Buyers who ask questions typically do not buy

[calistas_closet33]

I sell women’s clothing accessories and some home goods, and have filled about 4000 orders in a little over a year.  I realized that less than 2% of people that ask questions actually buy. I have people asking for more photos...more than once because they forgot they asked me and call them out in it, Im not sure if the potential buyer thinks it demonstrates real interest vs it being a PIA?Also,   I think knowing sellers can make an offer in a reply drives stupid questions that waste time.  As an experiment I turned off the ask questions feature tonight and will see if my sales decline. I would be more inclined to offer a discount if someone asked me upfront versus have me do extra measurements and photos then to follow up with, will you take xyz for the item? i’ll buy now..you know the lines buyers give thinking it actually makes a difference. Curious if anyone else has encountered some nutty serial question shoppers and if there is an alternative pathology/psychology I am missing  

[calistas_closet33]

Well it would be an improper assumption in my case since all inventory is in containers in a spare room closed off in my house. I guess buyers make assumptions about sellers, I let customers know if they buy I will photograph and send picture and they have 24 hrs to cancel..that way at least i know we’ve agreed upon the sale pending authenticity etc..and it’s all recorded on the ebay platform. Guess the bottom line is the bottom line, to keep up with seller demands and ebays, increase prices across the board. more profit is worth the effort on my end.

[chrysylys]

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@kaelykatwrote:

Well that is understandable. I never bother a seller with questions about lowering the price. I didn't even realize that was a thing. Seems rude to me.

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The only time I'll ask about pricing is if a seller has a a couple of items that I've been watching for a while and have remained unsold.  I'll sometimes send a message with a few item numbers and ask if they do a combined deal for $X, where I try to make sure the amount is reasonable for both of us.  Most often, they jump at it just to get rid of the items.

[chrysylys]

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@calistas_closet33wrote:
 I let customers know if they buy I will photograph and send picture and they have 24 hrs to cancel...

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You understand that's costing you real money, right?  The .30 fee to PP is non refundable and there may be a relisting fee if you don't have any 'free' slots available.

[evry1nositswindy]

OP, there are those that ask questions because of the stock photo.  They wsnt to see if the item is in your hand or if it msy be coming from elsewhere...like China.

[rolenboy01]

This is why I ignore a lot of questions, I'm not gonna go dig out some cheap item give them 50 new measurements that are pretty much irrelevant only have them not buy it and then risk forgetting to put it back and have it get lost.

[calistas_closet33]

depends on the day, but probably about 20-30 a week. and yes, the decisions on where one spends time to make the most money is the name of the game, you are so right. I think some people think I buy wholesale, which I do not, so my pricing has been competitive upfront..but steadily have been increasing with ebay changes. I am going back to old profession and will just sell off inventory I have and also return some. Overall the upcoming changes with free returns is not something I want to deal with, so in the interim I’ll hope that people like me, who know what their size is in the item they want to purchase, will continue to shop. Also my repeat customers I often recommend sizes, and it’s been good. The questions I receive typically are fishing for a discount in my opinion. So it is frustrating because it’s a total waste of time, but I feel badly for that sincere customer I will miss. But since I am phasing out I won’t lose sleep over it. Thx.

[calistas_closet33]

omg rolenboy01 you understand! I’ve done the same thing way too often. Thank you for articulating it...i was afraid I’d just be told get organized...and I was organized until i had to dig thru items then get distracted and put item back in the wrong container i love you!

[calistas_closet33]

yes, they never take me up on the offer because they are not really interested in the photo but the discount. And my items are as described and in photos 

[luxe_auto_parts]

I'm being asked a lot and I usually try to answer them all as soon as possible. This tactic wouldn't work for big businesses probably because of an extra expanses to have somebody to answer those questions, but when you're a small, home based business it might work for you. It also might work when you sell some exclusive stuff and nobody can compete with you.

[calistas_closet33]

I think you may not have an idea of the market I am in and the margins, so I appreciate your responses but they are not helping since it’s not any information I do not know or consider. Thank you for your interest

[retrose1]

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@dairywyfewrote:
Exactly! That's what I figure when someone who asks, doesn't buy.... it wasn't going to work out for them afterall.

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I stopped thinking that long ago - on ebay, when many potential buyers ask a question, they aren't interested in the item, they are hoping that you will drop the price for them.  I have had it happen quite a few times....extra pics, measurements, ect, usually with the phrase, I am really interested in the item.  The last one, when I added to the listing of the item that has few listed on ebay and is priced at half the next item the same size, I was informed that they can't afford to buy it at that price, could i drop the price too.  Still have it.

The next excuse for not buying is that while they are asking questions of me, ebay is showing them the other listings they kept hidden that are cheaper so they bought that and forget about mine.

Now on another site - one that doesn't encourage haggling, if a buyer asks, they buy about half the time after you answer.

[calistas_closet33]

I love, can you drop the price, I’m on a budget...i’m thinking yes I can, but no I won’t No one needs a pair of earrings from Anthropologie. Or i have these curtain but in a shorter length so I will need to hem, can you discount? it’s these remarks that I chuckle over. I send out to one friend the ebay winner of the day, the most ridiculous question or comment I receive Its a way to cope.

[retrose1]

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@calistas_closet33wrote:

I love, can you drop the price, I’m on a budget...i’m thinking yes I can, but no I won’t No one needs a pair of earrings from Anthropologie. Or i have these curtain but in a shorter length so I will need to hem, can you discount? it’s these remarks that I chuckle over. I send out to one friend the ebay winner of the day, the most ridiculous question or comment I receive Its a way to cope.

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I just block the cheepies and ignore them.

I learned that years ago when I had an Armani suit listed at a very reasonable price - less than $100, and got a question.  Then another question, they don't understand Euro sizes, and another, and then finally after laying the groundwork, they told me that they are pretty sure that they will have to alter it to fit and could I drop the price to $20.  I blocked them and my reply was to send them another sellers listing of one over $400.

No one really needs anything on ebay - but I am starting to get rid of the lowbrow brands so that if someone wants my items, there won't be tons of others cheaper than mine.

[rolenboy01]

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@retrose1wrote:

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@dairywyfewrote:
Exactly! That's what I figure when someone who asks, doesn't buy.... it wasn't going to work out for them afterall.

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I stopped thinking that long ago - on ebay, when many potential buyers ask a question, they aren't interested in the item, they are hoping that you will drop the price for them.  I have had it happen quite a few times....extra pics, measurements, ect, usually with the phrase, I am really interested in the item.  The last one, when I added to the listing of the item that has few listed on ebay and is priced at half the next item the same size, I was informed that they can't afford to buy it at that price, could i drop the price too.  Still have it.

The next excuse for not buying is that while they are asking questions of me, ebay is showing them the other listings they kept hidden that are cheaper so they bought that and forget about mine.

Now on another site - one that doesn't encourage haggling, if a buyer asks, they buy about half the time after you answer.

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Some people just like to play games as well, never had any intention of buying the item/s and were just bored and wanted to have some "fun" which ultimately amounts to wasting a sellers time.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

It's not games when you have a seller selling items for $100-150 who cannot be bothered to include basic measurements.