Why I hate selling on eBay. [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

Oobgarm

11-03-2009, 06:34 AM

Users like this...

I sold a factory sealed copy of Skies of Arcadia (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270473469999#ht_500wt_1182) this past month.

Seller gets the game and sends me this message:

i got the game today

i bought a brand new one

i apparently received a used one, because on the back of the game is a used game sticker

i want a $20 refund because apparently it is used, because nobody puts used game stickers on the back of a new game by accident

Nevermind the fact that it's FACTORY SEALED like the auction says. And there's a sticker on the front that apparently is OK.

And now since I'm not offering a refund, there goes my perfect feedback rating and likely the hassle of dealing with a paypal chargeback.

I have tons of great transactions and then there's one like this which makes me question why I even bother in the first place.

portnoyd

11-03-2009, 07:06 AM

Wow. What a fucking moron.

Think it's worth explaining to this idiot what the deal is?

If you can buckle on the refund thing, tell him to return the game in full for a full refund, no partials. This way, you get another shot at selling it for the same amount.

megasdkirby

11-03-2009, 07:33 AM

It's extortion. He is trying to get money from you because he is using an oportunity to do so. He is a real asshole. :(

I agree with portnoyd: tell him to return the item in it's original condition and no partial payments. And I hope he rots in hell.

Damaramu

11-03-2009, 08:25 AM

And when the dust settles, please tell us who this wonderful person is so we can add him to our blacklist!

Oobgarm

11-03-2009, 08:33 AM

username is hunteralex2

One of those "private feedback" bidders.

megasdkirby

11-03-2009, 08:45 AM

Is it possible to block anyone with private feedback?

Oobgarm

11-03-2009, 08:49 AM

I don't think so.

Kitsune Sniper

11-03-2009, 10:22 AM

... I just did. Well, he won't be able to bid on any of my items now.

Edit:
And it's because of idiots like that that I take pictures of ALL THE SIDES OF THE ITEM so nobody tries to pull that on me. I learned that the hard way, kinda like how you did. :(

Oobgarm

11-03-2009, 10:30 AM

Well, I thought he meant ALL people with private feedback. But yes, I blocked this person too.

jb143

11-03-2009, 12:25 PM

I wouldn't worry about 1 negative feedback. The system is a joke now and it will go away in a few months anyways.

The tone of the message they sent you doesn't seem like their mad though. It sounds like they think you sent them the wrong thing by mistake. I'd try to explain the situation to them. If you do send a refund (I actually probaly would offer one in this case but that's just me) have them send it back first. They pay return shipping. That's outlined in an ebay page somewhere. I'd send them a link to the page as well. Then your not out anything but your time and a bit of frustration. After explaining that it is new and that they're required to send it back and pay for shipping, then they'll probally decide to keep it and see that a negative would be unjustified.

Oobgarm

11-03-2009, 12:30 PM

I told them I'd give 'em $5 off if they wanna keep it, or just return it to me and I'll refund their shipping even though I don't have to.

*shrug*

We'll see how it turns out.

megasdkirby

11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

In the end, the probabilities of getting a negative is quite certain.

I'm pretty sure they won't return the merchandise and just leave the negative. I feel it was an extortion attempt, as I've read about this happening quite often on Ebay lately.

I hope for the best, Oob.

Namnuta

11-03-2009, 01:37 PM

I just had my first feedback extortion. Man the feedback in flawed now as a seller.

I sold some SMS games, which i knew were all complete. First i get a negative without him even contacting me. I sent him a very stern message. He said sorry, he will remove it if i send him a copy of X game he claims was missing.

Im lucky i had another copy, sent it loose. Ill post his/her user name after they receive the game and are happy.

I know 100% that the game was in the box, and it was 100% as advertised. All my auctions are "Sold as is" no return auctions. They knew that a $5 game wasn't worth losing my perfect feedback.

Thanks for the heads up on hunteralex2, added them to my banned list as well.

jb143

11-03-2009, 01:47 PM

I just had my first feedback extortion...I sold some SMS games, which i knew were all complete. First i get a negative without him even contacting me. I sent him a very stern message. He said sorry, he will remove it if i send him a copy of X game he claims was missing.

Im lucky i had another copy, sent it loose...
I know 100% that the game was in the box, and it was 100% as advertised...

Then why oh why would you comply with them instead of contacting ebay about it. A negative feedback doesn't mean anything these days except making the seller feel good about themselfs if they have 100%. It's just not worth it.

otoko

11-03-2009, 01:58 PM

I know 100% that the game was in the box, and it was 100% as advertised. All my auctions are "Sold as is" no return auctions. They knew that a $5 game wasn't worth losing my perfect feedback.

Why did you do that? JB is right, and you ruined your case by doing so.

GrandAmChandler

11-03-2009, 02:59 PM

I stopped selling on eBay the minute they skewed that new feedback system in favor of the buyer.

portnoyd

11-03-2009, 03:00 PM

Seriously, everyone needs to take a negative right out the gate so they never have to worry about their perfect record, as well as people trying to take advantage of it. It's easy - just be a dick and don't send something for 2 months.

I really don't think people will bat an eye if you have a 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% feedback rating. If they want the item, they'll bid. Case in point, raregamergirl.

ryborg

11-03-2009, 07:25 PM

My standard reply to situations like this: You're selling items on ebay to make money, not friends. I'm not saying don't be professional as much as possible, but if someone is trying to dick you over, dick them over harder.

It's been said in this thread already but it bears repeating: feedback is worthless so everyone needs to stop fretting. Unless it's so bad ebay's suspending/probating you, it has no effect on sales. Because of unwarranted negs/neutrals over the summer, my search standing was "Below Standard" or whatever and guess what, I didn't notice a drop-off in sales. If your price is good and you make yourself look professional, you will sell items and make money.

Yes, we all have to deal with idiots. It is a part of today's internet age. If you're asking yourself why you bother selling on ebay, it's because of the money. If you're not making worthwhile money, you shouldn't be selling in the first place, bad experiences or not.

Cue Kaboomer post on how Game Gavel doesn't have these problems in 3..... 2..... 1.....

Ed Oscuro

11-03-2009, 08:01 PM

Kaboomer sez: "sucks for you, good for him"
That's the TriOptimum way!

Back on topic...tell the fucker what's up and that'll be that.

otoko

11-03-2009, 08:10 PM

More or less all you can do now it seems.

Arthur-Otaku

11-03-2009, 08:26 PM

Users like this...

I sold a factory sealed copy of Skies of Arcadia (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270473469999#ht_500wt_1182) this past month.

Seller gets the game and sends me this message:

Nevermind the fact that it's FACTORY SEALED like the auction says. And there's a sticker on the front that apparently is OK.

And now since I'm not offering a refund, there goes my perfect feedback rating and likely the hassle of dealing with a paypal chargeback.

I have tons of great transactions and then there's one like this which makes me question why I even bother in the first place.

If your game really have a sticker with word "used" so this is really very strange, there are a massive quantity of re-sealed items on ebay being sold as factory sealed, and this pisses-off any kind of collector

Factory sealed games have a extremely high market value, some can bid up to 1000 dollars and re-sealed are just like used items

I see that you have to improve your auctions descriptions to keep clear if item is re-sealed or factory sealed, is very easy to check if seal is original, if you want to stay away from problems you have to do this. Good description is the "soul" of a good auction

Kaboomer

11-03-2009, 09:09 PM

Orion Pimpdaddy

11-03-2009, 09:41 PM

norkusa

11-03-2009, 10:14 PM

I'm a little confused. What does he mean that there is a "used games sticker" on the back? Is it on the back of the shrink wrap? Does the sticker actually say "used"? Did you also notice the same sticker that he is talking about?

Yeah, I'm confused about that part too. Is he just making that up or is there really some kind of sticker on the back of the game?

Diatribal Deity

11-03-2009, 11:05 PM

Yeah, I'm confused about that part too. Is he just making that up or is there really some kind of sticker on the back of the game?

Some game stores used to place used game stickers on factory sealed games. If a game got traded in factory sealed or obtained off the used reseller market, it was not as if a new sticker could be placed on it (well legitimately anyway). Kind of strange but not uncommon.

hamburglar

11-04-2009, 02:35 AM

Unfortunately the way it is set up now is if your ratings fall under a certain percentage, Ebay will block you from selling, getting a negative for sellers who sell many items is not a big deal, but if you do not sell a bunch of items, then your percentage drops easily.

I had perfect feedback, some buyer left me a negative the day they received the item without contacting me, I am sure they left me 1 or 0 stars on the detailed ratings, since I had not sold much at the time I had not received many feedback ratings to even it out, well my ratings dropped within a week, I was blocked from selling for about 2 weeks. Buyers know this- so some of them try to take advantage of the system.

Seriously, everyone needs to take a negative right out the gate so they never have to worry about their perfect record, as well as people trying to take advantage of it. It's easy - just be a dick and don't send something for 2 months.

I really don't think people will bat an eye if you have a 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% feedback rating. If they want the item, they'll bid. Case in point, raregamergirl.

Oobgarm

11-04-2009, 06:29 AM

I'm a little confused. What does he mean that there is a "used games sticker" on the back? Is it on the back of the shrink wrap? Does the sticker actually say "used"? Did you also notice the same sticker that he is talking about?

Back in the "day" when GameStop stopped carrying new Dreamcast games, the new stock was converted to used and sold as such. Therefore, a small used sticker was placed over the barcode on the back of the sealed games so they weren't rung up as new by mistake. That's where this game came from.

Buyer took the $5 back offer. But yeah you guys are right, feedback doesn't really matter as much now as it used to. Just kind of a stupid situation, I guess.

megasdkirby

11-04-2009, 07:43 AM

Buyer took the $5 back offer. But yeah you guys are right, feedback doesn't really matter as much now as it used to. Just kind of a stupid situation, I guess.

From $20, he accepted $5.

As I thought, this smelled like some sort of extortion.

But in the end, did he leave a negative or positive? Did your DSR's drop?

Oobgarm

11-04-2009, 10:27 AM

No feedback yet. DSRs are at 4.9 across the board, I doubt I'll see much of a change in those.

In the reply message I was told "it is for my collection" so take that for what you will.

Namnuta

11-05-2009, 06:34 PM

Then why oh why would you comply with them instead of contacting ebay about it. A negative feedback doesn't mean anything these days except making the seller feel good about themselfs if they have 100%. It's just not worth it.

If it was a item worth over $10 i may have gone the whole report, open case route. But it was a $2 item. That cost me 60 cents to ship. I pick my battles, and it honestly wasn't worth my time. But i will report the user name to all the trading communities i frequent.

I had a case opened for a high dollar item ($400) and nothing came of it, so i guess im also a little jaded as to how well ebay would have handled it.

jb143

11-06-2009, 11:59 AM

I meant report it to ebay then move on with your life. It's not about trying to win a claim, it's about meeting an extortionists demands and letting them know they can get away with it. A +1 feedback score just isn't worth that, even if it was just $2.60

Zthun

11-06-2009, 01:17 PM

Best policy to take on eBay:

Do not deal with terrorists.

Bojay1997

11-06-2009, 02:35 PM

From $20, he accepted $5.

As I thought, this smelled like some sort of extortion.

But in the end, did he leave a negative or positive? Did your DSR's drop?

How is it extortion? You don't think it's possible that when someone pays for a factory sealed game they might be a little shocked and upset when it arrives with a sticker that says "used" on it? Believe it or not, people actually have started doing resealing using Y Fold wrap, so even little issues like unexpected stickers can lead them to question whether something is legit. If I was the buyer, I probably would have returned the item and expected the seller to pay the shipping both ways. This sticker was material and it either should have been removed by the seller or disclosed in the auction listing and photos.

megasdkirby

11-06-2009, 08:58 PM

How is it extortion? You don't think it's possible that when someone pays for a factory sealed game they might be a little shocked and upset when it arrives with a sticker that says "used" on it? Believe it or not, people actually have started doing resealing using Y Fold wrap, so even little issues like unexpected stickers can lead them to question whether something is legit. If I was the buyer, I probably would have returned the item and expected the seller to pay the shipping both ways. This sticker was material and it either should have been removed by the seller or disclosed in the auction listing and photos.

Because he accepted $5 instead of his $20 he was requesting earlier.

If it was really genuine, he would not ask for a partial refund and return the item, like you stated. Or he would stick to his $20 mark previously.

This is happening quite alot on Ebay recently.

I still feel this was done on purpose, though. Just a gut feeling.

yok-dfa

11-11-2009, 08:49 AM

How is it extortion? You don't think it's possible that when someone pays for a factory sealed game they might be a little shocked and upset when it arrives with a sticker that says "used" on it? Believe it or not, people actually have started doing resealing using Y Fold wrap, so even little issues like unexpected stickers can lead them to question whether something is legit. If I was the buyer, I probably would have returned the item and expected the seller to pay the shipping both ways. This sticker was material and it either should have been removed by the seller or disclosed in the auction listing and photos.
This. Factory sealed games usually command a premium. This is also the reason why a lot of fake 'resealed' games are being offered. I can understand the buyer starts complaining when he suddenly finds a 'used' sticker on a sealed game. TS: why didn't you mention this in the auction description?