posted on December 15, 2000 09:02:24 AM new
You know about the planet Clueless...it's an exact replica of Earth, but directly opposite us on the other side of the Sun, so we never see it.
We do get transmissions from there, though, and this week I've been especially blessed.
Just got a note from a Cluelessite female asking if I will close three active auctions totalling $115 in value and sell them to her for $80. He-lllo? This is a heavy, popular, expensive flatware pattern and you think I'll give it away AT CHRISTMAS, when flatware buying is at its peak? (Or any time of the year?) Do I have a dumb look on my auction face?
Yesterday's missive was from a Cluelessite male, apparently of the Can't Be Bothered to Read sect. He did BIN on four of my auctions, now wants me to give him "a better price" because he `bought' four.
Day before that it was hostile e-mail from a young male Cluelessite in full courtship mode. "I sent you a money order a week ago!!!!! Have you sent my package yet? I TOLD YOU it was a Christmas present for my girlfriend!!!!!" I wrote back to say, "But you didn't TELL ME the auction number, name of the item or your e-mail address." This young Cluelessite has a bright future in jet propulsion.
The Postal Service ships must be particularly busy making the run to Planet Clueless this year.
posted on December 15, 2000 09:26:52 AM new
My step-daughter is 13 years old and from this very planet. (I know that she's a teenager and this is 'normal'!) But anyway, a short story and then to my purpose in replying.
She has been having some problems with school right now (can't seem to get the work done and turned in on time). Tonight there is a school dance. Now, it's the typical parenting issue - should I say "NO" or "OK"? Please don't think I need any parenting advice, I get more than I could ever hope to use!!!
So to my point....I asked her why she would even bother asking to go to a dance with her homework issues. Her reply was this..."If I don't ask then the answer is "NO", if I ask, there is always a possibility that the answer might be "YES"."
Maybe your 'clueless' people are operating under the same assumption. The worst answer I can get is NO so I might as well ask and I might be pleasantly surprised! Look on the bright side....you don't live with them 24/7.
posted on December 15, 2000 10:17:24 AM new
Well, yes Shoshanah, the clueless do need an advocate, lest we all engage in the bashing of said sort with reckless abandon and an impunity implied by a lack of.......
approprite condemnation.
posted on December 15, 2000 10:30:05 AM new
I agree with Shoshanah that new people to AW may be offended at times when they read things like this but I think many of us start out on Planet Clueless.
I am not ashamed to say that I go there often. Right now I am working on a website so each evening I spend several hours on Planet Clueless.
Sometimes my husband beams over there to visit with me and the odd time I have gone over there to see him. Yes, even he takes some trips there!
Now when I find that I am burned out after a day at work I immediately go to Planet Clueless. Some of the nicest people are over there and none of those "know-it-alls".
posted on December 15, 2000 10:55:12 AM new
Most people think that's where I am from!!!! I don't mind.
Being "clueless" has it's benefits! I usually don't even realize I'm being insulted. It has to be pointed out to me! I don't even mind paying shipping!
posted on December 15, 2000 10:59:13 AM new
Many people come to AW because they are from Pkanet Clueless (and they know it) and want to ask some questions---or have been visited by someone from Planet Clueless.
But we are all visitors or residents of that place--so I don't see it as insulting---more of a tongue and cheek vent fest.
posted on December 15, 2000 11:05:07 AM new
I am constantly amazed when people come here and complain about people offering to buy items at lower prices.
(OK, if they've already bid and won, that's one thing, and definately bad form.)
But you have something with a value of $115. Why in the world would you be offended if someone offers you $85?? It's called negotitiation and it's part of doing business.
There are many, many ways to turn a situation like this to your advantage. For example, you think they're worth $115, tell the buyer, "thanks for the offer, but I KNOW these are going to sell for about $130-$150. But, I could stand to close the sale quickly, so if you would offer $120, I would take it."
Or say, sure, I'll sell them for $85 if you also buy "X item for $50". That, of course, being an item you have $5 in, but can't seem to unload.
Or maybe, "I can't sell them for that price, but I do have these items avaiable that are very nice and are in that price range."
The possibilities are endless.
Yet, instead, people choose to be insulted because others actually want to do business with them....
posted on December 15, 2000 11:29:17 AM new
OK...mea culpa... I did not see the humour in this post...So, I shall remove my crash helmet and take the punishment...
posted on December 15, 2000 12:11:20 PM new
a2000, I'm not insulted. I'm amused to think there are people that dense (and yes, I really do mean that) in the universe to think that I would end three ACTIVE auctions at the busiest time of the year in order to cut them a 1/3 discount.
(There's a little button on those auction pages. It's called Buy It Now. If you folks are undercutting your BIN auctions by making drastic price-reduced deals, better line up for that next shuttle back to your home planet.)
If I can educate the Cluelessites by chuckling, that's better than the next not-so-polite person who is going to boot their Planet Clueless hineys out of his brick and mortar store for even suggesting such a thing.
Are you people really cutting your auction prices just to make a sale?!? Don't you know what your stuff is worth? I hear so many people advocating the make-a-sale-at-any-price philosophy, and boy, do I love to buy from you. But I wouldn't be in your shoes.
posted on December 15, 2000 12:15:27 PM new
Oh, and a2000? If you think "negotiation" is part of doing a deal, please walk into Bloomingdales or Sears or Nordstroms and see what kind of a deal they will cut you on a pair of shoes or a suit.
I wish I could be there to see the blank look on the salescritter's face.
I am a retailer who happens to sell at auction. You choose Buy It Now, you get it right away at that price. You bid, you may or may not get it for the minimum bid. I never use reserves or play other silly pricing games.
posted on December 15, 2000 01:07:51 PM new
OK since everyone's clueless bashing here is my story.
I have over 30 of identical beanie babies up for sale right now. An individual just e-mailed me asking whether I could photo each one and send it to them because she will bid depending on the pattern and facial qualities (she know how many I had for sale).
Come Again? These are produced in a factory so that they are identical! Yeesh.
In this case there is a law of diminishing returns. If I had only a few up for sale I would happy to oblige to gain a potential interested bidder and hopefully a happy customer.
I won't be rude to her but I won't be filling her request. I will try to accomodate and ask her what she is specifically looking and take pitures of those but in no way am I taking 30 pictures!
If she doesn't want to bid fine, my loss I guess......
posted on December 15, 2000 01:13:46 PM newOh, and a2000? If you think "negotiation" is part of doing a deal, please walk into Bloomingdales or Sears or Nordstroms and see what kind of a deal they will cut you on a pair of shoes or a suit...I wish I could be there to see the blank look on the salescritter's face...I am a retailer who happens to sell at auction.
Maybe if someone walked into your retail establishment and offered to bargain, your response would be to give them a stupid look. Maybe you would just go ahead and tell them what an idiot they are. But even if you didn't verbalize it, your expression would say it all, right?
If I had a fixed-price retail establishment and someone walked in and offered to negotiate -- even if I had no intent to alter any prices -- I would still view it as a sales opportunity. They are in my establishment and they want to buy my product. Those are, by far, the two hardest hurdles to cross in making a sale. In fact, I would consider ths particular situation a very good opportunity, because this "negotiator" obviously isn't too swift.
But what do I know? I guess a "real" retailer would just laugh in their face.
[ edited by amalgamated2000 on Dec 15, 2000 01:20 PM ]
posted on December 15, 2000 02:20:03 PM new
One must truly be from another planet to not know that each and every beaniebaby has it's own unique and wonderful personality.
Some are grumpy, other's happy, some grin and some frown. I really like those with that "come hither" look. Just kidding.....I only like those every once in a while.
And if you do take pictures of your beanies, remember..........pose for maximum efect. Let the little guy's shine!
posted on December 15, 2000 09:52:29 PM new
I'm not sure my two recent buyers are from Planet C or Planet "Not Very Good Manners." Maybe both.
One is from Canada and ended an auction of mine thru the Buy-It-Now Feature. Only when I was getting ready to mail was I informed that I should alter the Customs form to read "gift," claim less than the purchase price, yada yada. I told the buyer (politely) that I could not accommodate her request but would be happy to ship to any U.S. address she designated if she preferred. I was informed that "plenty of businesses" accommodate her (well I AIN'T ONE OF 'EM) and if Customs tried to slap a surcharge, the item would be refused.
Second buyer is brand-new -- no feedback. Wins an item, asks for Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation -- I oblige. Item is mailed last Monday. Today, Friday -- not there yet so she gets panicky. Asks for the conf. number, USPS doesn't show a record. Now I find myself on the end of a snarky e-mail, accusing me of possibly trying to lie and scam her. Never mind that my feedback is over 2200. Sigh . . . . luckily I insured that particular package as well. And when it shows up all nice and safe, I doubt an apology will be forthcoming.
Hard not to be nasty back sometimes but it doesn't gain anyone anything.
posted on December 16, 2000 08:42:56 AM newOh, and a2000? If you think "negotiation" is part of doing a deal, please walk into Bloomingdales or Sears or Nordstroms and see what kind of a deal they will cut you on a pair of shoes or a suit.
OK, I tried this last night. As long as Best Buy fits into your category above, and I think it certainly does.
I was buying a couple of computers for a client. When I was finally able to get a salesman -- it was extremely busy, of course -- anyway, I said, look, I want to spend A LOT of money tonight, I know what I want and you don't have to explain anything to me. Let's go. By the way, do you work on commission?
No, he did not. So I knew that would make negotiation tougher. Probably impossible, right?
I gave the salesman the exact parameters of the machines I wanted, and asked what kind of deal he could get me.
First thing I learned is that the advertised models are not the best deals in most cases. The "custom made" models which are shipped from the factory are.
He was a able to get me a nice desktop almost identical to one of their current specials for $100 less, and with a free printer.
But that wasn't really negotiating, right? I "custom designed" a laptop. As we were working on it, I said, "Hey, I appreciate you working with me here, but I'm spending a hell of a lot of money tonight. Do you have any leeway to give me a bit of a deal here?"
He thought for a moment, and said, "I'll be right back." He came back with 4 reams of paper -- normally priced $6.99 each -- that had torn corners on the packaging. He sold them to me for 60 cents each.
Then he came back with 4 20 packs of CD-R's that had been opened. I think they might have been returns. 80 cents each.
Then he came back with 2 100 packs of floppy disks, similarly "damaged". 40 cents each.
Compared to walking in and buying the best of that week's specials (which were pretty good deals themselves) I saved over $400.
But it's stupid to try to negotiate in a retail store, right?
[ edited by amalgamated2000 on Dec 16, 2000 08:47 AM ]
posted on December 16, 2000 09:36:17 AM new
I agree with amalgamated2000. It never hurts to ask and it always helps if you are spending a bit of money.
We have a retail store so we are used to people negotiating. I am very easy to deal with and if people are nice and not insulting I have no problem giving them a better deal. If they are rude I don't even want to do business with them but even then I do try to work out a deal where we are both happy. Some people can be rude but they still like to spend money.
I am terrible at negotiating when I am buying. I consider myself fortunate that I was born blonde and am from Planet Clueless. No matter how old I get it can still work to my advantage. Maybe people feel sorry for us?
Edited to add that you got a good deal, amalgamated2000. And yes, I agree that you can negotiate at bigger stores. In our area Sears, Staples and Radio Shack all have managers who have treated us very well and have offered us great deals.
posted on December 16, 2000 11:25:32 AM new
If you think that Sears, Best Buy, Penny's, don't, won't, wouldn't bargain, then you are paying way too much. Depending on what you are buying, mostly returns or display models, sale priced that haven't moved for a time being, or just plain overstocked slow movers, are all subject to being sold way below what they normally do. It does help to go into the store when the unit manager and store managers are working, and they are not too busy to accomodate you, and your attitude is friendly, and when you make your offer, you complete the purchase on the spot, not going home to think about it or some other excuse to show that you just wasted someones time. Most of the items sold have a return period, so taking it home, trying it and either liking what you bought or not, is not an excuse to delay the purchase. It also helps to purchase the extended warranty and most of the time these can be based on the price you paid, not the suggested price for the item on a menu. Also check to see if the item has a rebate as the rebate is on the item, not the price charged. Another note, do your homework before attempting to negotiate, learn all about the item you want, if it will work for you, if it will fit in your wall space, etc. Then buy the item at your price.
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people
who annoy me.
posted on December 16, 2000 09:50:49 PM new
I'M with YOU BETTYLOU!! What was that I saw someone state --------Negotiations?? ROFLMAO
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE these Negotiators ought to get thier stuff back to the swap meet where they can get down & dirty in thier not so profitable NEGOTIATIONS!! Like Bettylou, I too will be more then happy to lighten your load of goodies at a negotiable fee which will certainly be much lower then your asking price---------Especially when I know it's darn well worth alot more to begin with!
NEGOTIATION-------sounds like the old TV show Let's make A deal! C'mon down Monty Hall
I gotta host of goodies in my purse--I'll just trade ya straightaway---you can have my bobbie pins--thimbles--indian head penny & the expired coupon found in my handbag for that $300.00 vase-------------NOW thats what I call Negotiations!! I personally got a good laugh out of the Original Post------Sure we all were new to Ebay at one time or another--this I'll agree-------but we learned--and thats what makes this ORIGINAL Post by bettylou so damn funny to me--something i definately related to, and made my day!! Geez I still laugh at myself-- when I was new--I had a seller keep asking me for feedback once I e-mailed him to say i recieved my item--so DUH like a clueless newbie I kept writing the seller back about my likes and dislikes of Calif Pottery LOL--Little did I know what the heck his request for Feedback really meant-----I can laugh at me -- you and the newbies------its' those that take it soooooooo personal----get soooooooo uppity that need to lighten up & take a chill pill. Merry Xmas 2 All & 2 All a Good Sale
[ edited by getkicksonrte66 on Dec 16, 2000 09:52 PM ]
posted on December 17, 2000 03:39:25 AM new
Are you kidding? Clueless is the vacation capital of the world. My husband and I go there all the time, but NEVER together mind you.
By the way, my DH claims to never have been there, but I'm sure he served a term as president.
posted on December 17, 2000 06:47:35 AM newMY FAVORITE CLUELESS CITIZENS always do the following (& I just got another one last night):
Pay me with PayHell & don't include a shipping address -- then they'll probably complain about how long it took to receive the item! They ALL went to the Dubya School of Duh Duh C Average Got Me Into Yale!
posted on December 17, 2000 08:49:18 AM new
Amalgamated2000: Compared to walking in and buying the best of that week's specials (which were pretty good deals themselves) I saved over $400.
Way to go! I have a friend who has the "gift" and when I buy a fairly expensive item I try to have him go with me. He always 'negotiates' for me and I've saved $5 to $200 each time. I wish I could bargain like he can.
But hopefully, this situation will never be repeated.
