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I often wondered if the mailing weight alone would make a difference in a case like this. I am such a small seller that I go to the post office with my packages and wait for a receipt because it proves 1. I mailed it on time and 2. the weight at the time of mailing. I guess that really doesn’t matter to eBay. I can take a picture of an empty box, but that doesn’t mean that’s how it was received!
These were the areas discussed in a very lengthy conversation with the rep while she helped the seller (not me)with other issues that she posted on a FB forum:
1. The Internet browser that will work the best is Google Chrome. This is the only browser any area of eBay uses and is constantly updated for their systems and have the newest updates.
2. How to be at the top of searches every time: only use important key words that would actually be in a search in the most common order…too many words makes you lower in searches even if they are searchable words used to accurate describe the item. Cassini search only looks at the first 5 or less words, so make those the most important regardless if it makes sense. Don’t use condition in titles, that will lower you and especially don’t use it in the first 5 words (this includes new, tags, etc.).
3. A number 1 rank is given to Free Shipping, Top Rated, Store Subscribers (based on store level), Pricing (be competitive, runs sales, promotions, and referral links), Title Entirety and Keyword Order, Pictures (square, 4 or more, clarity/resolution), Mobile Friendly, all Item Specifics filled out (drop downs or fill in your own does not affect Cassini searches, but only drop down selections can be sorted/filtered by), Returns (by length then how, and handling fees), International Shipping (apparently GSP does not matter or effect), Handling Times (eBay has a contract with USPS to scan all packages immediately upon arrival for their higher placement/ads/preference of use), and number of EBay Categories you list in (clothing, electronics, toys, etc.).
4. Indexing a listing can now take over 12 hours, but their goal on revised is 1-2 hours, re-list / sell similar / and GTC is 1-4 hours, and new listings can be 2-8 hours+. This answers my question before of revising as they are ending…NEVER revise anything if it is ending, re-listing, or going on sale for at least 12 hours before or you risk losing any extra exposure it may gain from ending soon, newly listed, or promotions/sales.
5. The new rulings (not really posted anywhere) on Drafts in the Seller Hub is that they are Unlimited, Expire in 30 days from Created Date vs Last Update. If you want them longer then 30 days without listing you are advised to use the Scheduler or list and end to keep for 90 days.
6. Listing & Store Promotions are based on : Seller Level, Sales and them Increasing (Can not be stagnant (even if all good), Highest # of Categories Listing in, Type of Categories Selling in(electronics/tech & cell phones top, Clothing & books bottom), and Type of Listings. That should cover most of everything needed to sell well outside of Quality Items, Smart Purchases, Competitive Pricing.
Now, I did not create this list, but was posted on a forum that I think I can share (it’s not a private forum). I don’t know how the rep would know some of these issues, but as Jay says, they are rumors and he doesn’t like to deal in rumors…even though it came from an eBay rep. Jay, if this is too “rumorish” for you, go ahead and delete.According to the rep, it has something to do with having a “square” photo and that eBay would have to fill in your photo if it is not perfectly square. I doubt that a telephone rep has any internal knowledge of the eBay algorithm so I was skeptical that her information would be accurate.
I have an old iPhone 5 and it is fine for most pictures, but there is still some issues with true colors. Although, aren’t monitors/phones different on showing colors, too, so even if you have an accurate picture, won’t the buyer’s monitor/phone make a difference?
Thanks, Brian. I know a lot of sellers here keep their winter stuff up in summer and their summer stuff up in winter, but for this summer season, I am going to take down my winter items. I have only had two international sales since I started and I don’t expect that to change to be able to sell winter stuff to international buyers, so that will make me go through all of my inventory when I get home and decide which items that I didn’t take to Phoenix will be relisted and which ones won’t. My COGS is so low right now because mostly everything I am selling is coming from the Goodwill Outlet here in Phoenix, but when I get home that will change and I will have to source elsewhere. Thanks for encouraging me to post my small numbers!
Here is this small-time sellers first time reporting numbers!
Store Week 3/12/17 – 3/18/17
Total items in store: 281
Items sold: 12
Cost of items sold: $9.05
Total sales: $157.96
Highest price sold: $24.99 (NWT Chico Skirt)
Average price sold: $13.16
International Sales: 0
Returns: 1
Money spent on new inventory this week: $22.95So, I am currently a snowbird in Phoenix and I took half of my inventory with me from Wisconsin (the rest I unlisted and left back home because they were breakable, too big, out of season, etc.) Since I have been here, I have been shopping at “The Bins” aka The Goodwill Outlet. We have one in Wisconsin, but they also have an eBay store and the items that you find there are broken and not usable for eBay plus it is about two hours away from me. I came here with about 150 item in my store and at a high was around 310 items. I am now trying to get my inventory down so it will fit in our vehicle to bring back home in about two weeks. Most of what I have in my store is non-vintage clothing so my average cost of items sold is pretty low, not to mention I am putting just about everything on sale to try to move it.
I am looking forward to reorganizing my inventory when I get back and hopefully getting my item average up when the snow melts and garage sales start up again!
I get so frustrated with measurement in the listings. I have had two items returned with the measurements in the listing but the tag size in the title. The buyer returned for INAD in both cases saying that the item was a different size than what was “listed” even though the measurements were in the description. Called eBay and was advised to refund and pay return postage because they would “most likely” side with the buyer if I escalated. One postage was a padded flat rate and one was only $2.77 so I paid postage both ways just to avoid the ding. No one seems to look at the listing…only the title. UGH!
It also seems that if you “play around” with a listing, it helps, too. I readjusted some of my key words on about half of my listings the other day (put the most important words that someone might search on in the order they might search and I have had a number of sales in those more stale listings. So, I guess there could be other ways to accomplish the same results without the annoying relist/sell similar.
I have been reluctant to post my numbers since I am such a small seller compared to the numbers you guys have, but lately I have been seeing smaller sellers post their numbers, so maybe next week, I’ll take the plunge!
The rep told me that they (eBay) couldn’t force me to refund because their case was closed, but the buyer could appeal to PayPal over a longer period of time than they can with eBay, so it is possible PayPal could take the money out of my account. Great!
JFH when you are looking for deductions, make sure you log your mileage…mileage to and from the Post Office, stores when you are purchasing tape and mailing envelopes, thrifting, etc. You would be surprised how quickly that all adds up (in addition to the regular things you buy for your business!)
So, what happens when you approve a return, eBay gives them 5 business days to return, they print the label you approved for but they don’t send it within the 5 days. You call to get it closed and it is closed in your favor. After the case is closed, they use the label they printed that would be charged to you. Do you still have to pay the shipping since the return was closed in your favor? If not, do you usually still refund (even though I don’t think you are obligated to?)
Congratulations on your 300th episode! And I’ve listened to ALL of them! Through your podcasts, my learning curve has not been as steep as it would have been if you guys weren’t there. From shipping to customer issues to pricing…you guys ROCK! I have just completed my first full year selling on eBay and you have made it so much more of a pleasant experience than I’ve heard from those who began years and years ago when there weren’t smartphones and forums. Thanks for all you do for us!
Jay and Ryanne do you think you get better responses since you have an Anchor Store than when you had a Basic or Premium Store? I know you guys have dedicated reps for Anchor Stores and I wondered if you noticed any difference in their willingness to resolve issues now than when you had lower subscription stores?
What a mess. I wouldn’t even know where to start on a case like this. I am really impressed with your wealth of knowledge and your research on this company with other eBayers. I am sure that paid off BIG TIME in getting it resolved in your favor. I hope I never have any complicated issues such as this! If I do, I coming to you to help me!
