Amazon Helps eBay Deliver for You

by: VV

I reuse boxes from amazon and also have the 'ebay' shipping boxes. The boxes get used for either/or purchases. So I should expect to get bad feedback because of the box I use? WTF?

by: thebobman

Amazon says "dont use prime to drop ship" and yet i get several orders where they are doing just that. It makes me mad because of all the work i do as a seller when all you have to do is place an order from someone else and not even touch the product, when if i were to do the same thing, id likely get slapped for it and banned from selling.  

by: SalesBoy

P.S. Therefore, giving the seller neutral or negative feedback is totally uncalled for if you get what you paid for in a timely manner without damage. I won't use the feedback system to punish a good seller for delivering my item(s) in the best way they can. That would be just spiteful.

by: Barbbie

You certainly should not allow any ebay seller to tell you not to open a return on ebay and direct you elsewhere.  Where they mailed from should not be the buyers problem.  How would you even be able to direct someone to supposedly go into your account and make the return? Could it be they were given an Amazon return label and not directed to actually go on Amazon?

I have used an amazon box or two when a buyer insists on some unreasonable time frame and didn't pay for it, since amazon packages are supposedly given preference.

Sellers get unwarranted feedback everyday, unfortunately, but I can understand the personal feelings.  This practice is not something I would comment about if everything was good otherwise. However, if you really feel upset by a prime shipment, report them to amazon. But just know you may be reporting some innocent seller for trying to help you and themselves in an odd situation because due to ebays defect issues now, one cancellation can severely affect your account especially if you have few sales. I would probably only do that if the seller was clearly a drop shipper with other bad feedback that shows it.

by: Rexford

pace, nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree.  :)

by: Marie

@saleboy

I completely agree with you.

by: EvilCorpBay

Amazing how many of you ''pros'' dont know what this truly ''is'' and how bad it is for Ebay sellers. It is NOT harmless ''drop shipping'' AND it is ILLEGAL by Amazons terms of service. It has an absolute negative effect on ANY non AMAZON to Ebay listings on so many levels. If you believe this is an OK thing that will not effect your business then remember that ocean front property I told you about on the other posts...Well I have a brand new batch on the market for pennies an acre!

by: Marie

@evilcorpbay

Both Ebay and Amazon have publicly stated that they practice is fine by them.  With the exception that Amazon is trying to stop them from using the Prime program.  They don't like that.

As long as the Ebay seller acts responsibly, the buyer gets what they ordered for the price they expected to pay, then there should not be an issue.

But if the Ebay seller tries to direct a buyer with an issue back to Amazon, then that is a problem and the buyer just needs to file for a claim in Ebay to make the seller be responsible.

by: The Not So New Guy

So you buy an item, get what you paid for, all is well, but you leave neutral fb "because they used amazon to ship it to you". Brilliant! I hope you said "Seller used amazon prime to ship me my item" this way a smart seller could call eBay and have your stupid fb removed.

And everyone sits around here saying "oh it's awful to sell on eBay", and "no one should sell anything there". Well take a look in the mirror it's because of people like you as much as the other reasons. Everyone thinks they should have some say in how someone contractually delivers a paid for product. BS. I don't care if you don't like how it got there, or who I bought it from, or how it shipped or anything else. Nor do I care if you ahve some vendetta against Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Jerry Falwell, The Trumps or anyone else. As long as it was delivered in the time I said, and as advertised you can go hang yourself from the nearest tree.  

And if a return is needed all I need to do is send you a label through eBay and have you send it back to wherever I want. I don't care whether you like it or not. Whether the case is opened through eBay or through a message, I'm in control of where it goes back, and how, not you.

People should learn to order something, get it, be happy and move along. Petty petty people is most of the problem with sales. Whining little cry babies looking for a reason to complain about something.

by: SalesBoy

Dear ''The Not So New Guy'',

My, my!!  You've made some good points in a way that will most likely anger and close the minds of those to whom your rant was aimed - as they follow your advice to ''go hang yourself from the nearest tree''.

It may have made you feel better in these times of harsh accusations and name-calling, but accomplished little, I'm afraid.

by: The Not So New Guy

@SalesBoy

I didn't mean to call anyone names, nor make any accusations. If anyone took it that way, it was not my intent.

As to the open mindedness of those my post was aimed at- I have lurked a very long time here and am well aware their minds are closed, and will likely never ever open again. To direct anything their way is just a waste of time. My post was more about them, and directed to people who have not closed their minds and read these comments with an open mind. In the hopes that those people don't read things like what these people have done, and share them with others as the norm, and or as what they should do to a seller in the event they receive an Amazon or other package.

We have in the past sold an item only to find it broken, or some other mishap, or whatever. Gone out on the net and purchased another (even at a loss) and drop shipped to our buyer so they won't be disappointed. I consider that when I read a post like this as it might be the final straw to receive negative or neutral fb after doing that just because it offends the conscious of some genius with a personal vendetta or an axe to grind, or some other holier than though attitude.

 

by: EvilCorpBay

It is harming your listings and sales. I guess like many of the problems with the eBay marketplace if you cant see how its harmful to eBay sellers than you never will. It is definitely a major contributor to the long term erosion of eBay for the full time mom and pop sellers, and part of what is called the eBay Trifecta...#1. eBay itself(of Course), #2. Chinese / overseas Sellers (USPS, International politics,& eBay at fault), And #3 Amazon to eBay Dropship business model (GREED by Amazon & eBay at fault). Those three things are the main factors that will eventually, sooner than later, eliminate the small full time seller from eBay.

by: The Not So New Guy

@EvilCorpBay

I like to believe I am an open minded individual. On that premise please tell me how it hurts my business to have a customer buy something from me and I buy it elsewhere and drop ship it to him. Please explain the harm in a tangible way I can understand so that I may understand and agree with you. You have the floor, and I have my listening ears on.

by: SalesBoy

There are some people here claiming that drop-shipping from Amazon will hurt eBay sellers, not just the buyers. Please, using specific facts, can someone explain how that claim is, in any way, a valid one?

Do you think that once I see an Amazon box I'll mindlessly never buy from an eBay seller ever again?? Do you think most buyers never saw an Amazon box before, or never bought from Amazon before? Hah!!

I want to hear real proof. Please, give me specific, hard facts to back up the bluster!

by: Snapped

Regarding drop-shipping disclosure -

This is not precisely the same as disclosing a 'vendor' or supplier, because of the inherent increased potential for fulfillment snafu.  Though there's no arguing need for the seller of record (agent thus?) to provide all support.  

Despite that, there are buyers who have issues purchasing from drop-shippers.  It shouldn't matter what those issues might be, rather, that they exist.  Thus, fair acknowledement is reasonable that discovery by 'surprise' post transaction is fair game for critique.

Just like item attributes (and flaws) need to be disclosed, this particular 'attribute' - that of the item being drop-shipped, though not necessarily from who - should be disclosed as well, so the buyer knows they are purchasing from an agent, and not an owner.  

by: EvilCorpBay

@ not so new guy

Its only harmful to sellers who stock, sell and ship the same competing item.

It would not be harmful to a seller using the Amazon to eBay business model.

I have nothing against a legitimate drop shipping agreement between parties that agree to and enter into such agreement. Using Amazon Prime, or any other site, seller, or service as a drop shipper or fulfillment service without an agreement to provide such service is illegal and unethical. US Commerce and trade laws state it. Amazon terms of service also does.

I could care less about the legal part of it...I have broken bigger laws in my sleep than Amazons terms of service. I just bring it up as some love to argue the whole legality issue.

The impact this practice has on eBay sellers involves several complex analytical and data driven matrix.

One example is an item on Amazon has three sellers with 3 total items available. When that item is listed on eBay using some of the AMZ to eBay models that one Amazon listing can generate anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of thousands or more similar eBay listings that is in fact based on that one Amazon item with three items in stock.

If one cant see the problem with this on any of the many levels how it effects an eBay seller who really does have that item stocked, listed and ready to ship on eBay, then they never will understand.

by: The Not So New Guy

@Snapped

Pretty much everything you said is preposterous, nothing more than self serving malarkey.

Your first paragraph deals with an unrealized hypothetical which is not part of the conversation. "increased potential for a snafu" and the like is meaningless as it didn't happen nor are we discussing a situation where it did play a part. Further, you provide zero evidence of any increased snafu potential beyond your statement. One could say there's far less chance of a snafu from an experienced drop shipper as opposed to a seller who hasn't shipped before. Or any manner of combinations that invalidate you hypothesis.

Your second paragraph is again of no consequence. Neither I nor any seller cares what trepidation or issue a buyer has buying from a drop shipper, or any specific company. Nor is a buyer owed any explanation as to where an item is coming from despite his or her own thoughts to the contrary. The contract is buyer buys, and pays. Seller ships, and delivers. Item received, contract over. No one is interested in the "buyers opinion as to whether it came from somewhere he/she wanted it to come from or otherwise. It's 100% irrelevant.

Your final paragraph discusses a flaw and disclosure, something again which is not present. As if somehow by drop shipping the seller creates a flaw which needs to be disclosed. Factually untrue.

You can look at the whole thing by contract law. The fact that a seller drop shipped an item you purchased completes the contract. I see no cause of action to unravel a sale legally simply because the buyer finds himself in a position to state the "seller drop shipped this from a company I wouldn't have chosen to buy from". This is simply a case of a buyer who thinks he has the ability to exert his will or opinion over a seller, for some unknown reason. Simply ridiculous.

by: The Not So New Guy

@EvilCorpBay

Really? Is that the best you have? I ask for proof that this is harmful, and you give me drivel. I really expected much better.

Your first two lines are nothing beyond your opinion, you offer no tangible proof.

Your first paragraph as to legality cites no reference, and I see no commerce laws preventing a seller from buying elsewhere and having the item shipped to you. You state it is unethical, and illegal, but again provide no proof. You should know it is neither illegal, nor unethical, legally speaking. It may or may not violate Amazon terms depending on the specific situation(s). But that is of no consequence here as it offers no proof of the harm I requested you offer proof of.

We can agree on your next statement that neither of us care about the legal part.

Next you state "the impact of this practice..." more rhetoric, an opinion offered again with zero proof of any harm.

Next you offer an example, that example details zero harm. Once again, just a roundabout statement that proves nothing at all. I asked for proof of the harm, you provide none.

You end with another opinion that offers no proof, no facts, just another statement with zero proof.

Let's work thee issue- I'll take your example. 3 widgets exist on Amazon. 1000 sellers see the 3 widgets listed and create 1000 listings on eBay. The item sells. Maybe all 3 sell. I submit the purpose of the amazon listings was to sell the merchandise. This has now been realized. I fail to see the harm. Prove the harm in some tangible fashion, or admit you can't beyond some abstract that you can't explain.

by: EvilCorpBay

@ Not So New Guy

My so called ''opinions'' are based 100% on facts and those facts and resources are out there, and the laws are on the books.

Like the Amazon terms of service....any references to facts or proof have little importance to those who don't agree with them. I failed to see any documentation provided by you that proves my so called opinions to be anything other than truths.

Based on your rhetoric, responses, and hostility you more than likely are engaged in such activities that are unethical, and illegal AMAZON to eBay drop shipping.

Dont waste your time responding because I dont care.

Everything you say is verbatim typical propaganda jargon from those who somehow benefit from that form of so called ''Drop Shipping''

by: Marie

Oh bologna!  Some of you talk as if drop shippers are taking a major part of Ebay sales.  

Besides, just because a seller may be a drop shipper does NOT mean they are a bad seller or a seller up to no good.  Now certainly some drop shippers don't do a very good job and they will pay the price once they upset enough buyers.  Other drop shippers do a fantastic job and most likely many of their buyers don't even realize they are dealing with a drop shipper.

It all boils down to how committed the seller is in providing their buyers with good service and good products.  And while some may not believe it, there are a whole lot of extremely good sellers out there.

Now some may be upset because they have never figured out how to do this successfully, so if they can't figure it out, it must not be possible, I guess.

It should also be noted as I've stated before, if a seller is drop shipping from Amazon, it is not a good idea to use their Prime account.  Amazon is trying to stop this, so for a seller to do this is putting a big risk on their Amazon account.  

Another thought, and this is just a guess on my part.  I'd bet that the majority of the sellers on Ebay using Amazon accounts as the drop shipper are NOT using a Prime account.  

@evil

''....service as a drop shipper or fulfillment service without an agreement to provide such service is illegal and unethical. US Commerce and trade laws state it.''  Would you please provide a link to that law.  I would like to read it and update myself.

As for Amazon's policy, here is a link for that one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UT
F8&nodeId=201808430

In part it states:
Drop Shipping Policy
Drop shipping, or allowing a third party to fulfill orders to customers on your behalf, is generally acceptable. If you intend to fulfill orders using a drop shipper, you must always:

Be the seller of record of your products;
Identify yourself as the seller of your products on all packing slips and other information included or provided in connection with them;
Be responsible for accepting and processing customer returns of your products; and
Comply with all other terms of your seller agreement and applicable Amazon policies.
Examples of drop shipping that is not permitted:

Purchasing products from another online retailer and having that retailer ship directly to customers; or
Shipping orders with packing slips, invoices, or other information indicating a seller name or contact information other than your own.