Easy to do the right thing

[clubesquire]

We've been dealing with a gentle old chap, and gentleman he is, for a couple of months now, trying to find a particular high-end pipe for him. We found it and he's over the moon.

Before this though, he's bought two off eBay. Paid extraordinarily high prices and both were terribly flawed. He sent us pics and I can only assume the seller well knew of the flaws, but sold anyway with no mention of them. Being the dear old man that he is, he just copped it sweet - no neg feedback, but has identified the sellers to me. Their item descriptions and feedback say a lot about them, but I guess as we age, we miss those certain nuances that say 'beware.' His words were, 'Well, they must have needed the money more than I needed the pipes.'

I know it can't be avoided, certain apples never fall far from the tree, but I wonder if these rogue sellers (an assumption on my part), ever give kind thought to the people on the other end of their opportunism and deception, or thought for us, their fellow sellers and how it reflects generally on our reputations - it appears not.

On the one hand it's terribly disappointing - disgusting really, on the other it's been a wonderful experience. Doing the right thing was easy and it feels soooo good!

Using this as an example I can understand why the relationship between eBay and it's sellers is at an all time low, and why some of their autocratic and controlling policies exist. Decent sellers though, are copping it for the team!! There must be a way of rewarding good, honest sellers and cutting the bad away from the herd.

Melina

[countessalmirena]

There will always be sellers whose morning prayers must begin with "Hail, caveat emptor, and let gold flow from them unto me, Amen."

It's very obvious you are not one of them, Melina!

(I'm not a smoker - never have been - and I don't collect pipes, but your listings are so enticing with the rich glow of those pipebowls and the shape and look of each lovingly photographed item, and the meticulous detail included, that I honestly found myself thinking, "I could just collect these for the look of them...")

It's true that as buyers we have a responsibility to have due care before we buy, and I suppose sellers whose only purpose is to receive payment for items can make items available without pointing out flaws or problems... but it's certainly not a way of selling that I find admirable. There are certainly businesses or people from whom I will never purchase again, or do business with again. I don't go out of my way to badmouth a business, but if I'm asked to recommend a particular business or seller, I will be candid about my experience. I mostly have good experiences, though, because I do my research before buying, and because it doesn't pay to be penny wise and pound foolish!

[springyzone]

Lovely story, so glad you were able to help him out.

I think it must be hard for ebay sometimes though as the 2 sides in any dispute have conflicting views.

Some might be easy to arbitrate, others maybe not so easy.

But either way, it is taking up time and to ebay, that translates as money.

I have seen others say that if a seller gets a few defects, their selling career on ebay is pretty well ended but I suppose a seller can only get those if a buyer complains in some way.

Second hand sales are fraught. I totally believe that your ads would be 100% accurate but for sure there are some that don't mention faults. I've struck it myself a few times in the past but to be honest, it has been a lot, lot better in recent years, maybe just because a lot of sellers now know a buyer can make a claim.

The ones I hate most with a pssion are those who are deliberately out to defraud-who try to sell eg an empty box, knowing full well their description implies the contents or those who don't have an item at all but advertise at ridiculously low prices, maybe hoping to lure people into a bank payment or maybe they do it to get buyer details.

You ask if they think of the person they defraud. No they don't. They only think of themselves.

[joztamps]

A well-known 19th century English judge summed up the issues thus

“Counsel for the defendant has very properly told you, members of the jury, that it is no part of the law of England that a man who in selling goods has got to say harsh things about them. He is quite right. A fishmonger is under no obligation to cry ‘stinking fish, stinking fish’, but if he knows that his fish do stink he is not entitled to cry falsely “fresh fish, fresh fish’, nor is he any the more entitled to do that if he happens to know that his customer cannot smell.”

By analogy, I try to follow these principle

1. Don't downplay your product any more than circumstances require, but

2. Don't describe something in terms you know to be false, and  

3. If you know there's a flaw in the product which a buyer cannot see ("smell") on the scans, specify it in your description.

Do unto others, etc.

Neither suggestio falsio, nor suppressio veri.

[countessalmirena]

Wise words from that darling Mr Justice Darling.

[joztamps]

Funny.

Though there is a swag of anecdotal evidence that most barristers would strongly dispute the description "that darling".

[kopenhagen5]

There must be a way of rewarding good, honest sellers and cutting the bad away from the herd.

This is of course happens every day in life, we just don't hear or see a lot of it and tend to remember the bad more than the good deeds.

Hence my signature, to remind all that it IS a wonderful world despite the pockets of negativity.

Melina, you are probably referring to culling from the herd here on eBay.

The reasons all the security measures are in place, however, innocent until proven otherwise and online, that is very difficult.

Even though many duboius listings can be found on eBay, there are also a plethera of listings/members taken down as a direct result of reports from other members.

but I wonder if these rogue sellers (an assumption on my part), ever give kind thought to the people on the other end of their opportunism and deception

Much to our dismay, there exists people whom just don't give a rats, to be blunt.

Asian sellers come to mind especially Chinese. For them it is all about the almighty dollar with little or no regard for the trail of destruction left behind.

But once again, we are blessed to be in such a wonderful place. Aussie........Aussie.........Aussie.........

[clubesquire]

Hi Kopes and all 🙂

I probably didn't put  that very well. About being rewarded I mean. No one should be rewarded for doing what's right. But, I'm sure you all got my point.

And, you're  so right Kopes. We've been fortunate to have travelled quite a bit and whilst there's some truly magnificent little spots on this spinning rock, I think we're very fortunate to be able to lay claim to Australia. We could easily move to places like Ireland, Croatia, New Zealand and a few others that are just breathtaking, but we've got more here than most will ever know.

As you say, Aussie Aussie Aussie.

Melina.

[kopenhagen5]

Oi........Oi........Oi.........

[shoppingbag*]

Yes, still a great country, but for how much longer?