal case or two.

 

 

Message 10 of 29
Latest reply