Are buyers becoming too picky?

[silly_wallaby]

Forgive this long post. I'm a bit upset tonight. Maybe I've just been having a bad run of luck, but I've noticed a lot of my buyers have become unreasonably picky.

I mostly sell second-hand clothing and all my stuff is in excellent condition...or great condition with a bit of pilling or wear (that I mention in the listing, of course). I would never sell anything that I wouldn't be happy to receive myself. But lately, there have been a lot of buyers who seem to buy my items expecting them to be in brand new condition. 

 I haven't changed how I list or changed the quality of my items, so why have these buyers suddenly come out of the woodwork? I'm getting tired of constantly apologizing and refunding people who are disappointed that the items aren't in brand new or as-new condition, or they complain because something is starting to pill or because something has a mark on it (even though I mention these  things in the listing).

Don't even get me started on people who leave negative feedback without contacting me. I recently received a negative because a buyer was upset that the dress I sent them was black instead of dark purple...even though the picture and description made it clear that the dress was black.

Do people just not read listing descriptions anymore???

It's just so frustrating. I'm starting to get a bit disillusioned with ebay. My sales haven't been great this year, so it's disheartening to receive so many complaints in such a short amount of time. I can't help but wonder if the influx of international sellers who sell clothing brand-new-with-tags have given buyers unreasonable expectations when it comes to buying clothing on ebay. 😞

[foxette-in-sox]

JMO but NEVER EVER EVER sell items with pilling-those shaver/fluff removers would cause a person to get arthritis just looking at them :_|

As no one can see your listings,no help can be given except hugs sorry (((())))

[*sparklz*]

Do you refund before they return the items?

Never refund till you have the item back in the condition it was sent.

And if they open disputes make sure you put in detail why you claim the item is as described and when you get it back call paypal and tell them the item is as described and the buyer has lied to get the refund.

And fight them when you are in the right to get your money back.

Often telling them you will take it to the financial ombudsmen will see you getting your money back.

If more sellers did this they might not refund the buyers so easily.

[jameshouseofstyle]

Hi wallby - maybe you just had a spate of things  come all together - it's not like that all time.

But we have only quite realized how picky people on Ebay are (we always knew that, knowing what they complained about - usually nothing worthwhile) since we opened a store and were able to compare first hand number and nature of complaints between the two.

So far: store - 0 (after about 970 sales, store is only new, opened about 6weeks ago

           Ebay - not many, admittedly, but they were all about nothing, all demanded some sort of pay back, when it was refused and suggested they go through PP if they feel that they deserve anything - they must have changed their minds as we never hear anything further.

The difference must be the constant threat of f/back on Ebay, with buyers thinking that is the ultimate weapon they have to"get things out of sellers, to get their own way" - as there is really no difference in quality of merchandise, nor descriptions, nor pictures, nor any other info required to help any/all buyer (s).

The neg you received wrongfully for the colour of the dress will be removed if you ring Ebay.

[jubee5]

two things really........facebook and gumtree

[i-once-was-bump]

jhos surely the buyers in a shop should be happy because they can see and feel the item whereas buying on ebay they don't get to see the item until it is delivered.

I have bought velvet items and have been disappointed with the quality of the fabric and had I seen and felt the item would never have purchased but I just kept the item because quality of a   fabric is so hard to describe in a listing.

Another buyer might return the velvet items to get refunds but to me buying online involves some risk taking so I accept the goods and leave +ve feedback.

[the-kazbar]

Buyers on ebay demand the lowest prices and the highest levels of service. They want the best but don't want to pay anything for it.

That is the way ebay has trained them to be.

You need to set yourself a return/refund policy and stick to it.

[jameshouseofstyle]

bump, sorry, I didn't mean a real B&M store, I meant it's a web site store.

And kazbar, I don't think it's anything much wrong with demanding the best service, anywhere, I probably do it myself (love the stores where you can sit down, be offered a drink and several people attend to you).

After all service is still no. 1 factor in retail customer satisfaction, something that your customers remember long after they have forgotten what they bought, the actual item is secondary, if not even lover ranking.

What I found as a glaring difference between Ebay customers and the other non Ebay internet shoppers is the attitude, and as much as I never took any notice before I am convinced now you are right, that Ebay has something to do with it!

But at the same time I must say that we have found Ebay to go to great length (more than expected) to help whit rude people, people who think they have got you over the barell with their pathetic threats of bad f/back, people who blatantly lie, people who complain about non existant "faults" - that sort of thing.

All I am saying is that all of the components of such bad behavior seem to be non - existant on non Ebay web sites.

And we still think - even on Ebay - if you are right and you know you are right - stick to your guns - you'll not be any less right just because someone else is trying their damnest to prove otherwise.

And to think that anyone (this refers to whingers) is prepared to "work" that hard just for a few dollars in any potential gain is even more amazing!

[janeababe]

well, as a buyer of clothing items at times, I was disappointed to receive a pair of jeans advertised as NWOT Black denim jeans. UhNaHuh!  What they really were, was faded grey denim used jeans that had pilling/fluff inside both pockets. 😞

I immediately emailed the seller and *complained * about her description. She rewsponded that she didnt realise they had been washed as she hadnt looked inside the pockets. I seeked a part refund and got it.

I did leave positive feedback, as she refunded immediately without hesitation.

Its NOT always the buyers fault you know! 😉

[Anonymous]

jeanbabe - your post has nothing to do with the OP questions.

Not even close.