posted on April 22, 2002 05:53:05 AM new
Here we go again!!! I have an item listed and a potential buyer is on his 9th question about the item. I certainly don't mind answering questions - I encourage it. However, the questions I'm receiving have an undertone of disbelief. He wants the item but doesn't quite seem to believe what I'm telling him.
I have answered all of his questions, went over the condition, the age, the shipping options and all costs again with him. I also stated that if he is unsure he should think twice prior to bidding because I only offer refunds if the item is misrepresented and this one is definitely not. I never intentionally misrepresent items. His tone is still unsure.
I think this one has disaster written all over it. Any suggestions other than what I've already done?
posted on April 22, 2002 06:22:36 AM new
As a friendly suggestion, try this:
----------------------------------------
Dear ____:
Thank you for your most recent inquiry. Though we do try hard to answer all questions in a timely manner, this is the ninth separate question we have received from you concerning this item. Although we would naturally like to conclude a transaction with you, we are becoming concerned about the amount of correspondence we are receiving.
As we have limited time to devote to any single customer, we would be most appreciative if you could possibly ask all of your questions in a single message. We will endeavor to provide complete answers to all of your questions as quickly as possible. We thank you for your understanding and we hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
etc etc
---------------------------------------
This accomplishes three things:
1. It lets the potential buyer know politely that you have had enough of their nibbling, but you would still like to do business.
2. It should resolve the question of intent. If the person responds reasonably and you get all your questions asked at once, you may yet salvage the situation. On the other hand, if you continue to get single-question messages or a snotty reply, you can be pretty sure the person is either jerking your chain, not serious, not paying attention, whatever. In that event, you don't have to do business with him/her and you can block bidding before it happens.
3. It documents a summary of your communications with this person in a single message, just in case you need it.
posted on April 22, 2002 07:22:37 AM new
ask him to call you on the phone and ask as many questions as he wishes,better yet,drive or fly to look at the item
posted on April 22, 2002 07:30:43 AM new
capolady: [i]However, the questions I'm receiving have an undertone of disbelief. He
wants the item but doesn't quite seem to believe what I'm telling him.[/i]
I know EXACTLY what you mean. You answer his questions in a straightforward manner, but he comes back and either 1) repeatedly implies you're lying or 2) rephrases the same question in hopes of catching you in a lie.
Nine iterations of this would be exhausting. Poor capolady.
What amuses me is that these people seem to be picking up this technique from television shows like JAG or Law & Order, or movies like A Few Good Men. They figure if they're just clever enough, they can trick you into admitting your guilt.
"Yes! Yes! It's really a reproduction! <sobbing> I'm so sorry I tried to fool you!"
posted on April 22, 2002 07:33:03 AM new
If you want to try to salvage this bidder, you could have him call you, as stopwhining suggested.
Me, I think I would bidder block him, just to keep him from making up his mind in the last 30 seconds of the auction...and changing it immediately once the auction ends.
posted on April 22, 2002 08:15:02 AM new
so many of us have been ripped off so many times on ebay,we are not sure what to believe.
a person who asked 9 times on an item could be a serious bidder,why dont you call him on the phone and talk to him,ask if he is a reseller??
if he is a reseller and there are many on ebay,his fear could be losing money on this item,what if he cannot resell it??
so you may be able to help him has he found a buyer already??how does he plan to sell it ??
i dont know what kind of item you are selling,there are ebay bidders out there who may have already swiped your picture and trying to sell it while auction is ongoing.
dont forget to ask him how he plans to pay for the item,you may want cashier check only.
posted on April 22, 2002 08:53:22 AM new"Yes! Yes! It's really a reproduction! <sobbing> I'm so sorry I tried to fool you!"
LOL
Unless you really think it's worth your while, I would not continue with this customer. This has happened to me several times, so many that I had to create a 10-question support rule. In my book, your bidder has already exhausted their free support.
Politely refer the customer back to the ad. "I have fully described the item to the best of my ability on the View Item page. You may need to do further research in order to decide whether this item is appropriate for your needs. I'm sorry I can't be of more help."
Then stop responding to their emails. I wouldn't recommend the "you've already sent ten emails" route as that will antagonize the bidder further.
UBB
[ edited by twinsoft on Apr 22, 2002 08:54 AM ]
posted on April 22, 2002 08:53:54 AM new
I currently have a listing with over 200 items in it. I do not list each item- I have a picture of 3 of them in the listing. The BIN price is worth it for just 10 of the items.
I just got an email today from a buyer asking for the list of all 200 items.
I am going to reply back that if they don't see their money's worth in the listing, don't buy it.
posted on April 22, 2002 10:46:04 AM new"I currently have a listing with over 200 items in it. I do not list each item- I have a picture of 3 of them in the listing. The BIN price is worth it for just 10 of the items.
I just got an email today from a buyer asking for the list of all 200 items."
I am not trying to pick a fight here, but look at it from the buyers point of view.
You know what all 200 items are. You know what they are worth, you know just 10 of the items are worth the BIN price. You may know that, but how is the buyer suppose to know that?????
I think many times sellers believe they have put a very clear, percise, accurate discription of the item in because they know what they want to say and in their mind they have said it. However, not everyone's writing skills or reading skills is the same.
What is clear as spring water to you, might be muddy as a duck pond to the buyer.
I have a friend who looks at my auctions and if she can tell what I am talking about, I know most anyone can!
posted on April 22, 2002 11:06:37 AM new
capolady - I could understand asking a lot of questions if the item is unique or a high ticket item. Is it either?
reamond -
> I just got an email today from a buyer asking for the list of all 200 items.
View Seller's Other Auctions. Or am I missing something here?
posted on April 22, 2002 11:21:30 AM new
Actually sun818 this is a very good example of what I was trying to say with my rambling....
Not everyone translates our statements as we intended for them to be translated.
I took that Readmond has a single listing that included 200 items and he only pictured 3 of the items. The person want's a list of everything included.
Maybe you are right and I am wrong????
I also just noticed my statement about my friend. It's another example of the point I was trying to make. I knew what I wanted to say and thought I had said it. Now I realize I made it sound like I think she is a dummy but actually I am the dummy.
As evidenced by all my post I ramble. My friend could take "War and Peace" and condense it to 1 page and not miss anything really important whereas my review on the book would be twice the size of the original work! So if she can understand my ramblings most others can too. Not that they will endure to the end, but if they did, they would know what I was talking about. More or less...well, maybe...I hope???
posted on April 22, 2002 01:14:18 PM new
I can see the "200 item" issue both ways.
Often people who sell office supplies put together these big lots and it really isn't time-effective to list everything in detail down to the last paper clip...especially if you're willing to BIN for a very low price.
On the other hand, shipping could be an issue, particularly if it's not a flat rate quoted in the listing. Sure, the price of the lot might be a bargain, but the shipping will kill ya.
I used to buy office supplies from a seller who did this until I finally wised up and realized the shipping was bringing the prices close to Office Depot level.
