posted on June 8, 2003 09:40:46 AM new
Just curious, do you all answer all the bidder questions sent through eBay, or not?
I usually do, I have one lot on now, 6 LP's by one artist, has its opening bid which would be ok. Now I have a question to quote on shipping through Manila Philippines from a quite new bidder -- ok feedback but very low -- and my inclination is to not answer the e-mail, as I would rather deal with the U.S. mainland bidder than the international one on this particular lot, even though my terms say I ship internationally.
Not a big deal of course, just wondering whether others are selective in what questions they answer.
Do you also find that for every 25 or so questions, it seems about only 1 person actually ever ends up bidding? What the heck is that all about?
posted on June 8, 2003 09:48:46 AM new
I do selectively answer questions. There are some questions that are answered in the listing itself, sometimes I don't answer those questions. And sometimes they ask where I obtained the item (usually new collectibles) and I don't answer those either. I usually try to answer questions on international bidding, but I don't always get to them.
As for the Philippines... I have had 3 different high bidders from the Philippines. Two were in Manila and one was outside Manila. They all sent me several emails saying they would pay soon, but I never received a single payment. I don't believe they are able to use Paypal or Bidpay, so Western Union is the only option. Not to mention that the Philippines has a terrible postal system and a large percentage of items sent there are stolen before they are delivered. You can't even put stuff in envelopes, those are opened too... it's a very large problem. I know a lot of Filipinos that want to send things back to their families, but they don't send anything of value because it is to risky. So if it were me... I would pretend like I never received that email.
posted on June 8, 2003 09:58:12 AM new
Yes, I answer all questions. It's called Customer Service!
And no, the customer is not always right, but they are always the customer.
Case in point; had a prospective buyer write to me one time and ask - just why did I charge xxx for yyy, when she could find it for about half that much. I replied that what I was offering was a 1st edition, and was custom xxxxxx. She replied, thanking me for the information; AND has been a good customer of mine, ever since.
It's like when Willie Sutton (or was it Dutton?) was asked; just why did he rob banks, and he stated- because that's where the money was.
Just like questions, Why should you answer cutomer questions....... because they are the customer, and they really are the ones that pay your bills.
If you use a non reply to weed out your prospective customers, just how do you know that you have not just eliminated your possible best customer yet !!
---------------------------------------------
Invest in the Future, by saving some of the Past!
posted on June 8, 2003 10:09:18 AM new
I don't answer most of the questions sent to me.
Why?
1) It was sent two minutes before the auction ended. Nobody checks their email that often, you moron.
2) It's yet another demand...no, not for information, but for me to justify my policies, which are clearly spelled out on the auction page. If you don't agree, don't bid. If you email me spewing venom, I won't reply. Go eat dirt instead.
3) "How much is it to ship to zip code 00000?"
Shipping is the same amount anywhere, it says so in the auction several places and if you're too damn dumb to read or so thrilled to be Sending! Email! To! Someone! I don't really want you as a customer.
4) "Do you combine auctions?" No, and it says so at least four times in the auction. Some auctions it says that up to seven times.
5) "Pls snd 411 yr item, do u hv [xyz]?" Usually ignored since I don't speak Urdu, but occasionally when in a mellow mood I reply, "We have received your email but you appear to have a malfunctioning keyboard. If keyboard is fine, please re-send your message in Standard English to avoid miscommunication. Thank you for doing business in a businesslike manner."
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posted on June 8, 2003 10:13:18 AM new
I answer most questions sent to me if I think they could lead to a higher bid. I don't answer questions where they want more information about something they have, that is called an appraisal and they can pay me for my time if they want to know the value of something.
posted on June 8, 2003 10:13:42 AM new
::5) "Pls snd 411 yr item, do u hv [xyz]?" Usually ignored since I don't speak Urdu, but occasionally when in a mellow mood I reply, "We have received your email but you appear to have a malfunctioning keyboard. If keyboard is fine, please re-send your message in Standard English to avoid miscommunication. Thank you for doing business in a businesslike manner." ::
You are much more polite on that one than I. I usually reply with a simple....
posted on June 8, 2003 10:21:17 AM new
"I don't answer questions where they want more information about something they have, that is called an appraisal and they can pay me for my time if they want to know the value of something."
I used to get that A LOT when I sold antiques all the time.
Geez, what is it with people anyway? Like you would just be thrilled to give 'em a price. It was even worse for me, since sometimes friends of a friend would want to meet me and they'd bring Grandma's prized whatsis, which would turn out to be a piece of crap. What do you do, tell 'em the truth? Lie? A rosy appraisal only begets the desire for more rosy appraisals. Gaaaah. I am so glad I am (mostly) out of that biz.
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posted on June 8, 2003 10:23:26 AM new
neonmania: Normally I wouldn't bother being polite, but I find that it invariably ticks these people off that someone calls them on their horrendous language. Heh.
Nobody ever told me that being a geezer was going to be this much fun.
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California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
posted on June 8, 2003 10:43:58 AM new
I answer most questions. One bidder nearly drove me over the edge recently but he did bid the highest on two of my auctions and increased the bids on another. He was just super picky and wanted to make sure of the quality and condition of the items.
I constantly get questions about items on my website and most want me to research and identify their stuff and they also want appraisals which I don't do. I used to spend time on these people but never got a sale and most didn't even thank me for my time so I no longer do it. Many say they are interested in selling and ask if I buy. When I tell them to quote me a price they drop out of sight so I know they just wanted me to make an offer so they would have an idea of worth.
In my shop I get people hauling items in or phoning and they all want free appraisals also. When I tell them I charge for appraisals they look at me with shock. Some even say they don't want an appraisal, they just want to know what it's worth.
If the item is common and they think it's worth a fortune it's kind of fun to find it on ebay and show them that there are 100 listed at $5.99 with no bids. And it's even more fun if they have brought me a damaged one.
It's all part of doing business and you can let it drive you mad or find some enjoyment in it all.
posted on June 8, 2003 11:14:16 AM new
I try to answer all questions, politely. If they are from somewhere, such as the Phillipines, that I would rather not sell to, then I tell them that in the email.
some of us, unlike fluffy, still think we owe the customer courtesy since WE ARE NOT DOING THEM A FAVOR BY SELLING on ebay.
posted on June 8, 2003 12:50:39 PM new
Hey, they are CUSTOMERS. Morons, idiots, half-wits, whatever - they do spend money. You never know when that person will be the high bidder. I use boiler plate responses to many questions, but they are always polite and positive. Few of us have the luxury of blowing off potential customers.
posted on June 8, 2003 01:45:26 PM new
I answer all questions & offer help if needed. I remember when I was new. It also paid off big time, twice.
One of my buyers asked me to teach her how to sell on eBay, I could have taken he easy way out & sent her a link to eBay's tutorial, but I didn't, I taught her myself.
One day I received an email & a link from her telling me about a liquidation of rubber stamps, selling at 85% off. I bought over 5000 of them, enough to keep me selling for a long time.
Thanks to her I no longer have to search yard sales & thrift shops for things to sell.
I sell 98% of the stamps I list, all at a very, very nice profit.
The second windfall also came from a questioning buyer who later emailed me to tell me about a book liquidation. I bought 400 copies of A Field Guide to Carnival Glass
& sell them BIN for double what I paid.
Taking time to send a friendly answer to a buyers question has been a windfall for me
& I never even expected it.
posted on June 8, 2003 01:55:27 PM new
I answer most questions with the exception of will I be listing more of the same or other information I consider proprietary. If inquiry is made to anything which is already in the description I politely refer them to the description. If a question is asked repeatedly on a point that I did not include in the description I change the description in the future. If I am not sure what is being asked I let them know I do not understand the question they are asking. Whether or not a customer can speak flawless English is not my concern, if they are interested in my item and can afford it that is good enough for me.
posted on June 8, 2003 03:24:01 PM new
Davebraun, DITTO!
Upriver. I have a very good customer in the Philippines. He always pays using Bidpay and I ship using EMS or Fedex. I have not had any problems yet and I have sold him about 15 items. I would not send anything by ordinary post though.
Cheers,
Adrian
posted on June 8, 2003 03:27:34 PM new
"Pls snd 411 yr item, do u hv [xyz]?" Usually ignored since I don't speak Urdu, but occasionally when in a mellow mood I reply, "We have received your email but you appear to have a malfunctioning keyboard. If keyboard is fine, please re-send your message in Standard English to avoid miscommunication. Thank you for doing business in a businesslike manner."
.
.
.
.Allright fluffy, that's 2 days in a row you've made me laugh.
.
.
.
..It's also interesting that a few have mentioned not answering those e-mails that they perceive as scams. Sad, scams used to be so rare on Ebay. Now, so common. For me, as a seller of high priced items, wnen I get the common Indonesian e-mail asking if I can charge their credit card directly(you know, the one that their brother-in-law has copied from some tourist on a cruise ship) and ship to Indonesia, I don't ignore this e-mail. I send this response:
.
.
.
Hello,
I would like to do business with you, however I am not authorized to accept fraudelent credit cards from Indonesia. We can still do business though. Here is what to do.
Please place $5000 in U.S. cash in a box.
Write my name on the box.
Attach a long string to the box.
Tie the other end of the string to a very large balloon.
Bring the box and balloon to the roof of a tall bulding, like a prison.
Then, let go!!!
When the balloon floats to me, I will open the box, remove the cash, and send you your stuff. Please confirm.
posted on June 8, 2003 03:31:27 PM new
Bravo, pointy!
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California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
posted on June 8, 2003 03:34:50 PM newsome of us, unlike fluffy, still think we owe the customer courtesy since WE ARE NOT DOING THEM A FAVOR BY SELLING on ebay.
Really? I am.
And apparently the high bidders on 98 out of 100 of my auctions think so, too, because they end up with a piece of jewelry cheaper than they could get it elsewhere..usually 90% cheaper than the EXACT SAME PIECE would cost them at Big Name Department Store.
I despise false humility.
Yes, I am doing them a favor by selling on eBay.
If you abase yourself before your monitor each day during your morning ablutions and utter a prayer of supplication to Bah Humbug, the God of eBay Bidders, well, that's your bag, baby.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jun 8, 2003 03:38 PM ]
posted on June 8, 2003 03:44:57 PM new
fluffy, go to the bathroom and get over yourself already, you are getting really boring with that holier than anybody attitude.
posted on June 8, 2003 09:01:32 PM new
I answer all questions. Most are about postage and I am happy to help them figure it out. It only takes a minute of my time and I happy to accomodate them and they usually end up being the high bidder.
posted on June 8, 2003 10:19:25 PM new
For once I agree with Neon. If I get the R U gr8 jive, I will do the same. I usually send a reply that says, "What?"
I always reply to questions as well. In my case, it turns into about a 75% bid rate. Simple responses will usually turn into a sale for me.
