When I respond to a question

[t_andcrumpets]

When I respond to a question about one of my listed items using my cellphone (mobile), the "unanswered" flag is not removed from the listed item, and the response is not recorded in the "messages" section of the Ebay website.   In most cases my response gets through, and the potential buyer sends another message, but sometimes it does not, and I do not hear from the buyer.  In all cases, I get confirmation from Ebay that I have responded by an email to me from Ebay, but despite this, it does not show up on  the listings and remains "unanswered".  Why is this?

This happened on my iphone, and now on my new Blackberry.  Same on both.

I pointed this out to Ebay Customer Service well over a year ago in a phone conversation with a service rep.  Nothing has changed.

[reallynicestamps]

Cellphones are useful for many purposes, they make good phones and excellent clocks for example, but there are many ways in which their performance is at best mediocre.

You seem to have found some of these.

If you don't have a laptop or desktop, you might be able to use one at work, school or the public library.

but sometimes it does not, and I do not hear from the buyer.

If the message shows as sent anywhere, and you don't hear from the buyer, it is likely she lost interest.

Here's some unsolicited advice:

You don't have to answer your phone.

You don't have to look at or answer texts.

There is no requirement that you reply to an email or text.

You can turn off your phone when you don't want to be disturbed.

And as a corollary of the last one, be prepared to be ignored by the real person in front of you if you grab your phone during an interaction with them.

[momcqueen]

I have found from experience that if I want my response to be noted within the app on my iPhone, I need to go to the app to reply to it.

Answering a buyer's query via my email program will send them the message but give me no official record of that reply via ebay.

As answered by the previous respondent, I do find it better to go to my desktop to reply to most messages. That way, I can check things like the other member's Feedback Left For Others to see if I even want to put myself in a position to do business with them. This is precautionary only, I think there has been only a handful of times that I decided from a Question that the person asking it would best be avoided. 

For the most part, questions should be welcomed. It means to me that someone seeks information not included and, if that is the case, there is a box to check at the bottom to add the Q and A to the listing. 

Oh, and the Unanswered thing can be addressed in a dropdown menu beside the item but only if you are looking at it on a proper desktop. 

[mcrlmn]

For a week I've had an 'UNANSWERED QUESTION' flag.

I responded on my PC, and the buyer responded to that message, yet 'UNANSWERED QUESTION' remains.

It's a distraction, and not the first time. I just ignore it.

[mcrlmn]

@mjwl2006:
"the Unanswered thing can be addressed in a dropdown menu beside the item but only if you are looking at it on a proper desktop. "

lol... Too easy! Much appreciated! That took care of it.
I've previously responded via the dropdown menu and obviously never noticed "Mark as answered'