posted on May 8, 2002 01:42:39 PM new
outoftheblue ... my sentiments exactly! I find him quite entertaining however ... such disdain for people who might accidentally bid on one of his delightful auction. Pass the popcorn!
posted on May 9, 2002 08:52:16 AM new
Sorry to be late getting back to this thread. I took a couple of days off and in fact am typing this from the Disneyland Hotel. It's overcast at the moment but I bet that'll burn off by 10 am.
Just another day in Paradise.
outoftheblue: I've said it before and I will say it again. 99.9 percent of our customers are great. PLEASE Fluffy, send me all of your "bottom feeding scum-suckers." I will gladly take them off of your hands.
Say it until you're (outofthe)blue in the face, hon, but if you want these customers you're going to have to work for them. That means crafting an auction technique even more attractive to bottom-feeding scum-suckers than mine, WITHOUT giving away the store.
Let us know what you come up with. Free gift with purchase? Free shipping? Free carwash if you buy three or more items? Free backrub?
It's pretty hard to beat "1 CENT" in the title, since people search specifically on that string, but I'll be interested in seeing what you devise. Keep us posted.
posted on May 9, 2002 09:39:38 AM newIf I was a potential buyer and read this forum I would NEVER purchase anything on Ebay ever again.
You can always buy from one of my alternate seller IDs, perhaps the one that refers to bidders as "thrifty cost-conscious consumers" rather than "bottom-feeding scum-suckers", since you seem to prefer pleasant euphemisms to the naked truth.
posted on May 9, 2002 10:10:43 AM new
You know what, just about anyone can produce a quality item this day, but what can't be mass produced is customer service. There are businesses that offer outstanding customer service, treat their customers with respect, and let them know how much they are appreciated. Those are the businesses that get my money.
If I go to a store with rude employees, if customer service, or even the owner treats me with disdain, contempt, or disrespect, not only don't I go back, but I tell all my friends to stay away as well. A bargain isn't a bargain unless you're completely happy.
All those who are complaining about bottom feeding scum, you are either making money or you still wouldn't be in business. It's no one's fault but your own that you haven't found a product or a way to sell it without becoming a martyr.
Get off the cross, someone else needs the wood.
And if you are losing so much money on eBay, for God's sake just leave!
We have signs from God because some of us are too stupid to figure things out for ourselves.
[ edited by afallenangel on May 9, 2002 10:14 AM ]
posted on May 9, 2002 10:44:00 AM new
To: fluffythewondercat
I have paid the fair market value for items and still been overcharged. I know the value because I deal in these items. No it is not in my mind that I am being ripped off. If I pay $5.00 for shipping for a software item I expect it to be shipped via priority mail. I do not expect it to be shipped via media mail in a free priority mail box turned inside out. I know now that people will cheat you, so you have to email them before the item is shipped. I do not list items if I can not sell them at a reasonable price and make a profit. I refuse to add in my packaging costs and ebay fees to the shipping. I add it in to the cost of the product or don't sell it at all. I treat my customers as I want to be treated. Plain and simple.
To: All
I don't see my customers as bottom feeders, what you think is what happens. Yes there are some rotten ones, but the majority are great people just like you and I. The more you think of your customers that way the more of them you will get. It's a fact of life.
I just received one of my Ebay purchases today. It was a DVD wrapped in a brown paper bag. Real swift. How many of you do this? I suppose I am supposed to email people before I use buyitnow. Do you ship your items in a box, bubble mailer or do you just wrap it in paper? Anyway, oh I guess I might be considered a bottom feeder because I expect to have the item shipped in a bubble mailer at least.
posted on May 9, 2002 10:50:50 AM new
I agree with you. If you can't ship the item in a secure package for what you are charging, then you need to increase your fees to cover such things. I have yet to have anyone complain about my shipping fees, especially when a DVD, CD, or book arrived in a secure package.
We have signs from God because some of us are too stupid to figure things out for ourselves.
posted on May 9, 2002 12:03:44 PM new
This is a typical problem associated with buying on eBay. Buyers set the price and want the best deal. They often get it by purchasing from regular (non-professional) sellers, yet buyers often demand the same level of service they would expect when shopping at Nordstroms, including a no questions asked, money back guarantee. These same buyers often criticize volume sellers, yet they also demand below-wholesale prices. You can't have it both ways. If you knowingly buy for cheap from TrailerParkJoe, then you should expect poor customer service. IMO, any transaction where the item arrives as described in a reasonable amount of time, is a positive transaction.
The feedback system works, over a period of time, and any seller who ships an expensive item in a brown paper bag will get hammered. Sellers will either revise their shipping policies or eventually be unable to sell. But if you expect Nordstroms customer service, then pay for it or don't shop on eBay.
Depending what you sell, an extra $2 or $3 in the minimum bid does make a difference in the final value. This is especially true for CDs/DVDs which normally sell for $10 or less.
posted on May 9, 2002 12:30:04 PM new
as a seller i ship in box,anything anyone can feel from outside,they think there is a hope diamond inside,so why tempt these people.
ebay bidders should not hold the ebay sellers to the same standard as nordstrom or neiman marcus but they do deserve a box when a box is called for,not a pizza box or padded envelope.
posted on May 9, 2002 02:38:27 PM new
author said,
Get off the cross, someone else needs the wood
////////////////
i said YOU FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!
posted on May 9, 2002 07:17:36 PM new
***author said,
Get off the cross, someone else needs the wood
////////////////
i said YOU FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!***
Yeah, that's me, a big honking hypocrite. I've been complaining endlessly about how my buyers are scum, how I can't make a profit on eBay, and how eBay is rapidly going down the toilet.
Careful with 'dem splinters over there, baby. You're carrying around a lot of weight on those shoulders.
We have signs from God because some of us are too stupid to figure things out for ourselves.
posted on May 9, 2002 07:26:12 PM new
Yeah, that's me, a big honking hypocrite. I've been complaining endlessly about how my buyers are scum, how I can't make a profit on eBay, and how eBay is rapidly going down the toilet.
Careful with 'dem splinters over there, baby. You're carrying around a lot of weight on those shoulders.
/////////////////////
gee,i really enjoy this thread,here comes another warrior with a threat .
first it is a someone who plays god who knows it takes 3 minutes to pack ,now she wants to play the TRINITY by getting the cross for herself??
i am so glad i am not a christian so i have no interest in cross.
who said ebay is going down the toilet?have you actually seen a toilet in cyberspace??well if you have,i hope you use it often and take a deep breath,you may be smelling the best you have ever encounter.
CUSTOMER SERVICE MY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!
posted on May 9, 2002 11:15:42 PM newebay bidders ... do deserve a box when a box is called for....
Well, aside from the obvious argument (buyers deserve only what they pay for), IN THIS CASE the item came in a box AND a padded envelope mailer.
From the first post: The person put the jewelry back into the original box, taped it shut on all four sides, slid it into a padded envelope, ripped the strip off and sealed it.
I was at an HP sales training seminar this evening. In my opinion, HP's entire business is built upon sales of inkjet cartidges. At one point, the speaker said that inkjet printers (HP's main product) are just "ink and paper distribution devices." The speaker also noted that on the lower-priced printers, HP actually loses money. The point is clearly to get buyers on board for five years or so of inkjet cartridge purchases. If you look closely at HP's other products, they all lead consumers back to the printer line.
Is this unethical? I don't know. I suppose HP could charge more for their printers and less for the ink. But they would LOSE MONEY (because everyone would buy Epson instead). In what way is this different from eBay sellers who sell items for little profit, and then tack on a $3 handling fee?
HP is building an empire on inkjet cartridge sales, because most buyers are not savvy enough to consider the total cost of their printers, just as eBay buyers are not savvy enough to consider the total cost of purchasing an item at auction.
posted on May 10, 2002 08:00:54 AM new
twinsoft-Not to get off this gloris thread
but I have a HP printer the 710 model and I love it-I can print,copy-fax etc.It prints fantastic-I even use a photo cartridge to replace the black cartridge when I print pictures-they're not professional but they're pretty good for a printer-As far as the cartridges go-they're $29.00 in Best Buy-
I get them on Ebay for around $16.00 average-BRAND NEW-I wont used the recycled ones--they BLOW
posted on May 10, 2002 09:04:15 AM new
A few months ago, Lexmark was offering their new printer at $49 and Epson had their C60 at $79 after rebate. HP had the 825/920 at $99 and was losing a ton of sales. So HP released the 845 at $49. Thing is, it comes with only one (color) ink cartridge so the buyer must also purchase a black cartridge (an extra $30). You'd be amazed at how well this strategy works, IOW how many buyers can't put two and two together to figure the total cost of buying the printer.
HP products are pretty decent, though. I'm thinking of picking up one of their scanners to replace my old Xerox.
posted on May 10, 2002 12:01:06 PM new
I couldn't snip a word.
[i]I was at an HP sales training seminar this evening. In my opinion, HP's entire business is built upon sales of inkjet cartidges. At one point, the speaker said that inkjet printers (HP's main product) are just "ink and paper distribution devices." The speaker also noted that on the lower-priced printers, HP actually loses money. The point is clearly to get buyers on board for five years or so of inkjet cartridge purchases. If you look closely at HP's other products, they all lead consumers back to the printer line.
Is this unethical? I don't know. I suppose HP could charge more for their printers and less for the ink. But they would LOSE MONEY
(because everyone would buy Epson instead). In what way is this different from eBay sellers who sell items for profit, and then
tack on a $3 handling fee? [/i]
What you're saying is absolutely correct. More, it's no secret. Anyone spending 5 minutes at Fry's or Best Buy can figure this out. HP is famous for this modus operandi. They don't make money on hardware sales; they make it on supplies and service. Which is one reason why HP can't make it in the PC market (and why the Compaq merger is a huge mistake).
But that's beside the point.
Wake up, people! Retailers and purveyers of services such as hotels and cruise lines KNOW that you shop based on a price. They also know that you're making certain assumptions about what that price includes. Which is why I got socked with a $6.50/per day charge at the Disneyland Hotel. They call it a "resort fee". It "covers the cost of the morning newspaper, local phone calls and city tax." What's next, a $10/per day maid service fee?
I didn't do my research before I left on the trip. If I had, I probably would have found a property equally close to Disneyland that was, overall, a better value (and not just based on the room rate).
posted on May 12, 2002 12:03:27 AM newIt's pretty hard to beat "1 CENT" in the title, since people search specifically on that string,
Now I understand fluff. You are dealing with an entirely different bunch of buyers than I am. "1 CENT" in the title would definitely attract bottom feeders..
posted on May 12, 2002 10:13:18 AM new
Every once in a while I check the 1cent auctions, that is when I have nothing better to do. I find that they are reasonable in buying but the S/H will get you all the time.
1cent video shipped for $7.50. Not a deal.
posted on May 12, 2002 10:46:23 AM new
"It's always those who pay the least that give you the most grief."
Ain't that the truth. I just ran group of 22 auctions of similar items. In order to encourage bidding and multiple item purchases, I started them at $1 with no reserve, knowing full well that some of them would go for that price or little more. Two of the items went for $2. Apart from an overseas payment that's being mailed, those are the only two that I haven't received payment on. Heck, even the $1.25 buyers payed up right away!
I like it when you sputter like that. You're cute as a button.
