Only on eBay

[wastingtime101]

A buyer would not walk into his favorite department store and ask this question. None of my buyers on Amazon (where I sell the same product) ask these kinds of questions. Only on eBay do I receive inquiries about a sealed pack of 10 items where the buyer says (paraphrased), "I need 12. Can you open one of the packs and sell me just what I need? If not and I'm forced to buy 2 packs, will you accept an offer so I'm only paying for the 12 I need?"

Share your "only on eBay" buyer requests. You guys must get them, too.

[cashvaluerecovery2011]

$3500 diamond necklace. "I only need this for a weekend. Can i just pay like $20 and ship it back after or do i pay in full and return for a refund after?"

I didnt even respond and just removed it off ebay and sold it for cash on a fee free social site. Ebay loves to facilitate these people.

[funfoundfashions]

Thanks For the Laughs! This Thread is Awesome!

[Anonymous]

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@18704d wrote:

If I owned that store (or yours) I'd say Yes.

But I'd have to charge you for 15.  (that mean you keep 3 for 'free')

Then.. tell the next buyers. Yes, I can split the packages.

You'll make More money.

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There are so many items that won't command the same price, or even sell, if the package is opened. There are many categories on eBay where you're not allowed to list anything other than New.

[gracieallen01]

I had a large pair of Doulton vases, by George Tinworth, up for auction, many years back.  A woman asked if I could hold off selling them so she could send me a fabric sample of her sofa, so I check to see if the colors "would work".  I told her that wouldn't be possible since the auction had bids.

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine had a buyer ask her if she would dye something a different color for them before shipping it.

[iart]

Real...

Will you please email me photos of every page in the book [so I don't have to buy it]?

[dasarock]

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@cashvaluerecovery2011 wrote:
$3500 diamond necklace. "I only need this for a weekend. Can i just pay like $20 and ship it back after or do i pay in full and return for a refund after?"

I didnt even respond and just removed it off ebay and sold it for cash on a fee free social site. Ebay loves to facilitate these people.

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… are people really that dense and unrealistic?  I can't recall that I have ever had to deal with someone like this...

I've had people ask for unrealistic pricing and such, but not to such an extent.  maybe because almost all of my items are under $20?

[bigdeals.etc]

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@dirk12955 wrote:
I would gladly pay you next Tuesday for a hamburger today.

Stamps, I sell groups of 100 different for $14.99 shipping included. I had a guy wanted a lot and he told me what he wanted (The good stuff) and didn't want (The common or cheap stuff)

Then he finished, "Of course I can't pay 14 cents per stamp"

I blocked him as quickly as I could type.

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"The good stuff"??? Eeeeeeeew. I would never get a request like that because my stuff is barely even satisfactory.

[valuestore]

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@webwanna wrote:

I'm always tempted to respond with some equally insane request , like: 

It will be especially difficult to sell the remaining 8 items  so I will need your assistance in locating another buyer that would be willing to buy the remaining 8.  If you can't find one buyer for the remaining 8 maybe you can find 8 more sellers that each want one... To save on paypal processing fees, you will have to purchase the entire lot from me as listed and then split them up amongst the buyers you have found.

Does that work for you?

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Ive had this occur a few times,  where they give in buy the 2nd pack, but then file a case or return weeks later... they will try and get what they want one way or another.

[lgonzalez28]

This takes the cake!
We know that they do this, but to ask about the process is hilarious

[femmefan1946]

On another account I sell postage lots.  Packets of 100 counted stamps all of the same value discounted from face.

I get people asking for a packet of 25. Or 50 , Or 85.

But only on values under 25c.

So -- a discounted packet of 25x 1c stamps. With free shipping. And paying with Paypal.

I'll do that for my return customers on my own website  as part of a larger order,  but what part of "labour cost" do people not understand?

And yes, they do it in B&M stores as well.

The low values of stamp sets are "common" and cheap.  But no, we won't take apart an assembled set valued at $135 to sell you the threepenny you are missing that catalogues 30 cents. 

Go find it yourself. It took us three years to put the set together.

[lovemypommy]

(This is my posting ID)

My most recent situation involved someone asking for extra pics taken outside in sunlight so she "could see the color better". I obliged and she purchased and sent a message asking me to "ship promptly and in a box". After rolling my eyes (because I do ship promptly and always ship this particular item in a box) I sent a polite message acquiescing.

I got a return request shortly after it was delivered because "the color is darker than I thought". Really?! Not only were there 12 pics posted in the listing, but I sent those extra pics taken outside. I sent another polite message requesting that the item be packed in its original box with the tags still attached. She replied that it was fine because she never took it out of the box! What a pain in my patootie! She immediately went on my best buddies list. 

It was about this time I started charging for shipping (no more "free shipping!") and have actually been very happy since...eBay says free shipping, free returns, etc will get you more sales, but I'm not so sure about that.

[mr_lincoln]

@wastingtime101   Great thread!  Here's one that happened recently.  The item in question was priced at $ 74.95 on an Auction listing.

Buyer messages and says I'll pay you $ 50.00, they aren't selling for more then that.

Me:  Thanks for the message but I'm not sure how you do your sold Search but I have attached pics of 2 from my Sold Search, one for $ 60 and the other for $ 105.  I think it's priced fairly for the market.  In addition, at your offer plus Fees I would be selling for a loss.

The item sold that listing cycle ...

[vanman1029]

I sold a chunk of steel, about the size of a brick. I had the shipping price listed in the auction. The buyer, after buying it, sent me a message that shipping was too high and could I lower the shipping cost. I checked the shipping price according to his zip code and found shipping was actually a little more. I sent him a message telling him so and he said to cancel the auction!

[turquoisetulips]

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@josepmcelro_3 wrote:

A buyer asked me to make her a special order. every time I was almost finished with what she asked for she would add something else to make. I finally asked her to pay for her order she then tells me I only get paid once a month can you wait.  Blocked her listed items. Every once in a while she emails why am I blocked.

I've had things like that happen too  with the  jewelry I make . Someone  requested a certain design   or specialized theme that suited their individual needs . I've always done my best to comply with stuff like this  . I even  had to  purchase  an item   just to be able to make the potential  buyer  exactly what they've asked for.  Then when I contacted the buyer to let them know their order was   ready  they never responded . This is why I no longer accept custom orders  unless I'm certain I already have what I need in stock. However it still ends up being a waste of time  and effort  if the buyer changes their mind . Tulips 

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