Thread: Ebay sellers getting screwed again !

Ebay has instituted another new policy here (scroll down about center page) making it harder yet for sellers. You cannot make insurance an option or a requirement unless you, the seller, include the cost as a handling charge.

I am not talking about pro ebay sellers since I am not one of those. I list items from time to time. I plan on listing a high end bicycle and if I have to pay for the insurance without being able to pass on the cost to the buyer.... or at least share it I think that is ridiculous.

Really gripes me that ebay is just about the only game in town. Now the potential buyer will see the added cost in the shipping and be less likely to bid. Also if it is a high dollar item I always like to base the insurance on the final value to be fair to the buyer. Arrrgggh !!

Yes this is exactly what happens when there's only 1 major player left in a specific field. The good lady wife is selling on eBay and on Yahoo Auctions (Japan), she'd stop eBay in a heartbeat if there was an alternative.

There are many alternatives, but nobody uses them because nobody else uses them We support what we claim to hate

Anyway, if you're ready to start using something else, try this one by our own mastermute: RazorXChange

I've got a hand made road bike for sale right now and have found a lot of interest just using craigslist. If it's a classic you can also use the CR list.

Originally Posted by ChayesFSS

I've got a hand made road bike for sale right now and have found a lot of interest just using craigslist. If it's a classic you can also use the CR list.

What kind of bike ? I am selling a 2007 FSR Stumpjumper and an '08 Fox Talas. I may try Craigslist and Mountain Bike Review.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

What kind of bike ? I am selling a 2007 FSR Stumpjumper and an '08 Fox Talas. I may try Craigslist and Mountain Bike Review.

Yea, for that type of bike, craigslist is the way to go. I've got an Erickson (handmade out of Seattle, real KOF bicycle) and a guy in San Fran found it and is buying it (I'm in Connecticut). I've really had nothing buy luck so far using craigslist.

Originally Posted by ChayesFSS

Yea, for that type of bike, craigslist is the way to go. I've got an Erickson (handmade out of Seattle, real KOF bicycle) and a guy in San Fran found it and is buying it (I'm in Connecticut). I've really had nothing buy luck so far using craigslist.

Yeah Erickson is bad to the bone. I have a Moots Mootox YBB 29er that I ride out on the dusty trail quite a bit. I'll die with that one. Thanks for the tip regarding Craigslist... I think I'll give that a go.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

There are many alternatives, but nobody uses them because nobody else uses them We support what we claim to hate

Anyway, if you're ready to start using something else, try this one by our own mastermute: RazorXChange

is there something wrong with razorxchange?

Originally Posted by jrlosh

is there something wrong with razorxchange?

I had never heard of it until that post, checked it out, and there is nothing listed. So other than no one using it, I don't see anything wrong with it.

I don't think that sellers are precluded from passing the insurance to the buyer. It's just that it isn't an option anymore that the buyer can accept or decline.
It's up to the seller and they can either absorb the cost, or include it into the shipping up front.
I actually sold something on ebay under the old policy and the next week under the new policy, to the same buyer. He opted for insurance the first time and the second time I added it to the invoice when I sent it to him, but told him that if he doesn't want it I will remove it. He paid the invoice.

I personally like the new policy because it makes it clear the responsibilities - until the buyer has received the item the seller is fully liable for it, so the seller can choose to insure or not based on their appetite for risk and pass the cost to the buyer if they wish.