Sellers believing the ebay hype like 1984 double speak

The biggest issue I have noticed at the moment, is more a problem for the BIN sellers, that seem to be under some delusion that it is their own ability that is doing all the work, and it has nothing to do with the changes ebay have made to increase their profits.
I have heard it several times from some of the most level headed sellers, claiming they are there due to their great knowledge, and ability. And then adding that those struggling on ebay are struggling due to their inability, as if ebay had not made the changes.

I think, if they really do believe this, and they really do seem to, then they need to check themselves, as this could really hurt their business in the future. Over confidence in your abilities can be just as destructive as under confidence, as when they come to face a real challenge then they quickly have to face up to the truth.

It is funny how these same sellers, start to struggle again, when they move to what is an auction site, such as ebid.net, that is set up like ebay used to be when it worked for all. Most of them are selecting the BIN alternatives, or stick with ebay, as their confidence in their abilities seems to falter when faced with the work to prove what they are claiming.

Come on people wake up I know ebay have a good brain washing school, but this could harm your business in the long run.

Ask yourself the magic questions?

What changed?
What did you change?

Now be truthful, when you ask yourself this, as the rest of the world is laughing at your stupidity and sudden ebay inflicted ego boost. I am also wondering if you get a message on the telephone every night that goes something like this

In hypnotic tone "Bad sellers will be removed from ebay, so you must be good sellers, praise yourself for all the good selling you are doing. You are successful, and we have not changed the search, the feedback and the pricing system to suit you, that is just the bad sellers making noise , do not listen to them, just remind them they are bad sellers, and you are good sellers, good sellers, good sellers."

Funny how when these sellers speak, and praise their own ego's that you would not think ebay had changed anything.

Free stuff is always good or is it? part one

Not all is as it seems, when you look at age old systems, some that claim to be adapting and others that just have no idea, that there is more than their own view of the world.

Three of these systems that have been around for a while, one for what seems to be an eternity, are the subject of my first blog on here, as thanks to their systems, there is possible goodies galore for most if not all.

Most people on ebay UK know that royal mail is not perfect and were possibly surprised when ebay/Paypal started offering RM postal services through paypal but should it have been a surprise, as each of the companies seem to work as if they are the only affordable or feasible option, so it turns out that they have a lot in common.

Now how does this give you the opportunity to get free stuff?

Ebay allows the user to sell their goods, and until a few years ago they basically stayed out of the trade, allowing the community to police itself but then they bought paypal and decided to take a more active role in the policing of the trade, as it was more profitable to do so.

Now as they made the changes, each of them, trying to tackle dishonest sellers, but with each most found it had little effect on the dishonest seller but did make it more difficult, and often insecure to sell on ebay. Possibly by chance more than anything else they also started making ebay more money but only in the short term, as the difficulties started to hurt sales for the sellers.

Now back to the free stuff.

If you live outside of the UK and take a look at the ebay UK for any products that are being shipped by Royal Mail, International signed for or Airmail, then that little notifier really means FREE. The other Airsure may also be free, but I have yet to see it tried, but if you look at paypals demands for postage, then it should, as it is not signed for, which paypal requires.

So find your item and pay for it through paypal, give them a week or so until the item turns up and then go into paypal and claim the item did not turn up, as the seller is unable to prove the item was posted then you will be fully refunded the full price and the postage.

Now how is it so if the buyer paid for International signed for or even Airsure?

Basically because RM is a selling a false service with International signed for so there is no covered postage method from RM, outside of the business post they offer, which most sellers on ebay could not afford.
The international signed for is sort of a RM scam, as if you ask them where it is or who signed for it, then they will not be able to tell you, as they stop tracking it once they hand it over to the other countries postal service.
That fact will also mean the sender will not be refunded for any loss, as RM do not see it as their fault once they have handed it over to overseas postal service.

Now for those inside the UK it is not that simple, and it is not always guaranteed that the item will be free, as occasionally RM staff do actually do the job you paid them to do, but only occasionally, so it is always worth checking the item has been tracked.

If you are UK based look for the RM first class on any ebay listings, that also means FREE. RM recorded can be just as free, but it is more as an afterthought, so can't be guaranteed.
After you receive the item, even if you signed for it check the tracking number on the RM website and see if it is has been tracked, if not it is FREE.

Now why would sellers on ebay do this, as it does not make any sense?

Basically they are being pushed to offering low or even free postage by ebay, as to not offer it, can mean that their items will be shown further back in the search, which means they will be less likely to sell their items.

Also the problem for most is what RM knows, and that is that most ebay sellers can't sell enough to get business post discounts, so RM basically have them trapped in a Monopoly style situation, of "So don't use us if you don't like it." They really have no other option for a postal service.

And this is great info for those that like to attack their competitors, as you can also start an item not received through ebay. What this will mean to the seller is that you are able to strike them so many times that they will be spinning by time you're done, and how do I know most of this, most of it has been done to me at one time or other.

The item not received on ebay has been said to be worse than a negative feedback and is effective from the day it starts.
Then you have the negative feedback. What can they do about it?
Then you can leave the one star, which is ebays super bad seller rating.
Then the paypal clawback, that is a great one as each time it is used on the seller, then the closer they come to having any payments held by paypal.
They may also try to recoup their fees from ebay, in a request that you have both agreed to cancel the transaction. Just say, no I do not agree, and they still pay the fees.

This is all going to make them drop back in the search and also damage any chance of receiving a discount from ebay on their fees, but better than that from the destructive sellers point of view, it will eventually break them, either through cost of the lost sales or the price of the damage to a persons spirit.

Then you leave RM to do their bit for you, as they have their own system ready to smack the seller about.

Royal mail have an ebay box on the lost item form. If the seller selects this then they are basically saying to RM, go on rip me off as well, as RM will only pay them for the item price and will not refund them the postage they have paid back to you, or the postage they have paid to RM.

If they do not select the ebay box then they have to show the value of the item, normally with a receipt, and if they can't they may just get a pack of six stamps. Remember if RM contact you, you should mention that it is an ebay item even if the seller says don't.


Not sure how well these work for those postal services from other countries, as it may just be a RM, UK thing and may not be possible, as most other countries have a proper postal service that is there for their customers and able to adapt to the market needs rather than, like RM just ignore their customers needs and continue to enjoy their Monopoly.

Now this actually started as a mocking look at selling on ebay, while using RM, that has always been based on trust, but it is all possible, and not mentioning it is not going to stop it happening but mentioning it may force those in charge to make some changes, so if you are a seller or buyer on ebay that thinks this is wrong, then contact the companies involved, that are making it all possible and in some cases are making it impossible for the seller to find a way to protect themselves from those people that wish to make use of all that listed above.

Or you could just ignore it all and take advantage of the freebies.