Very disappointing start

[engagement_rings_australia]

Here is my introduction to the world of selling on ebay.

As a regular buyer and occasional seller, I decided to take more of an interest on the selling side of things. I wanted to open a new account because I wanted to specialise in one line of products. I figured this would look more professional to potential buyers than seeing my "garage sale" type items which I had previously sold.

I was given a mere selling limit of $2500 per month. This was going to be a slow process as my items were listed at $1200 each. I figured it would be a good gauge into interest in my products and I would just contact ebay regarding lifting my limit if my products did infact sell.

One day after listing, I was contacted by ebay to inform me that they had removed my listing because a suspected fraudulent account holder had bought my item. This is my first concern, the fact that my item listing was completely erased after a purchase had been made.

I accepted this as a responsible act on ebays part.

The next day, my other item was purchased by a member who had a feedback of 5 with 100% feedback. The feedback was completely private including the comments. I also commented to ebay that their feedback had risen to 10 since purchasing my item.

I recieved an email from the buyer asking me to send the item to Africa. I immediately contacted ebay and asked for their advice. I was told to wait and see what happened. It has been 7 days now and I have had no further contact from the buyer.

I returned to relist my items and was unable to because my monthly seller limit had been reached. I contacted ebay again venting my frustration and was advised to link my paypal from my original ebay account to my new account and my limit would be raised. I did as requested only to be told by the next customer support staff that this is incorrect and i will have to wait 3 months before requesting again. I also tried to use the link for identifying yourself from another account but this was unsuccessful also. My other ebay account has a 100% feedback score of 128 and a monthly seller limit of $20,000. Apparently this is not good enough to allow me to have my new account limit raised.

In a nutshell, I have 2 items that I paid $800 each for that I am unable to list for another 20 days.

Ebay says sorry for the inconvenience. I guess that makes it all ok

[beach_and_home]

So have you put in "unpaid item" reports, or "mutual cancellation" requests to cancel the transactions? If you cancel the transactions then you should be under the limit again.

[silversterio2]

"The next day, my other item was purchased by a member who had a feedback of 5 with 100% feedback. The feedback was completely private including the comments. I also commented to ebay that their feedback had risen to 10 since purchasing my item.

I recieved an email from the buyer asking me to send the item to Africa"

That was a Nigerian Scammer on a hijacked account.

Have no contact with the Scammer and DO NOT send a mutual cancellation request.

When dealing with Nigerian Scammers, follow all the directions on #6 of this thread:

http://community.ebay.com.au/question/Selling-Ebay/Paypal-Money-Request/600151317?#msg604921923

[***super_nova***]

Starting to sell such expensive items from 0 FB account is asking for trouble, as you will be targeted by scammers.  It might be good idea to buy some 20 items you need on this ID before you start listing your rings.  Also you obviously do not have all the blocks set, or you would not be getting Nigerian scammers buying your item.  eBay selling limits do not only protect buyers, they also protect people like you who would have listed 10 items and got 10 scammers buying them on hijacked IDs.

Yes, these 2 transactions should be cancelled but the limit is not actually "selling" limit, it is "listing" limit, so I doubt you will be able to re-list.  Definitely do not  contact the buyers to cancel, as already adviced above having contact with them will be only giving them more info about you, and puts you in more danger of getting phishing emails.

If you call eBay again, and calmly (no venting to the poor call centre operator) try to get your limit lifted.  I had my limit lifted on my new ID because I have other IDs with 100% FB, and 5 stars  right across the board.  I also have all the verifications, and CC on the records.

In any case make sure you set all the blocks:

1- go to your My eBay

2- click the ACCOUNT tab

3- select SITE PREFERENCES

4- BUYER REQUIREMENTS, click "show" & then EDIT

Then tick everything to block bidders who

-Have received 2 Unpaid Item strike(s) within 12 Month(s).

-Have 4 Policy Violation report(s) within 6 Month(s).

-Have a feedback score of -1 or lower.

-Haven't gone through phone verification. - Only apply this block to buyers who have a feedback score of 5 or lower.

- Bidders who have a primary postage address in a location I don't post to

[phorum_junkie*]

You would have been much better using an existing id with feedback to list expensive items or build some up selling cheaper things before setting up shop with a target on your back for every wannabe scammer on the planet.

Why would you send a ring in a 3kg satchel? I thought real diamonds would be robust enough to not need that much packaging :^O

[lyndal1838]

Postage from Adelaide to Sydney is showing as a 3kg satchel at $42.95....yikes.  I have had 5kg bags sent cheaper than that.

Your postage stars are going to go through the floor is that is correct.

[ann6211ann]

I also have had a disappointing experience as a first time seller. My buy now price was taken by what turned out to be a fraudulent buyer. Because the original email from ebay had the buyers email almost immediately after your item has sold I clicked on that to respond. Consequently I haven't been able to give feedback...although I see that there is more feedback available on this buyer and all of it is bad. Now ebay are charging me $71.20 for a couple of hours that my item was registered. I can't even find a phone number to contact them and the website is awful to negotiate...I am not going to sell again. My buying experiences have been alot better. Can anyone suggest what I might do? Can I relist even tho these Nigerian shysters are the culprits and I saw to follow #6 in the forum...but like everything else #6 was not obvious at all.

I am really frustrated after hours of trying to figure out what to do.

[lyndal1838]

The ebay charge includes the Final Value Fee that you were charged when your item sold...It is not just the list.

You need to open an Unpaid Item dispute to get the FVF back.

I am not sure that I understand why you cannot leave feedback, but why would you wan to anyway?  Sellers can only leave positive feedback for buyers so why would you do that?

[koalablue12]

eBay Australia and New Zealand P/L

Locked Bag 10 Australia Square PO

NSW 1215

Tel: 02 82880000  Fax: 02 82880001

[the3coopers]

Can I relist even tho these Nigerian shysters are the culprits and I saw to follow #6 in the forum...but like everything else #6 was not obvious at all.

Don't relist until you have resolved the current situation.

If it was a HIJACKED (fake) account, then click the following link, then follow all the directions in post #6 (the numbers on the right hand side):

http://community.ebay.com.au/question/Selling-Ebay/Paypal-Money-Request/600151317?#msg604921923

However, if it is just a Non-Payer (which is FAR more likely), then just go to My Ebay > Items Sold. Find the item and click the box on the extreme right. Choose "Resolve A Problem" and follow the prompts to report a non-payment.

You MUST set up Buyer Requirements - that is the main thing. And do not list internationally (you didn't originally). But first - report that Buyer and get the $71.20 credited back.

Any further questions, start your own thread and we'll guide you through it. But we need more info on this so-called "buyer" of yours and why tyou think they are a Nigerian Scammer.