And there you have it - PERFECT example of a severely flawed system!

As I have stated before, eBay needs to offer the Seller's some protection also! EBAY - ARE YOU LISTENING????

eBay instructs Sellers to add insurance into their handling costs so they have protection. BUT - without eBay backing the Seller, we are screwed!

The simple solution to this is eBay should NOT allow a refund unless the Buyer cooperates with the insurance claim and does as instructed.

This is a disaster. I guess until eBay starts to work with the Sellers, we should stop selling anything we can't afford to lose. I have just started selling a new, smaller item that I can ship via First Class. I offer the option internationally, which can also be shipped via First Class International.

Red flags are darting up all over, as you can not purchase delivery confirmation nor insurance when shipped this way (internationally). This allows customers in other countries to save a HUGE amount on shipping - but at a HUGE risk for me. I figure if I get burnt JUST ONCE, that will be the end of it, and unfortunately, will ruin it for all my international customers.

I started this approximately two weeks ago, and guess what? I have already received one of the dreaded emails that states, "Just wondering - has this item been shipped yet?" So - I'm guessing it will be one of those "never received the item" and PayPal will refund since I can't prove the delivery, even though I can prove it was shipped.

Interesting how I never receive those emails when there is delivery confirmation.

It's just getting too hard to sell on eBay. With no protection for the Seller's, I sure don't want to sell anything of higher value here. They are making this a sweet haven for rip off buyers and it is just a matter of time before word gets out.

I'd like to hear how this one works out for you. I hope you let us know what happens.

MERAKIS1...

I just hope that the damage turns out to be minor, and you will be able to fix, and re-sell.

One thing you should look out for. Check the package that you eventually receive to see whehther the buyer paid for either Delivery Confirmation (or Signature Confirmation if item price was over $250.)

Because PayPal requires buyers to have proof of delivery, back to the seller.

I mention this only because, IF what the buyer sends back is not what you sent to him, you may need a way to contest the refund.

The argument above may seem rational but to me seems short sighted.The bottom line is that many if not most sellers on eBay historically have been either small businesses or part time at home sellers.Most of us cannot absorb the costs of these kinds of dishonest botched transactions and stay in business.I think eBay's latest policies have reflected the idea that if there is buyer satisfaction the sellers will come,overlooking the needs of the seller. However as a seller of scarce and one of a kind antiques and collectibles I have noticed a steady decline in the number of valuable and quality items being offered on eBay. Possibly it's in eBay's best interest towards there bottom line to have sellers of mostly low end replaceable items that can be purchased almost anywhere? Because with current eBay policies I think that is where it's headed. As the quality of items drops the quality and experience of both buyers and sellers also drops.I think it's in eBay's best interest to look out for and cater to the interest of experienced quality sellers thus increasing overall buyer satisfaction. In order for eBay to be a vibrant platform for buying and selling there needs to continue to be a diverse assortment of items being offered at many different price points in many divergent categories. Could it be possible that those of us selling one of a kind collectibles have different needs than those selling replaceable dish sets from China? And although it may be a rational argument that it is "our problem" and "the cost of doing business" many sellers will eventually opt out of eBay as other selling options become available.I think eBay has taken a big hit in the loyalty base of their sellers.