posted on November 10, 2000 06:12:25 PM
Browsing on E-Bay tonight, I encountered two auctions where the auction description ended with, "Good luck and God Bless!," or something similar.
I have come across this on other occasions but the two in a row got me to thinking. I did a search on E-Bay and came up with over 16,000 auctions with those words! Checking a few on the list, I find that they ARE like the two I found tonight; a sort of thanks for looking, nice to see 'ya kind of thing, and God Bless! None of the items were in any way "religious" oriented; in fact, they could have been a random sample of E-Bay items.
I am curious as to what others think of having this in your auction description.
Does it make you like or trust the seller more? Do you feel like they wouldn't lie to you if that was in the ad? That they are more trustworthy? That they are more like yourself? Does it make you want to buy from them?
Or, does it turn you off? Do you feel it's part of the "marketing" of the item? Do you think it's too personal? Possibly phony? Would it make you choose NOT to buy from them?
posted on November 10, 2000 06:15:47 PM
I end a lot of my auctions with "thanks for looking at my auction and good luck on all your e-bay ventures" simply because there are a lot of auctions out there and I do appreciate them taking the time to look wether they bid or not. I don't do it to get more bids or trying to be phony. I look at it as a simple courtesy. anyways that just my own opinon.
posted on November 10, 2000 06:19:34 PM
I just have to say that I am currently dealing with a deadbeat bidder who keeps claiming she will put a check in the mail. She has repeated this every week for the last 5 weeks and ALWAYS ends her emails with "God Bless". I am glad she's remembering me in her prayers, but I wish she would remember me in her PAYMENTS.
Deadbeats come in all creeds, colors, and genders.
posted on November 10, 2000 07:09:54 PM
When I see those words, I hit the back button and no bidding. Most of the people I know personally that would do that are very untrustworthy.
I did have one buyer that blessed me in every email in ALL CAPS. I looked at her auctions and all the feedbacks she leaves. Everything is in all caps and says god bless. I did wish she wouldn't yell when she was having god bless people.
Anyhow, that's my opinion, your milage may vary.
posted on November 10, 2000 07:18:32 PM
The loader the tot the less reason to blow.
I would run because the crookedest people I ever had to do business with were 100% sure of their righteousness. It was almost like if I screw you it's OK because the Lord is on my side not yours.
posted on November 10, 2000 07:45:41 PM
I find it offensive in business.
Of course if it were exactly the right item in mint condition in the wrong category getting no bids and I could get the item for a great deal and the seller had good feedback, I'd probably put my prejudices aside, and bid.
But, in general, seeing "God" in an auction makes me think the seller is a con.
posted on November 10, 2000 08:50:31 PM
I personally know a seller from my area who has always used "smile and god bless" in her listings but then her terms are so arrogant and unfriendly I don't know how she can mix the two, I think in her case she uses it to sound "down home friendly, golly gee whiz" type of think to endear herself to the bidders! Go figure
I dont mind seeing thank-you and god bless at the end of a listing at all.
But you are right If I start seeing god in an auction im going to start thinking im haveing the 70s flash backs again.
How ever I did do a search On ebay just to test How fast search there was working I searched Noses and wouldnt you know it came up with 13 noses up for auction go figure
posted on November 10, 2000 10:45:30 PM
Your auction should only contain the information the potential buyer needs. Description, condition, etc. Seperately you should include your terms, kept as short and sweet as possible. put it all in a list format that is easy to look at. Black and white, (I use two tables), no need for color or differing font sizes or whizzy html.
Putting in "thanks for looking" or any other verbiage is just line noise that keeps the bidder from zeroing in on the things he/she needs to know to make a decision. too much line noise and bidders might give up before bidding. Only include the information they need, nothing they don't.
I am AMAZED at how much crap some ebay sellers dump in their auction description. I make a point of including my pictures under the short description (and above the terms) by using the IMG tag rather than using ebay's picture field (which I fill with a blank gif). This moves the picture UP towards the top of the listing, so people can see the picture sooner.
Hey, they wanna get blessed, they'll go to church. Just the facts, lady.
posted on November 11, 2000 05:34:53 AM
Because one has "God Bless" in an auction does not mean they are an automatic deadbeat no more than one that does not say "God Bless".
"Keep God out of School & Business". Only keep God in Church?
The God I know is everywhere. He made you and me. He made the Heavens and the Earth. He made the green grass and the Oceans. He made the air you breathe.
I firmly believe in God. God is in my heart and I am not ashamed to proclaim that. If people hit the back button for saying "God" it saddens me and I am sure it saddens God.
posted on November 11, 2000 06:00:41 AM
Well, I was about to post that I was not raised that God was a "He" but that's an entirely different discussion and I'm sure the "powers that be" at Auction Watch didn't intend the eBay board to become a Sunday School class, so...
posted on November 11, 2000 05:19:51 PM
OK....along these same lines, I was doing a search to find past closing prices on a book I am going to list.
I came across a listing of the book that started at .01 and the verbiage of the ad stated that any final bids under $10 would result in the winner getting the book free along with a new or used bible (depending on which he had available) and some literature, as the seller had found God 30 years ago.
What added to the confusion was that any bids over $10 had to be paid.
posted on November 11, 2000 05:19:51 PM
??? Most of your dead beats have been on a Christian Auction Site??????
I didn’t know these auction sites had about me pages stating religious preferences.
What is the URL for one of these Christian auction sites?
Saying God Bless is no different then wishing you a good life, good spirits, happiness and health in all your pursuits takes up far less space.
In times back when the tradition of saying God Bless you or the Germany equivalent of it which I cant spell.
Came about because people believed that when you sneezed that your body was expelling evil spirits so immediately one would say God Bless you to prevent there return.
God Bless you and May God Bless is a wish for you or to you not a prayer, it is not met as an insult or an endorsement of Trust its simply a statement of kindness and wishes.
posted on November 11, 2000 06:43:55 PM
I do not take offense at a "G-d Bless You"...I see it as a friendly gesture, not meant to deceive or intice or do anything but what it does: be friendly.
What I do NOT like in a listing, is being told that " this item XXXXX must be a XXXXX because I remember seeing one years ago during vacation, and that's what it was because dealer told me so, and mine looks just like it and it WILL make a wonderful addition to your collection..."
Please, let me decide what wilkl look good in my collection.....
G-d bless me and save me from such descriptions...
********************
Gosh Shosh!
posted on November 11, 2000 07:11:49 PM
I'd much rather see a thanks for looking or even a god bless than a rant on thier TOS some sellers are down right rude. I have been burned some also by deadbeat bidder but if you start off threating me in your TOS before a sell is even acomplished I'd just as soon stay away from you as you seem to think everyone is a deadbeat and out to get you to begin with
posted on November 11, 2000 08:06:33 PM
Based on my e-mail from sellers and the little notes I often find enclosed with items, I've come to suspect that many e-bay people are quite comfortable with God's participation in the auction process. In my experience, the practice seems most common among pottery sellers. With me, it does seem to conjure up images of plain ol' country folk. Perhaps that's the intent.
I'm areligous but I don't mind the subtle proselytizing even if it is a bit presumptuous. If the transaction goes well I'm happy regardless.
posted on November 11, 2000 08:17:41 PM
I would be LESS likely to bid. I myself am a Christian, but I HATE dealing with Christians. They are more likely to be deadbeats, etc. Of the last 20 people who have been deadbeats, 18 have been on Christian items (that's in about 4 months.) I have wanted to say in my auctions (but know it would keep people from bidding) that while we are saved by grace, grace won't get them their item from me when they don't pay, and that ebay is a contract, and God would be happy if you let your yes be yes and pay for your item and honor your contract.
My latest bidder who didn't pay ordered a Bible study book from me, and she had good feedback so I went ahead and mailed before I received payment since it was a small amount. Guess what? Never got paid.
I had a friend who had someone steal images from her, and after she complained, the theif sent a sorry excuse and said "God bless". What was God to bless? Stealing? Oh, I get it. Moses' computer went down and it was "Thou shalt steal?" possibly? Or maybe he was in the hospital and could not send payment or. . .
ever the cynic. . . but am a Christian, amazingly!
posted on November 11, 2000 08:37:33 PM
Smarmy and unprofessional, no matter how well-intentioned, like calling a RL customer "dear" or "hon" (diner waitresses age 50 and over excepted).
posted on November 11, 2000 09:26:03 PM
From time to time I sell Christian books, and I've never had a problem with the buyers (assuming they are Christians buying this stuff). I am sorry to hear all the horror stories with the Christian buyers.
Maybe the deadbeats aren't really Christians and are just saying Christian stuff as a ploy to get your sympathy. Maybe they are bad Christians. All sorts of people claim to be Christian and really aren't. I've met a few people who say they are 'Christian Witches'. It gets really bizarre.
I don't think, thought, that most people who say 'God bless' in their TOS or email are doing so as a marketing ploy. Most people who say those things are just in the habit of saying 'God bless you', like 'have a nice day'. Down here in Louisiana it's pretty common to hear that. For the 3 years I lived in Tennessee I heard 'God bless you' all the time, too.
posted on November 12, 2000 07:26:06 PM
It's good to see people take pride in their religious convictions, and stand up and declare their faith in God. I take just as much pride in saying I'm an athiest. My opinion is that everyone should go with what works for them. If someone gets strength and joy from a belief in a higher power, and it makes their life better, then that's great; I'm happy for them, and more power to them. Just don't feel the need to tell me about, becuase I don't work that way.
Therefore, if I saw that in an auction, it would be at least 50/50 that I'd pass. I mean, how many Christians (or followers of any religion, for that matter) would be offended if I said in my auctions, "Good luck making your own way in life, becuase there is no God..."? Even though it's just a harmless professing of my own personal belief, that wishes well for the reader?
No, 'faith' (or maybe lack thereof, in my case ) is best kept to oneself, no matter how "right" you may be convinced you are.
-- Edited for spelling... oops!
[ edited by lahatiel on Nov 12, 2000 07:30 PM ]
-- Edited this for spelling, and spelled "Edited" incorrectly. This isn't my night
[ edited by lahatiel on Nov 12, 2000 07:32 PM ]
posted on November 12, 2000 08:12:18 PM
I am a Christian but wouldn't put God Bless in my auctions. But, I do put "Happy Bidding" and "thanks for looking". I appreciate a small courtesy like that when I got into a retail store so thats why I do it. When I get a question email about something I have listed I always thank them for their interest even if I don't know if they are going to actually bid on the item. Was actually thinking of adding a generic "Happy Holidays" for auctions through the first of the year. I don't expect these things to actually increase my bids but my mom and dad just taught me to be "nice"!! Sometimes its a curse!! LOL!!
I have to agree about auctions that tell all about the listers past experiences with deadbeats in their terms of sale. I shy away from these, the come off as hard to deal with.
