Buyer Behavior

[coffeebean832]

Does this ever happen to you?

A buyer asks you to lower the shipping rate. The buyer is adamant that they don't have a penny over $X to spend. You let the buyer know that shipping rates are determined by the carriers and you have no control over those rates, but that the shipping method offered is the most affordable.

Then they make the purchase anyway.

This happens all the time. Sometimes it goes fine, and other times- a lot of times- the buyer continues the complaints post-sale about shipping costs through feedback, DSRs and messages. I'm not quick to BBL, but I can see why others are. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle.

Do these same people call up Macy's and complain that they want their $10.95 shipping refunded because they only had $20 to spend so they couldn't meet the $25 free shipping minimum? Probably.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

This is your account and your items. It is up to you to block the bad apples even if there are a lot of them. Better to be safe than sorry:)

[a_c_green]

---

@katzrul15 wrote:
You know how the "bell" dings on your phone (or cha-chings or whatever it is).  I think every time you add someone to your BBL, a song snippet of your choice should play.

---

Easy choice: the Sad Trombone. 😄

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQeezCdF4mk 

[dhbookds]

Not to derail the thread......but somewhat pertinent.....

Had a buyer write to say she wanted 2 items......to please excuse her, but a few things about shipping she would like done (I groaned) because of bad experiences, but if I was offended or unable.....just ignore her.  Nothing terrible, almost exactly what we do......I replied nicely that we could handle the shipping instructions, but I would appreciate it if she paid for both items separately in the event it wasn't easy to combine them in one box.    That I would refund the extra shipping, once we knew what that was.  She bought the items and messaged back to keep whatever overage there was.....came to about $7 as I remember........she appreciated our efforts and "was a big spender".......lol. 

There ARE all kinds out there.......

[katzrul15]

---

@a_c_green wrote:

---

@katzrul15 wrote:
You know how the "bell" dings on your phone (or cha-chings or whatever it is).  I think every time you add someone to your BBL, a song snippet of your choice should play.

---

Easy choice: the Sad Trombone. 😄

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQeezCdF4mk 

---

I was thinking the one:

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye!!

[yuzuha]

I've blocked two people in the past week because they wanted to whine about how my prices were too high and would I take something less?

These are limited collectible items that are the very definition of WANTS rather than needs. You want it? Be a big kid and save up for it.

[coffeebean832]

---

@coolections wrote:

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

You let the buyer know that shipping rates are determined by the carriers and you have no control over those rates, but that the shipping method offered is the most affordable.

Not in all cases. Some items can be shipped cheaper than a seller is using. It depends on the item.

---

Sure, it's true in many cases- but not in this case. The shipping method I offered really was the most affordable- I wouldn't tell the buyer that if it wasn't true. I don't mind when buyers ask if there's a more affordable shipping option available. I find it annoying when the buyer is insistent they can't spend more than $X as a way to try and get something for free. As a general rule, I do not block buyers just for asking if there's any room on shipping or item price- that would be counter productive and cost me good sales. I block when the buyer gives me good reasons to block.

The buyer from a couple hours ago that I blocked after their lowball is because they were demanding and rude and there were several red flags in their message and feedback that said told me they would cost me money in the long run.

[coffeebean832]

@katzrul15- Oops, typo. They demanded a $115 purchase for $20 flat. Maybe in their dreams tonight it'll happen.

[katzrul15]

A whole $20.  I am swooning..................LOL

[american-photography]

Remind them that they agreed to ALL your terms (it's a contract) when they clicked on the buy button and that nothing is negotiable including the shipping prices.

The time to ask is before committing to buying the item, then you can negotiate or not.

[bigdeals.etc]

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

@katzrul15 wrote:

Yes and those who complain the loudest are buying "wants" vs needs,

---

Everything I sell is non-essential.

To keep this wonderful day of buyer communication going- a buyer is asking me to sell them a $115 purchase for $30 flat. This one really will make it to the BBL.

---

Are you BBLing them before or after you ship the $30 item? 😜

[bigdeals.etc]

---

@katzrul15 wrote:

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

@katzrul15 wrote:

Yes and those who complain the loudest are buying "wants" vs needs,

---

Everything I sell is non-essential.

To keep this wonderful day of buyer communication going- a buyer is asking me to sell them a $115 purchase for $30 flat. This one really will make it to the BBL.

---

Ouch!  Yes.  BuBBLegum them!

Because, really.....we're just here for the "hars", not to actually sell anything for a profit!  lol

You know how the "bell" dings on your phone (or cha-chings or whatever it is).  I think every time you add someone to your BBL, a song snippet of your choice should play.  (i'd ever pay extra each month for that service - not much extra, but to get the songs I want....LOL)

---

Yes! Michael BuBLe them!

[duffy4444]

   I used to get some complaints about shipping prices many years ago. If the complaint was before the purchase and whiny or snotty enough, I would give thanks to the heavens that they didn't purchase the item yet, so I could BBL the potential buyer and forget them.

   Shipping cost complaints is one reason why I went to free domestic shipping, while still walking a narrow path being competitive when making up the difference with a higher sales price. That way, if a buyer wanted the item, they could not complain about the shipping cost or pine away that they couldn't afford it.

   My sales haven't been hurt yet by offering free shipping with the cost already built into the sales price. I have found over a couple decades of selling here, that a lot of buyers also like to see Free Shipping! in the item description, and have less of a tendency to question the cost.

   If any buyer is manipulative or has a bad attitude pre-sale, I see problems down the road, so I buBBLegum them.

Cheers, Duffy

[downunder-61]

Buyer's just do not realise the cost of shipping, why/how would they ? How often would abuyer need to post somethinng other than a letter maybe?

I think this is what causes so many ''false'' INAD's, once they realise they have to pay shipping and check out the cost for changeof mind returns, they hit the back button and figure let the seller pay.

I have Free Shipping on everything (built in of course) and I like it that way, no surprises, no complaints and if a buyer purchases multiple items, guess what ?? no combine shipping required coz it's ""free"" 

[redmodelt]

If I know that an item is at market price, but the shipping is way over what it should be, yes sometimes I will ask if they could do better on the shipping or ask if they could ship flat rate. Surprising, the number of sellers in some markets that don't even know about flat rate! If they can't, then I as a buyer don't buy from them. There will be another one down the road and good chance the shipping will be in line with what it should be.

[katzrul15]

@bigdeals.etc 

It gets better - the $30 was a TYPO....they only offered $20!