What's your ratio?

[u_cant_take_it_with_u]

Of those would-be-buyers who ask for additional information, how many actually buy your item?  Personally, the norm for me, is that they rarely (and even that might be a bit ingratiating) buy the item.  I often wonder it they are just on a power trip, to see if the seller will jump through their hoops.  And of those who ask "ridiculous" questions , they NEVER buy- 

[itsjustasprain]

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@u_cant_take_it_with_u wrote: 
You are so missing the boat, I can't even respond.  Oh, and FYI, "missing the boat" does not mean I think you stepped of some pier, and fell in the water...Sheesh!

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The phrase youre thinking of is missing the point - not missing the boat - and Im not missing anything at all. What Im saying is that if people are asking you questions you should wonder why. Maybe there is more info you could be putting in your description. 

[u_cant_take_it_with_u]

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@itsjustasprain wrote:

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The phrase youre thinking of is missing the point - not missing the boat - and Im not missing anything at all. What Im saying is that if people are asking you questions you should wonder why. Maybe there is more info you could be putting in your description. 

Wow....  You really don't know what a metaphore is...do you? My appologies for making the grave mistake, of assuming that you would.

 You should know, that I created my seller account in 1999... I have close to 6,000 feedback.  And though I most certainly, don't know all the "ebay" there is, to know... I have been to the rodeo, a time, or two.  I am not speaking of the run-of-the-mill (I hope you know what that means) questions, that every ebay seller gets; And that wasn't even my point.  So don't dwell on what I should do, or how I should react....I was simply asking [as there are many threads on the boards about sellers getting asked strange/stupid questions questions], if sellers feel their jumping through a would-be-bidders hoops, was fruitful.  There, now I believe we are done here-

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[coffeebean832]

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@u_cant_take_it_with_u wrote:

Of those would-be-buyers who ask for additional information, how many actually buy your item?

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Maybe 50%?  I can usually tell based on the type of question whether they will purchase or not.

[or_couture]

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@lex-talon wrote:

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@u_cant_take_it_with_u wrote:

Of those would-be-buyers who ask for additional information, how many actually buy your item?  Personally, the norm for me, is that they rarely (and even that might be a bit ingratiating) buy the item.  I often wonder it they are just on a power trip, to see if the seller will jump through their hoops.  And of those who ask "ridiculous" questions , they NEVER buy- 

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If a buyer has to ask for additional information or photos, then the seller isn't providing enough of both of those. 

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Not true. Many buyers don't read. Or they just want to hassle you with more pics with no intention of buying. It happens a lot.

[or_couture]

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@u_cant_take_it_with_u wrote:

Of those would-be-buyers who ask for additional information, how many actually buy your item?  Personally, the norm for me, is that they rarely (and even that might be a bit ingratiating) buy the item.  I often wonder it they are just on a power trip, to see if the seller will jump through their hoops.  And of those who ask "ridiculous" questions , they NEVER buy- 

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I'd say 5%.

I just opened a thread and vented about this the other day.

This is exactly what's happening to me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvrBW5fmkNk

[castlemagicmemories]

I think a lot of them ask but just move on from there.  That's why a complete listing is more likely to sell. 

[mr_lincoln]

@u_cant_take_it_with_u  I actually agree with part  of your assessment, some Buyers are not interested in Buying but just trying to see if a Seller will do things ... over time some bogus questions are easier to spot.  I have "Questions welcome" on virtually every listing ... but that implies serious questions so the Buyer can make an informed purchase or move on with no offense taken. 

I do not hesitate to answer a question with a question if its appropriate and a % of those replies go unanswered and I never hear from them again.

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@u_cant_take_it_with_u wrote:

Of those would-be-buyers who ask for additional information, how many actually buy your item?  Personally, the norm for me, is that they rarely (and even that might be a bit ingratiating) buy the item.  I often wonder it they are just on a power trip, to see if the seller will jump through their hoops.  And of those who ask "ridiculous" questions , they NEVER buy- 

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Do you resent prospective buyers asking questions, because they might not buy after you make the effort to reply? And feel contempt for those whose inquiries suggest they havn't done their due diligence as a buyer, perhaps missing information already provided? The buyer-seller relationship doesn't have to be contentious. But i wonder why the hostility towards your shoppers?

[tunicaslot]

I don't think he resents buyers that ask questions but I have to say after 20 yrs - the last few years here and elsewhere - when I'm asked to relist as they didn't get a chance to buy the item before it ended and I do - only about 10% come back and buy the item - even tho I've forwarded the new item number with the link. Those that ask questions - maybe 25% come back and buy. Some are really nice and respond with a TY or it won't work - no problem - and most times the info is right in the listing. 

If I have forgotten something - I than the person for notifying me and add it. We are all human and it is possible we sometimes forget something - but I'll disagree with some here and say most times adequate info is in the listings and the buyer's just don't see it or know how to see it on the app. Just had an SNAD for size - she said the top is not a small. Return accepted with me paying return postage - item returned - tag says small - measurments in listing are correct - the buyer just didn't read.

Had a person email 2 weeks ago about the stride of a pant - in 20 yrs of selling first time I've had that question and I had to look up what stride was. Pulled item out - measured and responded politely - "crickets".

[robot-hands]

60/40

60% of the questions I get asked are so mind numbingly stupid, I have no idea how to respond...I mean even intense derisive sarcasm wouldn't make a difference on way or another.

I get questions like this:

"Buyer": "Is this a book or a picture of a book?"

Me: "This is a DVD"

Or like this:

"Buyer": "Could you do $25 shipped?"

Me: "This listing is 15 minutes old with 5 watchers and selling this for $25 with free shipping would result in a net loss of $30 for me."

"Buyer": "Is that a yes?"

I should just stop responding....but then we are sure to get a new seller metric based on response time designed to reduce our placement or discount.

[u_cant_take_it_with_u]

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@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

 

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Do you resent prospective buyers asking questions, because they might not buy after you make the effort to reply? And feel contempt for those whose inquiries suggest they havn't done their due diligence as a buyer, perhaps missing information already provided? The buyer-seller relationship doesn't have to be contentious. But i wonder why the hostility towards your shoppers?

Fash'....I know you love to post on the boards, and I know you love to put words in peoples mouths...  Don't pull that with me!  Climb down off your white horse, and realize...That's NOT what I was saying...  Go back, read EXACTLY what I said, and re-think your thread.  Don't post, just for the sake of posting!

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[coolections]

I would have to ask what is the ratio of someone in a store asking a question compared to those who actually buy the item ? My guess it is about the same. Maybe a little higher here because the person cannot see the item, touch the item, try on the item etc. so they must ask more often here.

[u_cant_take_it_with_u]

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@coolections wrote:

I would have to ask what is the ratio of someone in a store asking a question compared to those who actually buy the item ? My guess it is about the same. Maybe a little higher here because the person cannot see the item, touch the item, try on the item etc. so they must ask more often here.

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Interesting point.  I would imagine that would be the case-

[mr_lincoln]

@robot-hands  LOL!!!

(item is an HO train set)

Buyer: What is the dimension of the tallest train car?

Seller: (I have sold hundreds of train lots and have NEVER been asked for height dimensions ... but that's okay but it means I have to open a train box, get every car out and measure them) 2 1/4" but that does not include the track height which can vary

Buyer: Does it run?

Seller:  Did you read the Conditions and Description?

Buyer: I am considering 6 train sets and don't remember

(now folks, keep in mind that in BOTH Conditions and Description I state the running condition of every electric train I sell.  Additionally, eBay messaging has a link to the item)

Seller:  No problem, if this set makes it to your short list all the information you seek is on the listing.

(If the Buyer, in my opinion, was seriously considering 6 different train sets then they would know whether they run or not by reading the listings ... the question on dimensions seems odd since most of the train cars in that gage are fairly similar.  Some may think my final reply was a bit brash but it wasn't, I want the potential Buyer to read the listing before they pruchase.)

[ag47silver-us]

Had one ask me to "hold" a $10 dancer ring because they were on a low budget and was a dancer too, WHOOPDY DOO, i ignored, it's still listed to this day no watchers