Welcome to Topcats Help Page

topcat83

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About the Answer Centre

All the Answer centre responders are here to help you and answer as many questions as you need answering. We are all unpaid volunteers  who give our time for free to help other Ebayers

There are no Ebay/Paypal staff here just Ebayers like you and me

Please give clear concise info in lower case. We can only advise on the info you give us so an item number is helpful as well as accurate info so we can try to give correct help. if you only give half a story it follows that in many cases you will get half a reply based on scanty facts

Upper case is classed shouting on all forums and in emails and is really bad forum etiquette as well as being really hard on the eyes

For some of you there will never be a constructive answer that we can give your particular problem. Sometimes the honest correct response is not what you want to hear but that is not our fault. And incorrect replies would not be helpful in the long run either.

There is also group for responders to get to know each other share info for the benefit of others

Visit us at AC Extra here

http://community.ebay.co.uk/forum/Ac-Extra/Home-Page/18000036844

We are creating a reference section to help responders to give the best help to users and we are working with Ebay to try and create a better AC

There is significant help available to you for easy reference on the following pages

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk

covers fees and payments, nonpayment, excuses for nonpayent and international money orders

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk2

covers feedback,shipping , claims and car buying and selling

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk3

covers keeping safe passwords,  spam and spoof emails, and have started to list some tips

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk4

covers seller protection, lifting limits and paypal faqs

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=topcat_posts_a_parcel

all about packing and posting

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=*topcat_international*

buying and selling internationally

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=redalligator1

Nigeria scam

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Getting Started

To register as a seller you now need a landline and a credit or debit card preferably Visa or MasterCard

If you don't have these it can still be possible

Ebay now say you can get a friend to help you out here as you just need the 4 digit code from the phone call

and a 100% acceptance prepaid credit card here

http://www.mycashplus.co.uk/

Many others are available.

also see  my first sale

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=topcat_on_your_first_sale

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The Golden Rule for safe Trading on Ebay

Don't be tempted to contact sellers and ask for private deals. And don't be tempted to sell to buyers who contact you asking to you to sell.It isn't allowed and is the fasted way to get scammed so if you are ever tempted and think it can't happen to you think again .

IT CAN IT WILL.  IT HAPPENED TO ME . IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU

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Your Account has been hijacked by a third party

There are a mass of spoof emails appearing to come from Ebay or Paypal. Neither will ask you to fill in personal information from a link

A genuine email from Ebay will address you by your username.

If you are in doubt about anything and need to log into your account got to the address bar on your computer and type in http://www.ebay.co.uk It is then safe to login and check or alter anything you need

if you think your account is comprised by a third party go here immediately for live help

http://ocs.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ContactUsNextGen&Format=1&pid=404&ContactUsNextGen=

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Choosing a safe password

Hijackers not only use spoof emails to access your account they also use password generators so you have to choose a STRONG Password that is difficult to crack

1) Only ever log into your Ebay account through a favourites shortcut that you set up yourself and leave on your desktop/menus. i.e. don't ever click on links in emails sent to you (unless you have no other choice)

2) For what I know all operations on Ebay can be carried out without clicking on shortcut links in emails by logging in normally.

3) Don't use Ebay from shared or public machines if you do make sure you clear you use private browsing and make sure  passwords are cleared before logging off

4) Always click on logout button when you have finished. closing the window is often not enough (it depends how the application is designed)

There was a useful article recently on how to choose a secure password that you can remember here

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk3#topcatonpasswords

Keeping your passwords safe

Download Key Scrambler to help protect against keyloggers

http://www.qfxsoftware.com

Keep all your passwords on one safe place

https://www.agatra.com/

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What scams are there


1. Nigeria Scam

There is a continual problem with bidders from Nigeria Indonesia Lithuania bidding on high risk items like jewellery cameras laptops and mobiles. Please don't be fooled by them. the the links below tell you how to spot them and how to deal with them . They can be registered in any part of the world but when the listing has ended ask you to ship to those areas

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=redalligator1

Buying and selling a Mobile-additional info here

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/buy/guides/mobile-phone-advice/

2. Chinese Scams

There are many scams emanating from china on items like sat nave equipment, plasma tvs and similar ranging across to designers goods

Large percentage of "designer goods" are fake and eminate from China as do fake fake mobiles and other equipment.  What you  have to remember is aside from the amount of fake items the rest are often very poor quality and where there is a problem it costs you considerable money to return the item. Many are tempted by cheap wedding dresses which look lovely in the photos but which are very poor quality when they arrive and are costly to return and in many cases there is not sufficient time left to dispute so you the buyer loses out

The page below takes in all aspects of international buying including custom and import duties, the problems associated with warranties on items bought overseas and Chinese scams

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=*topcat_international*

3. High Priced item Scams

Somebody emails the buyer pretending to be the seller. The item may have even been removed by Ebay or the seller deregistered. There may even be a back up email supposedly from Ebay saying its safe to buy and that they have some much money in a holding account on Ebay. Its all fake emails nothing to do with Ebay at all . They usually want you to pay by Western Union.

Its not true Ebay take no part in actual transactions. They never hold money themselves on behalf of buyers or sellers. Any transactions of this type are a scam and you will just lose your hard earned cash

if you have the time I recommend you to read this page which explains most scams much better than I do

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=red-flags

4. Car Scams

The seller offers the buyer an off Ebay deal for a quick sale.

The car is often overseas at a price too good to be true and the seller offers to ship to the buyer free of charge.

Money is to be paid to Ebay Purchase protection a kind of fake escrow service and will pass to the seller when the buyer has inspected the car

There is no Ebay protection program and there is no car and you will lose your money

If an item looks too good to be true it generally is too good to be true

If you want to buy or sell a car here is a shortened version of a guide published in Computeractivecouple of years back

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk2#topcatoncars

with a link to the full guide online

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Escrow and Escrow Fraud

Escrow is where the buyer pays the money to a third party. You send the goods to the buyer. The buyer informs the escrow company that they are happy. Escrow releases funds to you

Needless to say this is another area where scammers operate and set up many fake escrow sites that can look genuine to the uninformed.
Requests for escrow services are sometimes used in the Nigerian scams

Ebay recommended

http://www.escrow.com

This company provides many services to Ebayers and is well know to all board users  and used by them

http://www.auctionpix.co.uk

Never be tempted to use an escrow site suggested by the buyer. Do your homework and only agree to use one of your choice. There are other proper services around that are safe to use but I don't know much about escrow other than the two I name

Another similar scam is with cars. the car is auctioned and the high bidder who is in on the deal withdraws. Shortly after the auction the under bidder received a second chance by email.they are in Europe and the seller promises when you pay by western union the car will be shipped to you from Europe usually Greece or Italy. Done this way it is an off Ebay deal and you have no comeback

There are many variations of this scam so be vigilant of any second chance auctions via email

I have done a  car buying and selling help page here which briefly covers most points

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk2#topcatoncars

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Location

Sellers may not have contradictory item locations and country locations, e.g. Hong Kong, United Kingdom Beijing, Ireland Milwaukee, United Kingdom Sellers may also not set their country location as 'United Kingdom' or 'Ireland' and then later mention in their item description that the item is located in or will be shipped from any other country. Before bidding consider this . Avoid and report any auctions listed in this way. This can often happen when a sellers account is hijacked and frequently contains an email link absolutely plastered across the auction for buy it now prices.

Its a good idea to check the seller location because  sellers from overseas list in the UK site  and state the item is in the UK

But when you check the location they are in China

While they may be legitimately drop shipping from a warehouse in the uk reading the feedback its may be apparent that items are regularly shipped from China meaning longer shipping and possible duty to pay when the item comes through customs

If this is the case AVOID

Particularly prevalent where designer goods and mobiles and electricals

Report violation of location policy violation using the link to the right of the listing

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Spoof Emails

Don't be fooled by these they come in many forms all ask you to give personal details via a link. these sites look genuine but are in fct set up to steal personal information from you. Read these links learn the contents don't YOU be caught out. All genuine Ebay emails appear in my Ebay

If the email is from Ebay it will address you by your user name never by you email address or real name

If the email is from Paypal it will address you by the name on your account

Be wary of any email of this type and send to spoof@ebay.com or spoof@paypal.com for checking

This is an excellent site for checking out spoof Ebay and Paypal emails to see what they look like and if you have a suspect one to compare

http://www.millersmiles.co.uk/

Its recommended you do a virus check here if you open one

How you receive Spam is complex and to try to explain I have provided this mini help page so you can try to avoid it

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk3#topcatonspam

There are various tools suggested her for checking virus and spyware along with general maintenance solutions for your computer

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=dropped-packet-cmd

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Spoof Second Chance Auctions

Less common now since the introduction of the hidden id policy keeping ids hidden from other users

Be Aware if you are offered a second chance they come from Ebay as an offer to buy it now at the price of your highest bid. you are the preapproved bidder on these auctions and you need to click the button to buy

Do not accept an offer  via email.

If you buy via email you are not buying via Ebay. At best you may just get ripped off price wise at worst you lose your money altogether and have less comeback via Ebay

If the seller will not relist on ebay  AVOID

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What should I be doing when buying

Never pay more money than you can afford to lose.

1. Always pay with Paypal using a credit card. Check with your card issuer what protection they may give you in addition to Paypal but remember that nothing is 100% safe

Some MasterCard issuers are no longer covering transactions paid for by Paypal so you should consider your options even more before launching in to buy expensive items.Visa may cover you but it is important you check with your card issuer exactly what they will cover

There will be no fee payable for claims and all tangible   items in the UK have full value protection except for motors and nontangible items

Other Ebay sites compensation is payable to the max compensation for that site so always look at the Paypal logo on the right of the auction page to check the level of protection available

File a claim here

http://resolutioncentre.ebay.co.uk/

2. If you have paid by postal order and it is supposedly lost in the post you need to get a form from the post office to fill out to find out if it have been cashed

This is the direct dial phone number to use to trace your postal orders;

01246 542252.

You'll need your original receipt before they can tell you whether they've been cashed or not.

Please bear in mind that they don't like people ringing them on that number but if you're insistent they'll run the trace for you.

info supplied by *confuddled*

3. Bank Transfer its an excellent way to be paid for speed and efficiency and very safe for sellers but the payment can't normally be reversed after close of day and so in the event of a problem it may be hard to recoup money

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Payment-by-Direct-Bank-Transfer_W0QQugidZ10000000002794069

Think hard about using this method of payment especially where you are buying expensive items.

You can end up with no goods no details about the seller and the banks won't help you very much .

Cheques and postal orders

you have no protection unless you pay with paypal

http://resolutioncentre.ebay.co.uk

4. Never use Western Union or Moneygram  wire transfer or cash unless its cash on collection. Ebay give you no protection for using these methods of payment.

You are allowed to accept Western Union money orders which should not be confused with  WU wire transfer payments

Violations can be reported here

http://tinyurl.com/accepted-payments

Always remember the old saying if it looks too good it is too good. that is very true on Ebay

Read Auctions properly there is no shortage of auctions even fairly rare items turn up frequently. Remember tomorrow is another day ,another auction maybe a safer one, better buy for you. Don't take chances stop think about what is safe for you

If the seller has an email address problem and sends you a paypal money request make sure its for GOODS as you will have buyer protection from Paypal   the seller needs to have included the seller id and item number in the message box

there is no cover on personal payments and you can lose your money. There is also no cover on personal payments.

Here is a link to the currency converter if you need it

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

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Bid Retraction

Think before you bid. Is this an item you really want.

Have you read the auction and all the terms

Are you certain you want to pay that much and are happy with all the terms that includes the shipping

Once you bid its binding and can only be retracted if

• You bid incorrectly in which case you retract and replace with your new bid immediately

• Seller changed the description

• Or you cannot contact the seller which means if you haven't made a genuine attemp to contact the seller you can still be reported

if you break the rules you may be reported for invalid bid retraction and repeated offender may be prevented from bidding.

Retracting a bid can have a big impact on a auction and sellers have right to take action against you

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/buy/questions/retract-bid.html

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Shill Bidding

This is when the seller bid on his own auction using another id to bump up the price

Sometimes its fairly obvious but since the advent of hidden id generally harder to pin down

The id is newly registered and near the sellers home town

The high bidder suddenly withdraws his bid and replaces with a lower bid just under the new high bidder

Click the bids and look to see number of items the bidder has bid on on last 30 days and the percentage of bids wuth that seller

no bids or low percentage of bids elsewhere may indicate shill bidding in some case

Use the report button on the right of the listing

Ebay only act if reported during the auction generally

Avoid auction listings where the bidding is private id only. Private bidding was intended for sensitive items  buyer would prefer not to be seen buying.

On other items it could well be hiding shill bidding

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Presales

Where sellers auction goods before they can be supplied the goods must be delivered within 30 days of the end of auction

Many buyers have been caught buying tickets for events several months on only to find that when the time comes for the tickets to arrive the seller has flown, the tickets don't arrive . They keep no details, have no means of contacting the seller and its too late to claim

The policy changes March 29th 2010 when sellers will be able to specify a minimum dispatch time with options for 45.60 or 90 days in the tickets category only

http://sellerupdate.ebay.co.uk/april2010/new-dispatch-option.html

Violations may be reported here using the email link

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/pre-sale.html

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Dutch Auctions and Proxy Bidding

Ebay no longer allow dutch auctions

see info on proxy or automatic bidding

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/buy/automatic-bidding.html

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Postage and Postage problems

An emotive subject for buyers so I have transferred this to another mini help page

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk2#topcatonshipping

Ebay state buyer pays  return postage using online tracking but business sellers selling in bin are required to pay return by law under Distance Selling regulations. This does not apply to private sellers or business listings by auction.

Paypal require the buyer to return by online trackable means at the buyers expense

A good seller will refund all but in my experience where I have returned goods few sellers do pay the return postage.

Its therefore rather sad that when bidding you should take into account the cost of returning goods when you bid because if you don't get the postage returned you can end up a lot out of pocket for your trouble

Again if you are collecting in person things like cars consider that you haven't seen the goods you bid blind unless the seller allows inspection before you bid. if when you collect the goods aren't up to scratch there can be unpleasantness if you refuse to pay

Once again as with all things on Ebay think hard about what you are doing before you bid.

Would you go to a garage and not look the car over .Wouldn't you want to test drive see under the bonnet and kick the tyres?

Why do you think you can forget these things on ebay and take it that sellers are all honest

They are not all honest and thats one reason they stick cars in ebay for the unsuspecting to buy

You need to be doubly carefull with cars because their is no buyer protection on them

Many categories now have capped postage

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International Buying ,Customs Import Duties and Warranties

Quite complex issues so I have now transferred them to this page for fuller explanation

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=*topcat_international*

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When something goes wrong

Always try and resolve the problem with the seller first

Sort the problem then the feedback. you have 60days to leave feedback so don't rush it . Leaving a neg at an early stage can antagonise, hinder any dispute .

Then if you don't reach agreement you can file a claim here

http://resolutioncentre.ebay.co.uk/

You can also file directly with  Paypal instead of ebay. You cannot file with both places

login go to the resolution centre and file item not received or item significantly not as described

Please take this into consideration when you bid

More help with claims and disputes here

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk2#topcatonclaims

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Selling Fees

I have started a mini help page on this subject which I will be adding to

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk#topcatonfeesandpayments

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Completing your first sale

I have been asked this quite a few times so decided to put it all on one page for you

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=topcat_on_your_first_sale

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Non Paying Bidders

Another mini help page on this subject

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk#topcatonnonpayingbidders

Nonpayers have every excuse under the sun for not paying don't be fooled by them

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk#topcatonexcuses

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Accepting Payment

1. Paypal

Sellers are required to accept Paypal except on Ebay Motors

If you accept Paypal always remember to use tracking when you post Paypal require proof of delivery proof of posting is not sufficient

seller protection will be worldwide on items listed on the UK site confirmed address no longer needed but you still need online tracking

Please also read up on use of tracking and decide if you want to use it all the time

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=topcat_posts_a_parcel#thetrackingquestion

Disputes are now being handled by Ebay and and protection has a few differences mainly in dispatch time and time of receipt. Where get it fast is used you only have the one day to get the item to the buyer plus one extra day

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk2#Link3.02

Paypal FAQs

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk4#paypalfaqs

Sellers please see the mini help page   regarding payment to an email address not connected to your Paypal account

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk4#emailproblemswithpaypal

2. Home Collection and Paypal


Remember if you are allowing somebody to collect from your home you are obliged to offer paypal you can ask for cash but cannot promote it over paypal

The best thing to do is state clearly cash on collection on your listing description. Use the same size font as the listing . When the list in ends do not invoice send  buyer an email

State clearly payment in cash and then give your address etc phone number is useful sometimes and send to the buyer

Paypal require proof of delivery with online tracking like recorded delivery

If somebody collects in person you cannot provide online tracking. The unscrupulous will use this to make a complaint for non delivery. As you can't prove delivery with online tracking Paypal will refund the money to the buyer. It has been done

So as not to promote on your listing you can agree a discount privately

buyers who live a long way away will bid ask you to pack and they will arrange a courier. Don't allow this. Either insist they collect or you organise a courier

its the same thing its you have to prove delivery to Paypal with on line tracking if the item is damaged the buyer can still try and claim from you. if you don't have the tracking its you who loses out again

Please heed this advice

4   people  accepted payment for cars via Paypal 2007. Although there is no buyer protection on cars they can still do a chargeback via their credit card

The buyer was using a hijacked account and all have lost their money

Also check out the following link regarding offering Paypal on items for collection

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk4#Link24

Many sellers have lost  mobiles a laptops  pspsand bed s accepting paypal on collected items

you have to try to stay within the rules while taking care of yourself

This may not be easy

3.   Auctionpix and Auctionchex and Auctiontrax

Auctionpix are very well known long time Ebayers and their site offers many helpful services.

Auctionpix offers web hosting plus a range of services

They offer a very cheap service to cash money orders and cheque payment and will make payment overseas on your behalf at a fraction of the cost you would pay at the bank

read up on international money orders here

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk#topcatoninternationalmoneyordersandcanadianpostalorders

http://auctionchex.com/

there latest offering is a free sniping tool so you can bid in at the very last few seconds on an auction

http://auctiontrax.com/users/

4.Moneygram and Western Union

Sellers are no longer allowed to ask for payment this way

However a buyer will sometimes offer to pay this way

Its their choice provided a seller doesn't ask  its their risk

Provided you get the payment in your hand their is nothing to prevent you accepting it

Buyers no longer covered by Ebay

Bank Transfer

Very safe way for seller to accept money

you need to provide your buyer with your bank account number and sort code, the same details are on any cheque you make out and it is safe to give these details

Internationally you need to give the buyer your IBAN BIC numbers which are the international codes for your bank and sort code. they can usually be found on your statement but if not ask you bank bank transfer payments normally cannot be reversed after the close of business for the day you make the transfer.

if you bank with the same bank as your buyer you should receive payment the same day as it is made. If you bank with another bank it normally takes 3 working days


see this page which explains fully how BACs Transfer is cheap safe way to accept payment less safe for buyers than Paypal but very much safer for you

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Payment-by-Direct-Bank-Transfer_W0QQugidZ10000000002794069

Postal Orders

I have seen many postings asking about postal orders

UK postal orders are fine to just cash in the local post office provided they are not crossed. If they are crossed you need to pay them into a bank account

Always keep the counterfoils in case they get lost in the post. you will need them to claim

Canadian Postal orders are an excellent way to receive payment. Just take them to the local post office provide proof of id and cash free of charge on the spot. The UK Post Office has an agreement with the Canadian Post Office but banks will charge to cash them

US postal orders sometimes get sent in payment. They cannot be cashed at many banks or our post offices but our friend Auctionpix once again will accept them

Ebay has recently covered some buyers but the ebay protection program is unclear

Lastly many European postal offices are able to offer a postal order in UK £.

there is a help page on international money orders here

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ac_responder_uk#topcatoninternationalmoneyordersandcanadianpostalorders

Cash Though the Post

Don't send cash in the post unless you send it special delivery

Sellers are no longer allowed to ask for cash sent by post

Cash on collection of items in person from the seller is still allowed

Ebay has recently covered some buyers but the ebay protection program is unclear so do not   take chances

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Posting Your Item

this page is now getting very long and postage is a big subject.

Postal Information and Claim procedures is now transferred to its own page

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=topcat_posts_a_parcel

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Reserve Prices and Buy It Now

The lowest reserve you can set on the UK site is £50 so if you cannot set a reserve and you don't want your item to sell too cheap start your auction at £49. Sounds better than £50

Reserves are only to stop you item selling cheap and no great secret. Many buyers don't understand reserves so avoid auctions where there is a reserve. They are also expensive to put on your auction and a cheaper way is to just always start your auction at the lowest price you would be happy to accept. Auctions with no reserve often finish at a higher price because buyer can see where they need to go to be in with a chance

Buy It Now

You can add buy it now to an auction with no bids placed but be aware that unless you have a reserve the BIN is removed as soon as a bid is placed

To add BIN login and scroll down to the formatting section on the list your item page and just fill in the box

It often cheaper to just list as fixed price. If your item doesn't you can lower this at any point during the auction without problem

if you decide to use auction format BIB needs to be 40% higher thans the start price so this can be be a waste of money of somebody takes it out early

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What is Best Match

Not the easiest thing to explain but Best Match depends on

• Impressions:     This when the item is searched

• Click throughs:  This is when somebody clicks on your item

• Conversion:         This is when the click through converts to a sale

So although you may get impressions and click throughs without the sale the item may be demoted in best match search

Its a complicated process this is the basic   simplest explanation

Its easiest to use ending soonest or newly listed to find your item

Selling Counterfeits

Counterfeit and replica items are not allowed on Ebay . Full list of counterfeit and prohibited items here

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/items-ov.html

Pirated dvds etc can be reported here

http://www.fact-uk.org.uk/site/contact/com_form.htm

Some items are reported by the Verified Rights Owner VeRO for infringements

you can find out about VeRO here

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/vero/?ssPageName=f:f:UK

Some VeRO members have provided there own help pages to help you identify counterfeit items before you you buy them

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/vero/participants.html

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Selling Wildlife Products Fur etc

Please note that although Ebays prohibited items pages give some information about what is prohibited it is worth checking with the  Wildlife Licensing section in DEFRA. First to see if you need certificates or permits. By even advertising some species you may unwittingly be already breaking the law.

For more information contact the General Enquiries number 0117 372 8691 or 8168.

If you wish to report an item which you think may be illegal please ring  0117 372 8132.

For more info on licensing and Enforcement of CITES in the UK please see

http://www.ukcites.gov.uk/license/default.htm

There are also online guidence notes and forms you can complete.

You can also write to
Enforcement
WHB
Room 1/15
2 The Square
Temple Quay House,
Temple Quay,
Bristol,
BS1 6EB

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Precious Metals

Main Exemptions:

Articles below a certain weight are exempt from hallmarking. The exemption weight is

based on the precious metal content only, excluding, for example, weight of diamonds,

stones etc, except in the case of articles consisting of precious metal and base metal in

which case the exemption weight is based on the total metal weight:

Platinum 0.5 grams Gold 1.0 gram Palladium 1.0 gram Silver 7.78 grams

Any pre-1950 item may now be described and sold as precious metal without a hallmark,

if the seller can prove that it is of minimum fineness and was manufactured before 1950.

http://bis.gov.uk/assets/bispartners/britishhallmarkingcouncil/docs/hallmark-guidance-notes-final.pdf

Feedback and Star Rating

Questions about feedback and DSRs ie star ratings  come up so often I have now transferred them to a mini help page

http://www.acresponder.uku.co.uk/topcatonfeedback.htm

you can check your DSRs  here

http://www.dsrwatch.com/

and calculate how many stars at which level you need to improve your DSRs

http://auctiontrax.com/sellerratings/dsrcalc.html

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A Word of Caution

There are all sorts of things that can go wrong and if you accept an item back you need sometimes to know that it is the item you sent. many sellers worry about this.

As always I say look after yourself. It may not be possible to do this with all items but you can mark a lot of things so that you know that it is your item and not a swap

I print off a patterned label and stick a snippet on nearly every item. Cover it with sellotape and just run a line over the edge of the tape with a UV marker pen. quick and efficient doesn't permanently mark but provides a visible and UV identification. then I just state on all auction the goods are marked and the sticker must be intact and not tampered with to be considered for return No more worries. If I post out a duff piece I know its down to me . No accusations no uncertainties the goods came from me

So easy

Keep a note of serial numbers  where applicable too and mobiles you need the IMEI number

Powersellers

To become a powerseller you have to attain a certain level of selling and them maintain over 3 month periods

The are now financial benefits to being  powerseller including substantial reduction in listing fees of 33% and 40% in volume discounts on final value fees

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/services/buyandsell/powersellers.html

Powersellers are now required to register as a business on Ebay UK and IE

which means if you are not already registered with the tax man you may now need to be

Help with tax here

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=talkinpeace

All powersellers must now be registered as business sellers with the business contact address on their auction or ME  page

Business Selling

If you are selling your own no longer required items you are a private seller

if you are buying to sell on for profit you need to upgrade to business account

You also need to register with customes and revenue to pay tax

and a good accountant can save you money

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/account/questions/register-business.html

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/business.html

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=talkinpeace

http://cgi3.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=upthecreekyetagain

Distance Selling

if you buy from a business seller in the uk they are expected to comply with distance selling

This means if you buy on BIN you can ask for a full refund for any reason up to 14 days on ebay

You are due a full refund of original payment and return costs

Now You Have The Hang of Things How about Prettying Your Auction a Little

There are a mass of links to pages and where you can learn about HTML . Copy and paste till you have something you like

Try out the practice board add a fancy background add the Ebay song to your me page. Bidders don't like it on auctions distracts them from the main thing.

Learn how to add your own pictures and make your auction personal from Babys*mums help page

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=babys*mum#link07

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum.jspa?forumID=99

really good html help here

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=shipscript

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Techie Problems, Broadband and Wireless

Problems with your computer

the best help page on ebay to sort problems or perform basic maintenance is this one

http://community.ebay.co.uk/topic/General-Technical-Issues/Help-Listing-Browsing/2000002762

you can also ask for help on the html forum they have solved may problems many times over

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/forum.jspa?forumID=1004

don't buy expensive antivirus programs or registry cleaners

you can spend a fortune on updates but there are many free ones available which are just as good and in many cases better

to name a few

Avast home edition antivirus

Have used this one myself for many years recommended by the html guys and its serves me well

AVG free Home edition

Another one very well known by board users on Ebay and my local shop installs this one free when they reformat

CCleaner

Again well known free registry cleaner to speed up you computer

This isn't my subject at all but I recently set up wireless broadband. Was totally mystified as to what what needed and this link helped me

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/wireless_secure.htm

This excellent page will guide you through many general problems and help you keep your computer safe from spyware

http://community.ebay.co.uk/topic/General-Technical-Issues/Help-Listing-Browsing/2000002762

A good place to go for help with any techie problem is the html discussion board

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/forum.jspa?forumID=1004&start=40

They have helped me sort problems big and small so many times and its good port of call

If they can't help directly they will know somewhere you can get help

They recently passed me onto this one which deals with broadband  problems

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=technical

this one deals with BT broadband problems

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=bt

this site deals with orange broadband problems especially where uses have been upgraded to LLU servers

http://www.orangeproblems.co.uk/phpBB2/

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If you like the song see the video

see the Ebay song video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKtlK7sn0JQ

if you want the song for your page I will send it to you but you need to send me your email address as attachments cannot be sent through Ebays message system

you need to be able to host it in your webspace

you need to add the following html code

<bgsound src="http://your host/ebay.mp3" loop="-1">

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And This Bit is About Me

and the most important  Topcat otherwise known as  Sandie

People wonder about the time I spend on the boards so time to dispel a few myths

I took early retirement after working  as a University lab technician and laterly EO for 34 years

I became Chief Technician and was later one of the very few people without a degree transferred to an academic related grade  as Experimental Officer

For the last 22 years I   researched and processed clinical trials on drugs  like Nifedipine (Adalat) used to treat high blood pressure and factors affecting the treatment of Parkinsons disease among other things  and as a  result was named co author of a significant number of scientific papers .

The Universities started to run out of money in the 1980 and 90s and as my husband  and was already retired I took the opportunity to join him when offered.

So life is a long holiday and I have plenty of free time for hobbies and helping others. A home bird and very ordinary down to earth person who first came to the boards  with a problem got help and decided to stay .A great way to spend time socialise and make friends and put something back for the help I received.

Away from the boards my current hobby is dolls houses and miniatures

I have 3 sort of finished  and have posted some pictures in albums

Have just started a between the wars house in small scale still bogged down with tiling the roof but getting there

The Cat and Fiddle a pub set somewhere around 1920

Stableford a Georgian Mansion set in late Victorian times

3 albums here

Stableford the lower floors

Stableford middle and top floors

Stableford the servants room

The Ivor Partridge Emporium

A Vicwardian shop at Christmas time

Still working on the snow outside and still have back room to finish

The Ivor Partridge Emporium

recently I completed the Miss Amelia Emporium a  perfume shop mainly with other bits and pieces

And a while back the Quality Street sweet shop in a tin

A few weeks back I completed the Ruby Lane Jewellery and gift shop

and the  2010 Christmas scene in a hat box

quarter scale christmas room box