Dealing with Buyers' Refund Requests
Photo:Mike Johnson
There are actually multiple approaches you can take as a seller as you attempt to satisfy your buyer—beyond the traditional arrangement of return-restock-refund. Read on for discussion of some of the many ways that you can pursue the result is least costly for you, satisfying a dissatisfied buyer while at the same time minimizing the costs that you incur yourself.
See Also
Dealing with Buyer Fraud
What To Do When You Don't Get Paid
Nine Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid
Keep Notes in My eBay
Image: Aron Hsiao If you've ever found yourself wondering where you left a tracking number or trying to figure out just why you bid on a particularly strange item, perhaps it's time you acquainted yourself with the notes feature of My eBay. Read on to learn more.
See Also
Learn to Use My eBay
Streamline Your Record-Keeping
Customize Your My eBay Summary
More Weird eBay Auction Fun
Photo:Ivan Bliznetsov
For the Kids
First up today is something that only a very trusting parent would buy—a baby name. That's right, if you're the parent of an as-of-yet-unnamed newborn baby, you could be lucky enough to win the chance for someone else to name it.
Even if you don't have a newborn baby, eBay can still better your childrens' lives. For example, if your offspring are utterly friendless, you might consider buying each of them 500 fresh friends on MySpace. Nearly as good as the real thing, I'm sure!
For the Grown-Ups
Don't worry if you're childless, there's something for everyone on eBay. For example, might consider bidding on this vintage fire hydrant that someone has been so kind as to extract from a street corner in Boston.
Alternatively, you might buy this working hand-cranked air-raid siren instead. They make great gifts for ever-prepared friends and neighbors, so consider buying a few and giving them away at Christmas time.
If you're looking for something a little easier on the ears, you can always spring for this set of singing bowls that can apparently cure what ails you (or your psyche) with their sweet, harmonizing notes. A snip at just under a thousand dollars.
In fact, you might need some decent nerve-soothing if you decide to take on the task of repairing these 363 broken Playstation 2 consoles. Some spare parts included—though apparently not amongst these are the screws that are supposed to hold each unit together.
Once again, eBay proves to have something for everyone, whether nameless or hydrantless. Happy bidding, everyone!
Avoid Junk and Gimmick eBay Auctions
Photo: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
The truth is that these kinds of auctions are unlikely to do anything for you or for eBay as a resource in the long term. Instead, they lead to disappointment, liability, and loss. Plus, you can get a few of the "secrets" that are for sale in these types of auctions inside this article! So read on!
See Also
Avoid Counterfeit Items
Don't Keyword SPAM or Miscategorize
Don't Quietly Sell Defective Items
Build It Yourself on eBay
Photo:Craig Jewell
In fact, eBay is great as a "start to finish" supplier for big hobbyist projects and enthusiast needs of all kindsand it also represents a great opportunity for sellers of such items to move new old stock and re-sell pulls and spares. Read on to learn more.
See Also
Tips for Selling Hobbyist Goods on eBay
Join the Community with eBay Groups
Get eBay Answers Fast
Photo: Martin Boose Though eBay will eventually respond to any query you send, you may find that it is in your interest to use another tool for getting your eBay answersa human-driven tool that eBay has placed into service specifically to help eBay users with tough, urgent questions. Read on to learn more.
See Also
Using eBay Help
Let eBay Recommend Tools for You
eBay's Community Hub
How do eBay auctions differ from "real" auctions?
See Also
Find Out What's Hot
Photo:Jay Lopez
See Also
Supply and Demand on eBay
eBay Selling and Marketing Tools
Quick Guide to Describing Item Conditions
Photo: Renaudeh See Also
Guide to Terms in eBay Listings
eBay Seller Features Guide
Refunds and Exchanges for eBay Purchases
Artwork:Aron Hsiao
On eBay, of course, returns don't run through the company, but are rather the logistical responsibility of buyers and their sellers. This makes for an interesting level of variety but can also increase the potential for conflict if both sides aren't clear about what they can reasonably expect and what they are reasonably expected to provide. Read on to learn more.
See Also
Resolving Disputes With Sellers
Dealing With Buyer Fraud

