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I'm about ready to scream - why can't buyers read anymore?
Summary: quadcitypickers expresses frustration over buyers not reading the provided information in listings, especially when using mobile devices. Despite including detailed descriptions and additional photos, they still receive repeated, unnecessary queries, such as asking if a phone is unlocked when it's clearly stated. Another participant, bozdutchman, shares similar issues, noting that despite providing detailed shipping information, buyers frequently overlook it and ask repetitive questions about international shipping costs.
I've had not less than 10 buyers message me in a week asking simple questions that are answered either in the title or description.
TEN! I wish I was making this up, but I'm not.
I've started putting a 2nd photo up that shows buyer's where to click to view full description if they are using eBay on a mobile device, and that didn't make things any better.
I literally listed a phone an hour ago and put Verizon in the title, and in the description:
"Currently on the Verizon network, I do not know if it can be unlocked to be used on other networks".
10 minutes later: "Good afternoon, is the phone unlocked?"
ARGH!H!H!
mod-xarain
·2 weeks agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
bozdutchman
·2 weeks agoI spend many hours documenting exactly what I have found preparing a used item for sale and customers just blow right past it. I too am sick of it. But the worst, when ALL my listings include international shipping is, how much to ship to Norway?
Why is it so hard for international buyers to see their landed cost for an item?
mkaczorsee
·1 year agoHad this one recently
“Is this black or just sort of black? I don’t want really black just a little black.â€
and this one today…
“Is this a 34B. Not my size but I like this. Do you think this will fit me?â€
coastaltechsolution
·1 year ago@mkaczorsee
Why don't you know if it will fit? 🤣
an-57470
·1 year agoAs some have stated, Phones.
The fact that many have learned that they don't have to read to get by in life as well. Some just go through life like a stationary filter feeder in the ocean letting the currents bring everything to them. Not caring to attain anything meaningful in life. They let the rest of society provide what they need and see no need to bother.
Societal barnacles.
coastaltechsolution
·1 year agoIf their favorite influencer on TikTok does not explain everything to them then it's not worth it to them.
gloryglorygifts
·1 year agoReminds me of a buyer a few years ago. They opened a return and gave me a neg because the holy water bottle they purchased was empty. What did my title say? HOLY WATER NOT INCLUDED. What did my description say? The same. Of course, I got the neg removed but still, it just goes to show you just how much people do not read anything. Not even a title sometimes.
movieman630
·1 year agoThat's like the people who use a coin in their photos as a size reference have to put in the description that the "Coin is not included and for reference only" because years ago someone complained that they didn't get the coin in the photo too.
gloryglorygifts
·1 year agoLOL. Now that's really funny! 😂
baantiques
·1 year agoIMHE they've NEVER been able to read.
Lately, they don't look at the pictures either
wirkaholic
·1 year ago@quadcitypickers I think that is genius! It is so hard for people to find the description link on mobile version. That will show them how. Yes, I know were not supposed to put text in pictures but I think something like this should be and exception. I've seen people put the descrition in pictures. Until Ebay puts the descrition right under the pictures in the mobile app, I think sellers should do what they have to do.
Good sellers want their customers to be happy and know what they are getting. Then they can always message if it's still not clear.
Also now with the Facebook feed I'm sure we are going to get more new buyers not familiar with Ebay.
animal-house-8
·1 year agoI think most of them just want to see if you will give them a 90% off deal.
meme6253
·1 year agoScream, Go Ahead & Let It Out!!, Maybe they don't teach reading in school anymore, It does seem like an Epidemic.
jrkirk
·1 year agoAs others have said, finding the description using a phone is nearly impossible on some apps. I often try, and have often also failed. I prefer to buy using the computer for that reason, but some only use a phone.
movieman630
·1 year agoIn my opinion ebay has made the listing view page too crowded. Most people are using their phones, I can only imagine how ugly those listing pages are on a phone.
Years ago when your listing page was just the info you provided things were a lot less confusing. I can remember a time when ebay would only cross promote YOUR items on your listing page.
I think the over saturation with cross-promotion and ads has gotten a little out of hand. People just don't want to look for the description anymore.
johnrj1226
·1 year agoMaybe those early cellphones that were big as a loaf of bread were designed for the future with on line buying guess mankind skewed it up again.
Once upon a time, but within my life time and working career, there were standards for the minimum size font - me thinks it is about the size of a dried up cherry tomato seed.
soh.maryl
·1 year agoWhen a question is asked by a potential buyer and the answer is plainly seen in the description, think of it as a potential sale, grit your teeth and answer politely: "Yes, the shirt IS a size 10, really good quality fabric and I really believe it would make a great addition to your wardrobe".
johnrj1226
·1 year agoAny time a shopper inquires about anything in my listings (even it is already stated), always took that a positive interest sign way much much better than "doing the walk on by".
OK go ahead and scream - you might feel mo' betta'
just-me
·1 year agoMany times it makes me a little annoyed, but when I have looked on a mobile app, it seems to get to the description you have to click on stuff. I will often tell them that it can be difficult to see the description on a mobile device and here is a copy and paste of the description, hoping that they know to look for a description in the future.
inhawaii
·1 year agoWhy is the general public not so smart? It's anybodys guess.
chevymontecarlo88
·1 year agoYou don't have to guess to understand why it is so.
77% of highschoolers in Baltimore read at the elementary level. 23 schools in Baltimore have "Zero" students that are proficient in math. We have been failing our children for decades. Sad!
ps. Great song from Larry Graham. His bass playing is out of this world. One of the OG of the slap bass sound.
coastaltechsolution
·1 year ago@inhawaii
Because they are not as handsome as you are ðŸ˜
chapeau-noir
·1 year agoThat app is just...ugh.
bashort
·1 year agocorrect, I was trying to answer a question from the app, something I rarely do and I knew that the answer was in the description but for the life of me I could not get to the description.
In any case I just answer the questions, not really that big a deal as long as I am at my pc
moretreasures4you
·1 year agoIt is because on an iPhone (I don't know about others) when you are looking at an item on eBay you have to scroll down and CLICK ON "SEE ITEM DESCRIPTION". There are many people that do not do this and thus have to ask questions that would be answered if they clicked it! My biggest complaint with eBay for sure!!!!
chapeau-noir
·1 year agoAt least they said "Good afternoon."
Let it roll off your back - there are all sorts of reasons for this and the annoyance can be countered with at least they're seeing your items, and there's an opportunity to boost your great CS with a quick, friendly answer.
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoWith all the scams with phones, maybe buyer wanted to hear from the seller to see what kind of seller you are?
fashunu4eeuh
·1 year agoOne of the ongoing annoyances that comes with online selling, but your including the photo of the way to find the item description is brilliant.
This could also be an opportunity to speak directly to an interested potential buyer. You did the hard work of getting them to your listing, so one could show their customer service skills and further the goal of making a sale. If not this item, they may browse others at your invitation or direction. “Looking for an unlocked phone? please see my other listing(s) etc.â€
Unavailable member
·1 year agoWhy can’t buyers read at all? That has been an ongoing question for years.
I recently had a rash of buyers myself, asking questions that can be easily answered by reading the description.
One example “who is reading these audiobooks?â€. My answer “in my listing each audiobook title has the name of the reader just below it.â€
I could have copied and pasted the entire description in the message. But I didn’t.
In hind sight maybe I should have, lol.
The other was “Is this not an MP3 disc? I don’t want MP3.†No mention of MP3 in that particular listing. I just answered “no it is not an MP3 CD.â€
Buyers like that tend to be problems later on….in the best buddy list they go!
jbbowers12012
·1 year agoHi, Only Recently - Here in New Jersey we have had a few potentional buyers asking for measurments of some of items that are clearly stated in our Titles - & our Item Specifics. We dont' really mind much & gladly answer any questions with a smile - "Any View Is A Good View After All" - It just seems a bit silly. (J.B.)