eBay

tdebuys · ‎04-07-2022

I listed a 100+ year old very intricate pattern glass item as in "mint condition" and in " museum grade quality" and the question from the prospective bidder is, " Does it have damage, scratches, chips, cracks, or repairs you aren't mentioning?" Really? Do I really want to do business with this person? I advised them not to bid if they had any concerns, but I'm considering blocking them. Yesterday I had a similar question and then they went into great detail about how I needed to over-magnify my photos ...that person I did block. I mean when they announce to you they are likely to be a huge problem buyer by both the question and the attitude in which they pose the question what are you to do? I'm just venting. I hate to block buyers, but eBay lets repeat problem buyers get to us without us having any protection against them. I'd rather err on the side of loosing a sale as to have them give me a red mark, want a refund, and keep my item. I have no protection against that. It seems I am forced to make evaluations I shouldn't have to make without any input except a rudely stated note from a prospective bidder. A note mind you that I might have misinterpreted. I think the answer may be to just sell items that cost a lot less so I can afford to loose them. The risk in selling here is getting too close to out weighing the reward.

wendylouwho10 · ‎04-07-2022

I block any and all buyers I think will be a problem.

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vintagecraze50 · ‎04-07-2022

I think some buyers are just as scared as you are on here at times and just ask questions to be sure THEY are going to be treated well with the sale. It would not be prudent to block them all, only the one’s that sound really suspicious or are giving you really low ball offers with really no intent to buy at a fair price.

jrkirk · ‎04-07-2022

We sold a UND vase last week that was as mint perfect that is likely out there in the marketplace, and immediately upon receipt the buyer emailed us and complained about, 1) the color on the photos, and 2) a tiny original glaze flaw, and then requested a refund (but no mention of a return). We pointed that he had bid in the last minute, and that there were already 3 other bids on this vase, but did offer him a $10 refund, if that would make him happy. He accepted and we blocked him. We have good old original stuff that we packed away 20+ years ago, but getting it sold without a problem from eBay buyers, and at a reasonable cost, is increasingly a problem here on eBay. Sellers have few options if buyers complain. We have good old items, but selling it without problems here often brings problems. Why not just keep it, instead of giving it away.

tdebuys · ‎04-07-2022

You're probably right but if I'm "scared" then its probably time I consider getting out of here. I just never thought about it that way, but I think you may be right. I may need to just close shop. I'm not having these problems selling things in other places, but then in other places I'm not getting red marks, loosing my merchandise, or having someone force me to refund when it isn't merited. I do have a 100% feedback evaluation so it's not like I've mistreated buyers. Certainly food for thought. Thanks.

luckythewinner · ‎04-07-2022

@tdebuys wrote:
I listed a 100+ year old very intricate pattern glass item as in "mint condition" and in " museum grade quality" and the question from the prospective bidder is, " Does it have damage, scratches, chips, cracks, or repairs you aren't mentioning?" Really? Do I really want to do business with this person?

I think it is this disclaimer that has buyers worried:

"NOTE: This is 100+ year old glass which may have typical manufacturing flaws such as straw marks, wavy cooling lines, bubbles, impregnated embers, and mold marks which help to confirm the item's age and authenticity. Please see pictures and read above description."

On one hand you call it "museum grade", but later on your say it "may" have flaws such as "straw marks, wavy cooling lines, bubbles, impregnated embers, and mold marks". I know mothing about glass and may be wrong, but your pictures do not seem clear enough to determine whether there are any of those flaws.

powapar-0 · ‎04-07-2022

The absolute best and easiest way is to not sell anything at all, don't even list it, then there's no risk.

Same principle.

wendylouwho10 · ‎04-07-2022

I block any and all buyers I think will be a problem.

tdebuys · ‎04-28-2022

I realize you may have challenges I am unaware of, but those of us that sell a lot of antique glass and have for 20 years on eBay tell what we are selling and the condition... but there is always a disclaimer to cover the little imperfections in 19th century manufacturing. I know that is probably an impossible concept for you to grasp, but there are flaws in almost all glass because it is made from natural product, sand, lead, silica, etc. and melted in less than perfect conditions in molds that wear as time goes on. Temperatures vary in the kilns and cooling causes visual oddities too numerous to mention individually. I SAID IT WAS MUSEUM GRADE... AND THE DISCLAIMER STILL STANDS. LET'S SEE NO RED MARKS 100% OVER 20 YEARS AND ONLY ONE RETURN AND YOU ARE SCHOOLING ME? THANKS FOR THE LESSON. Should I block you so you can't accidentally buy something I'm selling? Will be happy to do that for you..

tdebuys · ‎04-28-2022

Wow. helpful and from a 0 ... carries a lot of weight with me.

coolections · ‎04-28-2022

I would not hesitate to ask that question to every prospective seller before purchasing. If no reply or something rude of a reply, I would hit the back button. There is no way I would purchase a 100-year-old item and make sure the seller is accurate in their description. You have to keep in mind anyone can sell on Ebay, and anyone can think their item is mint.

onefootflipper · ‎04-28-2022

In trading cards I have learned that you need to block anyone who asks condition questions about an inexpensive card that has clear photos. I ran into this a lot when I expanded into Pokemon cards. The people who ask condition questions about a $2 card are the same ones who are going to expect a museum grade PSA 10 example of their worthless card shipped to them in a box for their grand total of $2.71 and then will leave bad feedback and/or request a refund the second they get the card. They are either just trying to get free cards and aren't willing to risk more than a couple dollars or they are living in the clouds.

On the flip side I have had zero problems with customers who purchase expensive cards. They have actual money and realistic expectations.

juvikingnorway · ‎04-28-2022

It is a type of foreshadowing. Sometimes you just know when a buyer is gonna be problematic.

These individuals would be easier to sniff out if we could give them negative feedback.

juvikingnorway · ‎04-28-2022

@onefootflipper wrote:
In trading cards I have learned that you need to block anyone who asks condition questions about an inexpensive card that has clear photos. I ran into this a lot when I expanded into Pokemon cards. The people who ask condition questions about a $2 card are the same ones who are going to expect a museum grade PSA 10 example of their worthless card shipped to them in a box for their grand total of $2.71 and then will leave bad feedback and/or request a refund the second they get the card. They are either just trying to get free cards and aren't willing to risk more than a couple dollars or they are living in the clouds.

On the flip side I have had zero problems with customers who purchase expensive cards. They have actual money and realistic expectations.

Haven't sold many cards, but i did at one point sell a rather expensive rookie card that after grading ended up selling for 10x what i got and the buyer even had the audacity to complain about my shipping method, talking about how he was gonna get a refund and even wanted a ****ing contest on twitter about how incompetent i was in my handling of the sale and blablabla.

Card graded PSA 10.. i know it was the same card because of a print dot when he listed it for sale about a year later, so from my rather limited experience with high end card dealers i assume them to be problematic as well.. at least on ebay, but in general i'd say you are right. People with more dough don't expect you to come wipe their rear ends.

onefootflipper · ‎04-28-2022

I worked at a card specialty place for a few years and my desk was on the sports side and I avoid sports cards that are not vintage because of everything I learned working in that environment.

The customers tend to be very condition sensitive. The newer cards seem to peak in value soon after release and then trend down for years. It can be same player, same card series, autographed serial number to 50 and the 2021 card will be worth more than the 2020 which is worth more than the 2019. For me it is just too much research and too much risk. I think in sports the people with real money buy graded or raw vintage in the first place, while the problem customers are the gambler types who are constantly taking risks on getting that modern card graded and hoping to come out ahead. Usually the same guys who liked to get things graded were the same guys who consistently bought boxes and either sold all the good stuff back to the store or would have us auction the card for them (we had like 4 guys who spent at least a grand a month who we would auction cards for and give them 90 percent of the proceeds in store credit).

My boss who had been in the sports card industry 20+ years never graded anything other than signed vintage type cards because he said overall it just wasn't worth it. I can understand that since I saw plenty of customers open that hot card right on the counter, give it to us to send for grading and then watch it come back with an 8 on it.