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]

Ack, since 2003, not 1997! 

[myboardid]

Glad for you that you can afford to just throw away buyers right and left because they ask something you consider dumb. If they are using their phones they CANNOT read your descriptions. Also - it is "dumb" for them to ask questions, but it's not "dumb" for you to make a mistake in a listing? Selling is all about customer service. If you don't want to give it, quit selling.

[1tuna]

what color is that red book,what size is the 7 inch model

I get plenty of these,i never block for stupid questions, I just ignore them.I have plenty of blocks in place but not normally for 1 message.I usually put bid retractors on it quickly

[earlyant-77]

If I make a mistake in a listing, I WANT someone to tell me this. I just wish they would see it and ask earlier than 12 hours before the auction ends. so that the answer will get posted or I can add to the description.

And if they are looking at it from the app, well, who knows what they will see.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

I don't get many questions. I have never blocked someone for asking a question. I usually just answer politely. Once a while, a sale results.

[lex-talon]

If a buyer asks questions, there is no such thing as a "dumb" question. As long as they don't violate ebay policy,

it's fine with me. 

[1tuna]

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.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@bookatron wrote: ... most appear to be needy, dumb, and/or paranoid. ...have decided that dumb question-askers are much much more likely to be problem customers. So I block them. 

Anyone else?

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Yes, I block them, too. Selling on eBay since 1999, I've learned that members who are annoying will just become worse when they become buyers.  I block anybody who asks especially dumb questions, makes special demands or asks weird questions. I have better things to do with my time.

[punkaag]

This post is incredible -- agreed and I absolutely do the same thing!!!!!!

C'mon, I don't "block" eevvverrrryyy buyer, but yes asking what color the "red book is" and then you look and they have 6 feedbacks themselves and have left 5 negative feedbacks remarking they received an item that wasn't the same color as advertised (it takes all of 30 seconds to quickly "investigate" users let's be honest here -- we've all looked!! lol) then absolutely -- I will block them. Done.

I've been an "official" ebay user since 1999 (Hats off to you!) and, as a history lesson, this was the year they required buyers to actually "sign up for an account." My first bunch of purchases was without actually having a user account. And my first bunch of feedbacks isn't even related to any transactions! You could just leave feedbacks for random people or your friends ... but I digress.

It depends upon your "business" model. I sell stuff that's not expensive and as a personal hobby -- so I am not worried that someone with 6 feedbacks and a quick trigger finger to leave negatives doesn't purchase from me. Of course, this "strategy" (I can't even use that word with a straight face, lol) is not a blanket solution that can work in any regards. I would 100% agree that this isn't any type of business "strategy" at all, let alone even in the thought process of anyone attempting to make any money, : )

To all the others who claim that people on cell phones cannot read the description - I disagree.

The description isn't hanging out on the main "item feed" but accessible by the little arrow next to the words "see description" where it's noted to do so. I personally think it's a bit easy to completely overlook and mistakenly assume there is no description, absolutely.

thanks!

[punkaag]

Loved your response! Agreed : )

[oldtownrhoda]

I don't mind questions. If it is something that is described already in the listing, I will usually say "xxxx, as noted in the description...."

[mr_lincoln]

@bookatron   The others are people who ask questions just to get you to do stuff with no intention of buying ... like can I have a picture or a certain angle or part, what are the over all dimensions, etc.

I can now pick most of those out BUT, since my Descriptions pretty much all include "Questions welcome" I respond ...

I did have one funny one once, it was on an HO scale locomotive ... in both Conditions and Description I stated it was tested and in good running condition.  The first question I got was "does it run good"?  Hmm, the answer could be subjective of course so I replied with a reasonable answer.  Then came some other very, very basic questions and in the back of my mind I pictured a young teenager sitting at their parent's computer.  This went on for several back and forth messages over a couple hours in the evening ... then when they asked if it ran again I was pretty sure I knew what I was dealing with ... I messaged them back, "Do your parents know you are logged in to their eBay account?"  Never heard back from them LOL!  I added them to my BBL before I went to bed that night!

[chapeau-noir]

I've asked some pretty dumb questions in my life 😒 so I'm pretty patient.  I rarely add anyone to my BBL but once in a while I'll get a 'leading' question: "so, what happens if I don't like this, will you just give me half my money back and call it a deal?"  Um...those I'll probably block.  Fortunately that doesn't happen very often.

[slippinjimmy]

The only "dumb" question is one not asked!

I will accept money from anyone, I do not have a minimum IQ requirement.