Lack of customer service.
Summary: The discussion centers on whether buyers asking questions are problematic, with participants sharing varied experiences and opinions. quadcitypickers relayed a Facebook thread suggesting to block such buyers, which many agreed with. Others, like kibble-net and bonanza125, emphasized the importance of being an advocate for buyers and pointed out that not all questions indicate trouble. Some sellers, such as linenandlaceltd and shire123, shared instances where buyer questions led to problematic interactions. Meanwhile, mam98031 and sin-n-dex noted that encouraging questions can lead to successful sales, suggesting that the nature of the question and the buyer’s attitude are crucial factors.
I was reading a thread on a Facebook reselling group, mentioning that "any buyer who asks a question is almost always trouble and should be blocked".
The crazy thing? People mostly agreed with them and shared they do the same thing.
smaffet
·2 days agoMost questions are no problem but if they ask about something already in the title or description, red flag for future trouble! Also buyers who send absurd offers.
kidzschoolfund
·2 days agoDepends on the question. A simple question, not a big deal. Ask some very specific questions or ask me to assure them of certain things or ask more questions after the first one is answered, I usually do block them. I find people that are so particular, will ultimately find a reason to not be happy and either leave a negative or want a return. Either way, not worth it. Sometimes, I actually tell them that they seem overly concerned and that online shopping might not be for them and then I block them.
12345jamesstamps
·2 days agoI find those who ask questions are usually 'drama' buyers in my category.
I had one last week I should have blocked but didn't after so many questions.
Buyer asked me cancel the order.
Had another buyer the other day who left feedback just after the purchase of me charging for shipping...and we never talked about that.
So, yea...I agree with the statement.
onefootflipper
·2 days agoUltimately any communication from the buyer before purchase greatly increases the chances of a return or a claim. The stupider the question or the more questions there are then the higher chance the customer either wastes your time and never purchases or purchases and opens a claim later. This is very well documented.
There are ebay sellers who have sold in one niche for 20 years who block everyone who ever messages them and they still stay in business. You know why? The pool of customers is essentially endless, and you don't have to engage with the ones who telegraph the fact that they might cost you money.
I don't usually block on the first question, but I am not slow to block.
Things that will cause me to block on the first question are any questions about smells or about the sizing or condition of used clothing items. Those people are walking return machines.
sin-n-dex
·2 days agoAsking about smells or sizing kind of indicates they aren't quite all there... they imagine smells (some people do), and they aren't familiar with the fit of what they're buying so they will likely want to return it. Lots of returns come back damaged so the INAD has merit. This is why I won't sell clothing online, I bring i to the consignment shop in my city and take their 40% payout on the sale instead. A couple of weeks ago I bought a skirt based on measurements in the photo, and it turned out to be way too big (so much so that I can't wear it). It's in the drawer for the consignment shop next time I go, I won't return it, plus most of the cost was shipping anyway, so I'm not looking at getting much money back for the return. One shouldn't buy clothing on eBay unless one is prepared to potentially lose their money over fit, clothing is hard to buy when you can't try it on.
sassykzt
·2 days agoMy favorite questions are the ones asked after the package has shipped!
sin-n-dex
·2 days agoIf I blocked everyone who asked a question I'd be making no sales.
I had a guy send me a message during the night to ask about a discount if he bought three coins, and combined shipping. I answered him and we exchanged a few messages. Now I have $45 plus shipping for the three coins. (And I've been complaining about sales this week, so this is a sale I'm happy to make).
mam98031
·2 days agoSadly some sellers think that way. It is only true if the original message is rude or otherwise shows potential problems. But simply asking a question should not be seen as an issue. I have always encouraged by buyers to ask question as they need to, especially before purchasing. I have never blocked a buyer for simply asking a question.
grann-4629
·2 days agoSome sellers may think that answering a question from a buyer means an upcoming sale and they get upset when nothing happens. It's part of business to ask questions if you are not sure about an item and the seller who blocks them may as well shoot him/herself in the foot too 😎
sin-n-dex
·2 days agoGetting a question helps me tout my store and let them know what kind of service I offer (like how shipping works from Canada). I like it when buyers ask questions. I had another question yesterday and it resulted in a sale, a small sale, but a sale none the less.
gloryglorygifts
·2 days agoI would have disagreed. Sometimes things aren't on the listing or I am missing a photo of the back, so questions are justified. I rarely, if ever, get more than one question about an item. I'll answer just about every one of them.
bonanza125
·2 days agoI go by my personal experience. It really depends on the question being asked. If someone is asking basic questions like does the item work or do you ship within business day that is fine. If someone asks about condition and needing multiple photos of certain spots as in they are looking for mint condition item and questioning a good condition item then that can cause an issue. I wouldn't block people just because they ask any question. I only block people who makes direct threats to me or they have serious issues about whatever and I make the decision at that time I don't want to get involved with this person. Example I got a question recently Why are you being so greedy? That's a person I blocked immediately and didn't even respond back.
grann-4629
·2 days agoWhen only the cover of a DVD or record is shown in the listing, is it OK to ask the seller to post a picture of the back where the information is shown?
participatrophy
·2 days agoIn the last two months I've had two buyers message me asking questions they could've answered themselves had they looked at the pictures on the listings. Well guess what? In both cases when I clicked through to look at each listing myself, there was an error message across the top that said "Your listing is successful but there's a problem with your Gallery picture". From a prospective buyer's perspective, the first photo was the only picture present on the listings. Anyway, long story short the first ended up buying and left me some very nice feedback, the second determined my item wasn't what they were looking for, and I was alerted to some nonsense happening with my listings. Win-win in my book.
As to your question – it takes, what, less than a minute to fire off a quick message? Maybe two if you're using a phone? Unless you can't live without it and no one else has it available, I'd ask the question and wouldn't give it a second thought.
sin-n-dex
·2 days agoIf I sense a buyer wants a "perfect" item, I will make sure I tell them the items are all pre-owned or used, and not perfect, and if they're looking for perfect, my store is not the place. I've had buyers thank me for my honesty, and some of them return later and buy something. I'd rather someone go away if they want perfect than buy and be disappointed (which would lead to INAD or returns).
bonanza125
·2 days agoI agree
chapeau-noir
·2 days agoI think these individuals are indulging in black and white thinking (very vogue these days), when in fact what questions and how many is a bigger factor. But I guess it's easier for lazy thinkers to lump it all into one category.
lakefor94
·2 days agoI have it at the ~3rd question. That may tend to raise a question.
Though I must do a decent job with the pics and description as I don't get that often.
bbcardzman
·2 days agoIn my 23+ years of experience on eBay not all people with questions are problems BUT if you get more than 5 or 6 questions and most of them could have been answered by reading the listing then YES I definitely block them because I guarantee they will open up a return soon after they get it.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 days agoThose participants in the group may have gone a bit overboard. There are buyers who ask reasonable and meaningful questions. I hear from them occasionally.
There are buyers who are clueless, intellectually challenges or malicious, who are best blocked. Sometimes after answering their question, sometimes without answering their question.
There are buyers who would like you to research the content of an item you are offering which does not merit the time it would take to answer them.
There are buyers who ask a stupid question as an excuse to include a request that you lower a price to an unacceptable level.
Even a seller who has lots of customer service experience and skills needs to block some buyers. They only portend trouble. As an old antique dealer shared with me, years ago - "No business is better than bad business". When you sell on Ebay, you need to take that wisdom to heart.
linenandlaceltd
·2 days agoIt depends on the question. Unfortunately, any time people come to me and ask me questions beyond "What's the lowest you'll take?" they almost always cause problems of some kind or waste my time.
I had a lady the other day interested in a pair of jeans I'm selling for a family member, that wanted me to help this lady. Normally I'd tell her I can't help and block.
She wanted the jeans, but needed a belt to wear with them for work. She went on about details of her work, not liking belts and what kind of belt I think would be best. Even was interested in a belt of mine, asking a bunch of questions I answered. She didn't understand the responses I told her as she'd go on and on about concerns I just answered. I told her I couldn't help her anymore, more than once. She replied, "well you could show me [the belt] on the jeans lol" Not only was she expecting me to have a long conversation telling her what to do, I was supposed to get these items out of storage and model them for her. For like $7-10 eBay would give me. And she had an attitude about it. I told her I didn't appreciate the attitude after trying to help her and told her best of luck finding what she was looking for and blocked.
Had another guy a few days ago too, wanted a pair of NWT pants of mine. He sent an offer I declined. He then countered 50 cents more and insisted I give them to him because he got 2 pairs NWT of a different brand for less each than what I was asking and that it was his final offer. I countered 50 cents more and told him that was my final offer, which was several dollars less than other NWT pants of this style has sold for. He didn't buy them, which I knew he wouldn't. Blocked him too.
These were just the situations I've encountered this week. People are telling you before they buy they're going to be nothing but trouble, because you cannot please these people. The lady would've likely eventually bought them and complained about something with it and may have been an INAD to get out of paying for return shipping. The guy probably would've tried to find a way to keep my pants and his money based on how cheap he was being if I accepted his offer.
The good buyers are the ones that don't even contact you, or ask a polite brief question about something that isn't a weird question that you didn't already mention.
Anyone that's demanding in any way of you is not worth your time.
shire123
·2 days agoDepends on the question. If it was something that was clearly stated in the listing then that person might be a problem. Given how little protection a seller has it might be best to avoid any possible (even if small) issue.
If the question would be classified as "unreasonable" then a block might be needed.
kibble-net
·2 days agoSuccessful sellers try to be their buyer's advocate.
Unsuccessful sellers try to be their buyer's adversary.
There's an old saying, "don't bite the hand that feeds you".
yeswayrecords
·2 days agoThere is also an old saying, "the customer is always right."
It is truly puzzling how some could think that a paying customer is their adversary.
People in the past understood that the person who is supporting you financially is not your enemy.
However, scammers are not customers, which is a different topic altogether :)
chapeau-noir
·2 days agoI tend more towards "It takes patience and good nerves to sell online".
People are dealing with the World online, but expect everyone to act like themselves.
chapeau-noir
·2 days agoI had answered this but the post went poof because I was mean to Fakebook. Let's see how long this one is up.
mamacassidy
·2 days agoI recently clicked on a YouTube video from a reseller just to see what they had to say. Since then, my entire algorithm has been bombarded with reseller content, including these Facebook people. I read a couple of them out of sheer curiosity, but all the comments I read seemed to be from very new/ inexperienced sellers. We see them here occasionally on these boards, but I was genuinely surprised by how unknowledgeable and/ or inaccurate they were about policies and yet were so bold to shout them out to the world on Facebook. I definitely won't be wasting any time with those again.
quadcitypickers
OP2 days ago · Edited.