posted on March 23, 2004 02:27:09 PM new
Have you ever sent a bonus to an eBay buyer? Something extra, above and beyond the auction item? I have, here's a few examples.
I had a bidder in South Africa win with a high bid on some doll clothes. At the price I got I included three theme Barbies in their theme outfits. The bidder emailed me to make sure that was my intent and not an accident. She was a doll herself.
I sold a de-commissioning belt buckle for a US submarine to a previous crew-member of the boat. I really enjoyed his emails, in the package I included a pb copy of Blind Man's Bluff, an awesome book about sub spying.
And then there was the bidder that sent cash. The only money in my world when I ran out of gas right after getting THAT letter. I sent him a new watch (not a cheapo either) with his item. And thanked him for trusting me.
This is one of the reasons I'll never be rich, and I don't plan to change at all.
posted on March 23, 2004 02:46:13 PM new
No, thanks, I invariably lose in games of moral one-upsmanship.
I prefer to spend my eBay time providing a quality product at a very attractive price point not found elsewhere.
--
"The word 'aerobics' came about when the gym instructors got together and said: `If we're going to charge $10 an hour, we can't call it Jumping Up and Down.'" -- Rita Rudner
posted on March 23, 2004 02:50:34 PM new
bonus??
the only bonus i give my bidders is that i actually ship their items.
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on March 23, 2004 03:28:45 PM new
Boy, that's a tough one to beat. I give out business cards with a code good for 10% purchases from my website. I'm debating getting pens printed with my website address on them. Both of those are pretty self-serving, though, so I don't think they count as bonuses.
posted on March 23, 2004 03:29:20 PM new
I do parklane64 ....If the pay instantly after the auctions over and send a real friendly e-mail ...like oh thank you for offering that blah blah it's just like the one my mom had and I've always wanted it or they pay what I think is just way to much for something...that I paid a dime for,I stick something extra in. Twice last week I had 2 pieces of jewelry sell for over 45.00 each I paid a quarter for them...sent them both a extra piece of jewelry.It's one way of making sure they come back to visit and when the pay at the speed of light they're worth it.
posted on March 23, 2004 03:34:42 PM new
I have many times, sent along an extra item that was in one way or another related to the purchase.
These are usually items which aren't selling so nothing lost.
I figure the buyer may like it or be able to use it.
And I would only be loosing money relisting!
posted on March 23, 2004 03:55:32 PM new
Dad hit it right on the head. YUP, stuff it with the other like stuff and send it off and out of here. Football stuff,,,they bought shoulder pads,,,jerseys,,NEW,,just get rid of them,,,,,,GLOWING! I mean GLOWING feed backs......hahaha...
posted on March 23, 2004 05:28:56 PM new
Yes, I've done it occasionally when I had something on hand that I thought they'd like. And this week a friend in another state, who bought a book from me, called to say she wanted to bid on another one for a friend sadly in need of boosting--but I'd already archived the item that didn't sell and had it on a pile ready to go to the thrift shop.
I told her just to send a little extra for shipping, and she could have the second book, which had been listed twice and never sold.
Along with my goal to make at least enough money to make Ebay worth my time, I have a goal to see that every book or collectible I want to sell ends up in the hands of someone who will love and appreciate it. I feel good when I'm making my little corner of the world a slightly better place.
___________________________________
Have you noticed since everyone has a Camcorder these days no one talks
about seeing UFOs like they used to?
posted on March 23, 2004 07:51:38 PM new
I have, on many occasions. I have hundreds of little rubber stamps & sometimes include one as a gift. There are some buyers that are so nice that you just want to do a little something extra.
Just this past week I had a buyer bid 12.00 for a cat stamp that I paid 50 cents for. She also lost a bid on another stamp so I sent her a 2nd chance & she bought that too, 6.51, it cost me 90 cents.
I looked at her bid history & saw she won 2 stamps with cute sayings, no picture, Just Buzzin In & I Love Bee~ing Your Friend. I have an adorable little Bee stamp. Her check arrived today & I included the stamp because I knew she would like it, not to mention I felt a little guilty that she paid so much for the two stamps.
I used to buy a lot on eBay & the only "gift" I ever received was a package of microwave popcorn. I thought it was such a nice thing to do.
posted on March 23, 2004 08:03:44 PM new
mcjane,sometimes we JUST get those Warm and Fuzzy feelin's and we act on them,,,and we are rewarded 10 times over......business is business unless you just let yer,,,,,well,,I,,,,am suppose ,,to be Soooooo,,,,,,macho right here,,,,screw that noise,,,ya get hit right in the heart and pow, ya do things,,,hahahaha.........unnormal things,,,Good things, however,,,Everything,,,thatcha do, will come back to you....Ya gonna Fly like an eagle,,,,
posted on March 23, 2004 08:05:15 PM new
As a special thank you to my customers who pay me in 30 days or less, I tape their cartons shut before I ship them.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on March 30, 2004 10:41:27 PM new
I normally give out a small item I use in Jewelry with very good results. they even mention it in the positive feedbacks. yes, to me its worth it.
posted on March 31, 2004 06:08:30 AM new
I just sold a vintage '60s swim cap for a pretty high bid. The bidder collects them, judging from what he buys, or he has some kind of a store.
I sent along the box from another one, thought he'd like it.
posted on March 31, 2004 06:38:27 AM new
I used to until it came back to bite me. Buyer bought a bunch of Barbie exercise equipment and exercise tape for $3, I threw in a used Barbie wearing exercise outfit. I was shocked when I got a neg. from here saying "Barbie doll had loose knees" What did she expect for nothing! In those days I also used to leave feedback first. You live and learn.
posted on March 31, 2004 10:24:12 AM new
Yeah, I had one of my earrings fall into a package. The buyer even offered to send it back, but told him to toss it (or keep it ) but thats about the extent of my bonuses
__________________________________
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."- Carl Sagan
posted on March 31, 2004 02:29:08 PM new
Free worldwide shipping for returning customers and the occasional wall poster depending on if package weight is still under 200 gm. Sometimes will send a related book if the order is large enough.
) but thats about the extent of my bonuses 