posted on October 6, 2000 05:11:50 AM
There is absolutely no excuse for poor images ("poor images" usually translates into "blurred images". If the image is poor, assume it is for a reason. If an item is photographed from too great a distance, suggesting that there should be some close ups, but there are no close ups, assume seller does not want you to see the item close up, that seller has something to hide. There is absolutely no excuse for not describing the condition of used merchandise. Mistakes do happen and it may be that seller forgot, but bidder must assume that seller purposely omitted condition specifics--and there is one very good reason sellers do not describe condition--the merch sells for more. Probably half of the used merchandise on eBay contains no such description. If the item is used and seller gives no description as to condition, assume the item is damaged. If seller does not describe condition, but says "PLEASE ask questions," assume that seller has lots of returned merchandise due to failure to describe condition. If seller rants about returns in their auction listing, then click--returns are mostly due to the failure of seller to accurately describe the item and its condition accurately. Always ask questions--dishonest sellers often reveal their true nature via email answers to queries. If seller does not answer all of your eBay questions, assume it is for a reason. If seller expresses any hostility, assume seller is dishonest. If seller ever says, either in the item description or via eMail, "the pictures say it all," then click--the images obviously do not say it all or I would not be asking questions. Dishonest sellers will often not even bother to answer your email if you ask poignant questions about condition. If seller's "rules" are longer than the item description, then click--as a bidder, I want as much info as possible about the item--if seller has lots of rules, it suggests that seller has lots of problems with returns, which suggests that seller is dishonest. Never buy items described "as is." You can almost always assume seller is honest if their auction listings contain one simple phrase: "satisfaction guaranteed or your money back." Isn't it fascinating how few auction listings contain the phrase? Sellers slit their own throats. Much more pressure should be exerted upon eBay by seller organizations to weed out dishonest sellers. eBay could be doing much more to police their site. They only punish "habitual" rip offs--what exactly does habitual mean anyway and how many bidders must a seller rip off before eBay takes action? Apparently, they are willing to sacrafice several buyers in the process. If eBay goes belly up, it will be due to dishonest sellers. Once burned twice wary.
posted on October 6, 2000 05:59:10 AM
I never say "satisfaction guaranteed" and I never will. All I can do is promptly ship the item I described in the auction when I get paid.
I don't buy seller promises; I buy what they sell; most of the time I am happy with what I get. Interestingly the worst seller I encountered made the most promises in his auction.
[ edited by mballai on Oct 6, 2000 04:36 PM ]
posted on October 6, 2000 06:50:16 AM
how about the sellers that put in the description that the buyers had to contact them first instead of other way around?
posted on October 6, 2000 11:29:29 AM
'Never buy items described "as is."'
As a thoroughly honest seller, I must take exception to this phrase being an indication of a dishonest seller.
Once in a blue moon, I will offer an item for sale which is less than perfect, but nonetheless desirable, if priced accordingly.
After describing the damage or flaws in detail, as well as picturing it, I may add a disclaimer that 'although we normally have a very liberal return policy, we must make an exception in this case. This item is being sold on an 'as is', non-returnable basis. We will be happy to co-operate with you to help you determine if you want this item under these conditions...blah, blah, blah.'
I assume you are referrring to sellers who routinely use the "as is" phrase to cover their rears that are probably exposed from time to time.
Actually, I don't recall ever listing an item on an 'as is' basis that didn't sell...and that the buyer wasn't delighted with. I usually refer to these as 'filler' pieces; you know - something to 'fill-in' a collection until the buyer can find (or afford) a perfect piece.
it sounds as if you've had a lot of negative transactions and have come to this very rigid, bitter conclusion.
I'm sorry for that...but I think you're wrong. Maybe not always wrong, but surely not always right.
I've read a lot of what buyers express and they seem to put all sellers into one category. Then of course I've read where a lot of sellers put all buyers into one category as well.
each transaction is different and seperate from all other transactions. Each buyer and seller different from all others.
some of my auctions have fit into the category you mentioned, and yet I have never once cheated or mistreated one single buyer.
posted on October 6, 2000 02:36:43 PM
I totally disagree. Not everyone can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a quality digital camera or scanner. Often fuzzy pictures are just a result of a poor camera or scanner.
Also, I try to stay away from condition descriptions. My idea of good condition may not be the same as someone else's. I always point out any flaws in my merchandise, though.
posted on October 6, 2000 04:19:23 PM
Although I don't completely agree with mjh's post in it's entirety, I believe that some very valid points have been made.
I would agree with mjh that anyone who says "the picture says it all" is someone to avoid. A picture may be worth 1000 words but it will never give you the ENTIRE story, especially since most objects have a front, back, top, bottom, &/or sides that won't be visible from one photo. Anyone unwilling to answer further questions isn't anyone I want to do business with.
Personally as a buyer in certain categories (NOT books! )I LOVE blurry photos. I often buy boxlots of stuff on Ebay & then I pick out the stuff I want for my own collection & turn around & re-sell the rest on Ebay or Yahoo. I have found that the listings with the worst photos- or auctions with no photos at all- are often the BEST bargains on Ebay. I agree with mjh that in the instances where the photos are poor, it is ESSENTIAL to ask questions. I am perfectly willing to walk away from an auction that has an evasive or uncooperative seller answering email at the other end. I've also become pretty adept at reading between the lines in a feedback profile. A positive is not always a positive if you ask me. And, a negative, when left by a total blithering idiot, in my book doesn't add up to a negative.
Having said that, I believe that it is pretty much a gamble any time you deal with an unknown seller on Ebay. I get "burned" all the time- I have bought so much under-described, misrepresented, late-in-being-delivered merchandise that it would blow your mind. Even though this is the case I still USUALLY come out pretty happy. Why? Because I never bid more than I'm willing to lose in the first place. And believe me my high bids are at bargain basement prices most of the time! Ebay is better than Vegas, baby! Three times out of four I open the box and the goodies are wonderful!!!!!! That other one in 4 time I open the box and get mad about SOMETHING that wasn't mentioned, or that the seller just plain lied about, but even so, when I go to re-sell the stuff with gorgeous photos, an honest description, and a money-back guarantee if dis-satisfied I almost always at least get back the money I put in, if not more.
I would agree (from personal experience) that there are a lot of Ebay sellers out there who are trying to get away with as much as they can. If you're a buyer on Ebay it is essential to recognize that and to not get carried away with your bidding. My advice is to save your top-dollar bids for sellers you've already had satisfactory dealings with. There are LOTS of good sellers out there, and when I find them I do buy from them repeatedly. I'm happy to bid higher when I know that I'll really be getting what they say I'll be getting. But either way, I'm usually pretty happy to win with a low bid on an "iffy" item, because it's often one I can make a little money on.
posted on October 6, 2000 04:53:06 PM
I agree with gc2 about the "as is"
There is no way one can possibly know everything about every item one sells. What might be pristine to one, might be flawed to another. I try to rate all my stuff on the conservative side to be safe. Underpromise and over deliver.
Actually the best idea is to look for honest sellers. Sellers who have few negatives and lots of positives. Who deliver promptly and courteously and answer their email.
. If the image is poor, assume it is for a reason. If an item is photographed from too great a distance, suggesting that there should be some close ups, but there are no close ups, assume seller does not want you to see the item close up, that seller has something to hide. There is absolutely no excuse for not describing the condition of used merchandise. Mistakes do happen and it may be that seller forgot, but bidder must assume that seller purposely omitted condition specifics--and there is one very good reason sellers do not describe condition--the merch sells for more. Probably half of the used merchandise on eBay contains no such description. If the item is used and seller gives no description as to condition, assume the item is damaged. If seller does not describe condition, but says "PLEASE ask questions," assume that seller has lots of returned merchandise due to failure to describe condition. If seller rants about returns in their auction listing, then click--returns are mostly due to the failure of seller to accurately describe the item and its condition accurately. Always ask questions--dishonest sellers often reveal their true nature via email answers to queries. If seller does not answer all of your eBay questions, assume it is for a reason. If seller expresses any hostility, assume seller is dishonest. If seller ever says, either in the item description or via eMail, "the pictures say it all," then click--the images obviously do not say it all or I would not be asking questions. Dishonest sellers will often not even bother to answer your email if you ask poignant questions about condition. If seller's "rules" are longer than the item description, then click--as a bidder, I want as much info as possible about the item--if seller has lots of rules, it suggests that seller has lots of problems with returns, which suggests that seller is dishonest. Never buy items described "as is." You can almost always assume seller is honest if their auction listings contain one simple phrase: "satisfaction guaranteed or your money back." Isn't it fascinating how few auction listings contain the phrase? Sellers slit their own throats. Much more pressure should be exerted upon eBay by seller organizations to weed out dishonest sellers. eBay could be doing much more to police their site. They only punish "habitual" rip offs--what exactly does habitual mean anyway and how many bidders must a seller rip off before eBay takes action? Apparently, they are willing to sacrafice several buyers in the process. If eBay goes belly up, it will be due to dishonest sellers. Once burned twice wary.
)I LOVE blurry photos. I often buy boxlots of stuff on Ebay & then I pick out the stuff I want for my own collection & turn around & re-sell the rest on Ebay or Yahoo. I have found that the listings with the worst photos- or auctions with no photos at all- are often the BEST bargains on Ebay. I agree with mjh that in the instances where the photos are poor, it is ESSENTIAL to ask questions. I am perfectly willing to walk away from an auction that has an evasive or uncooperative seller answering email at the other end. I've also become pretty adept at reading between the lines in a feedback profile. A positive is not always a positive if you ask me. And, a negative, when left by a total blithering idiot, in my book doesn't add up to a negative.