eBay

no_zero369 · ‎11-28-2018

So I have a few items listed as BIN with a BO available. These are items that would require Signature Confirmation per ebay policy, to give an idea about what level I am talking. Also, I wish to speak in general terms as such seems more useful than talking about one item, since such a discussion might not translate to other items. And I don't want to give any specific examples as it seems like any advice generated from that would apply to only that one situation, which is not what I'm seeking.

Oh sure I have gotten stupid low-ball offers (25% of value) and added a few persistent at that game to a BBL. AND I have sold a few items to lovely buyers, mostly with HIGH FB scores and who were responsive in discussions or negotiations. One can't be afraid to sell or they shouldn't be on this site. Yet there is a balance somewhere between appropriate caution and just being stupid paranoid.

But then there are a few BOs I have gotten from buyers with FB scores in the 10 or less range (even on with zero). Now that is of concern because they are new and may not know the rules. But I don't eliminate them on that basis alone. Everyone needs to start somewhere and helping newbies have a good ebay experience is good for all sellers.

So kind of looking at how one might approach the buyers that are giving BOs in general - how to be appropriately cautious without being paranoid?

Some of the things that come to mind as possible approaches are:

Look at FB they have given, But what level of gray or red donuts is too many?
Look at their zip code: what are the demographics for that zip? [houses value, average income, # of houses in area are in foreclosure?]
Have a friendly exchange via ebay email to gage credibility, etc.

Now I know these are not hard fast rules, just ideas and sure one buyer's green is the same as any others regardless of many factors. But just wondering since those idea probably wouldn't work or are stupid paranoid approaches, what are the approaches one would use ?

Sure some are going to say it is simple, either they hit my target price or not. And sure, it seems like USA buyers don't like to haggle or mess with any "annoying" conversation. Just take my offer and leave me alone.

So what approach does one use to be appropriately cautious?

Hopefully we can have a thoughtful discussion and share some ideas/approaches! Have seen many give some really good advice on what they say in certain situations - so hope some of those are still around and not buried under holiday shipping!

Thanks to all willing to help!

emerald40 · ‎11-28-2018

Look at FB they have given, But what level of gray or red donuts is too many?
Look at their zip code: what are the demographics for that zip? [houses value, average income, # of houses in area are in foreclosure?]
Have a friendly exchange via ebay email to gage credibility, etc.

__________________________________________________________

True scammers never leave a paper trail. Why leave feedback that can out them as a scammer?

I live in a typical middle class area in a home below my means. Maybe that is why I can afford expensive jewelry. Many who live in very expensive areas are way over extended.

And again I have had scammers who were as polite as can be. They know how to fool you.

None of this is fullproof. When you sell here you take chances. That is why we have seasoned sellers who would never sell anything over $50.

So the only thing you can go 100% by is - Do not list anything you cannot afford to lose.

femmefan1946 · ‎11-28-2018

With guest buyers/ 0 feedback you could have an experienced seller shopping for family gifts.

Or a scammer.

I would never have thought of zipcodes-- but even there your zipcodes seem to cover a pretty big area. Our Canadian postal codes are well under 100 addresses. My own covers only one city block with mostly detatched houses. So zips would not seem particularly useful.

One thing you did not mention would be the category-- as opposed to price.

I sell on several IDs.

With stamps, sewing patterns and books, I'm quite happy to ship without even tracking. I have a $200 order in my bag for the PO right now without tracking.

But my SF and gaming stuff goes tracked because: ever heard of Gamergate? There are some weirdos in the community.

fr8hvnhet0 · ‎11-28-2018

@no_zero369 wrote:
Yet there is a balance somewhere between appropriate caution and just being stupid paranoid.

So kind of looking at how one might approach the buyers that are giving BOs in general - how to be appropriately cautious without being paranoid?

Please explain how do you think most of these paranoid sellers got to that point?

You don't think they never thought about that part in blue?

It is exactly when you have your perfect little setup, selling like green and blue and red, that means you can do this and this is all right too but don't do that... Everything is good for a bit and then!!! The GRAY AREA Buyer shows up!!!

Oh noooo!!!

What to do!?!?!!

Oh yes, if everything was as simple as green and blue and red we wouldn't even be having these discussions.

I also just now noticed there is a smidgeon of a difference between this color black and the default color black.

Did you see that?

Here I will highlight it:

I also noticed there is a smideon of a difference between this color black <- is slightly darker

and the default color black. <- is just a little bit lighter.

Do we sell to the darker color buyer or not?

And if no, are we being overly paranoid?

pburn · ‎11-28-2018

@no_zero369 wrote:

Look at FB they have given, But what level of gray or red donuts is too many?
Look at their zip code: what are the demographics for that zip? [houses value, average income, # of houses in area are in foreclosure?]

Oh, my. With all due respect, I cannot find the words to express how offensive I find this.

ed8108 · ‎11-28-2018

Express yourself, it's OK

ads*and*ends · ‎11-28-2018

#1 - OK (you decide the amount you're comfortable with)
#2 - all I got out of this idea is that if I live in Detroit, I can't get no Faberge egg
#3 - gross

no_zero369 · ‎11-29-2018

@fr8hvnhet0 wrote:
@no_zero369 wrote:
Yet there is a balance somewhere between appropriate caution and just being stupid paranoid.

So kind of looking at how one might approach the buyers that are giving BOs in general - how to be appropriately cautious without being paranoid?

Please explain how do you think most of these paranoid sellers got to that point?
You don't think they never thought about that part in blue?

OK, you asked so I'll play along - just once.... since it is OT.

In my experience, the paranoia comes from fear and/or lack of experience/knowledge. As I mentioned if one is afraid to sell then they probably should do something else.

I started selling and read threads and all that anyone reads are the bad experiences. That is because it is only the bad experiences that people post about, the 1 in 100,000 transactins that go badly. So read enough of that and one could get the impression that every sale is a potential loss and likely a scammer waiting to get you. So that is one way to have gotten fear.

Second, I can see where a number of returns or refunds could happen to sellers and thus they get paranoid of it happening again. But what I see when I shop is that at least 10% of sellers need some basic "education" into selling. I have dealt with a number of them - those that do not read the policies or don't understand them. You see many of them on these threads jumping up & down because they got a SNAD and their policy is "no returns"! So paranoia can come from a place of "ignorance" or being uneducated about how things work. So you learn how things work and you plan for contingencies. (Which is what I am trying to do - understand how others evaluate buyers giving BOs on expensive items.)

So yeah, once one gets educated as to how things work, then learns the "secrets" on how to handle things professionally, has plans in place for contingencies, then no need to be fearful or paranoid - just run the business like a business!