How does eBay know that the item has been sold if you don't mark it as Delivered nor the buyer mark it as Paid?
To me, it's a time-consuming task to go through eBay messaging for each and every one of the transaction, just to ensure there isn't any violation.
But for some reason, they do know; so once you cancel the ads or even leave it for sometime then cancel the ads, they will know.
but what i'm interested is .. how?
But the scenario is the buyer doesn't click on the 'buy it now' nor an auction listing, but they still find out.
Probably because they checked your messages exchanging contact details … there was a story in the paper about it a few weeks ago:
https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/didn-t-sell…
That would be the only way they can find out, but to do this on every single cancelled transactions .. seems time consuming … I presume it would have been done by a system and not manual, but based on what keyword? sold? pick up, meet me up … so many varieties .. then the curve ball is especially if they are doing it manually, the ads may not be cancelled right after the messages exchanging contact details … a seller may leave it run to say 7 months .. then cancel it …
I don't think cancelling the ad is the relevant event here. I think it's exchanging contact details. Simply arranging an inspection (and exchanging contact details) is probably enough to trigger the fee event.
I presume it would have been done by a system and not manual, but based on what keyword
Yeah - it would be automatic. I think the key word would be phone numbers/addresses/email address/skype/whatsapp/gumtree ad … basically any communication channel outside of ebay.
so many varieties
Not really - you could probably hack together a script to capture 95% of the messages exchanging contact details in a few mins. They probably have refined their system to capture 99% and the last 1% is just a cost of doing business for ebay.
Ebay actually has so many free listing and final value fee offers these days, I'm surprised they make any money from private sellers.
The guy in that article is an idiot. How does he think auctions work?
As one person had put in a bid
Yeah, that's enough.
Hahaha spot on to my question's scenario !!!
if you communicate using ebay message then they will detect and find out.
if you leave a number they will ping you if you cancel.
For me got plenty of warnings, even if I mark as sent, expecting to pay the fees which I'm fine with.
So now I don't do typical CODs anymore, I will have people "buy now" on the spot on their phone once they pick it up, if they want to inspect item before purchasing.
I sent someone my contact details for them to come and inspect an expensive item I was selling. Got a warning and sent to the sin-bin by ebay for for 2 weeks. They must automatically scan all messages for phone numbers, email address, common phrases etc etc
However if you tick that option "Local Pickup Available" then technically you shouldn't be penalized.
https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/posting-items/setting-p…
I got a warning the other day for consolidating multiple listings into one for cheaper postage for the buyer while I cancelled those items no longer needed. No fees were avoided whatsoever and no backdoor deal was done. eBay are looking at every angle to detect people avoiding fees, and they are pointing the finger at people doing nothing wrong in the process.
I think you're liable for the ebay fees, once the buyer clicks on 'buy' or 'wins' the auction. They don't really care if you mark it as shipped or the buyer marks it as paid.
Ebay try to block messages where you exchange contact details before the buyer has purchased the item, but it doesn't always work.