A language barrier/ wording lesson learned...

Fellow from China bought a bunch of stamps just over a month ago, never paid for them (have been having lots of problems with buyers from China this last while).


 


Once the automated case(s) got opened after 30 days, I got a message from him for every lot that said:


 


"Item is fake, I don't need it, thank you, request to close the deal"


 


I thought this was a strange way to get out of it, the stamps were genuine, I sent him a note asking why he thought they were fake (didn't hear back).


 


Then I happened to notice a problem in the titles I used: "CHINA PEOPLES REPUBLIC, PRC Scott 950 U hinged copy a tiny blue mark in top perf"


 


Sigh - never thought someone would translate "copy" to the fake/reproduction aspect. Unfortunately, in the stamp world at least there are a lot of "reproductions" coming out these days  via laser printers etc, so I don't blame him for interpreting the title that way.


 


I was actually happy to cancel the transactions as he requested as the prices were weak on them anyway (I guess I know why now!).


 


I also went through all my other listings and replaced "copy" with "stamp" or "example" or whatever worked in the title....


 


I have spent a lot of time in the last couple weeks translating to Chinese and Russian for other lots, takes a lot more time and effort......and it forces one to keep the wording as simple as possible to avoid translation challenges as much as possible....


 


Enough rambling, have a great weekend.....


 


 

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