posted on October 30, 2000 04:22:27 PM new
I just got the strangest buyer yet! After 14 days, I sent a message that I had not received payment-was there a problem? They wrote back and said it had been mailed, let them know if it didn't show up.
30 days after sale, I wrote that no payment had shown up, and I would relist the item, if they didn't want it-to let me know. Today I got 4 letters from him. The third one was cursing me for not answering the first 2 (I had been at work all day). The next one says that the check has not cleared the bank, and has not been returned in the mail, so I MUST have it! So I had better cash it and send him his package!
posted on October 30, 2000 04:31:52 PM new
Sounds like he really may have sent it. How about you mail him back and suggest he quit cursing you out and you both agree to wait a week and see if it shows up on either end. This gives him a chance to put one in the mail if he hasn't, a chance for a missing check to show up and everyone gets to cool down.
I got my 2nd mangled letter in a month today - delivered in a bag. The first one was a payment, today's was a Blockbuster ad coupon that expires Oct 31st, so I guess it was stuck in a machine awhile..
posted on October 30, 2000 05:57:48 PM new
I don't know why some buyers, or anyone for that matter, assumes the other person MUST have done something wrong?
Do they not consider the possibility that it got lost in snail mail? It's not like the USPS guarantees delivery of first class letters. A lot of things could have happened to the letter. It's happened many, many times before. And why, do they start cursing you out in their e-mails?
I know, we are supposed to think the customer is always right. WRONG. You can act like a civilized human being, or 'hit the road Jack'. As soon as anyone sends me a cursing mail, they are history, period. There is no excuse for that. Especially when they don't know for sure what the problem is?
I used to try to deal with these types of people. What good did it do, ZIP. They will 'neg' you anyway, no matter how nice you are to their childish behavior, and language. If I did receive their money, eventually, (lots of times the postmark shows they mailed it very late to begin with, or even forgot to mail it). I just send the item. No more mail contact. I don't want any back from them. If they didn't pay for DC, I do, to prove they got the item.
Then I blacklist them, and forget 'em. End of story. Those types are not worth worrying about, and being concerned over. They are the way they are, because some people cater to them. They get spoiled and think to get what they want, they have to act like a total immature person, making all kinds of accusations. In hopes you will bend over backwards to please them. To me, if they don't act with respect, they don't get any in return. I save my concern for those that are pleasent, normal, and respectful of others. I am, and I expect to be treated likewise. The vast majority are nice to deal with, they make up for dealing with these types.
posted on October 30, 2000 08:36:11 PM new
How many does it take to make a "vast majority?" 56% is a simple majority. Does 75% qualify as a vast majority?
The point is, if you put the wackos, jerks, and deadbeats on one hand and the good guys in the other, for the items I sell, the vast majority is about 85%. That means I have my hands full dealing with the other 15%.
I have completely abandoned that concept that the "customer is always right." That may work to the advantage of Wal Mart, but on Yahoo it will drive you to dispair. I could say a lot of things on how to handle different situations, but I can sum up one common trait that will give understanding to what is happening:
That is, when the buyer really wants what they bid on, they will be civil and work with you to correct any problem. But if they have changed their mind and no longer want the item, all problems will be you the seller's fault, and in fact, the "vast majority" of problems are invented by the buyer who want's to back out and make it all your fault.
posted on October 30, 2000 09:36:52 PM new
zzyzx000
"That is, when the buyer really wants what they bid on, they will be civil and work with you to correct any problem. But if they have changed their mind and no longer want the item, all problems will be you the seller's fault, and in fact, the "vast majority" of problems are invented by the buyer who want's to back out and make it all your fault."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I agree with you 100% there. They are upset because they are supposed to buy the item, they no longer want, (regardless of the reason why they changed their minds). They are trying to figure a way out of the purchase. No doubt about that, with me, and apparently you. Well put zzyzx000.
I guess it depends on what you're selling as to what your "vast majority" is. I sell collectibles, in several different categories. For me, the "vast majority", is about 98 - 99%. In fact, my feedback negative percentage is less that 2%, and those are all retaliatory negatives.
posted on October 31, 2000 12:29:41 AM new
Don't you just LOVE those plastic bags the Postman delivers that contain the "remains" of a piece of mail, chewed up by machinery at a bulk mail center????????
If this were my buyer, I'd calmly write back, telling him his check hasn't arrived yet, and asking when he mailed it. If he sent it a few days ago (which was a very late payment, and he lied earlier when he said it had been mailed), then wait a week to see if it comes. If it was mailed earlier, I'd suggest he send another check, and tell him you'll return the first if it shows up, but you fear the first one's been lost in the mail.
Frankly, if I had sent someone a payment almost a month ago and hadn't received my merchandise, I'd be writing the seller to find out where it was, and if the check had arrived.
I've had a few buyers like this, very nasty to deal with (not to mention dense--why else would he think you're HOLDING his check rather than cashing it???), and they all live in the same area of the country (you can probably guess where).
Cursing you is inexcusable. Regardless the outcome of this transaction, I'd save yourself future grief and blacklist him from bidding on your auctions again.
posted on October 31, 2000 11:09:03 AM newgranee"Don't you just LOVE those plastic bags the Postman delivers that contain the "remains" of a piece of mail, chewed up by machinery at a bulk mail center???????? "
A little off topic here, but are you SURE that the mail was chewed by a machine?
I was at our PO the other day (1 window, 1 person to help you with your packages, answer the phone, etc.) when the phone rang. I could hear the lady on the phone, though I was across the desk from the PO worker. She was shouting that her mail was not yet delivered.
The poor PO worker asked what time her mail usually arrived--the answer was 2:00. I checked my watch: 2:05!
