'See photos for condition' scam
Summary: carlschrode-0 expresses frustration with eBay sellers who use vague descriptions like 'see photos for condition,' finding this inadequate especially for vintage tools with potential issues that might not be visible in photos. stainlessenginecovers argues that buyers can use eBay's return policy if items don't meet expectations, opposing detailed mandates for descriptions. gosimus suggests using 'Not As Described' returns to address undisclosed problems, while both ryry-jj and adamcartwright share their selling experiences, emphasizing the challenges of providing exhaustive details in listings. Several participants advise asking sellers detailed questions before purchasing or checking seller feedback to ensure reliability, while others acknowledge the impracticality for eBay to enforce comprehensive condition disclosures for all items.
Ebay really needs to require that sellers disclose, in the item description, the true condition of their items, instead of letting them get away with the 'see photos for condition' scam. I buy vintage tools (to use, not to hang on the wall) and IMO the majority of sellers know nothing about the tools they are selling, or are trying to get away with selling items with missing parts, or who mis-identify them. Photos are not enough, sellers should be required to describe completely the condition of their items. Photos don't show everything, a lot of sellers post bad pics, and photos are useless to anyone who relies on a screen reader. The majority of the time I don't get a reply when I ask about missing or damaged parts. Those sellers go on my blocklist.
robot-hands
·2 months ago · EditedListen, I don't normally source junk but when I do, I have a ludicrous amount of detail on what is wrong and I still get stupid returns from buyers that don't read.
...and when I do have lapse of judgement and list sizes and condition I get goofs asking me if I measured right.
The amount of listings I do... the risk reward is that I make my listing quickly and move on, especially if the item is under $100. I can't set up my store with one person in mind. If that one person doesn't like the 10 upclose pictures I have, I'm sure I still have a shot with one of the other 150 million buyers...and if I don't I can always throw the item out and move on to another.
You don't get sellers responding to you because you have 91 feedback and you ask questions. To lots of sellers the more communication you have with a buyer the less likely of the chance of a good transaction there is.
...and you don't have a seller block list, no one does.
mudshark61369
·2 months ago@carlschrode-0 ,
When buying on ebay, you should check each seller's feedback profile. You want to see if the seller has experience selling the items they list. There are many sellers who are cleaning out the closet, selling inherited items, or handling an estate. They do not all know what it is that they are selling and for some reason they do not take the time to look up the items they are not familiar with. In some cases with older items, there's not much info available on line. All you can do is to continue what you're already doing ask questions, and if you do not get an answer or an incomplete one, move on.
kensgiftshop
·2 months agoThe best way to deal with those sellers is to not buy from them.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 months ago · EditedSome items require a detailed condition report, and buyers should not buy without one.
Other items really do not. I have listed 50+ items in the past week that have high resolutions scans which show every flaw. Most are minor.
On a few items I added information on a more serious flaw.
These items are not worth the time to generate a detailed condition report.
If you feel the need for more info, you can either message the seller, or move on to another listing.
Most sellers will not mind if you choose not to buy their item.
And yes, some will ignore your message because they do not wish expend any extra effort to get your order.
kathiec
·2 months ago@carlschrode-0
And how do you propose eBay enforce this requirement? There are, on an average day, 2 billion listings on eBay. How is eBay supposed to judge whether the description expresses the true condition for 2 billion items they've never seen?
Don't get me wrong, I totally feel your pain. What irks me more than 'see photos for condition' are the AI descriptions that say nothing. But I have a simple solution. If it's an item I can't find elsewhere I ask the seller questions. If they don't answer, I move on. If I can find it elsewhere, I move on.
bonanza125
·2 months ago · EditedWhat I would advise is to ask any seller who you are looking to purchase an item from questions before making the purchase. You can ask for a better description of the item. If they don't reply which I know you have had that issue then do not buy from them. Sellers who don't put in the effort to reply back do not deserve your business. If you do buy and the item isn't as described return it. Honestly there really isn't much else Ebay can do for you. They can't make sellers describe an item anymore than they should. The rely on the seller to describe whatever they are selling accurately and they rely on buyers to ask all questions up front before making a purchase.
adamcartwright
·2 months agoI'm a seller and can understand your frustration.
Listing takes me a lot of time, because I try to be thorough with the description and photos.
I get frustrated when I'm trying to shop for apparel and the seller doesn't include measurements.
No buyer wants to waste time asking basic questions about the item or having to return stuff.
Just avoid those sellers who don't conduct themselves professionally.
ryry-jj
·2 months agoI use the "see photos for actual condition", although I try my best to describe there is always something you cant quite describe or impossible to list every thing that is less than 100% perfect....most except some imperfections, others cant accept not being told everything. Year ago I had a potential buyer tell me, "when they buy on line they expect it to be perfect" .... I expect they are often disappointed.
I actually list for the majority not the minority, but hope I can catch all! In the meantime, "see photos for actual conditions"
gosimus
·2 months ago@carlschrode-0
< IMO the majority of sellers know nothing about the tools they are selling >
Many times when you can't decide whether a motive is cupidity or stupidity, it's usually the latter. If you want to teach these sellers to do better, start opening Not As Described returns when there's a problem that wasn't disclosed, either in the description or the pictures. The pictures are considered part of the description, so NAD is appropriate.
carlschrode-0
OP2 months agoYou missed the part how photos are no good to people with impaired vision. Selling 101 is complete accurate product decriptions, sellers who think that is an undue burden are not trustworthy.
gosimus
·2 months ago< You missed the part how photos are no good to people with impaired vision >
This appears to be a non sequitur. For the record, I read the entire thing; I didn't miss anything.
carlschrode-0
OP2 months agoIt's not the buyer's job to teach sellers how to do their jobs the right way. I didn't expect all you touchy sellers here in the Buyer's forum, but hey the more the merrier.
albertabrightalberta
·2 months agoNo one disagrees that good sellers have good listings with lots of clear and definitive pictures and a description that's clear, concise and accurate.
But as a member with just 3 feedbacks as a seller and those were from years ago, perhaps you aren't aware of the work involved in preparing good listings.
This isn't intended to be critical of members who only buy but just as you may not know the intricasies of selling, the sellers you're complaining about may not be buyers and may not realize what buyers need to know.
stainlessenginecovers
·2 months agoand you are a buyer that should NEVER buy ANYTHING on the internet; only in person where you can actually SEE things
stainlessenginecovers
·2 months agoWhy??
ALL buyers have the 30 Day Money Back Guarantee to back them.
Telling sellers 'HOW' they should 'write descriptions' is nothing short of also telling them
HOW many pictures to take
What lighting to use for pictures and deny those that don't fit the bill
HOW long the description should read
HOW much they should sell the item for
NONE Of the above will EVER happen.
Didn't in the LA Times when people advertised either.
Bottom line; you can either move on to another seller or ask questions before you buy.
carlschrode-0
OP2 months agoYou sound like a seller to avoid.
stainlessenginecovers
·2 months ago@carlschrode-0 and you the same, a buyer to avoid.