Shopping and buying on eBay can be an immensely enjoyable process, not just for the joy of the bargain hunt, but also because there are so many varied and desirable goods for sale. Be careful, however, not to overestimate what the seller is selling, or to allow yourself to develop expectations that exceed the seller's ability (or obligation) to deliver.
It's unfortunately not uncommon to hear words of woe or anger from buyers who feel as though they have not made the best of purchases or received the best of service on eBay. Though such sentiments are often warranted, in a significant percentage of cases they are not. For whatever reason, some number of unsatisfied buyers on eBay are unsatisfied largely because of their own unreasonable expectations for the sale, rather than because of seller misperformance.
Negative feedback and direct complaints to sellers are both serious business, and buyers who plan a long and healthy future of trading on eBay should be careful not only in modulating their expectations before the sale, but also in carefully evaluating their let-downs after it. Don't cost a seller extra dollars or an extra negative simply because you didn't read the item listing carefully! Not only is it not fair to the seller—it may cost you a negative as well, one that could discourage other sellers from accepting your bids.
What To Do Instead
Whether before you make a purchase or before you act after being disappointed by one, go over the following checklist carefully to see if your expectations for the item were too high.
- Expect used items to be used. When you buy used, you should assume that the item in question has seen, well, use. Normal signs of wear and tear, perhaps a few scratches, a reasonably shortened lifespan—all of these come with the territory when you buy used.
- Assume you'll receive only what's listed. When a seller lists a digital camera and only a digital camera, that is just what you can expect to receive—that is to say, not a box, software, cables, accessories, instruction manuals, or anything else that may come with such a camera in a retail store. If you want those extra items, be sure to watch for a seller that lists them explicitly as being included in the sale.
- Assume that AS-IS items are broken. When a seller sells items as "untested," "AS-IS," or "condition unknown," assume that the item will be broken. Such a clear statement by the seller is an up-front indication that he or she makes no promises about the item's condition, and the item will likely sell very cheaply because of it. If you buy it and it doesn't work, you've received what you paid for, nothing more, nothing less.
- Believe the seller about shipping amounts. Seller's list their shipping fees because that is what they plan to charge buyers. Too often, buyers assume that sellers don't really mean it—that if the item can be shipped for for less, the seller will be willing to charge less should they buy the item. One of the most common complaints from eBay buyers, this is also one of the most frustrating to sellers who clearly list their fees in advance. Believe them!
- Allow the seller time to ship. Most eBay sellers are merely part-time, home-based eBay users just like most eBay buyers. It can take several days to ship an item, and unless they state otherwise, most of them will ship by the most basic shipment method available. If as a buyer you are determined to receive an item quickly, be sure to buy from a seller that promises expedited shipment, for example using the Get It Fast feature.
- Buy the return policy you require. Don't ever assume that a seller will "take back" an item that as a buyer you've decided you don't want, for whatever reason, legitimate or not. Unless a seller explicitly states a return policy, assume that the item cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded. If the seller does give a return policy, expect the seller to adhere to those terms and nothing more.
If you've made a purchase and are unsatisfied and after reading the list above believe that you have entirely reasonable expectations under the terms of the trade that haven't been met, work hard to resolve the dispute before you leave a negative. Even when you're justifiably upset, leaving negative feedback is not the best first option.
