posted on January 22, 2001 08:48:48 AM new
I am always a little leary of accepting bids from (0) feedback users.
Why?
Because, for example, I have had (0) feedback users request such things as:
-- i-escrow for a $6.00 item
-- insurance requested on a $4.00 item
Just last night, the winner of a $2.99 item wants to send payment via CERTIFIED MAIL!!!
I told her it would be a huge waste of money. I'm sure she's now assuming I want to rip her off. I am on the verge of rejecting bids from very low feedback users.
I know, I know, "some of my best customers were (0) feedback users"...blah, blah, blah. The fact is, I don't know too many sellers who light up when they see that (0) feedback user as high bidder at an auction's end. You never know what giant headache awaits you.
posted on January 22, 2001 09:00:52 AM new
I totally understand and agree with you!
Ok, it's true that I have had many successful sales with brand new people, but I believe that I have had as many or more of them turn out to be deadbeats. It's difficult to fathom what the game is, but when I see a zero feedback person on an auction I immediately feel concern.
posted on January 22, 2001 09:01:34 AM new
I wish everyone would reject customers:
With low feedback / newbies
That live in a different country
That want to use on-line payment services
That want to pay with personal checks
That may take 11 days to pay
That are willing to pay for insurance on low cost items
Why? More for me!
Actually I see a lot more "dumb requests" by sellers than I get from new users
posted on January 22, 2001 09:02:40 AM new
powderblue: I think a lot of people don't "do eBay" because they've heard numerous horror stories about fraud. Some of them probably decide they will try it, but will be extremely careful. If we help them along, they may very well become great buyers.
While I would very politely refuse the i-escrow thing on a $6.00 sale, I would not criticize a user who wants insurance or wants to send payment by certified mail. If that's what they want, why not?
Also - I have over 400 pos. feedback with no negatives under one ID, and am trying to establish another ID to sell in a very different category. I have (finally) ONE feedback under that ID. So, some of your "newbies" may not be so new.
posted on January 22, 2001 09:30:12 AM newkudzurose:
After roughly 1200 transactions and no negs myself, I think I can spot a "new" user vs. one with just a new I.D. And how could you possibly understand paying for insurance on a $4.00 item?
I never cease to be amazed at the inefficiency on Ebay by users who insist on paying for foolish add-ons.
Buyers do it:
-- unnecessary insurance
-- unnecessary certified mail payments
-- unnecessary i-escrow
Sellers do it:
-- unnecessary return receipt
-- unnecessary delivery confirmation
-- unnecessary grade of mail (priority when first class is fine).
-- ridiculous overpacking
Again, I am talking about situations where the above costs are CLEARLY unnecessary, and would be recognized as that if the person would only THINK for a second!
The wastefulness of people on Ebay is downright shocking.
And borgt: You can HAVE all of the (0) feedback users! There aren't enough of them winning my auctions to make that much of a difference anyway---just enough to give me the occasional headache. Good luck to you and good riddance to them!
posted on January 22, 2001 09:35:28 AM new
Are the buyers willing to PAY for the insurance, and certified mail?
If yes, what is the problem? I offer insurance as an option. I've had requests to insure many packages under $5.00 (once had a buyer pay .85 to insure a $1.99 item) and I've also received payments via ceritfied mail for small amounts.The buyers included newbies with (0) and others with (400+) feedback.
I understand your point. Yes, it is a waste of money on such small purchases, but it's the buyers money. I never insure my ebay purchases. I think some newbies believe buying insurance will provide some kind of protection against dishonest sellers.
Wait till you get the buyers who request lots of extras, but don't want to pay for them.Their emails unsually include complaints about how badly other ebay sellers handled transactions and a warning that you risk a negitive if you don't follow their demands to the letter. The ones I've dealt with have all had high feedback.
You "problems" have nothing to do with the buyers being new, it has to do with them being people. I've worked in customer service for 25 years(face to face with the customer), the customers who are difficult to deal with don't change over time. They remain difficult to deal with no matter how often they buy.
[ edited by astraea on Jan 22, 2001 09:39 AM ]
posted on January 22, 2001 09:54:08 AM new
Pre-eBay I used to place classified ads in magazines, saying "send $1.00 for catalog". I was amazed at how many people chose to send a $1.00 check instead of cash.
People who are not used to sending payment by mail to strangers sometimes over-react. It's normal. It also means that if they have a good buying experience with a seller, they are more likely to want to buy from the same source again rather than risk buying from someone new.
posted on January 22, 2001 10:09:29 AM new
I personally never pay attention to the feedback #'s of my bidders. I've had 0 fb as well has people with 100's of fb turn out to be deadbeats. Point them in my direction when you turn them away!!!!!!
Not zkatt on ebay
posted on January 22, 2001 10:55:21 AM new
I have also had people with 100's of "perfect" feedback, not send payment, not leave feedback, send payment 30 days after auction, ask me to ship before payment arrives, bounce checks (only 2 -knock on wood).
Sometimes these "highly rated" buyers run into financial trouble too, and bid on more than they pay for, are rude and difficult to deal with. Thankfully these particular "good" bidders are few but...
posted on January 22, 2001 11:04:06 AM new
I don't mind new users.
My last set of auctions I had several buyers with zero feedback. It was my pleasure to get to leave them each their very first one. I also had a user with an unfounded negative who had a feedback of -1 at the time the auction ended. She ended up being a dream to deal with. It was with great delight that I was able to post a positive to put her back in the black.
I found my new users to all be anxious to please and pay promptly.
Sometimes new users are a bit apprehensive, as this might be the first online transaction they have made. I try to do my best and assure them.
Granted new users can be more time consuming on my part as it takes time to walk them through the processes that they are unfamiliar with.
I have found the overwhelming majority of 0 feedback winners to be positive transactions. I've also found the vast majority of them choose to leave a reciprocal positive feedback unlike some of the old timers I sell to.
I was a new user once, and had a number of folks that were willing to assist me when I encountered fraud and shilling problems.
I look at taking the time to help new users and answering what may seem to some to be frivolous questions as my way of giving back. My way of continuing the chain of community.
As sellers we need to realize that when dealing with a new user we set the tone for that user's perception of eBay as a whole. We can be understanding and teach them, or we can demean and in the process alienate them.
I know at times it can be frustrating. Sometimes in fact I want to scream. Then I remember to put it all into perspective, pound out a quick polite reply on the keyboard, and continue my day on a happier note because of it .
posted on January 22, 2001 11:16:25 AM new
To me, it would seem that any buyer, old-timer or newbie, wanting to insure a purchase, is showing great caution. And THEY pay for it, not the seller.
They may have read here and there, how they may be losers in the event package does not arrive or arrives broken.
As to insuring 4.00 item, it may be a 4.00 item to seller, but may have a higher value which seller is unware of; and SALE price and actual VALUE are two different things.
It also could have tremendous SENTIMENTAL value to that buyer. JMHO
********
Gosh Shosh!
posted on January 22, 2001 11:20:15 AM new
Hi everyone,
This is my first time writing and this subject got my attention. In response to Kudzurose: We were all newbies at one time (including you). It takes alot to learn this business and if it hadn't been for some wonderful people out there, I would have given up!! I encounter people all the time that just found out about Ebay or they finally were able to afford a computer. We all have to start somewhere. I will never forget the fact that "I am here to serve" If I can't do that then I need to quit!! Yes we put up with alot of BS but that's is everyday life. We just deal with it! Say a kind word or give a smile. You never know you might change someone's life.
Have a great day (even though AW is down) but hopefully when all is said and it done it will be better than before!!
posted on January 22, 2001 11:23:32 AM new
My husband and I LOVE newbies for two reasons. They are usually very enthusiastic about their purchase and two they usually still have their money! They haven't completed thousands of other transactions yet
posted on January 22, 2001 11:37:42 AM newIn response:
genie9:
There is definitely a way to generalize. Watch me: "Newbies are much more likely to be a problem. That is my impirical wisdom. Do you understand?
Shoshanah:
Firstly, yes, it is THEIR money--but my point was about waste in general by both buyer and seller alike. All because the buyer pays, doesn't mean the cost isn't unnecessary. Secondly, the items I sell I have dealt in for 25 years and I most definitely know the value. The item that sold for $4.00 will probably increase in value to $7.00 by the year 2115.
posted on January 22, 2001 11:41:19 AM new
I am so glad I didn't run into a seller with that attitude toward new buyers when I first started on ebay. I made my first purchase two years ago and have been happily buying ever since. Even got brave and sold a few items. I still remember my first purchase and how kind the seller was. It was a very pleasant experience and I've bought more from him since then. Everybody has to start someplace.
posted on January 22, 2001 01:01:55 PM newHello, anybody home?
december3:
"I am so glad I didn't run into a seller with that attitude toward new buyers when I first started on ebay." Don't go putting me down without even knowing squat about me or the way I do business. I have a feedback rating of almost (1200) with NO negatives, that's (0) negs. and that's not because I'm a jerk to buyers. You clearly cannot tell the difference between someone expressing what they are thinking vs. how they treat buyers.
Shoshanah:
"Motivation behind the request"? The motivation is quite obvious. Buying insurance on a $4.00 item that is really worth only $4.00 (and is quite available elsewhere) is wasteful, to say the least. Don't defend something so strikingly foolish.
posted on January 22, 2001 01:04:36 PM new
Hi, angiesplace1 - I am not exactly sure how to take your response to me; I agree with every word you say, and hope there was nothing in my post that would indicate otherwise.
posted on January 22, 2001 01:15:34 PM new
The issue is not necessarily that all people who are new to ebay are bad bidders. The issue is that (ok, atleast in my case) most of the ones who end up not paying happen to have no feedback because these are certain people who specifically sign up on ebay to win auctions and then renege on paying. It's a game.
If you want a generalization (and PLEASE, I mean to offend no one!!!), most of the deadbeat bidders I have had use aol. I understand that you can register as many email addresses on aol as you want, so they just keep doing new email addresses and cancelling the ones that they have tarnished by ripping people off. (that's what I understand the scam to be anyway)
[ edited by sharkbaby on Jan 22, 2001 01:23 PM ]
posted on January 22, 2001 01:44:42 PM new
I prefer to work with established buyers over (0) "cherries" anyday. I've been burnt too many times by them.
I sell alot of toys and collectibles, so I attract a disproportionate share of 14 year old no-payers.
I won't refuse to do business with them, but I certainly am wary everytime I see a (0) "cherry" as one of my high bidders.
posted on January 22, 2001 02:04:31 PM new
I happen to love new bidders. I agree that sometimes they are over anxious or they fail to read the rules but most seem to catch on pretty fast.
If everyone cancelled the newbie bids then we would all have to buy from each other and seeing how everyone here is so perfect there would never be any more problems, right?
Right now ebay needs all the new bidders they can get! As long as the bidders keep coming in it will make it better for the sellers.
Maybe the $4.00 item they request insurance on is a copy of something they had stolen or lost in a fire. Who are we to determine the true value of an item to a bidder?
posted on January 22, 2001 02:56:11 PM new"You are right the way you express yourself here is the only thing I know about you.
Heh..well said december3. Personally, my own opinion is that everyone has to start from scratch. Newbies, regular shoppers...I dont care, as long as they read my TOS and follow thru. I think FB should be done away with, period. If its gotta be left, then give have one to 5 stars to choose from, with NO written "and furthermores".
.
