eBay

titipeo · ‎03-26-2021

I've recently became rather active member in this board, providing assistance when I can, while learning at the same time. I must say thanks to all as it has helped me a lot. To the point that now I know how to protect myself.

Recently, one prospective buyer approached me asking for actual pictures of an item I listed. It was a sealed item, new in box. The pictures on my listing where of the actual boxed item, along with commonly internet pictures of the item itself. I explained as such to buyer, that mine was sealed, and I did not wanted to break its plastic seal. I did, however submitted a picture of the packaged item, seeing that it was clear plastic packaging, and in no way it prevented it visual presentation.

Buyer comes back saying that goods, did not looked exactly as the listing pictures, the color was off. This was my first clue. Looking at the picture, theres is indeed a difference from the internet picture with the goods outside its plastic packaging, as opposed to mine which is still inside its sealed bag, but that when looking at the actual item, not the pictures, there is really no difference at all.

Tried taking a few more pictures, with/without lighting, different background color, near, far way pictures, even used another phone, and digital camera. I couldn't quite match the internet picture. The white didn't come out as sharp as the internet one. I supposed the plastic packaging was preventing a perfect picture.

I emailed the seller, with the other pictures, and commented to him about the difference. He came back asking for yet more pictures. At this point I decided to block buyer. I was already seeing a Item Not as Described claim, goods swapped, and I'm out of the money, and item itself. As much as I will like to make a sale, I certainly do not want to deal with this type of buyer when it appears to me they are very particular to the color, and I can not provide that "look" they are asking. I emailed prospective buyer back, explained once again about the "professional" picture vs. mine & asked the buyer that I prefer he will refrain from buying my goods under the circumstances.

Maybe good, maybe bad, but to me, I just want to move on.

duncanvr · ‎03-26-2021

Sometimes when a buyer starts asking to many questions just block them. Because there is a good chance the sale will go down south once item is received. I would not open a sealed item for a potential buyer either, if they end up not buying your item changes from new to used and drops in value. I always believe ebay likes white background for pics and good sharp images, I would stick to your original item pics and not try to colour match it to others on the Internet. By the way there is a little ebay group on Facebook 'eBay Masters Reselling Group' where its encouraging members to ask similar questions to this board. Maybe worth a look.

bbravo65 · ‎03-26-2021

...I would do as you did in your situation...

...I won't shorten my life due to headaches and worries from a potential of bad business relationship that was alarmed from my instinct...

...money can't buy happiness and peace...priceless lesson many times...

eastendyuri · ‎04-16-2022

Argh. Nightmare buyer scenario for sure! I'm thankful that those buyers are relatively few and far between. Still, they will show up (usually from Miami -- can I just block the entire Miami?), they ask tons of odd questions, and set off several red flags. I do exactly what you do and block a buyer if I have to; in some cases they return using another account. It's whack-a-mole with some of these dudes. One guy gave me such heebie-jeebies that I straight-up ended the listing then and there to prevent him from hitting the "Buy It Now" button. I hate that it came to that, but with eBay I've learned to trust my gut. Things can always re-listed later down the line if need be.

PS - Sometimes I luck out and have an additional copy of a Brand New item I'm selling -- a used and open personal copy with contents I can photograph and add to a listing under a "from used copy / for reference only" caption to give the pickier buyer a preview without having to break any seals. (I just have to make certain it's the same catalog number *and* is documented in the photo(s) so the buyer is aware, to minimize the dreaded "item not as described" situation.

lamber9347 · ‎11-20-2022

@titipeo wrote:

<snip> and I can not provide that "look" they are asking. <snip>

That line explains it all perfectly. Some people are looking for a specific answer or photo and you will not be able to satisfy them, so you handled this correctly. I'm glad you are enjoying the forum. I came here initially for a question and have remained, just as you, because I continue to learn and become more educated on all the ins and outs of online selling. Best of luck to you....

spark-chaser1 · ‎11-20-2022

In the scenario you posted, you acted as I would have. That transaction would have ended up costing you, most likely.

The buyer could've ended up either buying it and then immediately requesting a refund on it or ( ironically) complain that the packaging wasn't sealed. Some people don't want to be pleased, nor do they want YOU to be.

In any case, its better to be courteous to the buyer and thank them for their consideration and then say goodnight, Gracie.

onefootflipper · ‎11-20-2022

You could actually block 100 percent of the potential buyers who ever so much as ask a single question without it ever hurting your sales.

I don't do that, but multiple questions, any question from a Non-US buyer or anything that makes me think the buyer might want to return the item equals a block. The fact is a good 95 percent of my sales happen with zero question from the buyer at all. The remaining 5 percent tend to mostly be very basic questions that don't set off any red flags at all.

4 out of 5 potential buyers who ask questions still don't buy the item even when the question is answered exactly the way you would think they would want it answered. At the end of each week I inevitably have an entire shelf full of these items pulled to answer customer questions from customers who then still did not buy.

farmalljr · ‎11-20-2022

Here is something I learned some time ago:

When a buyer asks fairly reasonable questions, they are serious about buying and have a LOW potential for problems. When a buyer asks you to "measure" something, asks about unimportant details, or gives off a weird vibe, I just block them and move on.

The last one:

I'm selling a used glass chess set. It's CHEAP at 10 bucks. The buyer wanted me to measure the height and base width of ONE particular piece. It's already packaged for shipping, but the buyer was "upset" because I would not unpack everything for one piece to be measured. I blocked them. Sure, maybe some might think I should have, but for a very low dollar item, I'm not wasting time with silliness.

onefootflipper · ‎11-21-2022

@farmalljr wrote:
Here is something I learned some time ago:

When a buyer asks fairly reasonable questions, they are serious about buying and have a LOW potential for problems. When a buyer asks you to "measure" something, asks about unimportant details, or gives off a weird vibe, I just block them and move on.

The last one:
I'm selling a used glass chess set. It's CHEAP at 10 bucks. The buyer wanted me to measure the height and base width of ONE particular piece. It's already packaged for shipping, but the buyer was "upset" because I would not unpack everything for one piece to be measured. I blocked them. Sure, maybe some might think I should have, but for a very low dollar item, I'm not wasting time with silliness.

When I get a customer like that who really sets off my red flags I will pull the item down, say something like "Sorry, having some problems here, this isn't available anymore". Block the customer and toss the item into drafts for a few weeks before relaunching it. That is so the customer absolutely does not end up purchasing the item on any account. A few weeks usually gives them time to move on to something else entirely. They might be obsessed with my $9 lot of cheap dolls and want endless details and the item shipped to another country, but I doubt they will ever find the same lot again when it comes back a few weeks later with a different title and different main photo.