posted on April 7, 2001 08:48:10 PM
Like some of the other sellers who have commented, my listings usually are very specific about the shipping costs and payment methods.
So my questions are specific to the item I am auctioning. I answer them as quickly as I can, and with a cheerful and helpful attitude. There are quite a few bids as a result, and several inquisitors are multi auction buyers.
On the other hand, I have had some emails from people looking for special deals, lower prices, or simply informing me that they found the item for less at Target, but would I consider blah blah blah. While I also answer them in a kindly manner, they are the folks who seem to be the looky lous and tire kickers.
posted on April 7, 2001 09:38:30 PM
As a buyer, I won't bother to ask a question unless I am sincerely considering bidding. After all, why would I waste my time?
OTOH, while I don't snipe, I do wait until the last day to bid, so often by that time the price is higher than I am willing to bid.
Another consideration is the reply I get. I try to write a friendly and professional request (usually regarding shipping costs). Yet more than once the reply I've received reads only "$4.50". Or I will ask two questions, such as "how much is shipping?" and "what exactly does 'good condition' mean" but only get one answered. How my questions are answered makes a difference on my bid.
posted on April 11, 2001 07:00:23 PM
Here's a good example.
I had seven advertising signs, all nearly identical, just a different picture on each. I listed two just to see how those two would go over.
A lady emailed me to ask questions--did I have more of these, if so could I list them too, would I combine shipping, etc... I was happy that someone was taking an interest in them of course.
I explained that I did have more but no photos of them yet as I hadn't planned on listing those yet, but that I would take photos so she could tell me which ones she liked the most, then I could list them.
She told me she liked this one and that one, so I listed them, and the others too since I had just taken the pictures.
Need I say it? Never heard from her again and she never bid.
[ edited by loosecannon on Apr 11, 2001 07:18 PM ]
posted on April 12, 2001 04:25:07 AM
This week I have emailed and asked two sellers, a very simple question about shipping. Neither of them had an amount in the auction TOS. Now both sellers have replied, but neither of them has yet to give me an idea of shipping costs. One of them did take a stab in the dark, but I know for a fact the amount they have said is way to high for it to be correct, and the other said that they would get a price and let me know the next day.
Three days has come and gone since that last communication and I am still waiting.
As we are now coming up to the Easter long weekend, I fear the auctions' will be over before I get my shipping costs. So therefore I will not be bidding, I would be stupid to do so, when I do not know what they are likely to charge me for shipping cost.
posted on April 18, 2001 09:19:25 PM
I emailed a seller who had 10 magazines that I like to collect listed separately. My question was would they ship together to save me on shipping? I would have bid $6 - $10 on each magazine. They never bothered to answer. The magazines closed with bids of $2 to $3. I guess they were too busy....
I didn't place the bids on pure principle. After all, they will appear again...
posted on April 18, 2002 09:25:48 PM
I have found if a person includes their name as a closure to the question that they will end up bidding 90% of the time as long as I include mine in the reply. Also about 50% of the people that don't leave there name and I thank them for asking and leave my name. If someone asks a second question, then I have a 100% bid rate. Guess that is somewhat lucky, but the key is to answer the questions asked in a timely manner and always identify how you are to the potential customer.
bp
posted on April 18, 2002 10:13:50 PM
As a bidder, I rarely ask questions. If I don't see the info I need in the auction, I usually just move on.
But recently a 40-plus piece set of my china pattern was (is) offered on eBay. There were six pictures, four of which were photos of the backstamps! Really not helpful at all. Seller stresses ALL ITEMS SOLD AS-IS but carefully refuses to commit to any description of condition. No clues about what shipping would be, either. He's got a 378 feedback rating with 6 negs, all from people who feel they got shafted on the condition of the items they bought.
So I wrote an email with a few basic questions, like condition of the pieces, please describe the one big coffeepot, and how much to ship to zip code 00000?
Never got a response. Doesn't look like I will at this point; he's got 24 bids on the stuff.
But here's the kicker, and here's why I suspect the guy is basically dishonest: Complaint: "sent quilt top with ROTTEN FABRIC! NASTY,SARCASTIC emails from him..dishonest!!!"
Response by [seller]: "MISTAKE MADE I GOT A WONDERFULL DEAL HE IS VERY VERY HONEST".
Is that slimy or what?!? Trying to trick people into thinking the buyer had a change of heart...that's low.
posted on April 18, 2002 11:13:38 PM
Remember when you were in school and your teacher encouraged you to ask questions noting, "Everyone else probably has the same question?" If I get a legitimate question regarding something I overlooked, I will add my response to the description. Cuts down on having to answer it over and over and helps sell to those that don't ask questions.
BTW, I believe I found that ebay's search engine ignores additions to a description. I still have to check this a bit more though.
[ edited by artnouveau on Apr 18, 2002 11:14 PM ]
posted on April 18, 2002 11:28:32 PM
I sometimes get SO tired of sellers not putting shipping charges in their auctions, and that's mainly what I ask my questions on. Other times a color doesn't come out well in the photo, and I have to ask the seller for clarification if he/she hasn't stated in the description what it is.
If the answer is satisfactory, I always bid--except when the price at the end of the auction goes above my maximum (or if I forgot to use a sniping program). I really appreciate sellers who describe things completely. I'm awfully glad I started out as a buyer, because I learned a lot just seeing what I did and didn't like about sellers' descriptions. I've also learned some wonderful hints here since I started lurking!
BTW I get very few questions on my auctions when I sell--either I have better customers, or my rather wordy descriptions answer all their questions!
posted on April 19, 2002 04:06:46 AM
As a buyer, I don't ask questions unless I'm really interested, but an important piece of info missing. If the answer is what I wanted to hear, I bid w/ confidence (ie high). I think it helps too if sellers clearly identify the item in their reply. I often have lots of bids going at the same time on quilts & most of my questions are about dimensions. Often sellers don't mention the title of the item in their reply, so I have to work at finding which quilt that went to (and I confess sometimes I don't bother). I'd say: make it easy on your bidders to bid!!
As a seller, I always answer no matter how crazy the question seems. I guess there are a lot of lonely people out there who just want to be responded to!
I recently wrote to a seller asking if a mask was hard plastic or rubbery latex. They said latex. I bid w/ confidence & won. Then when it arrived, it was PLASTIC! They said I could return it (I did) but I have yet to see a refund. Answer your questions carefully to avoid headaches!
posted on April 19, 2002 04:07:27 AM
As a buyer, I don't ask questions unless I'm really interested, but an important piece of info missing. If the answer is what I wanted to hear, I bid w/ confidence (ie high). I think it helps too if sellers clearly identify the item in their reply. I often have lots of bids going at the same time on quilts & most of my questions are about dimensions. Often sellers don't mention the title of the item in their reply, so I have to work at finding which quilt that went to (and I confess sometimes I don't bother). I'd say: make it easy on your bidders to bid!!
As a seller, I always answer no matter how crazy the question seems. I guess there are a lot of lonely people out there who just want to be responded to!
I recently wrote to a seller asking if a mask was hard plastic or rubbery latex. They said latex. I bid w/ confidence & won. Then when it arrived, it was PLASTIC! They said I could return it (I did) but I have yet to see a refund. Answer your questions carefully to avoid headaches!
posted on April 19, 2002 05:38:02 AM
I sell videos. As it states in my auctions, they are all "Gently used, clean original tape in original box. No stickers or nasty surprises." I also sell music CDs, also fully legitimate items.
Every week I get one or two mails asking if they are bootleg videos or burned CD copies. After I reply with my standard professional sounding form-letter about "No, these are all original, retail version tapes...blah blah" I never hear from them again.
I'm wondering if I say "Yep they're fakes" if I would get more bids out of these people. It ain't true, but just once in a while, I've been tempted...
posted on April 19, 2002 07:40:26 AMBTW, I believe I found that ebay's search engine ignores additions to a description. I still have to check this a bit more though.
It used to be that Search indexed only the first 250 words of the description. I don't know if this is still the case.
posted on April 19, 2002 07:45:47 AM
You might also have to force a re-indexing of your auction after you add to the item description. In the old days you could have it re-indexed by changing the category. I'd be interested to see if that works.
posted on April 19, 2002 09:14:09 AM
I run a pretty high question to bid ratio. Most of my questions deal with shipping and, since I always post the shipping amount in the auction (at least until the increase occurs in June) I always respond happily. (I have an easy reference.) I rarely get a question about the description. But I get about 75/25 bidders to queries. I don't know why, I am probably just lucky this way, but I do have to say, Sales SUCK this week!!
posted on April 19, 2002 09:31:10 AM
I'm wondering...how do you folks keep track of who bids and who doesn't, among those who ask you questions?
I never thought to check it out, and after reading this thread, I wonder how you do it. Sure, I know how to go back through my emails and match names to winning bidders, but who bothers to do this?
I don't get many questions as a seller, but when I do, I can almost tell who is going to bid and who isn't. If I give an answer that isn't what the potential bidder wants to hear, then it's no go.
As a buyer, I only ask questions if I am really interested, and usually it involves shipping, since far too many sellers do not give a figure in the auction itself. If the shipping is reasonable, I'll happily bid. If I get no response (fairly common) or the amount is out of line, then I don't bother.
posted on April 19, 2002 09:44:12 AMhow do you folks keep track of who bids and who doesn't, among those who ask you questions?
I only run about 30 auctions a week...max. That means that I am very familiar with every piece of stock ( I have gobs of each item ) . so when an email comes in, I notice within a few hours if there is a bid or not.
posted on April 19, 2002 07:23:21 PM
Good Evening Everyone! I'm getting more and more involved in this selling items on Ebay! I've been watching this board for the last few months and I have received some great ideas. Thanks!!
Now back to the topic! I'm listing auctions weekly on ebay and each week I get a few questions from potential buyers and I try to respond back to them within a reasonable timeframe. It seams that these questioneer's do buy. I have even received some follow-up emails from these guys telling me they liked the item and for me to wish them luck on their bidding and sure enough there is a bidding war!
I have met some great people and now have some repeat buyers! I guess the greatest thing I ever did was forget to attach the picture of a 1968 Thumbleina Doll MIB for $5.99. I met some great people by not attaching the picture, but, I was extreemly busy sending pictures via email.
posted on April 19, 2002 08:12:32 PM
I love this one!
Here is my ad. NWT- Size 8 Black Leather 9 West Clogs. No Checks, No Pay Pal.
Dear Seller, what size are these shoes? Are they from last year? How about the year before? Are they a real size 8? Could an 8M wear these? What is the length from the toe to the heel? Can you get them in a 9 for me? Can I send you a check? Could I wear socks with these?
Too often people send these silly messages and then I never hear from them again after I answer them. Unless they want to know some other silly thing like, "Are these black?" "Can I send Pay Pal?" "Can I buy your other item right now for 1/2 price?"
These people don't bid on my items and as much as I appreciate that they are looking--
Don't they have anything else to do? How about read the description! The more they write, the less likely that they will bid.
Since I come into this thread late all I can add is that my reasons for no are what others have already stated. That is asking questions when it deals with asking S&H and measurements.
In cases where I *do* ask and bid, those are the ones where I ask for shipping and almost all the time it is reasonable and I bid.
When I *don't* bid after asking, it is over measurements and nothing personal! I SO WISH sellers who list clothing would put the measurements, particularly the waist and especially on jeans. As other women probably know, you can have three pairs of size 6 jeans and each waist could be different! This morning I was browsing for a pair of LEI jeans, punched in the size I wanted and looked over listing after listing with no waist measurements. I didn't bother emailing to ask questions as I would have been doing so for quite some time.
As for shoes, I have never bought a pair online and questioned how someone would and then receive them and they not fit. So I measured a pair of my own, got the size I need and then search for a pair I like hoping the seller will put the measurement from toe to heel. Then I won't have to ask! And I will bid!
It's not that I ask because I am bored and have nothing better to do, LOL. And I will bid if the shipping is reasonable and/or the measurement are what I am searching for
posted on April 20, 2002 01:24:14 PM
Seems the bidding depends on the intelligience of the question. The people who email asking just how many forks are in the 'pair of forks' almost never bid. The ones who ask shipping usually do. We simply charge what the PO charges us, unless we need to buy a special box. One tip off for me is how demanding the email is. The more it sounds like an order, the less likely the person is to bid. The ones who need an additional pic usually don't bid. The ones who ask about something we forgot to mention usually do. I appreciate those questions. The ones I could do without are the ones who run on and on about what things used to cost. If the email is insulting, I just dumpt it.
posted on April 21, 2002 12:06:02 PM
sonsie,
"You asked how do you keep track of the people that ask questions."
What I do is before I reply with the e-mail, I click my save to sent file box. That way I can look back and see what my reply was to their question and send a more personalized WBN to the winner. It is always good to call anyone by their name. It installs confidence to the buyer that the seller is a real person that communitcates. This is also good for repeat business.
Good luck in your sales,
bp
posted on April 21, 2002 12:30:22 PM
Almost always, I supply a scan or photo when replying to a question, and those responses get bids. Text-only replies seldom do.
posted on April 22, 2002 12:54:37 PM
Actually, most of the questions I get are wanting more info on an item, such as a measurement or clarification ("Your description says it is blue but the picture looks green on my monitor..." or something like that. Many of the ones who ask do in fact bid. I even did have one nice lady who thanked me for measuring but told me it would not work for the purpose she needed. However, anyone who asks stupid questions that are clearly answered in the auction listing usually do not bid. As a buyer, I have asked questions a number of times about items I was genuinely intersted in, but the seller never responded. Therefore, I did not bid.
