posted on May 28, 2004 05:53:49 PM new
I recently had a customer who refused (3 days after the auction closed) to use Vendio's checkout. I wrote back and offered to send her an invoice directly from Paypal so that she can by-pass Vendio's checkout. I received this e-mail today after she received another reminder from Vendio about payment:
"I already e-mailed you, that I will not be forced to used vendio, which I consider unsafe. I had to get a moneyorder from the bank, and I did so and put it in the mail today. This has been extremely inconvenient for me, and had I known that this is how you do business I would never have bid on this pattern."
posted on May 28, 2004 05:58:44 PM new
Hi. I would just be polite and thank her. At least she is sending payment. A money order is as good as cash. Just ignore the fact that she was a bit rude....
posted on May 28, 2004 06:03:04 PM new
Sometimes I wonder if, when we reply using the same subject line, the buyers think they've already seen that message??? I've begun adding "Reply from seller to: and then the rest of the original title," just in case. Who knows why people don't read all their bold print incoming e-mail?!
___________________________________
As I've Matured...
1. I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in...
posted on May 28, 2004 06:11:30 PM new
Thanks, Roadsmith, perhaps she didn't read my earlier message. It was very polite. This is what she wrote to me and this is what I wrote back:
Hi Diane.
I will not be forced to use vendio-check out. The page I bid on did not list anything about that, only that you like paypayl. Kindly e-mail your adress so I can
get a moneyorder from the bank.
This is what I wrote back:
If you are uncomfortable using the vendio checkout and would like to pay via paypal, I can send you a separate paypal invoice. If you would like to send a money order, my address is.
posted on May 28, 2004 06:18:46 PM new
I wonder why you get these crazies, bizzy? Sounds like you responded appropriately - might be the type of people bidding for some reason....
Is it possible that the auctions could use a tweak to clarify any misconceptions? I'd only do that if you had multiple buyers who had difficulty though.
Hmmmm. Have someone take an objective look at your terms and maybe ask them a few questions afterward -- like:
1) What payment options are available?
2) How soon do I expect you to pay?
3) How soon should you expect me to ship it?
etc...
Whaddya think?
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on May 28, 2004 06:19:22 PM new
You have one of the approximately 50% of all buyers who despise Checkouts.
I am another of them. I won't use it, and if the seller doesn't divulge the use of a proprietary Checkout in their auction, they're going to get an earful.
You now know that:
1) Some of your future buyers are not going to want to use Vendio Checkout.
2) Some of your future buyers would prefer that YOU send them reminder emails, not Vendio.
She said she didn't want to use Vendio and you followed that up with an email from Vendio.
Apologize for the misunderstanding, ship her item promptly and be nice. (Wait, I'm doing a quick DNA check on myself now.)
posted on May 28, 2004 06:23:07 PM new
But, Fluffy, you can't turn off individual reminders through Vendio. I would have if I could have (or perhaps there is a way that I don't know of). I am a one-person operation and it is pretty crazy. I rely on the services of Vendio. I did send her an e-mail stating that I was more than willing to send her an invoice from paypal, but I never heard back from her.
posted on May 28, 2004 06:29:16 PM new
Family -- I don't think that she's crazy, I think that she has reservations. I do understand and that is why I sent a follow-up e-mail to her right away. But I do agree with Roadsmith in that perhaps she didn't read it. In the future, I will change the subject line to catch their attention. Perhaps that will help.
But thank you for your input. I do learn so much from this board. I wouldn't be where I'm at if it wasn't for those on this board. I don't care if I'm kicked around at at times ... I suffer, I get past it and then I learn. That is what is so important.
Heck, if it was easy, everybody would be successful at this business!
posted on May 28, 2004 06:33:22 PM new
I don't use Vendio checkout anymore. Even when I did, most never used it. I use eBay's invoice because it's most convenient and it seems to get through most of the time. Notice I said "most" of the time.
posted on May 28, 2004 06:34:28 PM new
Classic -- You always crack me up. And much to Fluffy's chagrin, I hang on every word she posts. I have learned so much from her (as well as others on this board)! This board is THE most informative board for E-bay that I have ever checked out.
Edited to add: Classic and Fluffy ... After my last HUGE blunder, I now run to the post office 2-3 times a week. I learned a huge lesson! It's not always easy, but I learned that it's most important.
Oh, and by the way, the buyer and I have worked things out. I am paying to have both of the negs removed. Although she wouldn't accept a refund on the items, we are in contact and I'm watching to see if she bids again because if she does, it's completely free.
Diane
[ edited by bizzycrocheting on May 28, 2004 06:40 PM ]
posted on May 28, 2004 06:43:45 PM new
If you use Vendio's Sales Manager you can turn off the individual notices. You have the option of turning it on or off for each individual auction. I use Sales Manager and have found it very time saving. Oh, brother, do I sound like a commercial or what?
posted on May 28, 2004 06:44:49 PM new
Yes, Fluffy, unless you turn it off for everyone. Some of my customers rely on the reminders. They don't pay right away because they combine their purchases, so they need the reminders to tell them when time in up. I haven't found a way to turn it off for an individual bidder though. I have looked through the FAQs and through the Help. I didn't see it. Of course, I could have missed it. If anyone knows anything about this and can help me, I sure would appreciate it.
posted on May 28, 2004 06:46:29 PM new
Cheryl -- I have gone practibly blind looking for it. How do you turn it off for an individual bidder without turning it off for everyone else? That info would be GOLD to me!!!!
posted on May 28, 2004 06:46:56 PM new
I don't remember anyone kicking you around, Diane. You've done your best to bait people but in most cases they've just let you go right ahead and make a fool of yourself.
Your buyer is sending payment. Take it to the bank and hope she leaves you positive feedback.
posted on May 28, 2004 06:50:05 PM new
Just my opinion on Vendio checkout - I don't use it because I am one of those 50% that hate checkouts (and I think the percentage is actually around 75% - or at least it should be). I absolutely refuse to subject my customers to having to fill out information that is none of Vendio's business.
I do use the WBNs, and that is the ONLY thing sent to my bidders from Vendio. And the first line of my WBN says "Please do not fill out any information here. You are not expected to use this checkout. This email is solely to provide you with auction and payment information."
The rest I handle. I am a one-person operation also - heck, most of us here are. It's all about organization. When it comes to my business, I rather handle it myself.
__________________________________
"The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work." - Richard Bach
posted on May 28, 2004 06:57:04 PM new
OK, WGM, well taken. But then how do you keep track of who paid, who needs to be shipped, etc.? I send out no less than 35-40 auctions every week. How do I keep track of this volume if I don't use Vendio's services?
posted on May 28, 2004 06:58:58 PM new
I don't use anybody's checkout. They're very annoying, want way too many fields completed and are hard to navigate. When I run into one as a buyer I somehow just miss seeing it and use the Pay Now button in the auction or direct from PayPal. Gee, gosh, golly, must be the Two-Buck-Chuck!
My auctions end on Sunday night. Practically all the buyers have paid by mid-morning Monday. The few who haven't (mostly newbies) get a personalized email from me.
Most of those have paid by evening Monday so all paid packages are sent out Tuesday morning. Just one shipping day for me.
Snail mail payments generally arrive by the following weekend so their stuff gets mailed on Tuesday, along with the ones that closed and paid by Monday.
Just my way of doing business. Works for me, simple, straightforward and no schlepping to the PO to ship every time the wind changes. I go there every day anyway but just to check the box.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:02:03 PM new
Lucy -- I think you are a doll. If I have offended you in any way, I apologize. I was only having fun at that time. I have since learned that having fun at someone else's expense is no fun. And, again, I do apologize.
But aside from that ... Life is a learning experience and you really do learn something new everyday. And I have really learned alot from this board -- Not just about e-bay, but about life.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:04:18 PM new
Bizzy...Adding to what Fluffy said, well over 50% of your winning bidders find checkout intrusive, complicated, or a general PITA to use and will refuse to use it. It's important to have a good backup plan for those bidders if you incorporate checkout, the same as for those who don't trust or won't use Paypal. The name of the game is to get the money into your pocket and the item into their home as fast as possible without any complications and for both buyer and seller to be happy afterwards. As far as the technical operations of Vendio checkout, the best place to find out is in the sales manager, image hosting forum. There are live moderators to answer those questions and they know the system better than anyone else. In this instance though, if the buyer is a Paypal user, she should have accepted your offer of a Paypal invoice and paid immediately. The inconvenience of getting a money order was her own doing and it sounds like she is looking for something to b**ch about.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
I misunderstood. You can turn "checkout" off for individual auctions. I would just not use this checkout, IMO. Although eBay's invoice is not automatic, it is far more user friendly and less intrusive, IMO. If I can find what you are looking for I'll definately let you know.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:12:15 PM new
You know, Sparkz, I just feel bad that there are ever any bad feelings associated with my auctions. I do know that you can't please EVERYONE, but I do believe in trying my best.
My auctions target mostly more mature women. They are generally grandmas and I recently had a new GREAT grandma. Most younger people just don't crochet anymore. I would like to make sure that all of my customers are comfortable no matter what I use. But I do need help in keeping track of it all. I sell usually 100-120+ items every month. Please help me if you can. It is alot for one person. So, I am really seeking help here.
As always, I do appreciate all the help that I get.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:18:27 PM new
OK ... I understand from the experts that you don't use a checkout. So, how do you keep track of it all (as well as your sanity ! Especially from those, like Fluffy, that have a HIGH volume of sales. My sales levels aren't anywhere near some of the sellers on this board, but I do appreciate all of the help.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:21:55 PM new
LOL Sounds like you are getting all the grouchy old ladies! (Just kidding, sort of!
Bizzy, I start and end all my auctions at the same time every week - much better to manage. And I run a considerable amount of auctions (and maintain an eBay store).
I have folders set up in my inbox for WBNs, combined invoices sent through eBay, and EOA notices from eBay. Everything gets filed there. I use the USPS Shipping Assistant; and at the end of the day (I ship every day except Sunday), I sit down with my receipts from shipping and delete the referenced emails above which have paid.
And - DON'T LAUGH - I actually love the new "my eBay". It makes tracking auctions a breeze - for me anyway. When I have to file a NPBA, I click on note and add "NPB" with the date filed and the date I need to file for FVF.
It sounds like a lot of work, but actually it isn't once you get it down. I spend very little time on paperwork.
__________________________________
"The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work." - Richard Bach
posted on May 28, 2004 07:27:28 PM new
WGM -- Absolutely I will not laugh. I like it too, for the most part. It's gives me a headache a bit too. LOL ...
I'm not as computer saavy as some of you. I really am feeling my way around. I know some, but compared to those in their teens and twenties (and even their 30's), I'm totally a computer illerate.
I'm simply trying to learn. And thank you all for your responses.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:35:39 PM new
Hi Bizzy. Good to see you here. I don't use any checkout either. I send a eBay invoice and I change the wording in the invoice to be what payments I use and the days I ship. If they pay me immediately I respond with an email stating I received their payment and I will ship your package and then you name the day and I also say if I can't mail on that day I will email you when I do. You can check to see who paid if they have paid through PayPal the others you will have to keep track of. It will tell you in My eBay under items sold. What I do is print out a copy of the EOA. When the buyer responds or pays I print that on the back of the EOA. I put them in two paperclips. Paid and Unpaid then when your unpaid buyers pay you move that to the paid pile. Of course I don't do as many auctions as you do but it works for me.
posted on May 28, 2004 07:53:44 PM new
Libra -- Thank you so much. You're so kind. I was just using the E-bay's invoicing, but it got to be too much. Especially since they changed to 2.0. I am really struggling. I find it to be so much better, but then again, I struggle with it. Perhaps, I just need to get used to it?
posted on May 28, 2004 08:01:54 PM new
Possibly you could have sent her the PayPal invoice instead of just asking her if she wanted you to.
Also, possibly if your wording on the reminder had been different, she would not have felt you were trying to get her in your checkout.
Example: Reminder email 14 days. (Something similar could be written to better fit the 4 day reminder)
Dear %%Winner%%,
RE: E-bay Purchase
We try to ship items quickly and when we do not receive payment right away, we like to let the buyer know, so in case there was a problem with the mail, or an unusual PayPal error, the buyer is not left wondering why we have not sent the merchandise.
This is just a reminder that I have not received payment for the %%Title%% auction. Please remit payment so we can ship your item. If you have already mailed your payment, disregard this notice. We will notify you when it arrives.
