Do you ever get messages like this?

[coffeebean832]

My son/daughter lost their job due to Covid so they're going to open their own online store. Can you tell me where to buy (this popular item) from your store at wholesale prices?

It amazes me that people would ask that and expect someone to reveal their source. I always reply to them with a response similar to, "I don't give out private information relating to my business. Good luck." 

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that this kind of message still comes in after all these years. Hey- at least I got a laugh out of it.

[lamber9347]

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@coffeebean832 wrote:

My son/daughter lost their job due to Covid so they're going to open their own online store. Can you tell me where to buy (this popular item) from your store at wholesale prices?

It amazes me that people would ask that and expect someone to reveal their source. I always reply to them with a response similar to, "I don't give out private information relating to my business. Good luck." 

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that this kind of message still comes in after all these years. Hey- at least I got a laugh out of it.

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Just be careful when writing a retort, that person may get offended then end up purchasing from you under a different name and either filing a false INAD or leaving you bad feedback. Sometimes it's best to say something simple like, I'm sorry I can't help you as I got them from a friend who left them for me to sell....

[electronics510]

Don't respond and block the buyer.

[sin-n-dex]

I like to give non-answers to these questions... such as "I use the internet and search around to find things to sell". It's not a lie, but it doesn't tell them anything except they need to do their own research.

C.

[chapeau-noir]

One can always go the absurdist route and say "The tooth fairy left it for me when all my teeth fell out" or "I followed an Amazon truck around and when the stuff fell out of the back I grabbed it." etc etc.

[calntom]

No response needed. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@coffeebean832 wrote:

My son/daughter lost their job due to Covid so they're going to open their own online store. Can you tell me where to buy (this popular item) from your store at wholesale prices?

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What they're really saying is:

I wanna be a seller too (the reason doesn't matter) but I'm too lazy to do my own research. Tell me where you got your stuff so I can play store like you do.

In all fairness, I'd be willing to bet that most people who've never had their own business would not think that way. To them it's a legitimate and honest question. To those of us who sell, it's a threat to our business and for many of us, our livelihood.

[therogue-trader]

I wouldn't recommend going with the 'stuff that fell off the amazon truck' to a random person you don't know as they make think you're admitting to theft...

[annadryl]

To directly answer their question, they should ask a wholeseller, which isn't you.

Let your fingers do the walking ('member that?)

[espresso_warehouse]

In my experience, this kind of thing is most often a pretext or opening. Not a legitimate person trying to start a business. If you respond they will at best try to haggle with you on your price and waste your time. At worst, it can be a sock puppet/shill account harvesting information that they will use as part of a confidence scheme.

If it were a real person trying to start a business, why not be a mentor and give them some information. If your business is threatened by finding out who your wholesaler is then it's already on shaky ground. Just my opinion.

[onlinecentral]

Existing sellers do not want new sellers cluttering the internet with identical items at identical or lower prices.

[chapeau-noir]

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@therogue-trader wrote:

I wouldn't recommend going with the 'stuff that fell off the amazon truck' to a random person you don't know as they make think you're admitting to theft...

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I was joking.  Thus the 'absurdist' remark.

[byrd69er]

snip: Sometimes it's best to say something simple like,    ....nothing.

Ignore and block.

Done.

Next?

[lovefindingtreasures2]

Yes! I get them all the time but not here. On a different platform I sell on I have had numerous buyers ask me where I get my carved stones and crystals. They 'were' customers who now want to be sellers of the same items I sell. Some did become sellers who I now compete against and who also steal my ideas, descriptions and sometimes photos.

I have a basic answer to them:

"I've been doing this many years and have been lucky to find some real good dealers and lapidaries that I work with. You will too, good luck and sell lots!"

They get the hint 🙂

[vintagebargainsgalore]

I don't get those exact messages but have had a noticeable upswing in people asking me to reduce the bottom dollar asking price of an item they want because they can't afford it. Some will say how much they love & want it but just don't have the money to buy it for various reasons.

At the risk of sounding snarky, I'm not exactly rolling in clover myself and can't afford to take any less for the things I buy to resell. I feel put on the spot when this happens & don't like the feeling. Through the 20 years altogether that I've been selling on eBay I've had "beggars" a few times but lately they seem to be coming out of the woodwork. Yes I know times are hard, but I sell vintage lingerie. Not exactly a necessity like food or medicine. It's not that I don't appreciate their interest but I wish the hard luck stories would stop.