vince14 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I've been on eBay for may years, both buying and selling. When I sell it's around 50% model-related, and usually a stash clear-out, whilst the other half consists of various different items, mainly sports memorabilia. Now my rant is this - why are modellers the worst eBay buyers? If someone is going to send you forty questions about the item you're selling, and then never actually bid - it'll be a modeller. If someone is going to email you saying 'You're asking for £40, but will you end the auction early if I offer to buy it off you £20 right now' - it'll be a modeller. If someone is going to quibble over the difference between how much postage they paid, and what the actual charge was - and it's usually over an amount less than 30p - it'll be a modeller (here's a hint, guys. It's called postage and packaging). If someone is going to dictate to me exactly how much postage I can charge them after the auction has ended, when the postage charge is clearly stated before you bid - it'll be a modeller. If someone is going to complain that a kit is not 'New', and demand a refund, because one corner of the box was slightly creased during shipping - it'll be a modeller. If someone is going to demand that you ship their item within an hour of them sending you payment - it'll be a modeller. If someone is going to win an auction and then fail to pay, without sending any message as to why - it'll be a modeller. If someone is going to pull the old 'Oh, my parcel never arrived - refund please' trick - it'll be a modeller (I had one buyer recently who won two items, roughly a week apart. Both parcels have 'mysteriously' disappeared during shipping...). So I ask you - what is it about us modellers that makes us such terrible buyers? Vince Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Jeff Foxworthy's voice entered my head as I continued to read that :lol: . It sounded like his "you might be a redneck" comedy routine. Don. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duck Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 It's because we're always broke. no, wait. That's why I never buy anything. must be the rivet counters and the cheapskates out there. ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
P-38 guy Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I've been on ebay for 15 years and have noticed the same thing. Models are the least favorite thing to sell. Had a buyer file a item not received with Paypal less then 24 hours after paying. Paypal got an earfull from me and they put the money back in to my account. I then took my time shipping the item and that buyer was put in my blocked bidder list. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I never have a problem with eBay really, there was one occasion about 10 years ago with a monitor that never turned up but that was about it that I can remember in the 15+ years Ive been using the site. Its changed a lot over the years, gotten better in so many ways (most noticeable is how many things are on there now), most notably in how you pay, PayPal has made it so much easier quicker and safer, but thats just my experience. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Hothersall Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I buy the vast majority of my kits off ebay and I must be in the minority as I don't fit that stereotype. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vince14 Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 To clarify, the majority of modellers I've sold to are good buyers - it's just that whenever there's a bad one, it tends to be a modeller! Vince Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I've experienced pretty much the same stuff. I had one guy recently try to get his money back, claiming the package was never delivered - until I dug out the receipt with the tracking number and scanned it to him. Nice try bucko... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wright2626 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 i use the paypal shipping feature, free tracking number and you send to their address that is confirmed. seems to save the "i didnt get it" headaches, since the tracking shows it delivered means it is not my problem if the neighbor came and took it, or the wife took it inside and misplaced it. i would imagine some of it has to do with the wife finding someone trying to sneak a model kit in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helmsman Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 From my experience photographers are about the same. :) Sample questions/cases: What is your bottom line price? - fixed price listing with offer option Offer $100 for $3500 lens. I've got a family emergency, can't pay, could you cancel? Buying another camera 5 minutes later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Not just eBay, it happens here too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
famvburg Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 The bulk of my eBay buying is models and I have to say I don't come close to those scenarios. I will, however, complain if I pay $15 postage (and handling/packing) and the seller pays $6.00 or some such. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
famvburg Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 For you guys who rely so heavily on USPS' Tracking to call a buyer who claims they didn't get a package, don't be so fast to judge! I'd hate to think I could be one of those buyers but USPS even admits their system is flawed. Tracking only confirms delivery "somewhere". The carrier scans it when it's delivered. That DOES NOT guarantee delivery to the correct address! I have been screwed numerous times, both on and off eBay, because I didn't get something and when I inquired or checked the tracking number, it was delivered 2 days earlier, yet I never got it and of course the carrier has no clue where it was misdelivered and all I get is an apology. In many cases the sellers simply had your attitudes that I am automatically a liar. Some understand how incompetent the USPS is and/or fortunately had it insured, so we simply filed a claim. Whenever I ship something whether eBay or not, in addition to their bogus tracking, I either insure the package or require a signature or depending upon value, both. Of course receiving packages works both ways. I have a folder I have kept for several years now of pics or copies of packages I have gotten that were not even close to my address. When that happens, in addition to documenting the package, addressee, I go to USPS' site and enter the tracking number and print it out showing that the outstanding tracking system shows the date and time it was delivered to the address on the package! If it is so reliable, then WHY do I have someone else's package in my hands, yet tracking shows the addressee got it? I was able to save an eBay deal as a buyer once when I had something come up missing, yet tracking showed I had gotten it a week earlier. The buyer initially had your attitudes and when I explained this and sent him a couple of screw-ups from my folder, we made some sort of agreement, I think he refunded the item cost and less the postage or something but he was shocked at what he had learned. So, gentlemen, don't be so judgemental if you are relying on something as flawed and unreliable is the USPS and their tracking. If you are going to do so, at least require a signature or insure it! I also know the story of how many pieces of mail the USPS handles, blah, blah, blah, a small percentage will slip thru the cracks. Yeah, well, based on my experiences, to USPS, stop making an example out of me! Rant over and no discontent intended. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vince14 Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 The bulk of my eBay buying is models and I have to say I don't come close to those scenarios. I will, however, complain if I pay $15 postage (and handling/packing) and the seller pays $6.00 or some such. But if you know that the seller is charging $15 for shipping before you bid, then you can't really complain when he charges you $15 for shipping, can you? Vince Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wright2626 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 most of the time, when someone actually gets the package and claim they did not, letting them know that you had the tracking number and when it was delivered usually gets them to go back on their claim. usually if you go past that, then there are odds that you did not get it. there is always the possibility that someone came and stole it after the mail person left it on your porch, or they left it at the wrong address. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
famvburg Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I guess I should have clarified. No, if they post the shipping amount, I don't gripe because I knew it up front, but if they charge me $15 after the fact and it gets here and they spent $6 I usually do. However, numerous times a seller hasn't charged me enough and if it is more than a buck or so, I offer to pay them the diff. OTOH, if I pay $15 and the cost is $13.75, I couldn't care less and don't ask for or even expect a refund for the "overcharge", but I have been given refunds for as little is 50 cents! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
famvburg Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Yes, the possibility of a package getting stolen is a possibility, but with me, the fact that there were, i.e., 8 packages left in my carport, for someone to randomly steal just one is pretty slim, since I have not typically had that problem, even around Christmas as seemed to be a popular sport this past Christmas. One of my most recent was a shop manual that was in an envelope and would easily fit in my mail box is hard to imagine being randomly stolen. What I got from the local PO regarding that one was "You had a sub that day, she's always doing stuff like that." Gee thanks, fire her! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 But if you know that the seller is charging $15 for shipping before you bid, then you can't really complain when he charges you $15 for shipping, can you? Vince Yeah, I'd still get upset. The expectation on "shipping" is that its a reasonable approximation of the shipping charge. Not a profit centre on its own. It doesn't matter if the shipping amount was listed if there is such a discrepency. If that isn't deceptive then its negligent. Either way, it gets reported. Now if its less than a dollar, well, that's passable and likely a mistake. Guess I'm one of those modellers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I've been on ebay for 15 years and have noticed the same thing. Models are the least favorite thing to sell. Had a buyer file a item not received with Paypal less then 24 hours after paying. Paypal got an earfull from me and they put the money back in to my account. I then took my time shipping the item and that buyer was put in my blocked bidder list. Mike Had a buyer give me negative feedback because he couldn't get in touch with me a few hours after the auction. Before he paid ,before the transaction had even started (except the win). He wanted to ask about shipping. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vince14 Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) Yeah, I'd still get upset. The expectation on "shipping" is that its a reasonable approximation of the shipping charge. Not a profit centre on its own. It doesn't matter if the shipping amount was listed if there is such a discrepency. If that isn't deceptive then its negligent. Either way, it gets reported. Now if its less than a dollar, well, that's passable and likely a mistake. Guess I'm one of those modellers. For clarification, when I sell I put down as the shipping charge what I expect the Post Office will charge me to send it, plus a small amount on top - typically 50p - to cover the cost of packaging. Sometimes the buyer ends up paying a little more than the actual shipping, sometimes I end up out of pocket because I underestimated the postage cost (occasionally quite badly out of pocket - I recently took a hit of £40 on shipping to Australia because I underestimated the weight of the package). I sell model items to clear down my stash. I'm not a business. I don't have a franking machine attached to digital scales. I were to put a fully accurate shipping cost for every item I'd have to pack up each item, take it to the Post Office, get it weighed and get a cost - and then repeat that whole process once the item sells. I don't have the free time to do all that. Bottom line is this - when I sell on Ebay, the postage and packaging cost is clearly stated on each auction page. If you don't like how much I'm charging, don't bid. Vince Edited January 23, 2015 by vince14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I think what corsair man is talking about are sellers who intentionally inflate the shipping to earn more on the item. For example, those that would quote $20-30 to ship within the US for a package that should cost $10. This practice has been far less common recently as ebay has put measures in place to stop this, but it still occurs to some degree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beingthehero Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 As a buyer, I've only had one bad experience on ebay, and it wasn't related to scale modelling. Though one time I had a seller send me a passive-aggressive email after I paid too fast for his expectations. He said "NEXT TIME WAIT FOR ME TO SEND AN INVOICE!" in all caps. Thing is, I only bought one model and the shipping was free. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
avgass Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 As a buyer, I've only had one bad experience on ebay, and it wasn't related to scale modelling. Though one time I had a seller send me a passive-aggressive email after I paid too fast for his expectations. He said "NEXT TIME WAIT FOR ME TO SEND AN INVOICE!" in all caps. Thing is, I only bought one model and the shipping was free. Just this week I won a kit on Ebay with all sorts of explicit instructions about payment and threats of what would happen if payment wasn't received timeously. I waited for the invoice (as per instructions), which never arrived and on the final day of payment being expected shot a message off to the seller asking for the invoice. I received a reply stating postage was free on the item so I could have paid at any time. Seems we can't win. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Just had a buyer file a claim for an auction he won Feb 2 (today is the 5th). Doesn't ebay put a reasonable time-limit on when claims can first be opened? I shipped yesterday,I marked it as shipped. I am now worried he opened the claim when he saw I didn't enter tracking info. I gave him two options for shipping, the much cheaper Small Package Air (from Canada to US) or the more costly, Small Package tracked. He requested the cheaper shipping. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Uncool Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 If someone is going to pull the old 'Oh, my parcel never arrived - refund please' trick - it'll be a modeller (I had one buyer recently who won two items, roughly a week apart. Both parcels have 'mysteriously' disappeared during shipping...). Sorry, Vince; I haven't read all the posts yet, but I'm concerned 'bout this statement I quoted above. Isn't on eBay side to first check with the mail the supposedly "mysterious" disappearance of a parcel which was shipped thru' 'em, as with their Resolution Center...? Ain't it also a tad odd that two different parcels shipped to the same addressee got lost? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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