posted on August 1, 2001 02:51:37 PM
Ok, a lot of you chimmed in and said you would turn a seller in for "spamming" you if they emailed you (and invited you to look at their other auction) simply because you had bid on an item.
So lets put the shoe on the other foot. I get a fair number of "do you have a XYZ widgit for sale" emails from buyers (many thru ebay's very own "ask seller a question mail server)when I have a XYY widget up for auction.
These are spam by ebay's guide lines, and are against ebay's rules.
So, how many of you would turn a buyer in for this?
posted on August 1, 2001 02:54:12 PM
I wouldn't turn in either buyer or seller, but then again, I get very little spam as compared to some of the posters here.
posted on August 1, 2001 02:58:07 PM
While I think the way the email was worded DID constitute SPAM, I didn't say I'd turn her in for it (unless it got a lot more aggressive than that).
I have had buyers contact me after a sale asking to buy something which ended w/o a bid. Yep, technically it's a violation of ebay rules.
I tell them I'll put the item up for auction again w/a BIN & they can purchase it that way. ebay gets it's cut.
BTW, all but one buyer followed through & purchased the item. The one that begged me to sell, then never followed up is on bidder block & if they ever do contact me again, I might seriously consider turning them in.
posted on August 1, 2001 04:24:55 PM
No, I would never turn anyone in for spamming. Just delete, it's a lot faster than sending an email to eBay. It seems kind of childish to always run to eBay whenever your bothered by something minor.
posted on August 1, 2001 05:04:50 PM
No... although I did once report someone who all but demanded that I end the auction and sell the widget to them for $2, postage included. It was a $20.00 item -- the postage alone was more than $2.00!
posted on August 1, 2001 05:41:19 PMThis is a joke, right?
Kind of... But seeing what happened in the other thread, I was wondering if some of the people who said they WOULD turn that seller in (for what I thought was a polite email) felt the same way abouot this.
posted on August 1, 2001 07:03:21 PM
microbe
I would turn in a seller who emailed me in a heartbeat . The only way to stop spam is to stomp on the spammer ,just like cockroaches they will continue to multiply unless eradicated.
the way I read your post no I would not turn in a buyer who inquired if I had a Item for sale
NO double standard Just apples to oranges.
In the first case I am a casual customer interested only in one item
For the seller to solicite me under the guise of thanking me would result in my forwarding to spam at ebay.
In your case as a seller I am opening myself up to qustions hence the link on the seller page "ask the seller a question " and my bold TOS statement any questions please ask.
As a seller I am inviting contact
AS a buyer you are intruding uninvited and unwelcome in my space and I will react accordingly.
posted on August 1, 2001 07:22:46 PM
Spock, I see your point, (and would never complain about someone wanting to buy something from me) but from eBay's point of view (and they are the ones that make the rules) both are spam.
posted on August 1, 2001 09:54:55 PM
Screw what eBay wants. You folks have no obligation to become Meg's sock puppets.
I prefer and encourage off site transactions at every oppurtunity. And anyone with half a brain would do likewise. If you sell unusual collectibles, encourage customers to enroll on your private mailing list so you can notify them of recent acquisitions. Instead of waiting, you can put the item up at a reasonable opening bid and end the auctions and sell offsite to your preferred repeat customers.
Whenever possible I BUY offsite. Just email prospective sellers and ask them for their web site URL. You'll get their email address in the response. Then ask them their retail price on the widget in question. Often frequently lower than the auction price.
posted on August 1, 2001 09:55:01 PM
I don't mind e-mail from potential buyers asking about items for sale. What's driving me nuts right now is a person who bought something from me in June who ever since has sent me all her poems, prayer requests, funny stories, and jokes. She hasn't had time to leave me feedback or to let me know if her item arrived safely. Too busy with her poems, I guess.
posted on August 2, 2001 04:40:37 AM
Anyone who says they will turn a seller in for violating eBay's rules, but not a buyer is practicing a double standard, IMO.
After all, rules are rules.
But to answer the question (a very good one, BTW), no. I've been spammed by buyers quite often and will not turn them in.
I had a persistant buyer once who didn't want to take no for an answer when he wanted me to sell him the item for less money than I had listed it for. 3 insistent emails from him later and then I told him if he didn't stop emailing me I would report him to SafeHarbor.
But I don't believe in doing that as a first resort. And never after just one email.
posted on August 2, 2001 04:56:52 AMpersistant buyer once who didn't want to take no for an answer when he wanted me to sell him the item for less money
I had on of those a while ago. Had a item (65 year old boat motor) up for $150, and no bids. Guy emails me with an offer of $30. (like I can't sell it any other way). I told him no. Get another email a week later with the same offer (with my No answer quoted, so I knew he had gotten the email). I told him I would take the $30 as a down payment, with the balance due in 30 days (I did want to sell it). Got another email... "I said I would pay $30". At this point, I just deleted the email.
I few days later, someone is in my shop, and sees the motor. "Does that thing run" he says. "Yes" I say. "What do ya want for it"? I tell him. He wants to hear it. No problem, put it in the tank, pull the rope twice, it starts. I turn around, and the guy has the money out of his wallet already....
