This is what's wrong with the average ebay buyer

[pbspelly]

Personally I've told sellers that my offer is the best I can do, because sometimes I don't want them coming back with a counter. Either take the offer or say no. I don't feel like haggling. But then I don't make a subsequent offer like that guy did.

Did you respond to his first offer, though? I always find it kind of rude or annoying when I make an offer and the seller doesn't even respond to say thanks but no thanks. Sometimes I'll ask a question and the seller will respond to my question. Then I'll make an offer, and the same seller who a minute earlier responded to my question now acts as if I don't exist. And I'm not making insultingly low offers. My biggest complaint, though, is with sellers who list items for five, maybe ten times what they're worth, and just never sell. I've seen some items that I know have been listed on eBay for at least five years. Five years. And if you have the temerity to suggest to the seller that it's not going to sell at that price, they tell you that their price is fair. If it hasn't sold in five years, the price you're asking is too high. I wish eBay had a system like the old Filene's Basement, where if an item hadn't sold after a certain number of days, it automatically went down in price.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

...I wish eBay had a system like the old Filene's Basement, where if an item hadn't sold after a certain number of days, it automatically went down in price.

Utilizing that feature was an option for sellers last time I checked.

[ASF123]

As a buyer, I see so, so many cards with firm BIN prices or starting bids that are way above what it seems like anyone would even consider paying. Do a huge portion (majority?) of cards on eBay just not sell?

[ASF123]

eBay buyer etiquette question: I just received a card that was shipped in a soft sleeve, between two pieces of paper (not cardboard) in a plain envelope. It was not an expensive card (about $10) and the seller only charged $1 for shipping. But I would have expected at least some protection - a top loader, a padded envelope, or cardboard backing. Any one of the above.

The card arrived undamaged, fortunately, so all's well that ends well. The seller only has 18 feedback, all positive, so I don't want to drop a neutral on him as all the other elements of the deal were fine. But should I send him a private message, just as an "FYI" for what appears to be a new seller, or is that considered obnoxious?

[Tabe]

That's a new option on ebay - the $1 shipping in PWE. If you're expecting a padded envelope for $1, you're mistaken.

I believe they're supposed to use a toploader though.

[ASF123]

Originally Posted by Tabe

That's a new option on ebay - the $1 shipping in PWE. If you're expecting a padded envelope for $1, you're mistaken.

I believe they're supposed to use a toploader though.

No, I'm not expecting a padded envelope - that was just one option for some protection. A toploader or even putting it between a couple of pieces of something stiffer than cardstock would have been fine. I've had several cards shipped in the new envelope option and they've all had some sort of protection.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by ASF123

eBay buyer etiquette question: I just received a card that was shipped in a soft sleeve, between two pieces of paper (not cardboard) in a plain envelope. It was not an expensive card (about $10) and the seller only charged $1 for shipping. But I would have expected at least some protection - a top loader, a padded envelope, or cardboard backing. Any one of the above.

The card arrived undamaged, fortunately, so all's well that ends well. The seller only has 18 feedback, all positive, so I don't want to drop a neutral on him as all the other elements of the deal were fine. But should I send him a private message, just as an "FYI" for what appears to be a new seller, or is that considered obnoxious?

Whenever I have those < $10 pwe orders with $1 or less shipping cost (that you accept will come by carrier pigeon), I've never had no protection like that (if no toploader, then there was the cardboard backing).

So while I've probably been pretty lucky about that, I'd still guess it's less likely to have your last pwe experience

[mikemb]

Originally Posted by ASF123

eBay buyer etiquette question: I just received a card that was shipped in a soft sleeve, between two pieces of paper (not cardboard) in a plain envelope. It was not an expensive card (about $10) and the seller only charged $1 for shipping. But I would have expected at least some protection - a top loader, a padded envelope, or cardboard backing. Any one of the above.

The card arrived undamaged, fortunately, so all's well that ends well. The seller only has 18 feedback, all positive, so I don't want to drop a neutral on him as all the other elements of the deal were fine. But should I send him a private message, just as an "FYI" for what appears to be a new seller, or is that considered obnoxious?

Most of my ebay sales are single cards I ship in a PWE. I charge 60 cents. The card is put in a penny sleeve then a toploader secured with a piece of removable tape. Then I protect with light cardboard on both sides inside the packing slip. I have done this for years with no issues from buyers or the post office.

When I started selling on ebay over 20 years ago, several buyers gave me tips or suggestions. They were very helpful so I think you should do the same.

Mike

[Jim65]

If a standard white envelope is over 1/4", it should go up to a large envelope, not a package. I regularly send cards in PWE with 2 pieces of corrugated and it costs $1.16. If the clerk is charging you for a package, I would talk to the Postmaster.

[jh691626]

Originally Posted by mikemb

Most of my ebay sales are single cards I ship in a PWE. I charge 60 cents. The card is put in a penny sleeve then a toploader secured with a piece of removable tape. Then I protect with light cardboard on both sides inside the packing slip. I have done this for years with no issues from buyers or the post office.

When I started selling on ebay over 20 years ago, several buyers gave me tips or suggestions. They were very helpful so I think you should do the same.

Mike

I agree. It seems like a number of us have independently come to a similar solution (card in penny sleeve and toploader, taped to piece of folded paper, with or without cardboard) with good luck, and it might be nice to suggest that to this seller. Jeff

[pbspelly]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Utilizing that feature was an option for sellers last time I checked.

Perhaps it shouldn't be an option. I'm sure others here might disagree, but Ebay ought to be for buying and selling items, not displaying them for five years with the remote possibility that maybe some idiot will come along and pay five times what it's worth

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Perhaps it shouldn't be an option. I'm sure others here might disagree, but Ebay ought to be for buying and selling items, not displaying them for five years with the remote possibility that maybe some idiot will come along and pay five times what it's worth

Shouldn’t be an option or shouldn’t be optional?

[pbspelly]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Shouldn’t be an option or shouldn’t be optional?

I was suggesting that it should be a policy, not something sellers could decide to do or not do. But, of course, if that was the case, sellers could simply post the item as a new listing rather than a relist. Perhaps eBay could charge one commission/listing fee for a new listing and a lower commission/listing fee for a relist at a reduced price. That would incentivize sellers to lower the price after a non-sale, but not necessarily require it.

People say why do you care? Just ignore the ones at ridiculous prices. But the issue I have is that I have to wade through tons of listings (and automatic email notices of "new" listings that I get in my in box every day) for items that the seller really doesn't want to sell. It makes it harder to find genuine listings and actually discourages me (and other potential buyers) from looking. It is more than just a tiny inconvenience or I wouldn't care about it.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

I was suggesting that it should be a policy, not something sellers could decide to do or not do. But, of course, if that was the case, sellers could simply post the item as a new listing rather than a relist. Perhaps eBay could charge one commission/listing fee for a new listing and a lower commission/listing fee for a relist at a reduced price. That would incentivize sellers to lower the price after a non-sale, but not necessarily require it.

People say why do you care? Just ignore the ones at ridiculous prices. But the issue I have is that I have to wade through tons of listings (and automatic email notices of "new" listings that I get in my in box every day) for items that the seller really doesn't want to sell. It makes it harder to find genuine listings and actually discourages me (and other potential buyers) from looking. It is more than just a tiny inconvenience or I wouldn't care about it.

Agreed that the concept of the tiered pricing is good and the policy changes needed.
Agreed that it sucks wading thru the BS listings
Sadly I do not believe that Ebay will change the policy. Unless they are reading this thread of course

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Perhaps it shouldn't be an option. I'm sure others here might disagree, but Ebay ought to be for buying and selling items, not displaying them for five years with the remote possibility that maybe some idiot will come along and pay five times what it's worth

Sellers like to have the autonomy to set whatever price they want, especially for offbeat or unique items. I even know some guys who will list stuff at a price beyond market because they don't actually want to sell; their wives demanded a sale effort. Any sort of automatic markdown rule would make the site less friendly for many sellers. I know I would not tolerate it. It would just be one more nuisance policy to circumvent.

If someone wants to operate a card museum, let them.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Sellers like to have the autonomy to set whatever price they want, especially for offbeat or unique items. I even know some guys who will list stuff at a price beyond market because they don't actually want to sell; their wives demanded a sale effort. Any sort of automatic markdown rule would make the site less friendly for many sellers. I know I would not tolerate it. It would just be one more nuisance policy to circumvent.

If someone wants to operate a card museum, let them.

If your wife is demanding an ROI on an investment that she's not seven interested in, namely your hobby, you have bigger problems than some idiot buyer trying to hammer you down.

[ValKehl]

I really like the new eBay PWE First Class shipping method because I get to print a shipping label with a USPS tracking #, I receive a discount on the postage, and I no longer need to pay the non-machinable surcharge. What's not to like?

I put the card sold in a card saver and sandwich it between 2 pieces of cardboard cut slightly smaller than the PWE. Obviously, the cardboard has to be relatively thin in order not to exceed the 1/4" maximum thickness. I usually use cardboard that I cut to size from empty dry cereal boxes (I have an endless supply of such boxes, as I eat dry cereal for breakfast 90+% of the time!). The cardboard on some dry cereal boxes is so thin that I can use 3 pieces for a stiffener sandwich and not exceed the 1/4" limit.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

I really like the new eBay PWE First Class shipping method because I get to print a shipping label with a USPS tracking #, I receive a discount on the postage, and I no longer need to pay the non-machinable surcharge. What's not to like?

I put the card sold in a card saver and sandwich it between 2 pieces of cardboard cut slightly smaller than the PWE. Obviously, the cardboard has to be relatively thin in order not to exceed the 1/4" maximum thickness. I usually use cardboard that I cut to size from empty dry cereal boxes (I have an endless supply of such boxes, as I eat dry cereal for breakfast 90+% of the time!). The cardboard on some dry cereal boxes is so thin that I can use 3 pieces for a stiffener sandwich and not exceed the 1/4" limit.

I do the same…or sometimes use an old Donruss puzzle piece as the backer.

I sell cards cheap, and new top loaders are like 35 cents each shipped…so I stopped using top loaders for low value cards once my stash ran out.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Sellers like to have the autonomy to set whatever price they want, especially for offbeat or unique items. I even know some guys who will list stuff at a price beyond market because they don't actually want to sell; their wives demanded a sale effort. Any sort of automatic markdown rule would make the site less friendly for many sellers. I know I would not tolerate it. It would just be one more nuisance policy to circumvent.

If someone wants to operate a card museum, let them.

I know a few friends that do that. Ebay is still the wild wild west a little bit. It's like a box of chocolates....you never know what you are going to get.
.

[ballparks]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Perhaps it shouldn't be an option. I'm sure others here might disagree, but Ebay ought to be for buying and selling items, not displaying them for five years with the remote possibility that maybe some idiot will come along and pay five times what it's worth

If they put a 1% listing fee for every time something was listed (waived if sold), these imbeciles that list $150 tickets for $9000 will stop their practice of trying to rip people off and screw the hobby. I fully agree.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Did you respond to his first offer, though? I always find it kind of rude or annoying when I make an offer and the seller doesn't even respond to say thanks but no thanks.

The offer was automatically rejected due to the floor I set on the Best Offer function. I never even read it.