posted on September 16, 2005 11:58:28 PM
Is it me ? or is it the sign of the times? I state in my auctions that I don't use Ebay's check out and to expect an email from me that provides the details to complete the auction. I sent the email right after each auction ends. It NEVER fails lately. 2 out of 3 buyers push or click on the button to ask for an invoice or for their total. I send another email. Then I get a message through "My Messsages" on ebay asking the same thing. These darn buyers don't check their emails. They only check their ebay messages. I guess I should give up, give in and just use the darn thing. It may be easier and quicker but I try to give it a personal touch. I don't have that many auctions running to not do this.
What do you all think? Am I just being stupid? or what?
posted on September 17, 2005 12:46:28 AM
I have exactly the same problem, but I am not going to give up sending the emails to my buyers. I like that personal touch, and I am not going to give it up because some people don't read my descriptions.
posted on September 17, 2005 01:04:11 AM
I have the exact same problem also. I state in the description not to use Ebay checkout to contact me. Wait
for the email I send as soon as auction ends and respond to that directly. When I get these "send me total" messages through Ebay, I assume that their registered email address has changed and they didn't receive my original EOA. I am not interested in the information they have on file with Ebay which may or may not be accurate. I am only interested in the information they send me direct via a response to my email. When I receive one of these requests via the ebay system, I copy and paste and send to them the original EOA I sent and ask them to confirm that they receive it.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on September 17, 2005 09:13:57 AM
Do not give in to the ebay BS. I see this as a short term problem once buyers realize that the ebay communication system is broken. The personal e-mail will benefit you down the line with more returning customers because of personalized service instead of the canned ebay responses.
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Alive in 2005
posted on September 17, 2005 09:52:24 AM
I don't know that I really blame the buyers for this one - Ebay is the cause - they are the ones taking the steps to discourage the one-on-one contact.
I also like the personal email, I think it makes a difference and helps the buyer remember you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 17, 2005 10:10:15 AM
I gave up about 2 months ago and started using eBay checkout. It's really not that bad just follow me and drink your Kool-Aid.
posted on September 17, 2005 11:25:31 AM
I like the personal touch too and have found a lot of nice people through emailing back and forth. However, in the last few months, I found that the buyers weren't responding to my email. Maybe they didn't receive it. I swear that somehow my email to them is being blocked somehow. I gave up too and just send them an invoice.
posted on September 17, 2005 02:09:02 PM
I tried to use the "Do not use Ebay checkout" also but gave up because so many people were either using it or asking for an invoice. If they ask I just send them one. I don't have time to explain to them why or why not use one or the other.
posted on September 17, 2005 03:25:49 PM
Well, ebay *does* give quite few "characters" to type into the 'individualized text' section that you still CAN make your "ebay sponsored/invoice" to the buyers quite "personal" ... no html in it but you can type anything you want (like, "you can find our listings at ____" ! ... it works good for me ...
Caroline