posted on September 19, 1999 09:56:22 PM new
I first started selling on ePay and then switched to Yahoo about a week ago. I have noticed something very interesting.
Most sellers put next to nothing in their descriptions and about 75% of the auctions I look at have no terms of sale (TOS) or shipping costs.
Now as a buyer is it a little irritating. I feel if a seller can't take the time to describe the product, it's not worth my time to email them and ask the particulars of shipping costs, etc. I will generally move on to the next auction.
Now as a seller I love it because I feel that other people feel the same way I do. I am hoping when they see these VERY thin descriptions with no shipping info, they will move on to my auctions.
I will put clothes up for auction sometimes. When I put pants up, I will put in the waist size and the inseam size. I also put up craft books. In these I will list a few of the projects that are featured. And I get good resulting bids. I paid $.25 for a craft book and resold it for $28.00. But I think if I would have had no picture or a good description, I wouldn't have gone for that much.
It is not that hard to put the info in. In fact I have a standard TOS statement in a file that I just copy and paste in after my description. This is what mine says:
If not completely satisfied, return for a refund. Buyer to pay $3.50 for priority shipping (international orders will require more postage). Please add .85 if you would like insurance. Save money on postage check out my other auctions. Payment expected within 10 business days or buyer forfeits rights to item. Money orders will be mailed the next business day, personal checks will be mailed in 10 business days. Good luck and happy bidding. There will be a $20 fee for returned checks.
I ran across on auction that had the title of FANTASIA. In the description is said something like "still factory sealed", and thats all it said. Nothing about shipping or even if it was Walt Disney's Fantasia, and no picture. So just out of curiosity I emailed the seller and asked, "What is this, a video... a stuffed animal... what?"
I didn't know.. he could have had a plastic 2 inch high Sorcer Mickey mouse $1.00 toy from McDonalds.
Ok... now that I have rambled on... any other comments?
posted on September 20, 1999 12:16:59 PM new
Hi there!! I feel the same way about descriptions and TOS, as a seller myself, I take the time to describe the item the best I can, including measurements, and uses for the item, or where it might look good in your home. As a buyer If I see an auction with no description and no shipping terms, I move on!! If a seller can't take the time and effort to fully describe their auction they have no one to blame for poor sales,and a buyer of these auctions has no one to blame but themselves when they receive less than they bargain for. Anymore ideas?? Carol
posted on September 26, 1999 07:56:42 AM new
I realize that this is slightly off topic, however . If someone went to 4 of the 6 auctions I have going on Yahoo, they would find the type of NON desrciptions your talking about. But there was a lot more to them. Yahoo has a glitch or bug or something. On 1 auction only 2 lines are showing, on another the last 2 paragraphs are missing... So while I agree that 2-3 line descriptions look to me like the seller can't be bothered, sometimes it isn't their fault either.
Josiecats
posted on September 26, 1999 08:36:11 AM new
That has happened to me also,( Half of the description showing) and I found that if I went back and cancelled the auction, re-submit, copied and then pasted the previous auction, and took out any (" that were there it was ok then. I know this is a hassle but sometimes you have to play their games!! Try it one one of your auctions and see what happens, Goodluck!!
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posted on September 26, 1999 08:40:15 AM new
Sorry about the happy face above, don't know how I did that. but it should be ( " ) take out any inches signs and type inches. Goodluck!!
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posted on September 27, 1999 09:06:29 AM new
cpogie: Thanks for the advice. They have all ended now. I'll go back and see if I even had quotes in them. Of course all I've gotten back from Yahoo is a very frustrating canned response that has nothing to do with the problem. However that's a different thread.
Thanks josiecats
posted on September 27, 1999 09:29:19 AM new
I hope that works for you, it did for me, of course the closed auctions are not being put on the correct page,( closed / Sold ) they have been staying on the auction page!!! another glitch in Yahoo!, I had to cancel the closed auctions and relist them one by one, very time consuming since I had over 20 to do!!! None had winners, I don't know what I would of done if any had winners, since I would'nt have gotten their Email address, mine is listed in the about me section, but I have found that most people don't look there!!! I'm sure they will get it all straightned out, sooner or later, I just hope it's Sooner!! Carol
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. If someone went to 4 of the 6 auctions I have going on Yahoo, they would find the type of NON desrciptions your talking about. But there was a lot more to them. Yahoo has a glitch or bug or something. On 1 auction only 2 lines are showing, on another the last 2 paragraphs are missing... So while I agree that 2-3 line descriptions look to me like the seller can't be bothered, sometimes it isn't their fault either.
that were there it was ok then. I know this is a hassle but sometimes you have to play their games!! Try it one one of your auctions and see what happens, Goodluck!!