"Peter van der Goes" <p_vandergoes@mars.cox.neptune> wrote in message
news:0gzLb.58815$HQ.48767@okepread02...
>
> "CJ" <cjoleary@gofree.indigo.ie> wrote in message
> news:btks7c$pc1$1@kermit.esat.net...
> > Has anyone else noticed that the disclaimers, conditions etc on ebay
> > auctions are getting longer and longer and even more complicated by the
> day.
> > On some of them you practically need a law degree before you can bit.
> Some
> > will sell to this country but you have to pay by a certain method only.
> And
> > then they'll ship to that country but will only accept a different form
of
> > payment from there. And then there's the fine print about the shipping
> and
> > "handelling" charges. In my experience, most sellers handelling/packing
> > expenses consists of a box, some newspaper, a label and some duct tape.
> >
> > Personally, I don't mind paying a little extra for good packaging but
when
> > an item like a '30's tombstone radio arives smashed because the sellers
> idea
> > of packing was an old teatowel wedged inside it then I take exception to
> > paying extra.
> >
> > I really used to enjoy spending a few hours browsing on ebay for things
> but
> > now I seem to spend most of my time wading through all sellers
conditions.
> > Surely ebay could limit the length of these and provide a form in turbo
> > lister to clarify where the seller will ship to and what payments they
> will
> > accept from that particular area.
> >
> > Also, recently I've been having problems with sellers not making any
> attempt
> > to contact me at the end of the auction and just relying on the
automated
> > letter at the end of the auction. Unfortunatly, when the set that up
they
> > forget little things like where to send payment or they just list the
> > shipping in the US even if it's an international auction.
> >
> > As a seller myself, I always try to be consistant. I accept the same
> forms
> > of payment from all countries and consider that if a buyer is good
enough
> to
> > bid and pay for my item then I should at least be willing to package it
> well
> > and mail it to them without any "Handling" charges.
> >
> > Any comments would be most apreciated.
> >
> > CJ
> >
> Everything you mentioned *should* raise red flags in your mind. "Danger,
> danger Will Robinson..." There is an old adage to the effect that it takes
> far fewer words to tell the truth than to tell a lie.
> All the caveats and restrictions are often associated with scams,
especially
> those which require unusual payment methods or which specify unreasonable
> rules on the buyer. For example "seller will ship within 30 days" has
> actually appeared in auctions and people actually bid. At the very least,
> all the mumbo jumbo is there to provide a smokescreen against dispute
> resolution in favor of a dissatisfied customer. We've all seen the "if the
> buyer had *read* my (200 line) disclaimer..." defense.
> This is just my personal opinion, but I believe the operative question is
> whether you wish (as a buyer) to give up your "normal" rights as a
customer
> to buy from a seller who adds these kinds of caveats. I prefer to restrict
> my business to sellers who do not have any "special" rules or silly S&H
> charges.
>
ebay has made so many useless changes lately that make it more difficult to
use.
i've been selling there since 1999 but will stop in about six weeks. i'm
absolutely sick of that site and i hate it. i wish there was some
competition that could kick it's big bloated ass.