@chameleon54 wrote:I agree that low feedback buyers are not usually a problem. I have the phone verification block on my private account, but this sells things that attract quite a few "wallies". Mainly vintage car & motor cycle parts, etc. and dont get me started on old Holden fanatics ( I cringe every time I list a juicy, classic Holden part as there is something very "special" about old Holden fans ..
.. ) The blocks have done their job on this account as I get quite a few non payers blocked as well as unverified accounts.
I dont have any blocks on the stores at all and get lots of low feedback buyers. Most are very genuine, although quite a few need some help with the processes, payment etc. This is not a drama as I am happy to assist if possible. I try to communicate a bit more with the new buyers, thanking them for their purchases, welcoming them to ebay and letting them know when an item has been mailed etc. This way they seem happy to contact me and sort any little problems, arrange payment by direct credit if their paypal accounts are not up and running yet etc. I think the paypal thing can cause some non payments by newbies as it seems to take a week or two for many to get their accounts working.
I'm the same. If I can see they're having issues with the whole process, I'm more than happy to help them out. It doesn't take long to type a few emails to them to help them out. Some I have even gone into the dispute processes, when they should and shouldn't open one. If there is an issue, to contact the seller first using the "ask about my item or contact seller" option and if the seller is willing to sort their problem out, then that's good enough. If the seller is being an ashat about it, then go ahead and open a dispute and give them all you've got. I even go so far as to tell them whether to open an eBay or PayPal dispute.
I think one of the big issues with buyers opening disputes is, that's what eBay tells them to do. It says in the help pages, if your item hasn't arrived, select the not received option. If the item isn't described, select the not as described option. There is nothing saying to contact the seller first before resorting to one of those options. There is also nothing to inform the buyers that they have just given their seller a defect on their account, when all they were trying to do was send them a message saying their item hasn't arrived, what should I do?
Another thing I love about my low feedback buyers, they don't tend to shop around. They see something they want and will try and outbid an existing bidder, meaning my items sometimes sell for more than I was hoping for! The few bidding wars I've had, were all low feedbackers! I felt bad the other day when one paid what I considered to be far too much for an item (or a pair as it was), so I chucked a 3rd one in. I wasn't even expecting to get the $9.99 start price for them and when they sold for $19.99, I felt a bit guilty! I hate having a conscience LOL.
