posted on September 22, 2000 07:27:26 AM new
Is it just my imagination or is the "My way or the highway" approach to sales becoming much more popular these days? I understand the need for a TOS in an auction listing, but it seems that a little flexibility (when appropriate, of course) along with not automatically assuming the worst when things do not go smoothly could go a long way towards making happy customers, and lower the stess level of a lot of sellers.
posted on September 22, 2000 08:02:38 AM new
I think the problems are that either the sellers are unrealistic, the bidders too lax, or a combination of both.
When I started selling, I found that they only way I could get bidders reasonably in line with my business process was to tighten up the routine. Now most work just fine and I do not have to "crack the whip".
Bidders don't seem to realize that it drives up the cost of items when they don't promptly follow through. I no longer babysit or warn my bidders. Day 10 or 11 I send out NPBs if I suspect payment hasn't been sent.
10 days later I file for credit. After filing I will leave a negative. Most of my items are under $10 and there is no excuse imaginable why they can't pay such a small sum of money.
posted on September 22, 2000 08:05:45 AM new
The anonymity of the internet allows some sellers to behave in a manner that would put them out of business in face to face transactions. Are warnings really necessary? Do they make a difference?
"I will leave negative feeback" 6363 matches
"negative feedback will be left" 25719 matches
"negative feedback will be posted" 13136 matches
posted on September 22, 2000 08:16:25 AM new
I try to work with my bidders. I don't send a second email until around 21 days. I've found that if they are working with you through email, experience has shown most of the time they will pay. They may have forgotten, or been on vacation, or possible email/computer/virus problems, etc. Stuff happens! They have lives, too.
(yes, of course there are the ones with chronic excuses, the dog died, etc., etc., but truly many bidders will come thru after the first gentle reminder)
Either they are gonna pay, or they're not. If they don't reply to the reminder email, chances are slim they are going to pay. Your communications with them are either gonna be more demanding, more business like, or friendly reminders. As a buyer, which would you respond to? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
If someone isn't plannning on paying, a demanding email isn't going to change their mind anyway. Why stress about it? There's gonna be deadbeats, unfortunately. That's part of the Ebay game.
If they don't pay after 30 days, I NPB, neg 'em, and move on.
(ha! I'm not such a softie that I won't neg for non payment...)
posted on September 22, 2000 08:44:06 AM new
>Is it just my imagination or is the "My way >or the highway" approach to sales becoming >much more popular these days?
It's becoming more common in LISTINGS, I agree, but certainly not in the SALES I participate in, whether as a buyer or seller. I treat buyers nicely, and when I see obnoxious terms in a listing, I just hit the "Back" button. There are darn few things I need badly enough to put up with jerks.
posted on September 22, 2000 09:00:01 AM newThe anonymity of the internet allows some sellers to behave in a manner that would put them out of business in face to face transactions.
Actually, the anonymity of the internet allows some sellers to behave in a manner that would get them a punch in the nose in face to face transactions.
I know what deadbeats are, but I also know that payments can go astray in the mail, paypal's can go to the wrong account, plenty of stuff can happen. I try to cut buyers a little slack, especially if I think they're trying to deal in good faith. Even if they don't pay, it's easier on my spleen.
posted on September 22, 2000 09:39:52 AM new
I think the question should have been "Sellers tired of buyers treating them like they aren't real businesses since they sell on eBay"
posted on September 22, 2000 10:01:33 AM new
Well, when you get right down to it, it's not always the seller with the attitude. Buyers create their own problems, too.
I just think that in either case, starting out by giving the other party the benefit of the doubt (at least, until they've clearly demonstrated their unwillingness to act reasonably) would make things go a lot easier for everyone.
posted on September 22, 2000 10:48:43 AM new
I can understand a seller's position. Buyers, especially new eBay users, are nervous about sending money to a complete stranger. Many buyers expect, in addition to their invoice, notice that payment was received and also when the item ships. A lot of sellers, like me, are on a pretty tight time schedule. I must admit that perhaps the post office isn't as reliable as it could be. Many payments get lost in the mail, and the post office seems to "lose" an unreasonable number of packages. (I now require bidders to purchase insurance as part of the TOS.)
I think most sellers with high feedback ratings are committed to providing good service. In general, that means delivering the item as advertised in a timely manner. If there is a problem, I am happy to work with the customer. I send out 75-100 packages a week, and most transactions go off without a hitch. However, one unhappy (or unreasonable) customer per week - one out of a hundred - can leave a bad taste in the seller's mouth.
Threats of negative feedback were mentioned above. This week I sent out over 30 NPB notices totalling $800 in late payments over a two-week period. Most of these will deadbeat. A few honestly forgot and will send payment. I can understand a seller's consternation and any attempts they make to prevent non-paying bidders.
Again, most transactions go off without a hitch. But what happens is what might be called the "kick the dog" syndrome. Some innocent customer sends a "did you get my payment?" email and the seller bites their head off. While understandable, there's no excuse for this kind of behavior on the seller's part.
posted on September 22, 2000 11:06:15 AM new
Both sides (auction buyers and sellers) ahev unrealistic visions of how they want to be seen and be allowed to operate:
Buyers want easy, laid-back casual shopping with the rock bottom prices of a yard or tag sale. They want the option to negotiation and haggle, and to come back later or just walk away if they change thier minds. But they also want immediate customer service, every little detail disclosed upfront, bullet proof packaging and rocket fast shipping.
Sellers want to be treated with the same respect and courtesy of a store front owner and be able to hold to rigid sets of payment, shipping and return polcies. But they also want a quick, easy and cheap (relative to setting up and running your own website) way to sell thier items, to be able to run all this in thier spare part-time, and not to be held accountable for late deliveries and poor product descriptions or damage in shipping.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/artsnflies/
[ edited by artsnflies on Sep 22, 2000 11:07 AM ]
posted on September 22, 2000 11:37:38 AM new
Competition is up. Margins are tightening. It's not as easy to make money at online auctions as it was a year ago. Folks, especially those who have made lifestyle changes to accomodate online auction selling, are getting frustrated. And sometimes that displays itself in the form of curt emails, heavy handed terms in listings, and just plain rudeness.
