My landlady and I are, as anyone who reads my posts knows, having a really tough time financially. What with me having been unable to pay rent for a while and my landlady unable to get any other lodgers, straits have become dire. So much so, in fact, that recently she decided to sell some items on ebay. I listed them for her on my account since she doesn’t know how.
We looked through the house and could only find 4 items that we thought might be worth anything, some sealed Pokemon card boxes that she’d come into possession of a while ago and was saving for her grandson’s birthday. So I listed these 4 boxes on ebay and all sold just now for between £24 - 44 each. What a relief, £139 to put towards one of the many bills and debts that are piling up. Except immediately, as soon as one of the items sold, the buyer requested a cancellation. And I can see why, the same item is available cheaper on “buy it now” from another seller. But then why bid? He pushed the priced up and won and then cancelled immediately. He must have already known it was cheaper elsewhere. Why do that?
I accepted the cancellation because otherwise he’d probably damage the item, claim it was damaged in transit, return it and then we’d have an unsellable item. I’ve relisted it but now my landlady has to wait longer for the money and will probably get less for it. All because of one selfish idiot. Not only that but judging by his username and items for sale, he is a reseller who just wanted to get this cheap and resell for more and has realised he won’t be able to sell it for more.
Not only that but the listing was originally free but ebay says we’ll be charged 35p to relist it. Really annoying when every penny counts.
Of the other buyers, one has paid but another bought the other two items and is demanding a combined postage invoice. However ebay won’t let me do that for simple delivery. So the buyer hasn’t paid and I don’t know if they’re going to be a nuisance about it too. Why does everything always have to be difficult? We stayed up late tonight, were thrilled and relived to see she’d be getting £139, and now she only has £44 and one cancellation and one difficult buyer who won’t pay without an impossible combined invoice. Should have just used gumtree I suppose.
People cancel orders on ebay all the time for any number of reasons, you can’t get too hung up on it. Ebay isn’t ideal for getting money quickly… especially if you’re new to selling they won’t even send you the money until the buyer gives feedback or is quiet for a month or so. For quick money you are better off using facebook market but expect to get a lower price and for it to make ebay look pleasantly smooth by comparison.
I’m sure I remember it being very different in the early 2000s. I recall buyers constantly saying changing your mind wasn’t a valid reason for a cancellation, and many of them would revoke your bid if you didn’t have positive feedback from at least 5 sellers.
A month?? It said two days after delivery on the website. This sucks. We thought she’d get some quick money to put towards debt/bills but now we’ve had one cancellation, another buyer complaining about the clearly stated postage on two other items and maybe wanting to cancel, and have to wait another month for the final pittance? And I wouldn’t be surprised now if the buyer claims there’s something wrong with it and wants a refund. Why did I even bother, I should have known nothing can ever be easy.
If thats what it says then its probably true. They change things all the time so it’s probably not the same as when I started. Regardless once you’ve built up a bit of trust they start paying you straight away. (a month is just how long roughly it takes for ebay to give automatic feedback if they ghost)
Don’t stress about cancelling orders. Explain what you can or are willing to do , ask which course of action they want to take and offer to cancel if they aren’t happy with it. If you cancel an order It is very important you always put the reason as customer requested it. Some customers are really annoying but they are the minority. You will find the good customers if you keep at it. If you’ve ever worked retail just focus on how despite how frustrating this is it’s nothing compared to that.
It sounds like you have some high demand items so you shouldn’t be too worried about relisting them, they should sell again quickly. Relist as buy it now only and consider bundling them all instead of separate listings.
I haven’t got any experience with pokemon cards but I know they are scam prone due to their gambling nature ie buyer can open to look for high value cards then return. Local sale might be the way to go if you want to avoid that.
I will also say it’s highly likely you have other things of value… you would be surprised at what people will pay for…
well the other buyer has cancelled too. Cancelled because postage can’t be combined. Spent 5 days bidding, won and then cancelled to save about £2. Now we’re out three sales and can’t pay bills. I guess I’ll have to try gumtree but who knows how long that will take. Never using ebay again. And you’re right I am worried about the buyer scamming me on the one that actually sold. Face to face only in cash from now on.