Sob Story Shoppers

[wastingtime101]

Did you ever notice that the buyers who need a big discount because they're a [insert: disabled senior on a fixed income buying something for their neighbor that's the widow of a vet and needs to be cheered up] almost always have between 50-200 buyer FB in just the last month?

[lamber9347]

---

@wastingtime101 wrote:

Did you ever notice that the buyers who need a big discount because they're a [insert: disabled senior on a fixed income buying something for their neighbor that's the widow of a vet and needs to be cheered up] almost always have between 50-200 buyer FB in just the last month?

---

Yep. Don't fall for it. Offer a discount if you would for anyone expressing interest, otherwise your price is your price. If others wouldn't cave into these pleas they wouldn't do it. Best of luck to you....

[1grandmashope_1]

No, but the times that I have had buyers (a couple) with some issues like your speaking of, I try my best to help them out. I don't know if I've been had, but I do know that there may come a time that I too may need a helping  hand and hope that someone would be there for me.

It is a business, but I  would not sleep well knowing that I  could of maybe helped someone and chose not to due to the dollar.  If I  am had, then I know, for me, I did what was right for who I am.

So many people in very difficult positions right now.

I am sending my very best to each and every  one of them. May they find there path to better times.

Grandma 

[gracieallen01]

@1grandmashope_1 

That is a very good and commendable mind set, as well as a good outlook.  I just wish there weren't so many people out there who are more than willing to take advantage of it or so many people that can't afford to take the hit for it.

[bigdeals.etc]

No. But that’s because I haven’t had a sob story buyer in a loooong time. Maybe it’s because it’s much easier nowadays to get what you want by abusing the ebay buyer system versus trying to convince a seller for a hand out.

Sob stories have disappeared for me but false SNADs and receiving used or incorrect returned items are on the rise.

[wastingtime101]

---

@lamber9347 wrote:

---

---

Yep. Don't fall for it. Offer a discount if you would for anyone expressing interest, otherwise your price is your price. If others wouldn't cave into these pleas they wouldn't do it.

---

I concur. These people keep throwing out sob stories because others fall for it. I never feed the beast. I sell new stuff so I have no reason to do offers. I'll run sales and volume discounts open to everyone, but I don't do offers (except for the rare event when I list used stuff on another account).

One lady was so persistent after I politely told her my price was firm that I BBLed her. I smelled trouble. I don't know whether or not she realized I BBLed her, but she proceeded to get angry and tell me how she's been a seller here for 20 years and that she sells the item she was trying to buy from me. Obviously she uses her sob story to try and source inventory on the cheap. If I'm remembering correctly, she had 50, or maybe it was 150, buyer FB in the last month. I deal with so many of these con artists every week that I mix them up.

[wastingtime101]

---

@1grandmashope_1 wrote:

No, but the times that I have had buyers (a couple) with some issues like your speaking of, I try my best to help them out. [truncated for brevity]

---

That's admirable, but for me this is business and I can't give large discounts. I sell here to pay my bills. I sell new product, non-necessities so as far as I'm concerned, a sob story isn't relevant to what I'm selling. Someone can go shop for the same things preowned and get the lower price they're after while still enjoying their luxury item.

I do a hell of a lot to help others in need throughout the year. I don't mix that with business, though.

[wastingtime101]

---

@bigdeals.etc wrote:

No. But that’s because I haven’t had a sob story buyer in a loooong time. Maybe it’s because it’s much easier nowadays to get what you want by abusing the ebay buyer system versus trying to convince a seller for a hand out.

Sob stories have disappeared for me but false SNADs and receiving used or incorrect returned items are on the rise.

---

I'm seeing fewer false SNADs these days, and I thought it was because of the protections offered to both TRS and free returns sellers related to reporting buyers and withholding part of their refund. They message begging for discounts because they can stay under the radar that way, and it's working for them because a lot of sellers go along with their requests.

I've also seen a big increase in claims through messages of damage or INR when tracking shows delivered. One lady threw a full on tantrum when I wouldn't refund her for an item she claimed she never received. She told me that all the other sellers refunded her even though there were delivery scans. She wouldn't open an INR though, probably because she wanted to stay off eBay's radar - or maybe she had already lost her buyer protections.

[lightlily_arts]

Yes and as a disabled senior living on a fixed income myself I depend on my sales profit to supplement my income.  The discounts they request  are ridiculously low which means not only would I be selling at a loss but still have to pay fees too.   I can be sympathetic, but don't feel compelled to give away any profit.  Also I don't sell anything essential.   It's laughable as I can see by the amount they've purchased they clearly have more money than I.

[lightlily_arts]

Did you notice that the poster stated that their sob story discount shoppers had  feedback showing 50-200 recent purchases?

[lightlily_arts]

Sure they don't need a discount if they can get it for free.

[wastingtime101]

---

@lightlily_arts wrote:

Did you notice that the poster stated that their sob story discount shoppers had  feedback showing 50-200 recent purchases?

---

Yeah, that's basically the point I was making. They're really bad con artists because  you can see right off the bat that they're most likely lying. Unless all those purchases are made with someone else's money, then clearly their budget isn't as tight as they'd have you believe.

[bigdeals.etc]

---

@lightlily_arts wrote:

Did you notice that the poster stated that their sob story discount shoppers had  feedback showing 50-200 recent purchases?

---

“Those purchases were all cancelled because my cat purchased them without my authorization.”

[1grandmashope_1]

@gracieallen01 

@wastingtime101 

Reading your replies,  let me just say this. I too treat my selling as a business, because it is my business.  I NEED it to supplement my Social Security so that I  can pay my bills. But I am also a human being who, when I can, I  try to help others.

Also, I  am not so easily taken advantage of. 

To me my business IS about people and within that framework who I am and what I stand for is most important to me.

I am not looking for "admiration" but I am looking to be the best me I can be in everything I do and with those that I encounter.  That is all we have when we leave.

I'm happy you do for others in other capacities, I  commend you. I was not calling you out , just stating my opinion and addressed it regarding your post.

As far as "so many people" willing to take advantage,  well I  agree. There are. Let me reiterate, I am not one that is easily taken advantage of. I do however, take chances with others when I believe that it may warrant it. This to me does not lead to others doing the same, as have been suggested.  That is nonsense. 

I try and be the best human that I can be in each and everything that I  do which includes MY business. 

If a child's bowl is so important to someone because it gives them joy in remembering their youth, I am more than happy to facilitate that. If the story about sharing that with their young one was just a story,  to screw me and get the bowl, well shame on them. But I went to bed that night with a happy heart. All the money in the world would never make me feel that way.

So...  I respect and understand all the different opinions here, but my business and my dealings with people are and will always be with the mindset of kindness.  Hopefully, I will make some money to pay my electric or gas bills at the same time.  I appreciate the ability to have this as my tool to earn that much needed extra income. 

I wish you all a successful year,

Grandma 

---

[terrycece62]

Buyers  need to decide when and how much they can spend on an item wanted or needed.

As a adult buyers do not buy an item you can not afford and then beg for a discount and become have a tantrum when the seller does not fall for your sad story

I had one of these buyers she was a real nightmare claiming that she was unaware that some some of the items in the jewelry lot she purchased was clip and she could not wear clip earrings so she requested a discount.

i offered return jewelry lot for full refund and that is when the sob story started

sent me long detailed message of what a horrible person and calling me several names i was because she was disabled in a wheelchair, lived in such a remote area a relative had to deliver her mail and of course on a limited income ( my thought :   so you buying jewelry lot you can't afford? ) Offering every excuse in the book as to why she COULD NOT POSSIBLY RETURN THE LOT to me

I offered several suggestions for returning items to me which she of course HAD to reject due to her terrible situation

All that said, I feel empathy but if you buy and  agree to terms of purchase you pay for it  I think giving someone extra time to pay is fine but a discount is not

Good for you  you are running a business 

Was the item a essential item ??