posted on July 24, 2001 04:28:00 PM
I really do not wish to start a flame war here, but in the past month I have had to post two NPB warnings. Both buyers thought they could send $ cash to UK for the same rate as internal US mail. I am very happy with the outcome on both, but please be aware that International postage is higher than US internal mail. This is not my trading name.
posted on July 24, 2001 05:05:36 PMDumb people live everywhere, welcome to the world wide web.
You're right of course, but I do have to agree with GreetingsfromUK on this one, we do have some of the dumbest buyers in the world right here in the good old US of A.
My British and Aussie (and Canadian, etc.) buyers have have never (knock on wood) done anything to make my international deals anything but smooth...I wish I could say the same for the US buyers. (Wish I could say the same for the Postal Systems around the world also.... )
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
[ edited by Microbes on Jul 24, 2001 05:06 PM ]
posted on July 24, 2001 05:07:20 PM
Hi GreetingsfromUK
I just got through with a transaction with a resident of UK.
He clearly did not read my auction wording that says I don't sell outside the US. He anticipated paying the same shipping to UK that I was offering to US sellers.
Doh!
Are UK buyers dumb?
No, we adjusted the rate, I made the sale and he's left feedback.
BTW a buddy of mine buys from the UK all the time. He collects an obscure folk band (by the sound of them, it's no wonder they are obscure, but hey, taste is taste.)
Blanket generalizations are rarely helpful.
I have updated my TOS. Might want to rethink yours.
OF course, as kiawok says, dumb lives all over the planet.
posted on July 24, 2001 07:15:27 PM
"I am a great and sublime fool, but then again, I am God's fool, and all his creatures should be regarded with respect.",
- A quote from Sam Clemins
Sir, several years ago I realized that the world was filled with morons. I thank the Gods for their presence every day because without them I would not have fed my children. As a woman who "picks" from the bottom of the barrel, I am always kind to these morons because they often have even less that I do.
You got your money didn't you. At least your "fools" like your stuff and bought it. Quit yer bitchin', you did well.
posted on July 24, 2001 08:06:24 PM
Even though I clearly state NO BUYERS FROM OUTSIDE U.S., I still get bids from people in Canada and the UK.
Interestingly, the Canadians always ask before bidding. The UK bidders are usually the surprise I find AFTER the auction has ENDED.
Also, the VAST MAJORITY of buyers on the internet are U.S> buyers, so it is actually more likely that if a problem arises, it will be with a U.S. buyer.
posted on July 24, 2001 08:40:45 PM
One Uk buyer I had sent me cash in the amount of £200 rather than $200. They were grateful when I sent them change in dollars so they could spend it on eBay.
Then again I have not had a bidder from the UK, like some americans I have had, thinking the auction would automaticly close and Ebay would bill them for the item and I would ship right away. This was for a 63 Cad El Dorado Convertible that was started at $1.00. More email from people a spark plug shy on that one then any other auction.
posted on July 24, 2001 09:00:52 PM
Dumbya smart enough to become President? When is he ever going to be in the White House? When Cheney gvies him permission?
posted on July 25, 2001 04:25:18 AM
Still haven't seen any auction folks running for President. Is that because ad hominem attacks come easier than working out simple transactions, much less a national government? But that might prove our British colleague does indeed have a point when we show ourselves stupid enough to lack respect for our leadership and that spills over into a lack of respect for those we deal with in our auctions.
We all spend an appalling amount of time here on AW badmouthing those we want to do business with. And we expect our businesses to prosper? In which case, we're all pretty dumb and need to clean up our own acts first.
posted on July 25, 2001 06:00:13 AM
I don't think they are especially dumb, they are just not worldly. For the most part, some of these people have never been anywhere past their own hometown. They live in a very small world and just can't comprehend anything beyond that. Their experience level is very low and that may affect how they view the rest of the world.
posted on July 25, 2001 06:33:43 AMwhen we show ourselves stupid enough to lack respect for our leadership
Hmmmm.... I always thought that respect was earned, particularly in the case of a political leader. If you find a lack of respect for Boy George, I'd think it's because he doesn't inspire respect.
But that's just how I view it. Some would have the highest reguard for anyone in the white house, no matter how inept they are.
I respect the office, but the man in it needs to earn my respect.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 25, 2001 06:49:20 AMwhen we show ourselves stupid enough to lack respect for our leadership
Respect is not an entitlement. You earn it. There should be respect for the OFFICE of President but that doesn't mean we have to respect the person IN it.
Interestingly, some of the people who were the loudest & most vocal critics of President Clinton now seem to think that comments about President Bush are, suddenly, now "disrepectful". If comments are disrespectful now, they were disrespectful then.
And I thought the whole point of having a democracy was the FREEDOM to have, and state, our own opinion without fear of reprisal.
posted on July 25, 2001 07:10:04 AM
Geez, how did this one jump from u.s. buyers and u.k. buyers to politics? I missed the connection.
Anyway, in answer to his question, are US buyers dumb, buyers from all sectors have 'dumb spots' my pet peeve spot is paypal. In the past week, I've had 15 auctions close with buyers (depressing week) and almost half of them have made reference to paying me with paypal. My tos state "I accept money orders, YAHOO paydirect, & bidpay. NO personal checks, and NO paypal payments." My EOA note states: either bidpay, yahoo direct, or a money order to: & ends with ****I DO NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL OR PERSONAL CHECKS ****
Thanks!
I've received these comments: didn't I pay for this with paypal last week?, Send me your name so I can paypal you the money, what's your paypal name, If I can paypal you, I'll pay for it today, otherwise, it'll take me a few days to get a MO, and my favorite: "Would you take a personal check I have over 100 positive feedbacks. If not I understand I will just have to get the money order to you at a later time. No hurry on my end though.
When people ask, I now respond with, "as stated in my TOS and my EOA notice, I do not take paypal". It may sound a little harsh, and I'm trying to figure out how to soften it, but I'm tired of dumb bidders, from any where.
Your quote from Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) was very appropriate, but you might want to correct portions of it in case you want to use it again some time - it is, "Ah, well, I am a great and sublime fool. But then I am God's fool, and all His work must be contemplated with respect." (Source: A Clemens' biography)
posted on July 25, 2001 09:24:51 AM
If you won't show respect to someone important by rank whom you know, than you can't possibly show the necessary respect for a complete stranger you conduct business with over the Internet. One respects the person--doing it by rank or office alone is calculatingly dishonest--regardless of feelings or assessment.
FWIW this can be very difficult. Which is why so many bad transactions end up as AW message board fodder.
Thanks for the correction in the quote. - How did you find that book! Ham Hill, the author, lived next door to us as I was growing up and he gave my parents a copy of God's Fool. This is where I first learned the quote. I may not have had all the words right, but the truth of his words I hope to always hold in my heart.
Kindness and respect for everyone works, even for the fool.
posted on July 25, 2001 02:38:41 PM
I have the utmost respect for the Officeof the Presidency. That is why is so upsetting about the whole thing - dirty politics put a person in an office they are obviously not qualified to hold. All anyone has to do is turn on a TV and see what the rest of the world sees. Just because my father was a mechanic that does not mean I can fix cars.
Of course, this is just my opinion. Yours may differ.
