posted on April 13, 2014 06:13:09 PM new
Buyer emails me this morning to inquire about a light fixture I have. He wants to know the diameter of the glass shade.
The actual fixture is 13 3/4" from the outer rim across and the glass shade fits inside of this with very minimal free space (about 1/8 inch around the rim or 1/4 inch total). The fixture is at our studio, and I won't be there until tomorrow to get an exact measurement. I told him this info, and told them I estimate the glass shade to be 13 1/2" diameter. They were fine with this response and started to make offers.
BIN Price: $165
15% off Sale Price: $140.25
Buyer offers $50
I counter offer I can do $132 because I sold the same fixture last week for $132 and that is 20% off.
Buyer offers $75
I reject the offer based on my previous email.
Buyer offers $100
I again counter offer $132 and reiterate that is our price.
Now the buyer emails me again wanting to know the "exact" diameter of the glass shade.
The low offer starting at $50 and then still interested at $132 while being awfully interested in that glass shade seems suspicious to me, perhaps to make a match to fit another fixture they may have. I just checked their feedback and all of the item numbers are set to private, but they have excellent feedback and have left positives for their sellers.
I guess its the cynic in me, but to me it just seems a bit odd.
[ edited by shagmidmod on Apr 13, 2014 06:17 PM ]
[ edited by shagmidmod on Apr 13, 2014 06:18 PM ]
posted on April 14, 2014 06:41:57 AM new
I agree with alldings, too many "clever" buyers lately. Not worth my time, effort and drain on my mental health.
posted on April 14, 2014 08:13:18 AM new
I contacted one previous seller who states they have been a repeat customer with no problems. The sell used car parts.
posted on April 15, 2014 10:03:36 AM new
I was correct in that it was 13 1/2" diameter.
After asking another seller about their experience with the buyer, I felt a bit more at ease, but I decided to ask the buyer about their unusual inquiry.
I was correct in assuming that they were wanting the glass part for another fixture they have. They believe they have the exact same piece, but need the glass shade. So, their offers were based on needing the glass, not the whole fixture. Their response indicated they would just keep the 2nd fixture as a back up.
I also did some quick research and found no other 13 1/2" diameter glass shades online. I'm certain they probably exist hidden in some warehouse in rural Iowa or something... but who wants to spend endless hours searching for a round flat shade to save a few bucks?
I will make sure to mark each piece with my handy invisible ink pen before shipping just in case, but I don't think there will be a problem. I have special boxes for the glass, so that it will pack within another box without worry of damage - unless the Fed Ex truck runs over the box whole box!
posted on April 25, 2014 08:25:04 AM new
I received feedback from the buyer today. All seems good.
I still believe I was justified to be concerned by his questions considering he was interested in one part of the entire piece more than the piece itself.
I'm glad I asked him why he was so concerned about the size of the shade so that I had it documented in eBay's messaging system. Obviously, that doesn't mean much in their eyes, especially if he claimed it was damaged in shipping, but at least I felt better about it.
