Annoying questions buyers ask.

[patmos-8]

It's not a great time to be an eBay seller.  Judging from the posts on this forum, I'm not the only one struggling with low morale.  I thought it might be fun to share our favorite common/annoying questions we get from buyers.  I'll start with two and I'm genuinely excited to read some of yours.

1. "What's the lowest you'll go?"  So you're basically saying you want to do business with me, but you want it to be as unprofitable as possible for me as well.  Nice.  Imagine going to a job interview and the interviewer says "what's the lowest wage you'd accept?"  Yeah, I'll pass.

2.  "Any rips, holes, stains?"  Yes, this item is covered in blemishes, but I purposely hid them in the photos and didn't mention them in the description.  With my 60-day free return policy, I figured that would be prudent.  You've uncovered my diabolical plot to make my fortune.  

[maxine*j]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

How many knives in the 7pce knife block set? ...

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And if you shop on Amazon, you see the same in the questions about products:  Can I use this on wood?  Picture on box says:  SAFE ON ALL WOODS!   Will this support a desktop computer?  Bold red lettering in photo with small table says:  SUPPORTS UP TO 450 POUNDS!    What are these towels made of?  Ad clearly states:  100% RINGSPUN COTTON!  And so on.   Sometimes I've bought products that ended up with buyers' questions, and Amazon emails me to see if I'll answer.  HA!

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[patmos-8]

I'm pretty sure someone from this thread trolled me today.  I literally got a message that said "What's the lowest you'll go and any rips, stains, or flaws?" 😅

[maxine*j]

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@pickapaper wrote:

I frequently get messages from buyers who ask me to sell them one item out of a lot/group of items I have listed... the price of the ones on his want list would have to be a lot higher and would he agree to that?  No, of course not.  

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I knew a seller who used to do that with book lots:  If someone messaged asking to be sold just certain titles out of the lot, he always replied that he would be delighted to do so, but to note that books sold individually were $X each instead of the average cost of $X each when sold in lots.  That individual price was pretty stiff, compared to the average price.   I think he said that out of many, many such requests only two buyers ever took him up on the offer.

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[mam98031]

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@patmos-8 wrote:

I'm pretty sure someone from this thread trolled me today.  I literally got a message that said "What's the lowest you'll go and any rips, stains, or flaws?" 😅

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Why would that be someone from this thread?  It sound like a normal question that various buyers typically send?

[chapeau-noir]

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@patmos-8 wrote:

I'm pretty sure someone from this thread trolled me today.  I literally got a message that said "What's the lowest you'll go and any rips, stains, or flaws?" 😅

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They didn't ask you if there were any 'tares' or sequences???

[justafemster]

If I'm inclined to reply, I say sure, but your purchase will include XXX (the rest of the items) free of charge.  Or you can purchase individually for XXX times 20.  

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

Those one's always make me laugh, sometimes you read on the boards - ''I contactd the seller and asked if'' they were genuine....... is the item authentic......... is the diamond real..........

Seriously, who does this and what is the point? A good seller could be offended and a scam seller is going to lie LOL

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The same people who ask you at the airport if you put explosives in your luggage.   If I were a terrorist, I'm probably not going to tell you.  KWIM?

[vintagecraze50]

Had a good one today. $230 something item and worth every penny and then some based on similar products sold everywhere online. Would you take 80 dollars for this. UH NO!!! ABSOLUTELY INSULTING IDIOT offers on this website at times. 

[gdiesel70]

When I’m selling something “as-is”that’s already deeply discounted to reflect its condition someone will usually ask something like this:

“Would you take (insert low offer) because I will need to have it repaired?”

This is $350 brand new. It sells for $200 in excellent used condition. Mine is priced at $80 because of a tiny flaw. You’re offering $40 because you will *need*  to have an inconspicuous scuff mark repaired?  Not my problem.

Another variation of that (and I’ve been getting this a lot lately)

“Would you take (a huge chunk off the price) because I have to pay for shipping and sales tax?”

You want me to sell this at break-even price because you live in California, and have to pay high sales tax and shipping?

Well I have to pay eBay and the IRS.

“If you include free shipping I can pay for this right away”

Oh honey, this is a buy-it-now listing. You kinda sorta have to pay right away—you’re not doing me any favors!

[downunder-61]

😂😂😂😂😂 Classic    

[blu_owlie]

When an item is listed as $50 with calculated shipping and they say "I'll give you $50 if you make it free shipping", I like to respond with "We can not pay shipping costs for you."

[mam98031]

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@blu_owlie wrote:

When an item is listed as $50 with calculated shipping and they say "I'll give you $50 if you make it free shipping", I like to respond with "We can not pay shipping costs for you."

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@blu_owlie 

You can tell the buyer that making an offer is only for the price of the product, they aren't suppose to try and negotiate the shipping.

[craft-stash]

Had the classic...

Whats the ststus of my order? Today when it clearly says when the order ship by on the page!

You cant ask Amazon that question so why do it here?

I don't  offer 1 day shipping so why bother me...is it JUST because they can.

EBay needs to stop this nonsense. 

🇺🇸

[oneglassman]

You really should be glad they are even asking!  Why does it take 5 days for shipping & handling on small items? I am just very curious. And yes, you can ask Amazon about the shipping status. 

[knappys_komics_and_kollectibles]

I think a lot of these e-mail offer ding-dongs just want an additional offer to waste. Ebay gives them 5 freaking chances, and they know by starting lowball they will eat them all up in no time. The probing e-mail gives them a 6th chance, or a rock bottom starting point to begin their offer game. I can sort out online browsers after 2 or 3 offers, then I just block them. My time is worth more than entertaining them.  Serious buyers are reasonable. Browsing fools are not.