Buyer - Stop Blaming The Sellers!

[arnl7178]

Why is it that a buyer will buyer an item, make no contact whatsoever, and then get mad when a non-payment dispute is open?

Honestly, sometimes sellers just can't win.

I added information in my "terms" stating I won't write to buyers after 4 days of non payment because a buyer knows they need to pay and because eBay remind them so that's sufficient notice before a dispute is opened, YET I still do send a quick message telling a buyer if they need more time, just let me know. Communication is key!

If I hear nothing, a dispute is opened.

Once it's opened, they usually pay but are then mad at me. I got my first neutral for "slow postage" recently, because my buyer was annoyed about a dispute being opened and I've had several buyers before and since really mad about me opening a dispute.

Buyers, please just COMMUNICATE with us. We don't know you need more time. We don't know your intentions. We don't know anything if you don't tell us.

What's worse, these buyers who don't let us know what's going on, have no problem using the eBay message system to show their opinions of us once a dispute is opened.

It's infuriating!

[arnl7178]

I wonder if a buyer would think it's ok for a seller to not send their item until 5 or 6 days after purchase without a single word as to why there's a delay?

[*crikey*mate*]

I reckon mine would tend to get a bit anxious if I did that arnl LOL

One of mine shot me a PM immediately after sale asking me to let them know when I had posted it. (about 11 am on the Monday) I responded that i would. and thank you for the purchase and prompt payment etc.... I posted it on the Tuesday, but didn't get back to my computer until later that night to let the buyer know (although at my end it showed up on the purchase history as I had processed it through C&S) By the time I got to answering my emails on the Tuesday night, I had another message from the buyer asking me why I hadn't posted the item yet and when was i going to do it!

I have 3 business days marked (just in case), but do my best to make it one, but sheesh, I thought that was a little bit eager.

[arnl7178]

Exactly Crikey.

Sometimes its so hard to know what the right way to do things is.

I saw a post here in the forums not so long ago, from a buyer complaining about sellers messaging them when they've posted their items, because they didn't want extra emails from sellers because it's obvious they will post their items, since the buyer clearly paid.

Then you'll have some buyers get upset if you don't message asking if there's a problem with payment when they don't pay within 4 or 5 days.

You can't win sometimes. If we message, it can be misconstrued as excessive. If we don't, we're rude for not showing common courtesy.

*shrugs*

[joz*garage]

i treat buyers how i'd like to be treated as a buyer and treat sellers how i'd like to be treated as a seller...simple...leave the malious ebayers to their own devices

theres a button you can click in 'my ebay' crikey, "mark as sent" this sends an ebay automated email to the buyer to let them know when youve shipped the item. i hardly communicate with my buyers and sellers, only if necessary  

[*crikey*mate*]

Yep! it sure is a minefield out there!

As a buyer, I really objected to an email from a seller immediately after my payment telling me to let them know my item had arrived by leaving them positive feedback, and they would then return the favour!

I guess they were confident that their item was A1, eh? but still.....

Also as a buyer, i get a bit chuffed when I get feedback as soon as i pay, however as a seller, whilst I recognize how the former probably makes my buyer feel, I am a bit reluctant to do that, as from the seller's perspective, I have no idea how the transaction will be finalized. Will they communicate with me if there is a problem? Will they be realistic in their ex0pectations?

Not so long ago, I had a customer get really cross at me because I had not included the coathanger pictured in the description in the package (the auction was actually for the clothing hanging on the hanger, the hanger was just what I used to try photograph the item appealingly.)

Picture also included the arm of one of my kids (holding the garment out) - they never complained about me not including the arm or the kid!

Another one, lady wasn't happy with her garment - I offered a full refund including return postage - but they wanted a partial refund (2/3 of total amount) and to keep the item. They were very cross because I wouldn't do this and have threatened negative feedback unlkess i comply. Her complaint was something associated with the material of the garment, it was clearly listed in the listing, including care instructions (dry clean only) - she didn't like that when she realized. She hadn't read the listing.

*shrugs*

[*crikey*mate*]

i treat buyers how i'd like to be treated as a buyer and treat sellers how i'd like to be treated as a seller...simple...leave the malious ebayers to their own devices

theres a button you can click in 'my ebay' crikey, "mark as sent" this sends an ebay automated email to the buyer to let them know when youve shipped the item. i hardly communicate with my buyers and sellers, only if necessary  

joz, thanks for that - when i go through C&S it does that automatically (well the little symbol shows up - not sure about the email), at least it does at my end - guess i just assumed it showed up similarly for the buyer.

Guess that's what you get for assuming, eh?

[joz*garage]

joz, thanks for that - when i go through C&S it does that automatically (well the little symbol shows up - not sure about the email), at least it does at my end - guess i just assumed it showed up similarly for the buyer.

Guess that's what you get for assuming, eh?

i havent sent off a C&S parcel yet.. you could be right! Oh boy.. this is going to be good, C&S is a learning curve for moi but ya gotta keep up wif the times heh? 

[phorum_junkie*]

I have never had a buyer get nasty after I have opened a dispute, they just pay up with no communication or they pay up with an apology.

I do send a tactful reminder on day 3 asking if they can let me know asap how they have paid as I have been unable to trace their payment and their XXXXXX is all parcelled up and ready to post. I then ask them to get in touch within 24 hours if they are having problems making the payment so we can work something out and avoid an unpaid item dispute being opened on day 5.

[carly2579]

on  my  terms of sales  it is stated it may take up  to 5  days to be posted  and  being from tasmania it   may take longer   to get there

[arnl7178]

Picture also included the arm of one of my kids (holding the garment out) - they never complained about me not including the arm or the kid!

LOL! It would have taken all my strength not to ask that buyer if she wanted the arm included :^O