Ebay: Is it Just Me?

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

You are not alone. I do not bid if I don't get an answer. Many sellers have no clue when it comes to customer relations, and what it takes to make a sale.
Stan

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

I usually get a reply, unless it's too close to the end of the auction. If I don't recieve a reply, I usually pass too. There's always more coming down the pike.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

There are a lot of sellers who don't think customer relations are important. There are others who don't know, so they don't answer. Still others are ar work or out partying, and don't see the questions in time. It should hurt them.

If I can't get an answer, I usually don't bid, or I lower my bid to account for the uncertainty.

I think eBay has been going downhill, recently.


- Dennis

--

Of course the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you--if you don't play, you can't win.
-Robert Heinlein

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

So, the poor communication is common.

If I don't get a response, I feel like I might be dealing with a less than honest person. Why don't they answer my simple questions? Maybe their product isn't up to snuff and can't stand more rigorous inspection. And, when the question is "how much to ship to England?" and they don't respond - that seems just plain lazy. I never bid if they don't respond.

And, if the pics are lousy, forget it. They are hiding something (which is usually revealed by the bad pic anyway). And, then there are the auctions w/ just one crummy pic, like they couldn't tell from that one they should try again! Rant over. Your turn.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

MONICA: you hit the nail on the head..... if photo is not a decent photo (doesn't have to be a professionally done one) YES, most sellers are trying to hide somethings...... for the most part, IF seller does not answer your questions, same thing - seller is PLAYING dumb & hopes that you will bid anyway.... i would guess that many a bidder DO bid anyway.... therefore the SELLER gets MORE $$$ then if they had answered the questions & buyer CANNOT come back for a refund........ as to shipping, I - myself find that many times when i do tell a person OUTSIDE the U.S. what shipping will be on said item - that they do not bid anyway......joe

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

So, I finally get a response from a seller I have queried about item condition and shipping - after the auction closed. Here it is word for word:

"sorry for the delay my daughter found a sick rabbit-and has taken up most of my time-i can no loner ship this item overseas since the war-but thanks for your question."

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Is the seller in Iraq ? I havn't noticed any change in shipping overseas since the war started. I can't tell you how many relatives of people on ebay have died as an excuse for shipping late or not answering emails.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Many auctions, independent of country, are listed with domestic shipping only. If I want to bid I send the seller a polite email asking if they would ship to Sweden.

I have done this a great number of times to different countries (U.S., England, Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Australia) and in almost all cases I get a nice reply and approval for bidding. If the seller does not answer a question about the condition of a item I never bid. In general, my experience is that most people are very nice.
Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

"Is the seller in Iraq?" LOL I was tempted to ask him the same.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

The seller had to have posted the item during the last 10 days, so they had to know that there was a war of some kind going on prior to the posting.
I just wonder if it is open season for rabbit hunting. That is the only war I can think of where rabbits need medical attention!

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Many auctions, independent of country, are listed with domestic shipping only. If I want to bid I send the seller a polite email asking if they would ship to Sweden.

Many people don't like to ship abroad, because it is an additional hassle, dealing with customs forms and all. In addition, PayPal gives the seller absolutely no proptection internationally. It's a good way to get ripped off. I simply will not accept PayPal for international sales.

Moreover, it is a real pain to export handcuffs from the US, except to Canada. So I don't try. But it's irritating when I can't easily export to countries I import the same product from.

I do always try to answer the buyer's questions, but when the price of international shipping is added in, they almost all dry up and blow away. Again, that makes many sellers not bother.


- Dennis

--
Of course the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you--if you don't play, you can't win.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

I understand all the impedements to shipping to certain countries, etc, but if they would simply reply that they don't ship abroad, I could end the chase - no harm, no foul.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Hello, I tend to agree that if someone doesn't put up a clear photograph or multiple photographs they are hiding something. Usually if only one picture is shown I want to see another picture showing the reverse side. I've had a seller with outstanding feedback only picture one side of a handcuff but the other side was missing loads of plating. Luckily the seller stood behind the item and accepted a return.

You know what Bugs me more about Ebay?? Buyers WHO Do Not Leave Feedback!! Really What gives? If you place a listing and you state my feedback policy is when you receive your item you leave feedback & I will leave Feedback. Personally I think in my auctions I am genuine in my listing(s) and offer a FAST Turn-Around from the time I get paid until your item is Shipped. It's Nonsense that Buyers Don't appreciate your service and Don't leave Feedback! I tend to think some buyers like to hide their multiple user Id's by Not Leaving feedback!!

Another advantage of a Seller who doesn't offer up a Photograph is that when you ask what them for one or to describe what is printed/stamped on the handcuff you can Find some Real Deals!! Lazy Sellers and attentive Buyers mean real Deals!! I've had Numerous finds/steals that way!

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

I have had the opposite situation as sellitall4moola, I find that sellers don't leave feedback after I have left feedback for them. I always leave feedback unless I suspect the other guy might leave neg feedback then I'll hold out (ONLY IN THE CASE OF A RUDE SELLER) but I have indeed giving much more than I have received.

And I too, like sellitall4moola, have gotten great deals when a seller gives bad or no picture or description. I will ask them a question and find out it's something of value, but they won't post the question and answer in the auction. I have come out smelling like a rose several times on situations like that.

James

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Sometimes those crummy pictures help too. Ive snagged a few nice cuffs from auctions people didnt bid on. Either picture was grainy and blurry.
Its like playing russian roulette. What i hate about ebay is something not mentioned here....
I think that any negative feedback a deadbeat buyer unfairly leaves as retaliation should be removed. Especially once ebay reviews dispute and final value credit is restored and buyer gets unpaid strike. SO MANY GUILTY PEOPLE DESERVED HARSH WORDS FROM ME BUT DIDNT GET THEM CAUSE MY FEAR OF THEIR FEEDBACK RETALIATION! I often look and check feedback with an unfamiliar bidder. Honestly, is it accurate?


I got a guy now on my auctions. Zero feedback . member since 2005. never bought a thing on ebay. I asked him if he was serious and will pay by u.s. postal money order and get it to me in 7 days. he never responded.
i want to can him and remove his bids for not responding. It doesnt look good. I just am afraid he will bid on everything i have with a secondary account.
Lots of guys pulling the razzle dazzle with several ebay user id's ahem cough!
maybe ill just shut up now.
Im out numbered!

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

This sounds like the endless debates on the eBay feedback forum. Buyers should leave feedback first. No, no, wait. Sellers should leave feedback first. There's no concensus, and it's an extremely contentious subject. A lot of people, including me, do maintain separate accounts for buying and selling. That's because retaliatory feedback on a buying account doesn't look as bad, nor does it harm the individual as much as bad feedback on a seller's account. If you snipe auctions, neg FB doesn't harm the buyer much at all.

There's an online tool http://toolhaus.org/ that allows you to enter a person's eBay ID and see all the neg and neutral FB they recieved and that they left. It's a lot quicker than trying to wade through 200 or more FBs to find the negs.

The other thing to look for is mutually withdrawn FBs and sales. Both indicate that something fishy happened, particularly the sales.

The way the system works, you can probably assume that, if there is any significant neg FB, the real situation is worse than reflected.

eBay is a jungle. Its advantage is that it gives your product a lot of exposure. A major disadvantage is that the jungle is infested with weasels.



- Dennis

--
Of course the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you--if you don't play, you can't win.
-Robert Heinlein

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Well, not to beat a dead horse, here's my two cents. It used to be Ebay's protocol that the seller would leave feedback first after being paid. Then, when the buyer received his/her item, they would leave a feedback.

Now many sellers state in their auctions that will not leave feedback until the buyer leaves one first. The seller than can use his feedback as a retaliation tool if the seller recieves a negative feedback. Both of these actions are against Ebay policy. Let's see Ebay enforce it. Yeah, Hello.

FYI If you ever want to talk to a real person at Ebay, they really exist, so I'm told, Call 1-800-717-3229

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Hello Kevin, Interesting assertion you make regarding this practice being against Ebay policy? Can you kindly show us where this is stated in Ebays User agreement? The only mention of an abuse of the feedback system that I am aware of is when a seller leaves Negative feedback without attempting to resolve any dispute. However, Ebay's own policy of stating they will not remove negative feedback except under certain extradionary circumstances negates their own policy regarding a seller that does leave negative feedback without any attempt to resolve any dispute!

Further Ebay's user agreement allows a Seller to create any or all reasonable terms or create their own sales policy regarding his or her own auction with respect to their sale in addition to terms outlined within the user agreement. An example would be if you desire feedback than leave such feedback and you will receive the same. Or as specified in the user agreement; buyer beware all items are sold "as is"! However, this is obviously not the case because of Ebay allowing PayPal & Credit Cards to do charge backs! What exactly does all sales final or sold "as is" mean than?

So, please show us where you get your information regarding Ebay? I'm apparently reading a different user agreement??

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

I usually don't answer anonymous or handle posts, but I'll do it this time. This was policy from many years ago. Long before you, Moola, where ever registered with Ebay.

I don't want to get into a pissing contest. If you want, surf the net for an hour or so and I'll find the policy.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

Geez, I ain't looking to get into a Pissing contest either.. I've been a registered Seller/Buyer on Ebay Since 1999 and what your claim wasn't a part of Ebay's policy then or today? I certainly don't think that there is anything anonymous about my Identity. If you are a Ebay user than you certainly can contact me since Sellitall4moola is my user ID..

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

I've been there longer myself, not to mention many more transactions than you. These olicies were in effect at one time. Maybe before you regitered.

No problem. You win. End of discussions from here.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

I looked in ebays user agreement regarding feedback manipulation, is says:

It is NOT a violation to state that you will leave feedback upon receipt of feedback.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

To keep this in perpective, I once bought a pair of Tower bean's
pattern on ebay. when received found that minor surface rust as
described was actually heavy deep pitting on one side that wasn't
shown in the pics. The seller said he was sorry that I found them
to be not as described. I got a refund from the seller minus S-H
and he relisted them a couple of weeks later with the same
description in his listing and got $10 more than I paid for them.
I believe that if you read enough handcuff auction descriptions
that you can get a feel for when to ask questions and when to just
skip the auction.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

What really irritates me is when you buy something on eBay, pay by PayPal for "priority shipment" at $5+ and you get it a week and half later by regular parcel post where that sorry seller sent it for under $2.

Ever find that you'd like to bid on something and have a few questions you want answered first, but the seller never responds? This has happened to me many times - and twice recently. In both recent cases, I was prepared to bid considerably more than what ended up as the final selling price. Does this happen to y'all, too? Unless it's phish or faux, the seller loses untold gains. I just don't understand.

While I have to admit I am guilty of a few of the above quibbles myself, my current annoyance is the bidder privacy, if the bid goes over a set amount (I realize it was covered in another thread but this one is up here).

I posted several pairs of cuffs on Ebay and was suprised to see that 25 bids had been placed on one pair of cuffs in a short amount of time so without being logged in I went to see who they all were. There have only been 3 bidders. 21 bids from one person alone. Selecting the view tab shows 23% of this persons activity was with me (no offense to that person at all, it is just an example, bid away ).

Now the average bidder interested in this item might think SHILL right away (I did until I remembered I was the seller) as they have no way of seeing this persons feedback to "determine" if it was a standard shill or if it was legitimate. I logged in and learned that indeed it was a savvy collector. But again how would anyone else know this?

So would the average bidder see this and overlook bidding on the item, due to these assumptions? Maybe. To be 100% honest I would.

Just some thoughts.

Take Care,

Shawn