Overstock review plus online seller advice
Written: Aug 22 '06 (Updated Aug 22 '06)
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I bought boxes for my online business from Overstock.com because the price was excellent,, after getting the first shipment, I couldn't wait to get the next one so I ordered again.
Well,,,
The second time I ordered, They sent me the wrong size boxes. WAY too big for shipping a single pair of sunglasses! I tried to exchange them, but was told I couldnt because my account was disabled because while selling on their site, I offered customers the chance to win a free gas card from Shell oil.
So,, I'm stuck with a bunch of oversized boxes I can't use and they won't even look at me to resolve it. (Unbeknownst to them I'm saving the emails and I'm going to do a chargeback on my bank account to recover the loss.
Ebay stinks, but I think Overstock is way worse. Don't quote me on this,, but yesterday I heard something on the radio about Ebay buying out overstock. I also got some email the other day about it from someone else, so all the Ebay refugees will be stuck with Ebay anyway.
I thought Ebay was a self serving company until I went to Overstock auctions!
Instead of helping people who sell there get ahead, they start their own auctions under the username "Overstockreturns" What they do is offer all the junk people returned for a low price and take business away from the sellers on the site. Nice company,,, NOT!
I think that's pretty rotten! Other sellers could be featured on their email campaigns, but instead they promote their auctions and people have noticed a MARKED decline in sales because of it.
Thanksfully while I was there I had a very faithful clientelle of sunglass enthusiests who came to my auctions exclusively because they knew they'd get excellent customer service and quality unused goods at a great price.
Ok,, my shameless plug session is over,, now I'll get to their customer service issues.
First off,, if you have a problem with anything on the sales site, they'll be there to guide you through the parts where they get your money 100%! They will make sure that you get all your spending in as fast and efficient as possible.
When they screw up,,, Now that's a WHOLE different ballgame!
First off,, they'll come up with excuse after excuse of how you accually ordered that product and even though you read it off word for word that it's not what you received, they'll argue that it is what you ordered as if they're accusing you of being some sort of liar.
I know, and have email confirmation that I ordered boxes that were 4x4x8. The same as my first ordered Not 4x8x10!
I got the 4x4x8 because I offered free sunglasses to those who purchased 2 pair or more and needed that size. I could fit up to 4 pair in the 4x4x8 and just piggyback another box to accomodate the rest. With the boxes they sent I could fit a half dozen and I rarely get a shipment past 3 per order! Yes, the size would be nice if I generated that quantity on each initial purchase or if I could wait until the customer ordered the rest of what they were going to order, but because most order them 1 to 3 at a time, the boxes are a waste! Plus, I only use boxes on the extra fragile sunglasses,, the more sturdier styles go in bubble mailers so I'm stuck (Ok,, I'm rambling here)
Customer service is lousy!
Auctions,, we're back on the auction segment of my review. As I stated, these guys promote their returns and take business from their paying auction people. Then if you need to contact them in the auction department, there are no phone numbers. They only have web chat or email and they waste your time with pre-typed text answers. When they disable your account for a violation, not only is it permanent, but they won't tell you why. YOU have to go through the terms of service with a fine tooth comb and "figure out" what you did wrong. They're NEVER at liberty to tell you why email or otherwise.
Then,, if you have a family member with an account,, even if they adhered to every rule,, they're GONE! My son had an account in my dads name and even though they didn't buy sell or anything yet,, they were removed. Why??? Because they had the same last name as me in the same city. I asked customer service if they're going to ban everyone with my last name,, I said if they are,, they're off to a bad start because they only nailed 2 so far and theres a lot of us out there. Some I haven't even met ever,, but their account will be gone due to birth right!
Now to the chat style customr service.
You ask them a question, they give you a pre-typed answer. I can see how it can save time and I'd do the same with the volume of people,, but when you get into serious issues that can't be pre-typed, you get some smart alec jerk like Eric F who gives you answers to basically mock you. I'm sure its a fake name, but if its the same person and you get him,, DISCONNECT! He's a REAL jerk! When my account was disabled he gave me the runaround then basically mocked me making me REAL mad. (Irish/German temper I have at times)
I tried to enquire about my sons account. He told me he'd tell my dad and son why they were banned. They logged into chat and were given the same "we're not at liberty to discuss this" BS they gave me basically wasting their time. That really upset my dad. He has a heart condition plus cancer and doesn't have the time to mess with this kind of stuff. All he's worried about is that his good name might be tarnished by it. (The old "man of the honor code" thing)
Now about other auction sites in general.
Well,, if you want to start an online business and don't want to be mocked or be banned because you share a last name with a family member, go to Bidville.com
My family decided to go there because for one,, we've bought from there and have never been ripped off ever (I can't say that for Ebay Ioffer or Overstock,,, Ebay I've been scammed,, At Ioffer I was sold replica handbags that were supposed to be real designer LV for resale then when the person didnt dropship the goods and when I went to press charges the wench told me if I pressed charges she'd tell them I sold replica bags and I would go to prison even though I didn't know they were fake. I dropped the charges and was screwed out of 1700 dollars (2 and a half times my monthly income and I'm still trying to recover after 2 years) then I bought what were supposed to be "Gucci" sunglasses for resale, but were fake knock offs, so I couldn't sell them because it's just as illegal to sell replicas as it is to pass off countereit money, plus it's morally wrong to give someone fake goods.
Ebay, I was scammed more than once as well. One time it was from some guy from China selling a neon sign with the "Misfits" band logo. My son bid 1 cent but shipping was 35.00 and because he made the bid, I was bound to the contract. Now the thing hangs in my window unlit becayse it was a really BAD counterfeit! I could go on for days about my online experiences. I'm not trying to go off into left field here, but if you want designer goods and don't want to look like an idiot carrying a fake handbag like I now see on a daily basis now that I'm educated in the field here,, go to the boutique and pay the money for the real deal.
After dealing with online auctions and all the "authentic" (insert designer name here) BS I did a LOT of research. Mypoupette.com authenticates bags and recommends sellers, but even they at times have their hands so full and replicators have become so cunning they have even had many a person squeek past them and scam people. Not their fault,, they're dealing with photos plus as I stated, replicators are getting better and these people are FLOODED with people asking for authentication.
Bottom line,, if you buy your "designer item" off an auction and you paid much less for it than retail,, odds are it's a fake item with credentials that someone bought off a site like Ioffer (Test this,, go to Ioffer.com look up receipt templates and see who sells them,, then look at who buys them and you'll see a MULTITUDE of ebay people there. (Some arent smart enough to change their usernames DUH)
Mind you, Bidville.com has great customer service and they do their best to police replica sellers and protect their buyers, but they don't coddle replica sellers like Overstock (and Ioffer and Ebay)
I sell authentic DG Eyewear sunglasses,, NOT Dolce and Gabanna (SP) Overstock DOES NOT allow disclaimers to alert people to the difference. They'll pull your auction if you place the disclaimer to let people know they are DG Eyewear which is a high quality afforable product comparable to high price designer brands without the $200 to $300 dollar price. They retail between $20.00 and $35.00 and I love them! I wear them myself and I'm not a designer wear type person really,, they're just sturdy and they look cool. I sell them for under $15.00 because I'm a DG distributor so I get them at a better price. (See my profile for the site)
Just remember,, with online auctions,, you're basically "fishing in open waters" You may get a big catch, but you'll have to snag some old tires and small fish on the way. Just be sure you have the money to lose before you invest.
Also,, wholesale lots on auction site. If the person is offering their stock in bulk,, it's because they can't sell it!
Being a seller, I offer wholesale lots on items that wont sell individually to recover investments. I do offer dropshipping on items because it helps business and the items sell great, but when it comes to lots being offered,, they're sold that way because they don't sell. Words to think about when dealing with any online venue.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Boxes
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Epinions.com ID:
galileo365
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Location: Cleveland,Ohio
Reviews written: 230
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The picture I have is of how I survive my roommates unending farting sprees PEEEEWWWWWW!!!!!
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