posted on October 12, 2001 08:46:33 PM new
Hi all,
I have been buying and selling for a couple of years and have never come across this and do not know how to respond.
Recently I won an auction and sent payment and this is the email I received today:
XXX
I mailed the Widgets today, I had been waiting for the check and then got sidetracked to make it to the Post Office, but....they are in the mail. I hope you enjoy them, and don't forget to leave feedback. May I ask how and why you are interested in them, and what is your approximate age. We tried so hard to sell these and there was such very little interest. Thanks, nonetheless.
XXXXXX
Maybe I am just overly sensitive today, but I have no idea how I should take this.
Please, if you have any suggestions, I would really appreciate it.
posted on October 12, 2001 09:22:56 PM new
Sounds a little weird! But maybe they're just trying to get some demographics so they'll know who to market this particular product to? Who knows! From the email it sounds as thought they like to chit chat. At least the person was polite in asking.
I would just respond with "thank you for the notification" and leave it with that. I'm not the overly friendly, explain my whole life kinda person.
Although I would be a bit peeved if the item in question was of an "intimate" nature.
posted on October 13, 2001 12:21:43 AM new
Everyone has a need to do "market research" from time to time, to figure out better ways to sell their item. I probably wouldn't have worded it in that exact manner, but this likely is a legitimate request.
posted on October 13, 2001 12:23:15 AM new
Everyone has a need to do "market research" from time to time, to figure out better ways to sell their item. I probably wouldn't have worded it in that exact manner, but this likely is a legitimate request.
posted on October 13, 2001 04:30:31 AM new
I agree. It's probably legit. Some items
which are being sold can have multiple uses.
Perhaps you bought it to use one way while the seller hadn't even thought about the item in that way.
They may just want to know so thay can make their listing more effective. If an item can be used in several different ways maybe they
would list it as such and get more bids.
As for the age thing, you could always
just give them a range of 5-10 years.
Personally, I wouldn't see any harm in
answering them. Buyers have asked me much more
rediculous questions that they feel the need to know the answer to. I usually answer them anyway.
I guess sometimes sellers are also entitled to ask questions.
posted on October 13, 2001 07:31:19 AM new
Thanks for your responses....Let me say these are ordinary decorative figurines. His email made me feel as if I had made a bad decision. (Well they are more of a country decor.) :p
posted on October 13, 2001 07:47:40 AM new
Personally, I'd take it as an honest inquiry to find out the general demonographics or motivation of the buyer. The person tried for a while to sell it - probably figures he was fishing in the wrong pond all this time.<br>But, having said that, be only as forthcoming as you are comfortable with. You'll probably never regret any info you don't give out to someone you don't know.<br>MAD
M A Dorman & The Woman's Club of Ramsey
posted on October 15, 2001 04:30:37 PM new
I sell used books from time to time that I believe may be collectable. By auction results, I would surmise that some I sell are and some are not.
One time I sold a 1930s book that had belonged to my grandmother, and I believed it to be junk fiction. Well, you can understand my curiosity when it sold for @ $50.00.
After payment was received and it had cleared, I sent a polite email to the buyer, telling her I had no idea this item would sell for this price. I asked if she would mind telling me why it sold so high, so I could be better educated next time.
Her response was interesting. She said she had no idea of its value, but the title and cover photo reminded her of her youth, and days spent on Cape Cod. She said she decided to pay whatever it took, as she wanted it, just to read.
I learned an interesting lesson, and it helped me find other items that I would have no idea interested folks.
