posted on January 3, 2001 04:17:54 PM
I have had the worst time catering to a buyer over a piece of darkroom equipment that I knew little about. I stated in the ad "I'm not familiar with this equipment but this unit as shown is in flawless condition, so I'm selling it as is" I also explained I was selling it for an elderly neighbor's late husband. Now according to him... there are some parts missing and he is going ballistic! I had 5 pic's showing every angle - he says he assumed that I should have known that the "missing" pieces should be included because otherwise the unit won't operate properly... No I didn't... I've been kissing his butt like crazy trying to appease him, but he's threatening everything under the sun at this point. The "condition" of the unit (as pictured) WAS & IS in pristine condition - Is this guy just trying to get a freebie, discount, or what? The bad thing is I already gave positive feedback and compared to the other units listed, he got a VERY good deal. So at this point I'm trying to prevent a "neg." -- any suggestions outside of a refund?
posted on January 3, 2001 04:32:25 PM
Stop the butt-kissing and calmly point out that you specifically stated you were unfamiliar with the equipment, you showed FIVE pictures of it, and if he noticed that there appeared to be missing pieces, he should have ASKED about them. Remind him that you specified AS IS, and you don't give refunds.
Yes, you will get a negative. The sun will still come up the day after you recieve the negative.
The reason for the low bid is probably because the other bidders noticed the missing parts and adjusted their bid accordingly.
posted on January 3, 2001 04:43:25 PM
Yeah I already gave the widow her money. abacaxi Your probably right about the neg... God this sucks. I thought I covered my butt with the pics because I knew I didn't have a clue, so just in case anone questioned anything, I assumed the pics would be worth 5,000 words. I guess I'm doomed to get that big ugly red wording on my feedback profile... "NEGATIVE" - what a jerk. I've been disappointed too when I've bought something on eBay, but I was reasonable and chalked it up to experience because I had doubts if I was being fair - but this takes the cake.
Did I type that out loud???
posted on January 3, 2001 05:38:58 PM
Your right. I'll move on and tell him he can $(&% it up his ^%( and next time &%&(... ah that felt good. It just sucks knowing the "NEG" is coming...
Did I type that out loud???
posted on January 3, 2001 05:46:25 PM
Sometimes it just can not be avoided ~ I recently had a jerk threaten to leave me a neg feedback because she said a toy I sent her was filthy ~ well I had cleaned the Little Tikes Toy with bleach and a pressure washer ~ it could not have been any cleaner! I went back and forth with her on several emails ~ even offered her money back less s&h ~ her final email stated that she was leaving me a neg feedback ~ I told her to go right ahead ~ if she was that kind of person...........the kind of person who would leave a neg feedback after they got prompt emails, prompt shipping of a clean (maybe not to her satification ~ but very clean in my opinion) wonderful toy that would be around for years to come ~ and an offer to refund her money ~ and positive feedback............I have been holding my breath for 3 days ~ no more email and no neg feedback either.
posted on January 3, 2001 05:49:57 PM
"No good deed will go unpunished"...
Sorry that has to happen for helping an older lady. A few negatives are not a barrier to bidding for anyone who is attached to reality. We all know there are unreasonable nut cases out there.
posted on January 3, 2001 05:56:36 PM
BabeBay -
Never let a buyer lay a guilt trip on you if you have described something to the best of your ability and shown accurate pictures. It's unreasonable to expect a seller to know 100% about everything they sell.
posted on January 3, 2001 06:00:24 PM
Well I feel better now. I'd still like to earn the "neg" if I ever get one, this is one of those people that we fear and hope to never have to deal with and now I guess I can't do anything but sit back and watch for the next eMail... or check my account and see my number drop down (if eBay ever gets back online) - at least I've still got the response to defend myself... I'll say it again... What a jerk!!! You'd think people would... never mind... some people don't know how to think...
Did I type that out loud???
posted on January 3, 2001 06:11:46 PM
When you respond, remember to keep it factual and eventempered. You'll come out looking sensible and he'll look like a half cocked fool. Say something like "Item was sold 'As Is" and had 5 pics from all angles to view in listing before bidding." I know, that's too many characters, but you get my point. No name-calling as good as that may feel.....I know you wouldn't do that anyway!
I've noticed lately many more people buying things and then contacting me telling me that there is all that wrong with the item. I give a refund but am baffled...I was sure there was nothing wrong with the items.
I wonder...are people buying items and trying to get partial or whole refunds for their items? I suppose it's possible.
posted on January 3, 2001 09:17:37 PM
Perhaps you now have a reputation for giving refunds .... and people are abusing you.
One of my clerks once saw a customer bend down to tell another customer who was choosing a movie to rent that if they wanted to watch the movie for free just tell the clerk when you return it that there was something wrong with the movie.
If it is a graphic arts camera the person who bought it knew exactly what he was looking at - and he is probably trying to pull a fast one on you. Tell him to look at the back of the machine and order the replacement parts he needs - he will then end up with a good camera at a fraction of the cost of a new one. That is, unless your auction ended at around $3000!
posted on January 3, 2001 09:40:34 PM
virakech -
Either they are taking advantage of you, or you need to write better descriptions and be more careful to show all the flaws. And don't give refunds without getting the item back.
There are some "how to get stuff cheap or free online" advice books that tell people to buy and #*!@ to get a rebate. If you have carefully described all the flaws, you can just point to the description and say: It was in the description, read before buying please.
posted on January 3, 2001 09:47:48 PM
Virakech: Funny you should mention that... I sold a piece of porcelain a few months ago that I had checked quite thoroughly and appeared to be in excellent condition. Buyer was a bit of a snot to begin with as she refused to pay insurance despite the fact that I require insurance on items valued at a designated $ amount and state so in my TOS. Her response: at your shipping rate, it should be packaged good enough to arrive undamaged. My shipping rate, BTW, was understated and it, in fact, cost me an additional dollar or two to ship the item. When she rec'd it, she stated that the packaging was excellent but the item had a 1/8" old chip. She would leave neither good nor bad feedback. Since she did not ask for a refund, I did not offer one. Had she been more pleasant, I might have done so. I also had some real doubts about the old chip, so I proceeded to read the feedback she had left FOR sellers. What I found was shocking. In feedback after feedback, she commends buyers for being honest and refunding for old chips or old repairs, etc. On checking some of the listings that were still up, I found that many of these sellers had stated items had repairs, etc. yet had still issued her a refund. There were more than 100 refunds issued to her. So the bottom line of this long-winded story is that there is at least one buyer that are capitalizing on sellers' fears of receiving negative feedback. This woman is getting a nice discount on most of her buys. Interesting note: she is also a seller and expounds on her description pages about how honest she is and the guarantees she offers. (Beware of those who SCREAM I am honest!)
posted on January 4, 2001 12:33:09 AM
It's just not fair... Feedback isn't supposed to be that big of a deal according to most sellers who have one... I guess I always assumed "they" did something wrong and earned it... I feel like a fool... I've got over 540 feedbacks (all positive) and I thought I could beat the odds...
I came to this conclusion: I spent the money, I did the right thing, I'll take the neg if it comes, but I better not ever see this @&$%&(# in an alley...
Once again... This sucks!
But on the bright side, I feel like I'm officially an eBay seller now...
posted on January 4, 2001 12:42:06 AM
Does anyone want to offer a good statement to defend myself after I get this neg? I know I'm supposed to "cool down" and think it over first if it happens, but I'm not sure what the &^$# to say, I know I'm not at fault & I wanna "burn" this moron in my response so buyers won't question my integrity.
Did I type that out loud???
posted on January 4, 2001 12:51:38 AM
Hi!
I see you like too!
When I get a neg I simply state the reason. (Usually its revenge on me for leaving one on them).
I'd state 'Caution..buyer appears to get a lot of refunds.'....err...
'Buyer refused to insure..item mint + packing mint when left here.
or something like that.
Carole
(I'm bouncing like that because it is so dang COLD here in the ICEY state of Oklahoma!)
posted on January 4, 2001 04:10:22 AM
You owe him a refund. Here is why:
Your ad states "this unit as shown is in flawless condition" Flawless condition means complete working condition. If it is missing pieces, it could not possibly be "flawless".
Again, in your post here, you refer to it as "pristine" condition. There is nothing pristine about an item missing parts. Would a 65 Mustang with a blown engine be considered "flawless" or "pristine". All photos could easily show the outside of the car in perfect condition, but without an engine it is hardly "flawless". The same would apply to an old radio that is missing the tubes inside, a computer missing the hard drive, talking doll missing the string, or a piece of darkroom equipment that is missing parts.
Whether the ad stated "as is" or not, the use of the term "flawless" implies a guarantee that the item is in perfect working condition and the customer has a right to a refund if it is not. Ignorance is no excuse. You made a mistake, now you need to make it right.
You broke the three most important rules of selling on Ebay.
Rule #1: Never sell stuff for other people. If you know the stuff is good, buy it from them. By selling for other people people, you are assuming 100% of the risk for only a percentage of the profit. You want to help somebody sell their stuff. Help them set up an account, help them with the listings and such, and charge them a fee. Let them be responsible to the customers.
Rule #2: Don't sell stuff you don't know. Lots of things out their look profitable, stick to what you know or learn about the things you don't know. Your descriptions will be much more accurate, and result in higher sales. It will also keep you from getting burned.
Rule #3: Never use the terms "perfect", "flawless", or "mint" condition when describing used items unless they are graded or certified. (such as coins, stamps, trading cards, gemstones, etc.) Most collectors can find minor flaws and defects in just about anything. Remember that you are inspecting an item to determine if it is worthy of selling. The collector is examining it to determine if it is worthy of his/her collection. They will hold it, admire it, and look closer than you could imagine.
posted on January 4, 2001 04:33:40 AM
I've sold cameras/darkroom equipment for years on ebay. If you'd send me the 5 pics and the ad, I'd be happy to take a look and offer my opinion. seyms on ebay and here
posted on January 4, 2001 06:19:29 AM
What mrjim said. How can an item be described both as "flawless" and "as-is"? Frankly, bidder should've RUN when s/he saw those adjectives appearing on the same page, but seller holds the bag on this one.
posted on January 4, 2001 07:21:36 AM
I would be upset too if I had been your buyer. "FLAWLESS" means without flaw. An item missing parts has a flaw.
Problem is, since you're not familiar with the item you sold, if you accept it for a refund (and you should)how will you know if he's removed a part he needed to repair one he already owns?
posted on January 4, 2001 07:46:23 AM
"I'm not familiar with this equipment but this unit as shown is in flawless condition, so I'm selling it as is" Any buyer of darkroom equipment(or any specialized equipment) should see the contradictions of the seller's statements. No intent to defraud should be obvious. The seller is unfamiliar with darkroom equipment, offers 5 pics, say's it's offered "as is" but makes a miscue when stating it's in flawless condition (a statement that the seller is unqualified to make). In this case, IMO, the seller knows what they're looking for, knows far more than the seller and should have emailed questions to clarify the matter before bidding.
