Protecting yourself as a seller.

[max-power-models]

Over the past couple of years I have learnt a lot, and will always try and improve my services and processes. Heres what I learnt:

1. Always use tracking, unless you are preparped to cop a loss.

2. Put a FAIR P/H fee to cover ebay's fees and your expenses, and explain it in the listing.

3. Give a short honest description of your item. Take care talking up your items,especially if second hand or used. 

4. Put in a few Terms and conditions  that do not conflict with ebays  T&C's 

5. Avoid offering refunds on cheap second hand goods. Use this instead "Buyer Beware SELLING AS IS."

6. Don't take it personal, if you need help ring ebay,if needed ask for a supervisor for help. 

[clarry100]

And here is one I would recommend.

Set up your auto-blocks to block buyers who have accrued 2 or more unpaid item strikes within a 12-month period.

[kopenhagen5]

- Specify cash is preferred on pick up items.

- If using BIN listings, 30 days is now available.

- Also come here to get advice from other members if need be.

[the4masters2013]

Also put in blocks for countries you don't post to.

I've just been caught by an American buyer, even though my items sate Posts to Australia, no mention of anywhere else.

Needless to say, I've added countries to my list and this buyer is now on my party list!

[phorum_junkie*]

As long as you have no international mail selected and your buyer blocks set to not sell to anyone with a primary delivery address you do not post to there is no need to add any specific countries, all overseas destiations will be excluded.

In reply to the OP I would disagree with explaining what handling charge you are adding and why especially as you are not menat to include anything in the postage cost other than expenses for selecting and preparing the item for delivery.

[the4masters2013]

Many thanks for the reply. Everything was set up as you say but there seemed to be a crack in the system, where this buyer managed to get through.

It was the first time in 3 years this has happened. No matter how good the system is, there may be a glitch and unfortunately I copped it!!

All's good that ends well.

Thanks again.

[springyzone]

In reply to the OP I would disagree with explaining what handling charge you are adding and why especially as you are not menat to include anything in the postage cost other than expenses for selecting and preparing the item for delivery.

------------------------------------------

I agree with what PJ wrote above.

You are entitled to add something to cover your costs but if i were you, I would bump it onto the cost of the item rather than try to explain.

Some buyers bitterly resent paying a cent extra on top of the actual postage cost, no matter what you explain. In fact there are some who will complain even if you charge only exact postage.

[lane-ends]

---

@springyzone wrote:

In reply to the OP I would disagree with explaining what handling charge you are adding and why especially as you are not menat to include anything in the postage cost other than expenses for selecting and preparing the item for delivery.

------------------------------------------

I agree with what PJ wrote above.

You are entitled to add something to cover your costs but if i were you, I would bump it onto the cost of the item rather than try to explain.

Some buyers bitterly resent paying a cent extra on top of the actual postage cost, no matter what you explain. In fact there are some who will complain even if you charge only exact postage.

---

Ditto I am very much with the keep it simple school of thought, also sellers who go on about making excuses and blaming ebay for anything on their listing sare off putting to me. They have the feel of a seller who will default to the "not my problem' stance when an unforseen issue crops up.

If something is a cheap second hand item then either dont sell it, stand by it, or risk the loss which is minimal as it was a cheap item anyway. Dont openly put buyers risk onto your buyers when they have no means of visually inspecting that risk. It smells of cop out.

I used to keep adding conditions and exclusions. listings ended up looking unproffessional, and like a dogs breakfast. My conditions are unenforceable anyway with the current item not as described refund system in place, so no point having them it only puts buyers off.

A neg feedback stating item fell apart seller would not refund does you more harm than a positive stating seller quickly replaced/refunded faulty item with no hassles. The refunded items are a tiny % of your overall sales,, my best feedbacks come from fixing up complaints, dont turn them into big blots on your reputation, future buyers search for them with sceptical view of the he said/she said blaming.