Is the seller still active? Seller is not replying to messages.
Summary: pinksusienat expresses concern about a seller's activity status, noting that if a seller hasn't been active for a while, their feedback score will show as 0 for the past month or even 6 months. The implication is that potential buyers should be cautious and consider looking elsewhere if a seller's feedback reflects such inactivity. str11p and roger_roger_over_and_nowt also participated in the discussion, although their specific contributions are not detailed.
I'm watching an item, a wooden unit on eBay for collection, and I've messaged the seller last week 5 days ago, and again 2 days ago. I don't expect a reply straight away, but as of yet, the seller has not replied.
I like the item and it's not too far to collect, that's the reason I'm watching it. He has 0 feedback, but has 2 active listings.
I now have the feeling that he is no longer active.
Scrolling down I see this about the listing - last updated October 2024. He has had no revisions.
So I'm guessing this listing was put on as good til cancelled, and perhaps he forgot about it? And if he's no longer active then he's not going to reply.
I wish there was a way for eBay to let us know if someone is active or not. The listing ends in a few hours. If it's been put on as good til cancelled then it will be relisted again, and someone else might be waiting for a reply. I guess I'll have to move on and find something similar.
pinksusienat
OP1 month ago · EditedIf a seller is no longer active for a while the feedback for the past month will show as 0.
If the seller is no longer active for over 6 months, the feedback for 6 months will show as 0.
0 for for 12 months = look elsewhere.
pinksusienat
OP4 months agoHere's my suggestion to eBay.
If a buyer thinks a seller is no longer active there should be a way to contact eBay to let them know, that is if you've had no reply after 2 weeks.
Ebay can then contact the seller to find out if they're still active.
If no reply is received eBay could send another email a week later.
If no response is received after 1 month perhaps this is a good indication that this seller is no longer active.
Send a final email saying the account will be closed unless a response is received.
It will save buyers who are watching items be less frustrated with the zero response from sellers who are no longer active.
Any other suggestions?
str11p
·4 months agoebay doesn't really take suggestions and it sounds like more work for ebay.
You could buy it, and if it doesn't arrive, raise an item not received case. It's generally quick to do, automated and straightforward - but you will have paid, so will wait very roughly 2 weeks to get you money back. There is also a chance that the seller will try and scam you - which will then make things complicated and sometimes (according to other people as it's never happened to me) ebay side with the seller. You would then have to contact whoever you paid with, and see what they say.
Seller scams don't happen that often, but they do happen - particularly on high value, high demand items. I normally pay with a credit card on PayPal, so there is two other companies to report to, if anything goes wrong. I would suggest not using ebay balance on high value items (or if you have any other concerns with an item) as then you only have ebay to deal with.
pinksusienat
OP4 months agoThanks. Yes, I'm sure it will be more work for eBay to try and sort these things out. But do they really want a bloated system with sellers listings clogging it up that are no longer active? Maybe it doesn't bother them at the moment, or maybe they will look into this at some stage, who knows?
I've still I've had no response from this seller, so I'm going to leave it now. It's only asking for trouble if someone selling something does not have the decency to respond to a valid question not mentioned in the listing.
Fortunately this is not an expensive piece of furniture. I also use PayPal, so I'm covered there too.
It would be handy for eBay to have a suggestions option, and have them read what's happened, if they're looking for ways to improve their system.
Saying that, I've noticed that eBay DO have a "feedback" button on the right when you do a New search, so I might try that. (nb: nothing to do with sellers actual feeback )
roger_roger_over_and_nowt
·4 months agoThe seller may no longer be with us and any relatives may not have access to their account.
pinksusienat
OP4 months agoThanks, I've thought of that as well.
And that's another reason for eBay to try and sort this out, as a lot has happened over the recent years.
pinksusienat
OP4 months agoWell, I've just thought that if nothing like this has ever been done before, say all the years that eBay has been going, then the eBay system will be very bloated indeed.
pinksusienat
OP4 months agoOr flag them and put their shop ON HOLD, so buyers will know.
str11p
·4 months agoI don't think there's any way of knowing. It's up to you if you want to buy, knowing it's quite possible you'll have to go through the item not received process. Obviously depends on price, if it's rare etc. (and you!)
FWIW there are plenty of e.g. Events tickets still for sale for events which happened in 2021/2022! (and not as collectors items). So ebay doesn't appear to do any clearing up (although some of my good until cancelled items have been ended by ebay for some reason; and they've not been 5 years old...)
pinksusienat
OP4 months agoI've thought of buying it, but I'd probably have to go through contacting eBay as I don't think he's going to respond, because he should have replied by now if he's selling something.
But pretty shocking tickets are still for sale for an event that has passed.