I've been selling on eBay for nearly 13 years.
I've endured many problems over the years.
I've been selling a product that I developed on eBay exclusively for almost 7 years now. About a year & half ago, I started noticing a lot of competition coming from Asian sellers.
A few months back, I started buying my (Asian) competitor's product to see what they were offering & how they were offering it for nearly a 1/3 of my already low price. (+ offering FREE shipping from Hong Kong to boot.)
1st, I discovered that eBay was allowing these sellers to sell mass #'s of items - giving them huge #'s of feedbacks. And by allowing, I mean multiple auctions (dozens) of the exact same listing under the same IDs and multiple IDs.
This means that even 100 negatives a month hardly makes a dent in their feedback totals - masking buyers w/ serious issues like FAKES, COUNTERFEITS, EXTREME SLOW DELIVERY, & NON DELIVERY.
When I ordered, I was curious how they advertised the product as being compatible with Apple computers.
Were they using the driver I wrote?
This will take more explanation than I have space - but when received, I was not able to use the CD with the drivers because it is not compatible w/Apple Computer slot loading drives. If inserted, it'll tear them up. I noticed several had left feedback that the CD was tearing up their computers. Apple's slot loading drives do not accept the MiniCDs (half the size of standard CDs) that ship with each and every of my Asian competitors adapters.
This reflects poorly on me because most people are led to eBay to my adapter because I advertise it heavily on the internet.
Upon getting to eBay, some seem to be finding the "cheaper priced" alternative.
These unsatisfied customers do not return to eBay to "get my adapter".
Furthermore, packages are marked with customs forms most indicating "gift" and values of $5 or even $0. If one makes a claim, the claim is $5 or $0.
Packages are also marked w/ postage. Usually the postage is for more than the item cost at auction (& most include free shipping). For example: Item cost $8 (w/ FREE shipping). Item cost $13.00 to ship from Hong Kong; meaning seller loses $5 (+) ?
Why would they do this? I started asking around w/ attorney friends. One let me in on a "hidden customs fencing operation" in Charleston SC & explained to me these are in Mexico & California as well. An attorney who wishes to remain anonymous had me visit him in Charleston SC where he showed me a "shipment barge". One of the cars was unloaded. One of the box cars was opened. A pallet was removed. The pallet was opened. In "one box" that had been opened - small packages (as shown) were pulled up - and like cocaine under coffee grounds there were fake electronics or undeclared expensive electronics like TV's, cellphones, etc etc. Basically the small packages cover the top of a box, a few customs forms are scanned and it passes inspection. Inspection is done randomly. Even when things like this are discovered, they still usually pass. My attorney friend says this is because "port workers" are paid off by Chinese distributors.
I've let eBay know this whole story. They say I need to take it up with an attorney or law enforcement. Each has been a dead end for me.
This practice is ruining small sellers all over the country as some of these "undeclared electronics" get sold on eBay but also at the likes of Best Buy and Walmart.
About the picture: This is a package sent to me from an Asian seller. Customs form says "SD adapter". Package came w/ 3 empty boxes. Item WAS NOT an SD adapter. Customs form says "gift". Customs form had improper weight & more postage than I had paid total for item. Item included miniCd not compatible (as advertised) with Macs.
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