mrpotatoheadd
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posted on April 24, 2001 09:02:05 PM new
You're probably right. Had I been the buyer, it wouldn't have really bothered me, since I make my bids based on what I think a fair price is, but I realize that not everybody looks at it this way.
edited to add...
This is a response to eventer's post, which ended up as the last post on page 1. With mine being the first on page 2, it is not really obvious who I was responding to. Is that clear? 
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Apr 24, 2001 09:05 PM ]
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eventer
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posted on April 24, 2001 09:09:12 PM new
You talking to me? 
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on April 24, 2001 09:14:50 PM new
I don't know... what do you want to hear?
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eventer
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posted on April 24, 2001 09:21:43 PM new
Did you enjoy all the shipping threads last week? If I wasn't going to be out of town this weekend, I'd start a couple "who leaves feedback first" threads. 
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MrsSantaClaus
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posted on April 24, 2001 10:06:19 PM new
If the buyer is so inflamed about the $2 difference, why not offer him (or her) $2 off of any item on your website? You might be able to change a PITA customer into a regular one ....
Customers like that want to think they got one over on you. BUT if you can make an additional sale with a profit, you are the winner, right?
JMHO
BECKY
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on April 24, 2001 10:11:37 PM new
You might be able to change a PITA customer into a regular one ....
Been there- done that. Well, I tried, anyway. Biggest mistake I made since I started on eBay.
But who knows? You might have better luck with your PITA bidder...
edited to add..
The reason I tend to disagree with trying to appease complaining bidders with no regard to the validity of their complaint is that doing so (IMO) only encourages them to continue in the same manner with future sellers. If sellers would "Just Say No" to unreasonable requests, the PITA bidders might eventually figure out that being a PITA is not a productive strategy.
One can always hope, I suppose...
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Apr 24, 2001 10:17 PM ]
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eventer
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posted on April 24, 2001 10:24:24 PM new
Customers like that want to think they got one over on you
Sorry, but I'm not sure who got one over on whom here. Seller prices his BIN higher than his website price, then DIRECTS his customer over to his website where they can SEE he charges less for them.
I think this customer handled his anger at this poorly but I can sure understand his feelings.
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eventer
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posted on April 24, 2001 10:27:34 PM new
mrpotatoheadd,
Let's change this scenario slightly. If the customer had emailed him & said, "Excuse me but I see you sell these on your website for $1.00 less than your BIN price on ebay, would you consider matching your website price for these 2 items I purchased?", would you still consider that buyer a PITA?
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on April 24, 2001 10:37:31 PM new
eventer-
No. If someone approached me in a reasonable manner and addressed me politely as you described, I'd be happy to consider his offer.
If, however, he called me a "swindler", I'd probably respond in a different manner.
People who are able to interact with one another, showing mutual respect, and an ability to discuss their disagreements with some degree of civility are not PITAs.
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Microbes
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posted on April 25, 2001 04:58:57 AM new
mrpotatoheadd:
>Everybody who says "EVERY customer is important" hasn't really had a difficult one yet. Once they do, they'll be cured of that particular (peculiar?) belief.
Couldn't agree more. There are a few "customers" that you are better off without. I often spot them in the initial email I get from them. When I get a buyer who starts looking for problems as soon as the auction is over, but before they even send the $, I know I'm in for a hard time.
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zymo
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posted on April 25, 2001 09:48:12 AM new
Original Poster follow-up. We are changing the price on the website to 10.99 which will be the same as BIN price on ebay. Minimum bid will still be 9.99. Customer sent me the following email as a follow-up. Any comments, should I fill the order. He also left NEG calling me a gouger.
You are deliberate cheats, and will be reported as such. You are also
instructed NOT to cash my check, but to return or destroy it. If you do
otherwise, your standing with both eBay and the criminal law will be still
further degraded.
______________________
http://www.celebrity-foto.com
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eventer
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posted on April 25, 2001 09:53:53 AM new
Return his check, file for your NPB (using the buyer didn't send payment), leave him a calm, but factual response & go on. He doesn't deserve anymore of your time.
BTW, I think you did the right thing bringing your BIN & website prices together.
And use bidder block. 
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katiyana
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:16:03 AM new
I'd probably also leave a calm factual negative (so it wouldn't be construed as retaliatory) - if they're having a cow over $2 and can't be polite in making inquiries, other sellers might want to be warned off from this guy/gal.
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zymo
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:22:59 AM new
I left the bidder a neg and he has already responded, their feedback is now -1 He is a newbie
Complaint: AVOID! Left Neg FB one day after auction ended - he didnt like the price he bid.
Response: Vendor is a cheat, setting full retail price as MINIMUM bid!
______________________
http://www.celebrity-foto.com
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amy
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:37:33 AM new
Hmmm..I don't remember ever seeing a rule on ebay that said minimum bid could not be retail.
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BJGrolle
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:42:45 AM new
I don't think you're a cheat or a swindler. You simply made a mistake by including a link in your EOA notice that enabled the buyer to see he could have gotten it for a whole dollar less. Not clear business-like thinking, but far from what you've been accused of.
I think the buyer overreacted in this situation. He bid, won, and was obligated to complete the transaction. Then he instructs you not to cash the check and proceeds to make threats.
I like your feedback. It's calm and factual and shows the buyer to be the unreasonable one. His response to it clearly indicates that he thinks he can dictate how sellers conduct their business and that he feels free to change his mind after the fact if he doesn't agree.
http://bjgrolle.freehomepage.com
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zymo
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:44:28 AM new
Question for other sellers .. Would you return this customer check and file FVF or would you fill the order (assuming the 28.00 check clears) ... I see nothing "illegal" as customer is saying in his demand to return his check.
______________________
http://www.celebrity-foto.com
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:47:01 AM new
I would file for a FVF refund. I would also let the buyer know that if he wanted his check returned, he would have to send me a SASE.
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sosoal
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:48:17 AM new
Zymo-
I'm sorry to see that this has turned out so badly for you. Your advertising attracted a bidder who thought enough of your product to purchase it. Now he feels swindled and the negative feedback has followed. Linking your web site the way you did, lead to this unfortunate circumstance. The fact that you have addressed it, shows that you are an astute business person. Let it go and move on. Best of luck on your future endeavors.
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eventer
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posted on April 25, 2001 11:50:38 AM new
I don't see anything "illegal" there either.
But why cash the check..why drag this thing out one minute longer? What would be the purpose of enraging this customer any more?
Return the check, file for the FVF, put him on bidder block & MOVE ON.
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CleverGirl
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posted on April 25, 2001 05:49:17 PM new
mrpotatohead - There's no need for an SASE. All the seller has to do is write "Return to sender" on the envelope and hand it back to the mail carrier.
Of course, he has to note the name on the return address label before he opens it. But now that he knows he needs to be on the lookout, maybe that's not too big a burden.
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Capriole
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posted on April 25, 2001 07:14:41 PM new
You can add another response below their response on your neg.
It couldn't hurt.
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capotasto
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posted on April 25, 2001 07:24:40 PM new
Zymo--
"My price for the items in question on my website is 9.99. My starting bid price in auctions is also 9.99. I have Buy It Now available for 10.99. "
Dumb, dumb, dumb. (In compliance with auctionwatch rules I refer not to you personally but to your auction methods.)
Start your ebay items at $9.50 with no BIN.
I too use ebay with a link to my retail site. I sell one item for $19.95 and start it on ebay for $19.50 but since I have a bunch it's always a DUTCH AUCTION with a large quantity -- every bidder gets one on ebay for $19.50.
Use your head and you won't get into trouble with either ebay or with bidders.
Vinnie
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