Featured selling jewelry online: Risky? Problems?

Yes. Ebay has seller protections but they are iffy. I suggested you go to the eBay seller forums and read cases that have happened to people. There are lots of horror stories from both new and experienced sellers. One guy sold a $12,000 Rolex and was shipped back the box but no watch. eBay rolled in the buyers favor and he was out the $12,000 and the watch.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/bd-p/selling-db

 

I've been selling gold & silver jewelry online for years without significant issues here in the U.S. I don't sell outside of the 50 U.S. States so I can't speak to how to deal with international issues.

The one instance I had of what I considered attempted fraud was on an art nouveau sterling ring that was delivered to a condo community in NY. The buyer said they never got it though it was signed for. Ebay covered the deal so it didn't much matter to me, though I do believe the buyers account was suspended...lol

Outside of that, no issues. My only charge back has been on a 15.00 video game of all things and the parents child bought the game, but didn't authorize the purchase. Instead of owning the childs behavior, they did a charge back...sigh...

Regardless, on jewelry I insure everything over $50.00. Just as often, I will require a signature at delivery on items around $50.00 on up. A lot of items over a "certain amount" will arrive requiring a photo id of the named buyer along with a signature, and I include this fact in my description. These photo ID items I forgo eBays discounted shipping for specific shipping that pretty much makes fraud grab and go pretty risky; Hard to produce a valid ID with someone else name on it on the fly. I have my own USPS & FedEx accounts for my business. I have never had an issue with USPS denying an insurance claim - ever. Matter of fact, they pay very promptly, and though they don't cover the postage amount, I always include it and it gets paid.

On Etsy, I don't have any Fraud issues either - though the same rules I use on eBay for shipping apply to Etsy. I do offer free shipping on Etsy because I've never had return issues Like I you see today on eBay.

Examples of what I put on my listings to put fraudsters on notice;
"Shipping via USPS First Class Mail, fully insured and may require a signature at delivery"
"Shipping via USPS or FedEx My choice, fully insured with a photo ID required along with the signature of the named buyer."

Fraudsters are looking for easy grab and go merchandise and don't want to be seen. Just because you say signature required and all that doesn't mean you need to provided you're not charging for it. Anything suspicious always error on the side of caution and throw a signature requirement on.

Most sellers will tell you I way over do it and they would be absolutely right. I am on the extreme side of things so keep that in mind

Hope this help!

 

Thank you for taking the time to write about your solution to this issue. Your detailed answer was very informative. I did not know that mail carriers have an option whereby sellers can require a photo ID and signature. However, I was wondering if this deters the "Not as Described" issue discussed above.

I think this link explains about the photo ID requirement: "https://about.usps.com/postalbulletin/2011/pb22313/html/updt_001.htm":
"Adult Signature Required ...Upon delivery, an adult who is 21 years of age or older must provide a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued photo identification that lists age or date of birth and provide a signature for receipt of the mailpiece."

However, I had some trouble finding info about the photo ID requirement on the USPS webpage for extra services for first class mail: "https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-Domestic-Mail-Extra-Services-are-Available"

 

Ah. the dreaded SNAD. Nothing can deter that on eBay that I am aware of beyond ebay suspending the account of abusers. A buddy of mine once said, you are better off to refer to the photos of the item for the condition description than to actually provide a detailed description; eBay reps themselves will point to images of an item to support a disputed SNAD by a seller when the description reflects the seller pointing to the image for condition and telling the buyer to ask questions. I don't have an answer for what works and what doesn't with this. I type to much and take way to many photographs....lol

I don't usually ship a lot of items first class mail over $50.00. The one's I do ship first class have the basic services I want available which is insurance and sometimes signature required. Merch I want to protect against loss or orders I think may be sketchy, I want the item(s) there fast 2 to 3 days tops. So I always go into priority mail for those items and that is where I will get into the more expensive shipping options and usually avoid eBay shipping. FedEx offers similar services that have the same arrival time.


Bear in mind that my business is a hobby. It is not a good business model, it simply serves my purposes which is to feed my hobby and make enough extra to pay for the college education of 4 kids, which is one semester away from being completely done.... which then makes it about, feeding my hobby as we retire to the mountains this fall.

 

On a side note, but useful tip and why I tend to insure items;

Insuring a package shifts the burden of loss from you to the carrier...provided you use the carrier insurance and not the 3rd party insurance. This can help you control "damaged item" claims from online buyers which can be a theft technique as well used by online shoppers to send you back something you never sold them, or get you to refund them some or all of the original purchase price.

My standard line to an attempted "damage" return on a insured USPS package is; "I'm really sorry to hear about the damage. On the plus side, the item is insured. You can file a claim through USPS and in most instances they will not require you to send them the item which means you can keep the item and they will also send you a check. Alternatively, I'm happy to take the item back, but in order to file a claim, I will need for you to send me pictures of the damaged item and then I need for you to return the original packaging and the item back to me. Once I've inspected the item to make sure it matches with my records, I'll be able to file the claim. Once the claim is filed with USPS, I will promptly issue a refund. The choice is all yours, I really don't mind either way."

I've never had an item sent back when I have given this option. I think the buyers realize they can file a claim, get the money they wanted and keep the item without the hassle of dealing with me or eBay. It makes me happy, because I don't have to deal with any of the hassles associated with them or a return.

A useful tool when the issue comes up, which if you ship enough, inevitably does.

 

I insure everything, it is my responsibility to get the item purchased to the buyer in the condition stated in the listing. I see insurance as protection for me as a seller.

In the many years I have been selling I have only had to file a claim once.

The past 10 years or so I self-insure lower priced items. I find myself much more reasonable than the PO or 3rd party insurers. Every time I sell something $50 or under (unless it ships Priority which comes with insurance included) I throw $1 in a jar. I have only had to pay myself once since I started