Is it bad for the buyer to ask questions after purchase?

[dagrz-14]

Hi, so I've recently had and item sold on auctions and the buyer paid instantly but also started asking questions which I've clearly labelled in the item specifications and description. Is there any sort of scam that's related to these things? I've messaged the buyer answering the questions and stating that it all has been mentioned in the description and if he still wants me to post it then to get back to me. Its been a few hours and they still haven't messaged me back. I don't want to post the item just yet in case the buyer decides to cancel the order or ask for a refund because they didn't read the desc or for it to be some sort of scam. Any advices on what I should do? Thanks.

Best,

David

[coolections]

Probably just want to make sure whatever they ask is correct. I you answered saying yes to all the questions it should be no problem. Maybe wait one day until they acknowledge they received your reply or don't like your answers.

[duncanvr]

Most buyers don't read the descriptions so there is a good chance your buyer didn't either. What does the buyers account look like? Zero feedback new account or an account with feedback? If they have feedback check their feedback left for others and see if they leave multiple negs. If no and that looks okay your good to ship. There is no real reason to hold up shipping the item since he has paid. But if your really worried hold it 24 hours buyers who cancel normally would ask to cancel within that time frame.

[fashunu4eeuh]

You need to mail it within your handling time to stay in eBay’s good graces, so keep that in mind while you are waiting.

[m60driver]

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@dagrz-14 wrote:

Hi, so I've recently had and item sold on auctions and the buyer paid instantly but also started asking questions which I've clearly labelled in the item specifications and description. Is there any sort of scam that's related to these things? 

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Usually it is not indicative of a scam, but receiving too many questions often signals an increased risk of a return from an over retentive buyer.

[wastingtime101]

Hey @dagrz-14 - just a heads up that you're posting on the .com forums, not the .co.uk forums.

Advice I would give to anybody selling on .com would be to answer the buyers questions and give them a deadline by which to let you know if they still want the item shipped or if they prefer to cancel, and that if you don't hear back by that deadline then you will go ahead and ship. The deadline should be based on you meeting the handling time on the listing.

As others said, there's no scam tied to this, but it does indicate a buyer that didn't read the listing in full so there's a higher risk of return later. This is why I offer buyers like this an "out" and ask if the info provided changes anything re: shipping or cancelling the order.

[collectfest]

I've asked and received questions after the fact with zero issues. I do, however, get really aggravated with a seller pointing out that all my questions were already in the description. 

When I get a question, if I can, I answerer it or state why.

[wrong66]

Just ship it. Buyer paid. That's what we do. If the buyer is **bleep**, then he's just one of many.

[vintage-camerastuff]

D__B buyers do this all the time.  After purchase is made start asking questions.  Not a scam, he/she is really not sure that is what they want or need.   Happens to me all the time.  I always send them the answer and ask if they wish to cancel before I ship.   If you answer there question, even though the explanation is in the description,  they usually want it and you have no further problems.   

[simba6]

Not a scam but a buyer that should have read the listing before clicking.   Many click first and read later.

If they did not want it I assume they would have said they wanted out in the message they sent.

[asset_liquidators]

"I do, however, get really aggravated with a seller pointing out that all my questions were already in the description."

Why? If your questions were already answered in the description then why do you feel the need to ask the same exact thing again?

Now imagine how that seller feels that took the time to put all that information into a listing only to have someone start asking the same exact questions.

[mybigsale]

Maybe a fussy buyer... no reason not to ship. Just a note for future responses.

Whenever there is important information/messages concerning an item, mailing address etc., I always add a deadline based on my shipping deadline to my messages.

For example:

... all questions  have been answered in the description.  Please let me know if you wish to cancel by Noon tomorrow (Eastern Time) . If I don't hear from you your order will be shipped (alternatively: "If I don't hear from you the order will be canceled")

- Thank you

[donsdetour]

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@vintage-camerastuff wrote:

D__B buyers do this all the time.  After purchase is made start asking questions.  Not a scam, he/she is really not sure that is what they want or need.   Happens to me all the time.  I always send them the answer and ask if they wish to cancel before I ship.   If you answer there question, even though the explanation is in the description,  they usually want it and you have no further problems.   

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Best advice I have seen on this.

Answer and give them an out if they are not happy with the response.

[vintagecraze50]

See if you can get the buyers phone number off the sales record . I have called some buyers in some situations to make sure they understand everything about the purchase or any other matters like when they message something like, ‘I need this by Friday”. 

[duffy4444]

   Most likely not a scam, as the buyer paid almost instantly... just another lazy buyer who didn't bother to read the description, or is insecure about the process. Happens all the time, and seemingly more so lately since buyers know that it's easy to get refunded because of the current lack of seller protections and eBay's scales heavily tipped in favor of buyers for almost any reason. It also happens with fixed price listings and sales.

   Be sure to ship within your s/h window given to you by eBay. If any real red flags come up with excessive second thoughts from the buyer, you may want to follow the advice some have given here about a special and respectful  "fish or cut bait" response.

   I also had a post related to this earlier:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Selling-to-buyers-NOT-reading-the-description-then-filing-INAD...

Cheers, Duffy