I think I am starting to hate new members to eBay!

[*stealthtech*]

I am starting to think that new eBay members need to past a test on reading 101 before they can bid 😮 I had a cell phone listed (item number 260115928511). The buyer paid right away via paypal and the phone was sent out, now... I got these email messages from them:

I was under the impression this phone was sold with a charger. Who would sell a phone without a charger? Not impressed.

then my reply was Sorry that you misunderstood the listing however, in the listing it reads: This listing comes with what you see in the listing, only the phone and a battery, there is NO box, charger or manuals. The phone itself is used and has scratches and signs of use, wear and tear.

I got another message from the buyer stating this:

Yes, I understand that to find out there was no charger I had to read 5 chapters of text. You have your payment and I will have to suffer for assuming it's common sense to sell a phone without a charger. My mistake, not one I will make again. Nor will I ever give you business again.

I have now offered a full refund if they sent back the $8.00 cell phone... lol 😮 UNBELIEVABLE, how do I block all new buyers? lol

sell-ur-stuff

[westernstargifts]

I am starting to think that new eBay members need to past a test on reading 101 before they can bid :

You are absolutely right!!

[katiusciav]

I wouldn't offer a refund. sorry. if you don't want to read 5 chapters, move on and don't bid. you did your part, they didn't. why the heck would you want their business again anyways???
you can't block 0 bidders, only -1 or less (-2 etc...), or someone who has a had a certain number of unpaid strikes against them.
honest to god, i have no patience for people lately...X-(
could also be hormones too though...;-)

[*stealthtech*]

I hear ya Kat, my worry is the feedback! Even thou I know I did nothing wrong and everything was listed and pictured accurately I just don't want this newbie to leave neg feedback 😞 They have 5 or 6 and wont think twice, right? If I lived closer I would go slap them :^O

sell-ur-stuff

[sunshine2426]

1 negative won't ruin your sales. I would NOT refund if it's clearly written.Block him and move on. Lately I get a lot of miserable people biding. Ebay is not what it used to be 😞

[zarzuella]

I admire your impulse to do the right thing (even if it is not your fault).
Alrernately, is there any chance that you can help him get a charger?

Ann

[katiusciav]

i understand sell ur stuff...been there. but i still have to argue for all of us sellers...why in the heck is it OUR job to ensure all these baby bidders have clearly read the terms, otherwise, WE may suffer?
i had someone purchase a 4 dollar saucer from me, emailed me in CAP LOCKS (angry much?) stating it wasn't a saucer, but a sherbert plate. whaaaaaa? i thought a sherbert plate was a footed bowl...to me, a small plate with a ring in the middle where you put a cup is a saucer, no????? and then i'm thinking (again)...why is this my fault? i clearly listed the item, including the picture...i emailed her back asking her if the picture wasn't clear enough? she emailed back saying the pic was deceiving-DON'T THINK SO TIM!! so i emailed her again saying...'would you like 3.95 refunded?'...she didn't reply back...maybe because she's realizing she's arguing over 3.95? i wasn't scared of a negetive, i'm in that sort of mood lately. if you're in doubt, use the ASK SELLER A QUESTION button-ever hear of it? sheeeeeeeeeesh, those damn hormones man!

[tea_past_times]

UNBELIEVABLE, how do I block all new buyers? lol...

Step 1: Get up in the morning
Step 2: Get a Coffee
Step 3: Turn on Computer
Step 4: Connect to Internet
Step 5: Go to My Ebay page
Step 6: Observe who is bidding
Step 7: Notice ID's with 0-5 feedback
Step 8: Cancel those bids
Step 9: Add ID to blocked bidder list.
Step 10: Drink more Coffee

** Doesn't work on snipers, so be at the computer when your listings are ending.

Have a great day!!

- PHIL

[snoopwiz]

Step 7: Notice ID's with 0-5 feedback
Step 8: Cancel those bids
Step 9: Add ID to blocked bidder list.

I had to read your post a few times to see if you were being serious or not. Apparently you are. I then checked one of your auctions to see if you make mention of 0-5 FB bidders and couldnt find anything. They are your auctions and you are certainly welcome to run them the way you wish however, you may be losing out on some legitimate business by cancelling these folks bids. IMHO of course

[katiusciav]

yes phil is serious, there's been lots of talk on this subject before, and he feels 0-5 bidders are too risky...
i look at them wearily, and open the lines of communication with them a bit more cautiously, but won't always cancel/block them. its been shown that they ARE pickier with most every aspect of the transaction...so they are a special group. long timers are used to hiccups that may occur along the way, and have developed a higher sense of trust and confidence in the ebay system, and are thus more relaxed....
there's two trains of thought on this-some don't want the risk due to bad past experiences, and some believe everyone deserves a starting chance and a good benefit of the doubt, after all, we all started at 0 too...

[orbitdrop.ont_01]

I welcome all feedback scores but the only time I get leery is when a new user (or one with 0 feedback and registered since 2000) wants to bid on something over $200-$300. This always gives me butterflies in my stomach.

The way I rationalize it to myself (and therefore force myself to understand) is to remember that most of the items I sell over $200-$300 are usually highly collectible or very specialized. If someone collects platinum widgets from around the world and I have one from Timbuktu I can't blame anyone from wanting to create an eBay account and bid... it just angers my ulcer 🙂

[katiusciav]

they could also very well be old timers with new id's...

[westernstargifts]

If I blocked new bidders I would lose a lot of my business. I think I attract them! I just try to give them as much info on how to do things as I can and have a lot of repeat business from newbies. They seem to be doing the most bidding on my listings lately.
Judy

[whoscloset]

Never look at FB scores of my buyers and have only been burned once in 3 years...and that turned out to be a large FB buyer.

I like EVERYONE's money. 🙂

[eureka9988]

I'm with you, Monique. I have not had bad luck with 0-5 feedbackers - I have had bad luck with more experienced EBayers. AND I also love anybody's money!
Renee

[cello10]

Never let the threat of negative feedback affect your business dealings on ebay. I say it often and I will say it again..if you do your best as a seller and you have items people want, you've got nothing to worry about.

Sell-ur-stuffs customer isn't a type of person exclusive to ebay...the world is filled with immature people who'd rather blame someone else for their mistakes. They'll say anything and twist their words whatever way needed to make you wrong and not them. He clearly stated what was up for auction, it was the customer that did the assuming. Ebay policy is clear, an auction is a contract, it is the sellers responsibility to state all the terms and it is the buyers to read them all. If they are going to be a child about things and threaten to never buy from you again, then so be it, who wants customers like that anyway?

Having said that, Ann's suggestion of possibly helping the customer find a charger is an excellent idea coming from a seasoned, savy seller. Personally, as we've built our business, we've always followed the sellers on these boards with the high feedback volume (not the lower ones) because they have the experience and are in this for the long-term and they all seemed to not let feedback bother them and never get too high or low emotionally when dealing with a bonehead customer. They deal with issues quickly and move on as all professionals seem to do.

They also understand, like we do, that tons of new customers are coming to ebay and that while yes some will be duds, the majority will be great new sources of business. To not give them the chance doesn't show much business sense. If you had a retail store would you kick out every new person who walked in??

[tea_past_times]

Hey Sean, is it Flip or Flop?? Running for the PQ??

[cello10]

Hey Tea...if I am misunderstanding your posts, my apologies...but do you have some sort of prob with Quebec or Quebecers?...You seem to mention Quebec a lot in your posts.

[tea_past_times]

You misunderstand

[tea_past_times]

I'm half french, of course I might reference Quebec in some of my discussions.:-p