posted on January 7, 2001 11:21:13 AM new
Anyone a member or just have opinions on the following:
I was wondering whether a paid membership to Square Trade was worth it. Does it help sellers to get verified by this organization (ie increase selling by guaranteeing the transaction) or does it just open a seller up to potential abuses from the occasional nutty buyer?
Do buyers feel better dealing with square trade sellers?
posted on January 7, 2001 12:04:53 PM new
I am a verified Square Trade member. I have seen no noticeable increase in business that I can attribute to that.
I do have strong feelings that anything we can do to improve our perception to the buyers is a good thing, however I have just as strong feelings about the Square Trade verification process being weak, and perhaps useless.
Part of the process in getting verified is to provide three references. Who might provide references they know might not check out good? Another part is mail and phone verification, both of which resulted in not much more than a sales pitch from them, but yes, it did get proven that both phone number worked and address was what I had provided.
Since becoming verified, I have been asked to provide them with input on several subjects, such as, how I would have felt if they had asked for Social Security number ( I ranted heavy against that) and drivers license number (similar negative rant).
I can't speak negatively about Square Trade, but do find it somewhat of a nebulous effort.
Certainly the fact that they have proven (again) that I am who I say I am may have some effect on how a buyer perceives the transaction to be completed. I also feel that every seller who plans to remain in this business has already personally pledged to arbitrate and do right by the customer in any sale that needs tweaking to ensure a happy ending, taking away the need for a third party arbitration service.
posted on January 7, 2001 12:29:50 PM new
I dont use Square trade so I cant speak as to if it helps anything.
I have look over there service and sight and what I find is it just adds another grip form for buyers.
If a seller simply works out problems with there buyers as part of there own service there is no need to pay someone to make what could be very exspensive ruleings for your sales.
