Blocking Dumb Question-Askers

[bookatron]

Some customers who ask questions are smart. Sometimes I've forgotten to disclose something, or there's an issue I should have anticipated. No problem!

But most appear to be needy, dumb, and/or paranoid. They ask questions answered in the listing, or need me to be their shopping concierge. Some imagine that interrogation will reveal my evil, dishonest intent (I may lie in my listings, but couldn't possibly stand up to direct questioning!). They don't understand how eBay works, which means they'll be problematic in other ways.

I don't have the order flow of most of you, but I've been here since 1997, and have decided that dumb question-askers are much much more likely to be problem customers. So I block them. 

Anyone else?

[bookatron]

To the 54 total lifetime transactions/zero feedback character who lectured me on customer service, I once messaged a customer while in an ambulance en route to hospital with a heart attack to let them know fulfillment might be delayed. So that's how little I care about customer service and satisfaction.

I don't care what a customer's reason is for not reading description. If they won't read it, I don't want the sale. They won't be aware of issues, conditions, distinctions, and disclaimers. They won't know to expect chipped paint or missing manuals, and will likely want a refund, and likely give unfair negative feedback. I'm not turning away money, I'm turning away insanity. Indulging cray-cray is not a viable business plan for an Ebay seller, though your mileage may vary if you ever actually sold here.

Ebay was created to match smart, diligent sellers with smart, diligent customers. It was never intended to cater to the full random gene pool (who have Walgreens, Home Depot, etc.). Such people break the system.

[slippinjimmy]

Ebay was created to match smart, diligent sellers with smart, diligent customers. It was never intended to cater to the full gene pool of crazies and the idiots (who have Walgreens, Home Depot, etc.). Those people break the system.

I have no idea how you arrived at this conclusion. Did Pierre tell you this back in 1996?

Since day one eBay has allowed anyone with a pulse to be a buyer and/or seller on eBay, the bar to entry is so low the "bar" doesn't even exist.

[bookatron]

So you think I'm saying that Ebay instituted elaborate testing measures to block sub-standard customers from buying? Huh. Yeah, that'd be odd and dumb and wrong. You absolutely just won that argument in your mind.

Do more, it's fun!

[backroomnoir]

What I've seen, most people who ask questions never buy anything.  Very rarely does a question answered translate into a sale.  

[paradiso*bella*a*venire]

hahaha....says @nobody*s_perfect    sorry, just thought that  was kinda ironic...no offense 😎  ✌️

[nobody*s_perfect]

We don't expect perfection, but we do have SOME standards!

[punkaag]

"I'm not turning away money, I'm turning away insanity." ... amazing

[paradiso*bella*a*venire]

@nobody*s_perfect 

😉

[dhbookds]

No problem with questions.........I can make mistakes and others can also........  I've also misread stuff (well documented on this board) and I figure others can also...........

[inhawaii]

Dumb questions are just part of  doing business.

[myboardid]

Guess you've never heard of a posting ID. I've been here longer than you and have 6 figure feedback on my selling ID's. I get my share of dumb questions too but I am always polite. There are a few I don't answer, but not many. Most buyers who ask questions of me turn out to buy and be absolutely perfect customers, no problems at all. There money is as good as anyone else's. You are not better or smarter than your buyers. eBay is for everyone, there are no intelligence tests to use it. All that is required is a pulse and a method of payment. Any buyer can read all your description details and still return your items, still leave you bad feedback. Just because they ask a question doesn't make them insane or crazy.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@1tuna wrote:

I just have to ask you,whats the deal with cell phones and descriptions now?  I have only ever used a PC and I thought we were being left in the dust in favor of phones.Do they have to push an extra tab to see the description or is it just hidden and balky.

I also have read that android updates or help are over with or something,doesnt ebay keep up with the phone stuff anymore.

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I can't speak for iOS, but on Android there is a clearly visible Read More link AND an arrow. One would have to be either blind, stupid or not paying attention to not see it and know what it means.

[animal-house-8]

Having had a bunch of different stores on ebay though out the years I too have had some really really dumb questions but have found the best way to approach it is to answer it in a way that it was the greatest question in the world. Some people just like communication and assurance maybe they are not the brightest and have been taken advantage of before so they are very cautious. Sometimes they are just people hoping you make them a offer so they have to think of something to ask. But I have over the years converted some sales by just answering them and making them think how wonderful it was for them to write and ask. It all adds up over time, so it's something to think about. And I never block people unless they are very rude or trying to pull a scam.

[wastingtime101]

iOS also has an arrow and a read more link @southern*sweet*tea 

[vrie39]

Lets just say I don't like being number one in the search results.