How do sellers protect themselves against fraud

[waywardangler]

Hi mario, my brain is not quite working today (snow shoveled and more to shovel) but what is P&P (parcel & post)?

I block bidders from other countries (other than North America) from bidding and I also list shipping in the U.S.A. at the listed shpg price as you do.  If you pay with PayPal, the first scenario would have gotten you a complete refund.  I sincerely hope you left negative feedback for that seller in addition to the ebay complaint.

Unfortunately, there are dishonest, unethical people everywhere and one must always keep ones guard up and limit any losses to an affordable minimum.

What mart says about a contract on ebay is true but at a $35 selling price and a value of $200-300, filing costs would have surpassed that.  We have a small claims court here that would work for that and it costs $60 to file, I believe.  Not sure if you have something like that there.  At 10 miles away, I probably would have had a local lawyer draft a letter explaining the legal ramifications of the seller's actions and threaten to sue for the item plus court costs (if I really wanted it that bad).  If no big deal, I would have done what you did and chalked the rest up to a learning experience.  I also would have put that seller's user ID in my 'blocked bidder list' on ebay, just to be safe.

[mariok54]

Hi Wayward ... Sorry P&P + Postage & Packaging ... and if you don't have VAT over there (something I mentioned on Tales's rocker thread, I think) , then  V.A.T = value added tax (payable on all but essential items), which over here is now 20%, but in Auctions you only pay the VAT on the commission, so it'd be say 15% + 20% of 15%.

Yes, I could have taken it further, but to reflect your sentiments, life is just too short. Curse ... Bash the table ... Kick the point in space where the cat was 2 seconds ago... and then move on 

[waywardangler]

Does the cat move quickly after the bash because it knows the kick is coming where it is so it had better not be there? 

Thanks for the P&P clarification, mario.  I knew what VAT was/is because that has been brought up by the insatiable spending appetite of legislatures here.   

[Dean Perdue]

I've been checking out eBays seller forums and it just confirms what you guys have said.

There is no shortage of sellers who have been scammed by dishonest buyers looking for something for free and with eBays blessings.Truly amazing to say the least.

Here's just one story of many and the comments echo what you've been saying all along.

I know theres dishonest sellers out there also but I took it for granted that eBay and PayPal would at least try reveiw the facts of each case and try to be fair.

Thanks for your helping me see whats going on.

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Seller-Central/Please-Tell-Me/520253555&start=0

[mart]

Sorry about that but thats why I said, if I can`t afford to lose it,, I don`t list it.  Ebay is fun for small sellers like me or you if you can take an occassional loss. But high dollar items seem to bring out the crook in people. You can make a bit of money on small things. Stick with insured and bonded venues for high dollar stuff.

[mariok54]

Hi Dean... That is a sad case, unfortunately just one of many that I've read over the past couple of years. Nowadays I rarely use ebay to sell, and certainly would not sell any high value items on it. I still buy via ebay, and will buy high value items, but I will only buy from sellers that I can trust, such as well established companies and even from  Texas Unclaimed Properties .. I know my money is safe (well, as safe as can be),

If I were to sell any high value items I would use my local Auction Houses. Once upon a time ebay was so competitive regarding their fees but not any more and I would rather pay the little extra in commission and have the peace of mind.