Ugh: New Ebay "funds on hold" policy

[asmom]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Too bad it is only for items over $100. I think most transactions are for less than that.

As a matter of fact, it is not only for items over $100. I recently sold an item for $65 and it took 3 weeks to get my money. Because I sent it first class mail, I couldn't do delivery confirmation so I had no choice but to hope for positive feedback from the buyer and I did not get it. So wait I did.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by asmom

As a matter of fact, it is not only for items over $100. I recently sold an item for $65 and it took 3 weeks to get my money. Because I sent it first class mail, I couldn't do delivery confirmation so I had no choice but to hope for positive feedback from the buyer and I did not get it. So wait I did.

I'm kind of glad it is for cheaper items, too. The downside, though, is that sellers are going to start using more costly shipping methods in order to get delivery confirmation. Had you shipped Priority instead of First Class, you wouldn't have had to wait for your payment (and there's no reason you should have to wait 3 weeks for payment).

Considering how large ebay is and the tremendous shipping volume that they generate, I wonder if the post office might create some type of delivery confirmation for all classes of mail.

[asmom]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I'm kind of glad it is for cheaper items, too. The downside, though, is that sellers are going to start using more costly shipping methods in order to get delivery confirmation. Had you shipped Priority instead of First Class, you wouldn't have had to wait for your payment (and there's no reason you should have to wait 3 weeks for payment).

Considering how large ebay is and the tremendous shipping volume that they generate, I wonder if the post office might create some type of delivery confirmation for all classes of mail.

That's not a bad idea although I confess that I might have hesitated to use delivery confirmation even if it was available since it would cut into my profits even more after Ebay and Paypal fees. *sigh* my greed.......

[AlligatorBaby]

The delivery confirmation doesn't always work, either. I tried calling Paypal once I saw the item I sold have arrived at the buyer's residence but because the USPS website said "arrival at unit" instead of "delivered," they wouldn't release the funds. The buyer even told me they received it but she never got around to leaving positive feedback so I had to wait 21 days for my money.

This does swing things in favor of the buyer way too much and gives them WAY too much of a chance to just have buyer's remorse.

Another thing that happened to me is that I sold something small on ebay and after the buyer paid, I shipped the item and had the paypal funds transfered to my bank account. Well then the buyer said they never got the item. He had 0 feedback and just joined ebay and then after buying my item, cancelled his account. Ebay was taking back the funds. I was so mad! ALWAYS get delivery confirmation, no matter how small. This was a book that I sold for $50.

These are just a couple of things that have happened to me in the past few months with ebay and I am SO DONE with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gekkoplus]

Slightly off topic, but since we are in ebay thread -

I listed my laptop computer on ebay and auction will end in a couple of days. I have restricted my listing to US only buyers to avoid hassles of dealing with spammers from Nigeria or so.

I was contacted by a buyer from hungary asking if I am willing to ship it to hungary. Do you guys know if this is a red flag or is this a genuine buyer? What are shipping rates if I have to ship it to hungary from california? Anything I need to pay as customs or duties? Also what kind of protection I have as a seller if anything goes wrong in the transaction?

I might as well ask these questions to ebay, but want to know if any of you have done this kind of thing and what was your experience.

Thanks.

[disneysteve]

gekkoplus, I ship worldwide all the time, but I'm mainly dealing with inexpensive items like under $50. If I sell anything particularly fragile, I usually limit it to US.

You can get shipping costs at usps.com. The customs form is simple to fill out. I don't know if computers have any special rules or restrictions. Check the usps website.

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by gekkoplus

Slightly off topic, but since we are in ebay thread -

I listed my laptop computer on ebay and auction will end in a couple of days. I have restricted my listing to US only buyers to avoid hassles of dealing with spammers from Nigeria or so.

I was contacted by a buyer from hungary asking if I am willing to ship it to hungary. Do you guys know if this is a red flag or is this a genuine buyer? What are shipping rates if I have to ship it to hungary from california? Anything I need to pay as customs or duties? Also what kind of protection I have as a seller if anything goes wrong in the transaction?

I might as well ask these questions to ebay, but want to know if any of you have done this kind of thing and what was your experience.

Thanks.

Gekko -- I'd definitely avoid shipping a laptop overseas. There are different electrical requirements and adapters would have to be used.

Aside from the Customs and duties that may be assessed, what happens if something goes wrong with the laptop itself or "claimed" to go wrong?

[cicy33]

I do feel bad for the "newbie" sellers that they hold their money but at the same time am glad they do. I have seen a serious rush of new sellers on ebay selling items that will most likely exceed the $100 mark. I am talking about Wii's, X-Box's, etc. Sometimes I click back if the feedback is zero or even less than 10. There is just so much ripping off on that site these days. But I also don't understand how ebay can require you to only accept paypal or their choices.