To succeed on eBay as a seller, it’s important to anticipate and prepare for potential challenges. Some of the most common eBay selling problems include issues with eBay itself and competition from other sellers on the platform. And problems that eBay sellers may encounter with buyers. By being aware of these eBay selling problems, you can take steps to overcome them and build a successful eBay business.
eBay is an online shopping hub with a massive customer base in the united states and deals in high sales volume. So it’s essential to understand the most common eBay seller problem. The eBay problems include unpaid items, low ratings, item not received cases, and fraudulent buyers.
According to eBay’s seller help page, you can mitigate these issues by setting clear policies. You can also provide excellent customer service and use eBay’s dispute resolution tools.
#1. Low Ratings and Negative Customer Feedback on eBay
Customer feedback, or reviews, can significantly impact eBay sellers. According to a survey by eMarketer, 76% of online shoppers trust customer reviews when making purchase decisions on online marketplaces. However, negative reviews can help eBay merchants, as they need more support from eBay experts to deal with them. eBay’s policies prohibit sellers from removing negative feedback unless it violates its guidelines or is deemed abusive or unsuitable.
While it’s impossible to satisfy every customer, eBay sellers can work on improving their product quality to minimize negative reviews. By maintaining high-quality products that meet marketplace standards, sellers can increase their chances of receiving positive reviews.
How to Avoid Low Ratings and Negative Feedback on eBay?
It’s important to note that a wrong product is often the most significant reason for negative feedback. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 70% of consumers leave reviews for terrible experiences with a product or service. Therefore, eBay sellers must focus on product quality and customer service to succeed on the platform. By improving product quality and providing excellent customer service, sellers can increase their chances of receiving positive reviews.
#2. Unpaid Items Case on eBay
One of the common eBay selling problems that eBay sellers face is the issue of unpaid items. According to eBay’s policy, buyers must pay for purchased eBay listings on the platform. Sellers can only open an unpaid item case if payment is not received within two days of the purchase.
However, unpaid items can still pose a significant issue for eBay sellers. According to a survey by Tamebay, over 40% of eBay sellers have experienced problems with unpaid items. This can frustrate sellers, as it ties up their inventory and affects their cash flow.
How to avoid Unpaid Items Case on eBay?
eBay offers several tools to help sellers deal with unpaid items. eBay’s Unpaid Item Assistant can automatically open and close cases for sellers. It helps streamline the process and reduce the time and effort needed to deal with unpaid items.
Also, eBay’s policy allows sellers to block buyers with a history of not paying. It can help prevent future unpaid items.
#3. Item Not Received Cases on eBay
eBay sellers often need help with buyers filing Item Not Received (INR) cases, which can be frustrating. INR cases occur when buyers claim they did not receive the item they purchased on eBay. It may happen even though the seller shipped it.
According to eBay’s policy, sellers must provide proof of shipping and delivery to win an INR case. However, it can still be demanding and stressful for sellers to deal with these cases.
A survey by Tamebay found that over 20% of eBay sellers have had INR cases opened against them.
How to manage Item Not Received Cases on eBay?
One way to prevent INR cases is to provide detailed tracking information for each shipment. This allows buyers to track their packages and provides sellers with proof of delivery. eBay’s Global Shipping Program also offers international buyers tracking information and helps protect sellers from INR cases.
Additionally, offering excellent customer service can help prevent INR cases. Sellers can decrease the risk of filing INR complaints by establishing trust with customers and providing remedies for shipment problems.
#4. Fraudulent Buyers on eBay
eBay sellers also face the problem of fraudulent buyers who attempt to scam sellers out of their listed items or money. These buyers may employ several strategies. Illegally claiming an item was not received, differed from the description, or keeping it without payment are everyday fraudulent activities.
According to a survey by Tamebay, over 15% of eBay sellers have experienced fraudulent buyer behavior.
How to deal with Fraudulent Buyers on eBay?
One way to protect against fraudulent buyers is to carefully review buyer feedback and history before completing a sale. Sellers should also be cautious of buyers who ask for private communication or request payment outside of eBay’s platform.
It’s also essential for sellers to document all aspects of a sale, including shipping information and item descriptions. It can help sellers provide proof of shipment and item condition if a fraudulent claim is made.
eBay offers customer support through an eBay resolution center. Sellers can report fraudulent buyer behavior and receive assistance in resolving the issue. Sellers should not hesitate to use this resource if they suspect fraudulent activity.
#5. Inventory management On eBay
One of the most significant eBay selling problems is inventory management. Many eBay sellers need help tracking and organizing their inventory due to the high volume of sales and orders. eBay issues with inventory management can lead to overselling, understocking, or incorrect listings, ultimately resulting in happier customers and lost sales.
A survey by eSellerCafe found that 30% of eBay sellers needed help managing their inventory. More than half of the people who sell things on eBay (57%) need help keeping track of how much they have.
Another issue that exacerbates eBay sellers’ inventory management problems is the high platform competition (your eBay competitor). Managing inventory can be difficult, with millions of sellers offering comparable goods. It can be challenging for small or amateur sellers who need help to keep up.
How to Manage Inventory on eBay
With millions of active product listings, standing out and attracting buyers can be challenging. However, third-party integration service providers like CedCommerce can help an eBay seller manage inventory, automate listings, and streamline order fulfillment. A recent survey by Capterra found that 74% of eBay sellers use third-party software to manage their stores.
By using such tools, sellers can avoid overselling, maintain accurate stock levels, and automatically update inventory across multiple sales channels.
#6. Dealing with Returns on eBay
Returns are a common issue faced by eBay sellers. Buyers may request to return items for various reasons, such as the item needing to be fitting or being as described.
According to eBay’s policy, sellers must accept returns for most items within 30 days of delivery. Also, you need to provide a refund or replacement if the item is not as described or is faulty. However, this policy can frustrate some sellers, as returns can be costly and demanding.
How to deal with Returns on eBay
One way to prevent returns is to provide detailed and accurate item descriptions. Also, include measurements and upload explicit images of the item. This can help buyers understand what they are purchasing and reduce the likelihood of returns due to confusion or wrong communication.
It’s also essential for sellers to clearly state their return policy in their listings. Promptly responding to buyer inquiries about returns should also be a priority. By being transparent and communicative, sellers can build trust with buyers and reduce the likelihood of returns being filed.
Conclusion
With the right approach and strategies, eBay sellers can overcome the challenges of selling on eBay. To solve most of the non technical issues on eBay, you should know about your product. Also, have sound knowledge of the listing fee and final value fees you’ll be paying.
Additionally, you should be helpful to customers, ensure fair prices, and deploy integrations to make the inventory and product feed management.
If you plan to sell on eBay and don’t know how to do it, we would be glad to help. We can also help you begin your business as an eCommerce retailer on eBay and other marketplaces. Moreover, our 24*7 assistance via Calendly, is always ready to provide you with any support you might require.