NEW - eBay payouts 2 days after delivery!

[Coinery 1,146]

Just spotted that eBay are from February planning to hold seller funds until 2 days after delivery, which is fine, except in the cases where Royal Mail haven’t scanned items as delivered!

Example: I had an item arrive in Australia this week which track and trace still apparently have at the PO I posted it at!

Also, I have a standard package (RM label printed via eBay itself; the ‘will only update when delivery is attempted’ kind), which the recipient has had since before Christmas, which still remains ‘undelivered’ on track and trace!

I sense some big headaches coming on!

[Rob 3,152]

If you only get paid in full once the item is delivered, and as there is no compulsion for the recipient to say it has arrived, then you aren't going to get paid for many small value items that only need a second class stamp where it isn't worth getting tracking. Would ebay even consider feedback as proof the item was delivered? Adding a couple quid to cover tracking on something worth a fiver or less isn't likely to generate many (any?) sales. This looks like it's how ebay are going to substitute the lost income they gave up by abolishing FVFs.

Alternatively, you can just add on 4% plus 75p to the price of every listing to cover lack of delivery confirmation for items of sufficient value to need tracking.

I can feel a large 'I can't be arsed' reaction coming on. Just keep things simple and life works ok.

[Coinery 1,146]

2 hours ago, Rob said:

I can feel a large 'I can't be arsed' reaction coming on. Just keep things simple and life works ok.

Yes, I feel it will only take 1 or 2 bad seller experiences to kill it all off entirely! 
I receive Signed-For AND Special Delivery items all the time, which haven’t progressed through the system properly…namely, I haven’t officially received them!

Essentially, eBay’s new approach will require a hugely transformed Royal Mail for it to succeed!

[Martinminerva 330]

11 hours ago, Coinery said:

Just spotted that eBay are from February planning to hold seller funds until 2 days after delivery, which is fine, except in the cases where Royal Mail haven’t scanned items as delivered!

Example: I had an item arrive in Australia this week which track and trace still apparently have at the PO I posted it at!

Also, I have a standard package (RM label printed via eBay itself; the ‘will only update when delivery is attempted’ kind), which the recipient has had since before Christmas, which still remains ‘undelivered’ on track and trace!

I have noticed this on the ebay FAQ page about this new system; the last bullet point would seem most relevant:

Sellers funds will be made available to UK-based private sellers after the order is considered delivered or complete, which is determined by the delivery method:

• For tracked deliveries, the seller will receive payment 2 calendar days after eBay receives confirmation from the tracked delivery service that it was successful.
• For local pick-up, the seller will receive payment when you exchange the 6 digit code or QR code with your seller.
• If the item includes Authenticity Guarantee, the seller will receive payment after the item is successfully authenticated.
• For items sent via the Global Shipping Programme, the seller will receive payment after the item is delivered to the UK Shipping Centre.
• For untracked deliveries, or tracked deliveries with no delivery confirmation, the seller will receive payment 14 days from the order date.

So, perhaps not as awful as it first sounded, but still pretty awful. And, yes, the Royal Mail has an appalling record regarding updating its tracking pages. I reckon about 50% of the things I have bought and sold over the last couple of years were never fully tracked by the Royal Mail, so I guess a lot of people will be enduring this two week wait for their money.  Also, the buying fees are likely to put off a lot of potential customers. Ebay really has been going down the pan for many years now, especially after every "improvement" they choose to make without any consultation with its members... Perhaps we should all start to make much more use of the buy & sell threads on this forum?!

[Rob 3,152]

39 minutes ago, Martinminerva said:

I have noticed this on the ebay FAQ page about this new system; the last bullet point would seem most relevant:

Sellers funds will be made available to UK-based private sellers after the order is considered delivered or complete, which is determined by the delivery method:

• For tracked deliveries, the seller will receive payment 2 calendar days after eBay receives confirmation from the tracked delivery service that it was successful.
• For local pick-up, the seller will receive payment when you exchange the 6 digit code or QR code with your seller.
• If the item includes Authenticity Guarantee, the seller will receive payment after the item is successfully authenticated.
• For items sent via the Global Shipping Programme, the seller will receive payment after the item is delivered to the UK Shipping Centre.
• For untracked deliveries, or tracked deliveries with no delivery confirmation, the seller will receive payment 14 days from the order date.

So, perhaps not as awful as it first sounded, but still pretty awful. And, yes, the Royal Mail has an appalling record regarding updating its tracking pages. I reckon about 50% of the things I have bought and sold over the last couple of years were never fully tracked by the Royal Mail, so I guess a lot of people will be enduring this two week wait for their money.  Also, the buying fees are likely to put off a lot of potential customers. Ebay really has been going down the pan for many years now, especially after every "improvement" they choose to make without any consultation with its members... Perhaps we should all start to make much more use of the buy & sell threads on this forum?!

That makes life a bit clearer, as the above didn't appear when clicking the links in their initial email, but having sold something, it's at the top of the order page.

First point we are still working on a wing and a prayer, as discussed.

Second I've no idea what that is, but is why we have a collection only bulky item still in the orders list as awaiting dispatch two months after it was collected, with feedback left by them. Neither ebay nor buyer offered a 6 digit or QR code to 'allow' the item to be marked as collected, nor can feedback be left.

Third item could be problematic for some given the only real authority on authenticity would be the OEM. Are they really going to refer thousands of pairs of shoes or handbags to the likes of Gucci? Methinks not.

Fourth item I already operate my own personal buyer protection by not buying items shipped this way so as to eliminate un-necessary costs, and similarly do not offer it so that my buyers don't get shafted either. For those that do use it, presumably it will be the best option, but would still be subject to the caveat of point 1. 

Fifth item, which will cover the majority of crap on ebay, it's inconvenient, but bearable. It will also cover a lot of items in the first category.

For international sales, it would be a real pain in the ass for signed for shipments as delivery time can be weeks. Some may be forever considered stuck in the local PO as per Stuart, and a buyer with a nervous/bloody minded disposition could easily claim a refund that couldn't be disputed.

Given ebay can already recover funds from sellers for items not received/as described etc, the only advantage is to ebay themselves in the form of holding say 1 week's turnover in their bank, with sellers similarly disadvantaged. The dressing up of this change as enhanced Buyer Protection is complete crap, as they enjoy no further protection to that already existing. All things considered, it should restore ebay's lost income from FVFs given 4% plus 75p is mostly 75p for untracked items.

[Coinery 1,146]

5 hours ago, Martinminerva said:

Also, the buying fees are likely to put off a lot of potential customers.

‘BUYING fees?’

PS and thanks for clearing up some of the points!

[Coinery 1,146]

4 hours ago, Rob said:

Given ebay can already recover funds from sellers for items not received/as described etc, the only advantage is to ebay themselves in the form of holding say 1 week's turnover in their bank, with sellers similarly disadvantaged. The dressing up of this change as enhanced Buyer Protection is complete crap, as they enjoy no further protection to that already existing. All things considered, it should restore ebay's lost income from FVFs given 4% plus 75p is mostly 75p for untracked items.

Hit the nail right on the head, and potentially into eBay’s coffin!