What My 4 Years Experience of Dropshipping on eBay Taught Me About Avoiding Account Suspension

Published by Infinity, Infinity is an all-in-one dropshipping tool for eBay sellers. We deliver hand-vetted, high-margin product leads daily to help sellers grow profitable eBay businesses.

After 8 years of eBay dropshipping, I've rarely faced account suspensions—and there’s a reason for that. The secret? Understanding what eBay cares most about: keeping buyers happy and reducing risk. Let’s unpack it.

eBay Cracks Down for Two Reasons:

1. Bad Buyer Experience

Unhappy customers cost eBay money. When a buyer leaves negative feedback, opens a return, or files a “not received” case, eBay loses revenue and trust. Here’s how to prevent those issues:

• Negative Feedback: Respond promptly and kindly. Use ChatGPT to draft messages that calm upset buyers. If they’re still unhappy, offer a refund, only after confirming they’ll revise the feedback.

• Item Not Received: Buyers open cases when they don’t get their package. Send them proactive updates and ask what they’d like, a reshipment or refund. Never let eBay step in first.

• Return Requests: Offer a partial refund first. If they insist on a return, give them a pre-paid Amazon label and refund them before eBay intervenes.

• Cancellations: Avoid canceling unless the buyer requests it. Ship even unprofitable orders, it’s better than hurting your account health.

2. Fraud & Risk Management

• High-Risk Items Too Early: Don’t list high-risk electronics on a brand-new account. Start with simple items—books, mugs, snacks—for your first week. Ramp up dropshipping after that.

• Rapid Growth: Spiking too fast looks suspicious. Grow gradually, $5k to $7k/month is better than leaping to $100k overnight. Build trust with consistency.

Next Chapter Preview:

We’ll go deeper into how to handle out-of-stock and price issues without canceling. Spoiler: You’ll turn problems into profit.

Never Cancel Orders: Turn Problems Into Profit

Canceling orders is a beginner mistake that puts your account at risk. If a product is out of stock or suddenly expensive, don’t panic, use this 4-step customer service framework instead.

Step 1: Message the Buyer Fast

Talk like a human. Be honest, friendly, and fast. Offer a replacement or free upgrade, and include a discount coupon to sweeten the deal. Here’s a sample:

“Hey Jim, bad news—your item was damaged in the storm down in Texas. I can ship a newer version instead at no extra charge. Plus, here’s 10% off anything in the store (THANKYOU10). Let me know if that works or if you’d prefer a refund!”

Step 2: Prevent Negative Feedback

People relate to human mistakes. Tell them a small story—like your kid helped list the wrong product—and keep it real. It builds trust.

Step 3: Upsell & Profit

Find a better product at a lower cost, mark it up, and offer it as a free upgrade. You win twice: protect your account and make more money.

Step 4: Only Cancel If They Ask

If nothing works, ask: “Would you like me to cancel and refund?” Let them say it. If they agree, select “buyer requested to cancel.” That protects your metrics.

Quick Tip: If you're losing money on a sale, ship it anyway. That sale boosts your ranking and builds long-term momentum.

Final Words: Don’t fear problems—use them. Turn unhappy buyers into loyal fans and protect your eBay business for the long haul.

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