marc923
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posted on January 14, 2001 08:44:01 AM
I just had an auction end. At the end I use the feature to automatically send the WBN. This was the response I found in my mailbox today.
Hi Marc,
Payment will be in the mail right away.
I do not like having to go to another web site, fill out a form and go through numerous other pages to "finalize" a transaction. You will not be getting a copy of the invoice with
my payment. I do not have a printer. You and Auction Watch should not assume that everyone has a printer. I always put in a note with payment. I suggest you give customers the
payment information in your email notification from now on. That allows immediate access to the information without the unnecessary steps involved in your current process. I also
do not like being directed to sites I know nothing about. This is also a personnel privacy issue. You have forced me to put personel information on the Auction Watch site. How do I
know what use they will make of the information. Will I end up with more spam or on more mailing lists? Yes you can tell I'm more than a little upset.
Thanks for any tips.
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 14, 2001 08:50:24 AM
You know, I have a feeling that someone who got so defensive about something like that would not respond well to just about anything I said. Therefore, I would just respond by saying thank you and I will be sure to let you know when your payment arrives and package ships. Thank you for your suggestions. No offense was intended. This is simply a business method which works well for 99% of my transactions and has been very well received up to this point.
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abacaxi
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posted on January 14, 2001 08:50:25 AM
Well, I agree with that buyer.
I do not EVER go to a third-party site to do the SELLER'S bookkeeping data entry for them, and would have emailed you telling you to send me the total due and to NOT enter anything into the third-party site's database.
And
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jenniphant
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posted on January 14, 2001 08:50:26 AM
Wow, this guy got up on the wrong side of bed that morning. Most people just email their info if they don't want to use the form and can figure out that a note is just as good as the invoice without putting up a huge stink over it.
I personally just changed the wording of the WBN to give all the information and instructions, telling the buyer to just email their info to me, OR they can use the form (almost as a sidenote). It seems the same % of people use the form vs. send by email this way and I haven't gotten any complaints.
There's no reason for the guy to get snippy with you, though.
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gjsi
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posted on January 14, 2001 08:52:50 AM
Total agree with the buyer. I usually send a note the sellers that use online auction completion services. I state that I do NOT enter my personal information in third party online databases and I expect the seller will NOT enter my information for me.
Greg
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marc923
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posted on January 14, 2001 09:02:46 AM
Wow. I never thought that entering info for an auction would get someone upset. I just learned that I need to clean up and tweak my WBN. Well I was kind of nervous about making this guy happy so this was my response (I sure hope it is good enough):
I am sorry that my way of conducting auctions upsets you. My intent
was not to upset anyone. I use AuctionWatch because it allows for my
auctions to be conducted in a professional manner. That is my
intent, to be as professional as possible.
I have removed your name and information from my AuctionWatch pages.
Therefore, that info is no longer online.
Please be assured that I have no intent to gather and sell personal
information. I am not aware of any spam from AuctionWatch. The only
mail I receive on my AuctionWatch mail account is mail from my
auctions and ebay spam.
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gjsi
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posted on January 14, 2001 09:03:52 AM
sharkbaby, and you would be wrong. I would respond in just about the same manner. I am happy to work with sellers in almost every area, but I DON'T want my personal data entered in a third party database.
Since I don't know who the third party will sell my information to, I don't want to chance it. (and if you believe the third party when they say the do not sell data, just remember other online promises. i.e., paypal and ebay).
It may work for 99% of your transactions, but I have an automated system to send the seller my information, so it doesn't work for my end of the transactions.
As abacaxi said, why should I do a sellers bookkeeping for them.
Greg
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abacaxi
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posted on January 14, 2001 09:13:05 AM
And the TRUSTe logo on this site does nothing to make me any more willing to trust AW with anything ... TRUSTe is getting paid by AW for the use of the logo and has NEVER reclaimed their logo even when the site was found to be spamming all over the net.
AW does NOT have a privacy policy at all on the Site Map ... you have to read the teeny print on the TRUSTe logo and click there to get to it. And privascy policies can be changed, like Spamazon's did, to allow selling whatever they have collected.
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 14, 2001 10:14:22 AM
Hey Greg! To respond to your attack about my opinion. Just want to clarify that I do NOT use those auction tools myself, nor will I ever. I do all my own emailing and THAT is what works best for ME.
I was simply offering a point of view for that particular buyer to keep the peace and provide him with a diplomatic response to his attack to the seller. It would not behoove this seller to attack his buyer back, but to thank him for his opinion and stress that he doesn't have the intention of offending him by his own business practices, etc...etc...etc...
Thanks! shark
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HartCottageQuilts
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posted on January 14, 2001 10:28:46 AM
abacaxi speaks for me too. This "go to another site and fill out paperwork" BS reminds me of the old Service Merchandise stores: Find the merchandise you want, fill out a form, drop the form in the box, wait for your name to be called, pay the clerk, wait for your package at the pickup window. There's a reason these places don't exist anymore...
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abacaxi
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posted on January 14, 2001 10:39:37 AM
HCQ ... my mom used to call them NoService Merchandise.
At least at circuit city you have a real cash register and clerks even if you have to go to the pickup counter for most things.
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HartCottageQuilts
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posted on January 14, 2001 01:06:44 PM
Funny thing is, Circuit City's jingle of a few years back went "Welcome to Circuit City, where service is state-of-the-art".
Come to think of it, they're probably right...
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jmjones6061
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posted on January 14, 2001 01:15:21 PM
I use AW's because it is simple for me. I have my own wbn that goes out and tells the buyer that if they would prefer not to use the site, they may email me their shipping address and I will reply with all of the shipping/payment options.
I have never had a complaint, since I do offer them the option of completing the transaction without the website.
Just to play devil's advocate - how do you know that the seller who receives your info in an email doesn't sell that info? I have never seen any thing from a seller that states they won't share your information.
Jane
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Muriel
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posted on January 14, 2001 01:34:47 PM
I have to side with the bidder, too. I prefer a simple e-mail saying here's what you owe, here's my address, please reference the auction number with your payment. Anything fancier is time-consuming, and confusing. I also do not like when Sellers have 2 1/2 pages of payment instructions, etc. etc. Just give me the total and where to send it.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on January 14, 2001 01:44:30 PM
jmjones6061-
Just to play devil's advocate - how do you know that the seller who receives your info in an email doesn't sell that info? I have never seen any thing from a seller that states they won't share your information.
You don't know. The chances seem slim, however, since most sellers wouldn't have enough buyer data to be of interest to marketers.
AW, on the other hand, is another matter altogether.
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corrdogg
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posted on January 14, 2001 01:58:57 PM
As a buyer, I found the AW WBN to be a real PITA.
Therefore, as a seller, I would never inflict it on my customers.
marc923, I believe you had an excellent response to your customer. Did it work? Have you had a reply?
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Shoshanah
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posted on January 14, 2001 02:11:37 PM
Although I would not show such dismay in my Email, I do agree with the Buyer.
I have had to click on various URLs to finalize my purchases, and found it to be annoying and time-consuming and SOOOOO impersonal. There was a thread not long ago, pertaining to this subject, something about WBN.
I am old-fashion, and still send my personal Thank you notes, with the necessary info. But that's just me.
********
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
http://www.oldandsold.com/index.htm
Insert rifkah in "GO" box, checkmark the "user" circle, hit GO...
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Shoshanah
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posted on January 14, 2001 02:29:15 PM
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&id=311879&thread=311798
********
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
http://www.oldandsold.com/index.htm
Insert rifkah in "GO" box, checkmark the "user" circle, hit GO...
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cyberjp
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posted on January 14, 2001 02:40:20 PM
I for one, love the WBM option both from the seller and buyer stand point. For all of you that are stating it is to impersonal, if I wanted personal I sure as heck would not be bidding for an item on the internet, I would go to a brick and morter store. I have had one buyer that was really against it and said it was to impersonal, yadda, yadda. So, I invited him for coffee and doughnuts so we could discuss his purchase and he could pick it up. Needless to say I got negative feedback from him but he still purchased more from me and yes complained again! Some people.
cyberjp on ebay
Have a nice DAY!
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jayadiaz
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posted on January 14, 2001 02:49:11 PM
Hi, I have been using the automated system for about three months, I only received one snippy complaint from an admitted seller. I have had people e-mail me that they were not able to access the url provided and request e-mail. Usually if I didn't get an answer within two days I followed up with an e-mail as many people are not too computer savy and just can't or won't deal with it. Then there are the techies who LOVE IT. So I guess I'll never please everybody. But I love it for tracking I used to have folders 'waiting for response', 'waiting for payment', waiting for check to clear', 'shipped do feedback', and that was a PITA. Just my opinion.
PS; To me the best part is that if they use the form the address is more consistantly complete?
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Shoshanah
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posted on January 14, 2001 02:51:58 PM
Some customers write FIRST, and tell you how excited they are about winning, and adding to their collection.
A few personal comments while answering them, can sometimes make a big difference in establishing a good rapport for future business...and without "coffee and doughnuts".
There is no rule of thumb here: just what works for the individual buyer/seller.
********
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
http://www.oldandsold.com/index.htm
Type rifkah in "GO" box, checkmark the "user" circle, hit GO...
[ edited by Shoshanah on Jan 14, 2001 02:57 PM ]
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motive8
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posted on January 14, 2001 03:01:02 PM
There have been some good responses so far.
I think using the WBN, modified with a personalized note letting the bidder know they have a choice is the best compromise.
It makes the seller's work easier, while still giving the buyer a choice. As mentioned some techies just love the automated impersonal method.
Then there are others who despise it. At least you give them the option. You've cut your workload down with the WBN, and even more if only half the people use the link.
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gjsi
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posted on January 14, 2001 05:04:45 PM
sharkbaby there was no personal attack involved.
I was trying to get across the fact that I would problably have responded to the seller in a similar manner, but I have never - not responded well to just about anything the seller sed said. I believe that was your original comment to which I was refering.
Just because a buyer lets a seller know he doesn't like online forms and/or doesn't have a printer doesn't imply they are going to be a problem.
As to an attack on the seller, I don't see it. I see a buyer who let the seller know they are concerened about their privicy and didn't like having to do the sellers work form them. If anything, I find these WBN requestes to be attacks on my privicy by the seller.
Greg
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 14, 2001 05:20:42 PM
Sure do agree with you on the privacy thing, Greg! It is a scary thought that your personal info can in any way be harvested!
Oh yeah, and I FINALLY got your other point...Sorry about that! duh. having kind of a dumb day today.
shark
[ edited by sharkbaby on Jan 14, 2001 05:25 PM ]
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ahwahneeliz
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posted on January 14, 2001 05:31:45 PM
Hmm. Well, you guys (gals) have sure opened my eyes (once again). I already modified my automessage, but it never occured to me that it would bother someone to use the info page to submit their info. I'll modify that message (yet again) and make sure winner knows he/she can email their information. But I'll still use it. It allows me some freedom. I don't have to worry about closing auctions, especially if I need/want to go out of town for a couple of days. Knowing my winning bidders will have the information they need has been very liberating. Frankly, I don't know how some of you large volume sellers do it without automation.
`·. >(((º>`·.¸.¸>
ahwahneeliz
>(((º>¸¸.·.>((º>··.¸><((((ºcJ
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marc923
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posted on January 14, 2001 07:30:00 PM
No reply from the bidder as of yet. I am in agreement that the bidders get a choice. I modified my WBN to reflect 2 options. Either send me your address and payment choice via email. Or use the form. So now they all get a choice. I'll post any further comments from the bidder.
Thanks again everyone.
Marc
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morgantown
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posted on January 14, 2001 07:42:14 PM
I don't think it would bother me to go to a third party web site to enter information. My names all over the internet anyway from signing up for this and that! 
But, I do think it would turn off some bidders. Therefore, as a seller I would not use third party invoicing.
Plus, all of the so-called free sites are going to be charging for their services - they have to eventually. I want to run my business with the fewest fees possible.
MTOWN
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marc923
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:05:25 AM
Well Morgan, when AW starts charging me, that will be the day I quit using their service. I, too, want to have as little charges as possible.
Marc
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zkatt
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posted on January 15, 2001 08:45:11 AM
After some complaints about the automated wbns and those who just flat refused to fill them out...I bought ebud and presto so far so good(besides it helps me keep track of everything).
Not zkatt on ebay
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mrssantaclaus
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posted on January 15, 2001 09:05:15 AM
Sorry but I, too, have to agree with the bidder. To me it seems like the seller is just too lazy or too busy to deal with me. I really like the personal touch of eBay.
The only automation I have used is to add the PayPal Instant Pay button to the end of my auctions. That way the winner selects to use it - or not.
Either way, the emails are from me personally- I think the customers appreciate that.
Maybe Auction Watch can come up with something that is similar to the PayPal Instant Pay .... with a space to avoid that form and deal directly via email with the seller.
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