posted on May 8, 2001 05:38:42 AM new
Dog and I disagree on one point...I appreciate having the payment methods in the EOA. I win auctions quite often. I am a fairly busy person. It is more convenient for me to print the EOA and use it as a record and also to send with my payment with my address stamped right on it. I hate having to refer back to the auction as it is a time waster. The information I am looking for in an EOA is: amount, payment methods and where to send the money. I hate threats and really don't appreciate someone assuming I'm a deadbeat.
posted on May 8, 2001 06:06:29 AM new
Good Morning Bill!
I'm not sure what could be considered as offensive ~ nothing "jumps" at me. Of course, deciphering it, maybe you could read into it but at face value it seems fine.
Personally, I put much of that in my TOS and haven't needed to reiterate it in my EOA.
>>OUTSIDE THE 48 STATES: This total may not be accurate - please send address and phone number (for customs). We will refigure S&H and send you your new total.<<
International Bidders:
Please provide phone number for customs. When address is received, adjusted shipping total will be sent.
>>If enough time elapses with no communication or payment we will file a NPBA form with Ebay, leave negative feedback and re-list the item.<<
Payment is expected/appreciated within 10 days.
Your e-mail is long ~ if you need to included all of that info, you might want to reword it to shorten it a bit.
I really don't find it offensive
Good Luck!
posted on May 8, 2001 06:26:57 AM new
Is it the length that is being considered offensive?
I've never received one that is quite that long, but I still don't think I'd find it offensive. Just long!
Okay, here's mine:
Hi!
Congratulations on your winning bid! Please respond with your mailing address to help ensure a quick and accurate delivery. I will ship your package priority mail upon receipt of payment (bid + shipping = $x). If you would like insurance please add $x and note it in your e-mail. Billpoint or PayPal is preferred ([email protected], last name xx).
A money order or cashier's check can be sent to:
xx xx
xxNWxxCT
xx,FL xxxxx
Payment is due within 10 days! Please do not send a Personal Check!
Thank you for your bid!
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Regards,
xx
Works for me!
posted on May 8, 2001 06:32:59 AM new
While I don't find it offensive, I can see where some might be annoyed by it. First, use of caps *does* have the effect of changing the tone--PLEASE REPLY (all caps) implies the person wouldn't or doesn't reply to seller emails. Then you imply that Alaska & Hawaii need customs forms. One hopes you mentioned that insurance is required on the auction itself so it doesn't come as an unpleasant surprise in your EOA. Your restriction on checks makes it sound like anyone with less than 50 FB is automatically a deadbeat (& of course a high FB person can just as easily send a bad check)--in 2 1/2 years I haven't had a single check bounce, even from zero FB buyers.
And overall, as others have said, your EOA is way too long.
posted on May 8, 2001 07:42:37 AM new
Thanks to everyone for their feedback and opinions - I plan on making it much shorter and changing a few policies. Oxford, your post was above and beyond the feedback I had asked for - I certainly appreciate you taking the time to re-work it like that for me - thanks so much.
posted on May 8, 2001 08:26:50 AM new
I don't find yours offensive. Perhaps, as many others have said, a bit lengthy. Here's basically what I write and it seems to work pretty well for me:
Hi! Congratulations and Thank You for placing the winning bid on this item.
The total amount due including (UPS shipment or priority shipment or insured priority shipment, etc..) will be $xxx.
If you would like to pay by credit card or electronic check I am registered with the following secure online services: MoneyZap, PayPal, Billpoint, and BidPay.
If you prefer to send a money order my name and mailing address are provided below. Please advise your preference as well as your name and address so that I may prepare your package.
posted on May 8, 2001 08:31:15 AM new
I don't know what you sell, but I wanted to give you my gut-level response to your return policy.
When I see something like that I always think I'm headed for a nasty fight if I find it necessary to return something. And if there was ANY whiff of threat of negative feedback anywhere in the auction TOS or EOA, then I'm SURE of it. Big turn off. If in the TOS I won't bid. If in the EOA, I grit my teeth and pray that nothing goes wrong.
Personally, I think "buyer's remorse" is highly overrated, but I also think it depends on category and as I said, I have no idea what you sell. The only things I've EVER asked to return have been things which were misrepresented, intentionally or not (which is immaterial to me as long as I get my money back). As a seller, I have never gotten a request for a return, tho there was one case where I'd missed some damage on the item (or forgotten about it when I listed it), and I gave the buyer a partial refund which made her more than happy.
I really do think that in general, the vast majority of buyers are going to keep their items if they were properly represented to start with, so I don't even have a return policy, let alone write any mean-spirited and defensive "you bought it, you're stuck with it" explanation in either my TOS or EOA.
Loved jacko's EOA, esp. the threat of Lawrence Welk. That'd sure scare ME into doin' things the right way!! LOL
