Stingy Feedback givers and Vero problems

Dear eBay Queen;

Here’s the scenario; a buyer from overseas won/purchased 4 items from me. He paid promptly and I gave him prompt service. After a couple of weeks, he still hasn't left me feedback. I want to know my item arrived ok and met the buyer's expectations before I leave feedback.A month later, this person purchased 5 more items. I promptly shipped the second set of items to him. I presumed he was happy with the first purchase, so I left him feedback for the first 4 items he purchased. I’m bit nervous, about these transactions. I’m sure the second set of items should have arrived by now, but still no feedback from this buyer. I checked his feedback record and see that he hasn't left feedback for other sellers either.Right now - I don't feel like giving this person any more positive feedback. He has indicated he wants to buy more of the same items from me when they become available. Frankly, I am a bit soured on doing more business with him. Are some folks just plain miserly with feedback, or what? How would you handle this?

Stingy with Feedback


Dear Stingy;

Don’t take his lack of feedback personal. Most buyers don’t understand how important feedback is to sellers. I believe your overseas buyer is of the same mind; since you've already reviewed his feedback left for others. His lack of attention to feedback shows his inexperience or perhaps he just doesn't care about leaving feedback.

If you concerned about how this buyer feels about your product and services, I would email him and ask if he is happy with the items you've sent him. When he responds to your email you'll know for sure how he feels. I really think he’s already told you how he feels by continuing to purchase from you.

Keep in mind that feedback is optional, no one is required to leave it. The fact that this buyer is continuing to buy from you should be all the feedback you need. When it comes to eBay, a buyer buying things from me, is more important than them leaving feedback. I sell stuff on eBay because I want to earn money, not gain feedback.


Dear eBay Queen;

I recently had a listing pulled because of a trademark violation by the Richemont Group who owns the luxury watch and jewelry brand, Cartier. My item was a pair of vintage boots by the shoe brand Roland Cartier. I wrote them explaining the mistake they made, and they say that even though the brands are not related, it still infringes on the jewelry brand, Cartier. The Richemont group also told me that Roland Cartier shoes are allowed only to be sold in the UK and Ireland. I have not been able to confirm this on the web. However, many other sellers from out of that territory are selling the same brand of shoes/products.

If I were to re-list the item, but pull the brand name, (because honestly, it is relatively unimportant to me in terms of selling the item,) could I still get in trouble with the Richemont Group, or get an account suspension?

Rachel


Dear Rachel;

Vero! I think that word should be considered profane. I did a preliminary search of eBay, and did not find any active listings for Roland Cartier. I did see some on the UK site, so that just might back up what you were told about where they can be sold.

At this point I would appeal to eBay by filing a Copyright Counter Notice. http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/programs-vero-ov.html I believe Cartier is abusing the system by pulling your items, because the Richemont Group clearly does not make your boots. I would probably not list the items again without the approval of eBay. Your eBay id could be suspended if you violate this policy again by listing these boots.

I know this is very frustrating. I wish there was something I could do to help you out.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 280206732307 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage). After selling for this price, I’m not sure I could bring myself to use these Fire King Salt & Pepper shakers SOLD $650.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280206732307

International Shipping

Dear eBay Queen;

I sold a vintage jumpsuit for $60.00 to a buyer in Great Britain. I shipped it as soon as the payment was received. Today I received this email:

"Hi, before I leave feedback I just wanted to let you know that I received my jumpsuit, thank you it’s amazing. However, I had to pay £20, (approximately $40), because the customs form had been filled out wrong. I just wanted to make you aware in case it happens again, especially if a premium has already been paid on international shipping. Thank you."

If I'm to blame, then I guess I need to reimburse her the $40. I ship internationally all the time, (not that it means I never make a mistake,) but how do I know? I looked back at my Endicia postage log, compared it to some other international transactions, and they all look exactly the same. I don’t want to just give her 40.00 if she’s taking me for a ride. I don’t like thinking she's up to something, but most of all, I hate that she started off by saying, "before I leave feedback," like I better fix this or she’s going to be leaving me negative feedback.

I guess I have to reimburse her either way, but it really burns me up. Do you have any ideas?

Bettye
Dragon Fly Vintage

Dear Bettye;

This is quite the predicament! I completely understand you want to do the right thing by the buyer and avoid negative feedback. I have a sinking suspicion this buyer is confused about duty fees. When she said “the custom form had been filled out wrong” I immediately thought someone told her if you would have marked this as a gift on the customs form she would not have had to pay duty on the package. Duty is a tax government’s assess people for buying goods outside of their own country.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duty_(economics)

If this were happening to me, I would contact my post office. They keep a record of all packages that go out of the country. Once they pull your customs slip, the postmaster will be able to look at your form and see if there were any discrepancies that would warrant a $40.00 charge. Once you have this information, contact your buyer and let them know what your postmaster said. I would also ask your buyer for a receipt to show how much she paid the customs office to receive her package.

If your postmaster says she was only charged for duty, I would not refund her money even if a negative feedback were in my future.

Dear eBay Queen;

I sold a book for $9.99. I shipped it media mail, and yesterday it came back to me. You can imagine my surprise when my mailman told me I had to pay $2.47 to get the book back. The post office said the address I gave them didn't exist. The buyer said her address is correct.
She still wants her book that she paid for, but if I send it out again I will be out the 5.00 on this book in postage. What would you do? Would you ship it back to her? Ask her for extra money to send it? I asked her to pay for return shipping, but she didn't want to pay any more and so I offered her a full refund. What would you do in a case like this?

Bookish Problem

Dear Bookish;

This kind of situation is very frustrating, but there is only one thing to do. Send the buyer her book and try to recoup your fees from the post office. Since the address the buyer gave you is correct, this is really a problem between you and the post office.

Contact your postmaster and let them know what happened. If your postmaster does not offer any suggestions, I would contact USPS Consumer Affairs http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-cam.html I can’t guarantee you will get your money back, but you might be able to get some of it back.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 160213905313 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage). Vintage tin toy are always popular. Check out this Lehmann Duo Rooster and Rabbit toy from 1910 SOLD $1874.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120224865722