How To Spot A Bad Buyer (It Never Fails)

[lemonragstees]

I sell mostly t-shirt at a fixed price and I do not have the "make offer" feature.  This is an almost full proof method about how to spot a buyer that will most likely return the item:

1. A buyer that asks a lot of questions...I list all details in my listings and as soon as I get 2 or 3 messages from a buyer about the item or asks ridiculous questions like "What's The Wash History of The Shirt?" I stop responding and sometimes block them. In my experience, these buyers already have super high expectations and will be disappointed with the item they receive no matter what.

2. I do not have the "make offer" feature on my listings but that doesn't stop people from messaging me to lower the price or give them a discount  or free shipping - In my experience, if I give them a deal and they buy the item it's a guaranteed  75% return rate.  I thought it was just a trend a few years ago but buyers keep proving me correct.

As a top rated seller I have to pay for returns so I would rather avoid a sale that I think will result in a return.

Hope this helps someone...

Raul

[femmefan1946]

Yes! having the ruler is very useful for visual learners.
And for reading learners, put the measurements in the Description. Not just size, actual measures.

And I would add, in both Imperial and metric. The USA is the only *country in the world that does not at least officially use metric, although the anglophone world does tend to use both measuring systems.

*I'm wrong. Myamar and Liberia don't use metric either.

[jwh0077]

This has been my experience as well. Too much back and forth, I block just in case. I block all offers immediately. Even when they eventually pay up, all too often they will try to scam you out of the additional amount by claiming there is something wrong with the item, but they will keep it for a partial refund. 

I also avoid any "as is" items. You will encounter the lowest forms of human life. They will seriously start a claim with ebay for item not as described, and then try to extort a partial refund out of you. Just save yourself the shipping, if you have any damaged goods, donate it or junk it. Don't list it here. 

[dolcetreasures]

If someone asks if they can return something if they don’t like it or it doesn’t fit or what have you, they will. Do not sell to any buyer who ever mutters the word “return”.

[e.j.lectronimo]

I agree. I usually ban people who ask really stupid questions about things that are already clearly listed in the description. Furthermore, I find that even when I answer questions in the way they WANT (ie. "will you ship overnight?", YES "does it include xyz?" YES etc.) 95% still don't buy or make an offer. On the subject of offers, extreme low-ballers ($50 offer on a $500 item) is instant banning as well, especially when accompanied by a message like "this thing is worthless. I'll give you $50, take it or leave it" OR no offer, but a "what's the best you can do FOR ME?" (as if I owe them something). People like this are unreasonable and will surely return the item or try to extort a BIG discount (partial refund) in the future.

[hobby-express]

I would like to add that if you even have the slightests of doubts about a buyer, block, block, block! Same with buyers with private feedback, maybe a few want to hide what they buy from their wife but in all other cases they are covering up their phony habits. 

[vintagecraze50]

Agree, Somtimes the messages people send can identify them as a high risk for a purchase. In addition, I tell them if they are unsure of the purchase please refrain.

[spreadlovelikefire]

Same!!!  My absolute favorite blocking question is "I weigh 185 lbs (insert whatever weight), will this fit me?"  I've gotten this one a few times over the 18 years I've been selling and I immediately block.  Or any combinations of the following:

"What's the lowest you can go with free shipping?"

"Can you take more pictures?" (this is after I have 7-10 pictures)

"I only want this one item out of the lot, how much just for the one item?"

"Can you get this to me within 1 day?"

"Can I mix and match other listings to this one?" (in regards to manufacturer packaged underwear)

"What shade of teal is this?" (my experience with people who are fixated on color have not been pleasant)

[spreadlovelikefire]

I forgot my absolute favorite!

"I can get this same item from X,Y,Z for $10, you are price gouging."  

This isn't a question, it's a statement and its always on something like seasonal candy.  I will always reply with "Wow, sounds like a great deal, I'd go back and stock up if I were you".  

This is always when they can't get the seasonal candy in stores so they are emailing me some type of manipulation that I don't buy into.  They want the candy but instead of being nice and asking for a little bit lower price they accuse me of price gouging and then follow it up with how they can get it cheaper.  If that was the case, then go get it cheaper!  Leave me out of your shopping habits.  These type of people never consider how much it costs to ship items either.  

[spreadlovelikefire]

I just received this email from someone a few minutes ago.  Of course I'm not replying and they have been blocked.  Looking at their feedback left for others, it was awful.  Gotta love the ultimatum emails, threatening.  These always confuse me, why would anyone want to do business with a person like this?  Demand discounts, demands a response within 1 hour, no thank you!  Go take your business elsewhere.  My guess is, I'm the lowest (I've already verified this) in the size he is inquiring about.  If you can get it cheaper somewhere else then why message me at all? 

[allen1853]

Yes. Lots of questions is a giveaway. I sell lots of jewelry. People who want to see a ring on a finger or earrings on my ears (I am a man with beard) NEVER buy even if you jump through extra hoops. When eBay eliminated restocking fees I eliminated no questions asked for 30 days returns. Even a small restocking fee helps eliminate shoppers who buy 12 items and return 11. After years of doing my best to accomodate buyers, eBay has trained buyers to be abusive. Good luck to us all. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

---

@lemonragstees wrote:

I always include the measurements in BOLD and in ALL CAPS so they can't miss it.  Yet, I still get returns for items that are "too small" or not a real medium, or it runs small for an XL.  It is what it is.  It's annoying but it happens.

---

Or constant questions on the bust or length measurement.  Had 4 the other day.  Every single one had the answer in the listing.  Also, not one of them bought.  So annoying!

[laststopgeneralstore]

I agree with the questions part but as far as best offer goes, most people are just looking for a small discount. 70%+ of my sales are from accepting offers for 3-5 bucks off and I'll take em all day long. I also have a lot of margin in my items so I'm able to do that but I still think you should keep it on. If someone sends and offer for $17 on a $19.99 item, your not gonna accept that? Yea their are going to be lowballers but who cares, don't respond or decline. You have the option to counter or decline so why not have it on. I have also noticed that even if I get someone that sends me an offer that's lower than the usual 3-5 & I counter for what I want, they will accept most times or we settle in the middle. At the end of the day it's about turning that inventory and getting that cash flow.

[laststopgeneralstore]

99% of my returns are for "doesn't fit" as well and the way I look at is, at least it doesn't count against you and you can sell it again. My return rate is also under 1% so it's really not that bad but what annoys me the most is when someone tries to say "item not as described" because they forgot to read that it is "slim fit" and not "regular fit".

[laststopgeneralstore]

I think it does, I include photos of measurement of all of my items(clothing).

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

I often end up asking lots of questions or requesting additional pics, but that's because I'm buying from sellers who don't know how to take good pictures or what to take pictures of, and don't do anything to describe their items ...

Why do I bother with those people? They are the least likely to sell their items at any good price because who as a buyer wants to bother with doing all that work pulling teeth from the seller just to get info that SHOULD be in the listing. Boom. Lower price for hopefully a quality item. Works well for sourcing stuff for resale. Get cheap, market it the correct way, sell it for a nice profit.

I also buy/sell coins ... so pictures are everything ...its shameful what these sellers pass off for pictures.