I'm advertising vintage, but new parts (never used) and these are usually called nos, or new old stock. So a very tactful person just emails to ask is they are really nos or used. Isn't that about the same as saying, "Hey, are you a liar or not?"
I could understand wondering about it, if I had 40 negs for bad merchandise, but my feedback is pretty good.
I answered his email with a decent tone, believe it or not!
[ edited by loosecannon on May 17, 2001 05:52 AM ]
posted on May 17, 2001 05:56:25 AM
Maybe they've been burned in the past by someone who advertised nos but were actually something else.
Look at the bright side...someone's interested enough to email you a question! With sales so slow these days, even stupid questions are better than none at all.
posted on May 17, 2001 05:57:07 AM
I wouldn't take it personally - sounds like they just want some reassurance or clarification. You may know your product, and you may know the difference between "new old stock" and "used," but they don't know you know that. It's likely that they may have dealt with sellers in the past who did misrepresent the goods (intentionally or not). After all, anytime a potential bidder has any doubt about an item, what's the first bit of advice that everybody gives them? "Ask the seller before you bid!" At least they were tactful about it.
posted on May 17, 2001 06:04:19 AM
If you really are a liar how can I beleive you when you say your not ??
If you tell me you are a liar well then just as I suspected !!!
YOu can't win with that question.
I beleive I would have responded with ...of course and a good one at that...
posted on May 17, 2001 06:10:58 AM
Well, I meant to add a hint of sarcasm to the "very tactful".
I understand what y'all are saying.
I've had a few of this type of question lately and I don't think I should have to defend my my description or merchandise, but I'll try to take it in stride.
I've sold probably hundreds of this type of widget and only had to give two refunds on them in the past, when the customer wasn't satisfied. One was a gross mistake on my part, the other wasn't so gross, but a mistake all the same.
posted on May 17, 2001 06:27:37 AM
You know what though? Those two customers I made mistakes with (on these parts) are surely lost forever, at least to ever buying with me again.
And the thing is, I think I've gotten better at this, but I'll never get the chance to prove it to them.
First impression--lasting impression. I guess it's no different with a B/M business. If you get bad merchandise at "Marty's Surplus" or bad food at "Joe's Barbeque" you probably aren't going back.
posted on May 17, 2001 06:44:05 AM
We all make mistakes but if we learn from them all is well. It sounds like you did. I would just answer the question as politely as possible and let off steam here. You KNOW we handle steam well.
Birthday present from my husband several years ago. Now he drives it while I get the big, honking, gas guzzling SUV which is the only thing short of a tractor-trailer rig big enough to haul my daughter's riding gear around in.
Just remember, type with happy hands even if they are longing to get around someone's throat!
posted on May 17, 2001 07:12:17 AM
At least he asked you before the auction ended, loosecannon. I recently had a high bidder inquire about a piece's condition 15 minutes after the auction closed. Of course I responded politely that, yes, the description was accurate.
That didn't satisfy him, evidently, because over the next few days I received email after email from him, all inquiring about the piece's condition. These I ignored, not trusting myself to be civil.
When his check came (enclosed with a note questioning the condition), I sent that darned thing out immediately, hoping to soon be rid of him. Surprise, surprise, two days later I got another email from him: the piece wasn't as described, please send a refund.
After composing myself, I replied politely that I would be happy to refund his money upon my receipt of the item in good condition with my invisible mark intact.
Not so surprising, the final email I received from the clown informed me that he had been mistaken, the piece wasn't flawed after all.
In retrospect, what's particularly satisfying about the transaction is that he still doesn't know there was no "invisible mark"!!
posted on May 17, 2001 01:51:04 PM
sharkbaby, I keep my TOS purposely short, but the one point I always include is the proviso that refunds will be given only if my sticker or mark are left intact.
Placing it right on the auction page serves as a deterrent, I think, to the switch-scammers surfing for a mark.
posted on May 17, 2001 02:03:20 PM
I doubt I'd even reply to the email. That in itself would be some sort of reply.
------
After rereading your original post I see where I misunderstood what the buyer asked. I'd give them an honest answer, I don't think the buyer was being rude, but just careful.
[ edited by uaru on May 17, 2001 02:28 PM ]
posted on May 17, 2001 02:17:42 PM
You may have interpreted this as an insult, but considering the amount of misrepresentation on ebay (whether intentional or not), the buyer was doing the sensible thing. Better to get confirmation before bidding. Your definition of NOS may not match theirs.
I once looked at a ceramic item (advertised as perfect) that had a strange-looking handle. I emailed the seller to ask if they were sure it was not repaired/replaced. They responded "it could have been".
I once bought an item described as Sterling. It turned out to be plate. Turns out the seller "thought it was Sterling". Even though I got a refund, I had to go through the aggravation of a return.
My buying on ebay is way down, since I now almost never pursue items unless I know the seller. The need to play "20 questions" with sellers is simply too time-consuming.
[ edited by Damariscotta on May 17, 2001 02:18 PM ]
