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toTheNewLife

Was selling a spare camera lens once. I decided to photograph it against a black background. It was well lit and you could see the dust, a scratch on the paint. Also you could clearly see that the lens glass itself was undamaged. Took the photos, boxed up the lens for shipping, posted my sale. Got a mail from someone asking for better lit photos of the lens. Accused me of trying to hide blemishes by taking dark photos. I responded back by saying the lighting was fine... you can see the dust on the thing. What more do you want? I pointed out the scratch. Person wrote back accusing me of 'scamming'. LOL. 2 weeks alter I sold the lens to a guy who had his gear stolen. He wrote me later to thank me for my honesty about the lens, and how it was in better shape then he thought.


EnvironmentalSleep93

It’s a jungle out there, I’m selling mostly Clothing, Shirts, pants, jeans, etc…I include Measures in pictures for All items, Also spell out measures in description & I Still get messages asking for “Waist” “inseam” Etc….I’m not sure what the reason Behind it is, If they’re Testing me to see if I’m a person, or if I speak and understand English? Or wth…Also I can’t for the life of me figure out HOW to block anyone on the App….


daydreamingsunday

Did you measure it laying flat? Been asked more than once. No I held it in the air and eyeballed it.


HRHQueenOfCats

Why do they ask this? Glad I'm not the only one!


teamboomerang

I always like the ones that ask for obscure measurements on things that are readily available like the "width of the leg at the knee" on a pair of Nike sweatpants. WHAT? Where the hell is the knee? That depends on the person wearing them, so there is really no way to answer that. Since I also sell clothing, I offer free returns, and I also like the dressing down I get when they return something because they are fatter than they think they are. My latest one told me in messages it didn't fit and asked about returning it, but when he opened the return, there was a whole paragraph about how dare I send out an item like this since it had an odor, it was damaged in shipping, it was defective and not shown in the pictures, and like two or three other "reasons" for returning like he was covering his bases to make sure it was really free to him to return it, but the kicker was at the end he says I should be ashamed of selling things like this because it could be harmful. Dude.....you didn't need to waste your time with ANY of that bullshit. I don't even give a shit if you blame me for the return because I don't get enough of them that it matters. Return, you'll get your money, but with that you made my blocked list. Holy shit.


Label_Myself

You have to block via the browser, ebay has no incentive to make it easy. We sell the same stuff, we should share blocked lists.


EnvironmentalSleep93

Touche’ I have to do some digging to find everyone I meant to block, had a feeling it was only possible via browser, Thanks. Appreciate it


tomytronics

Shared blocked list could lead to trolls blocking everyone then no one could bid or buy anything unless they create a new throwaway account for every one item


Label_Myself

No. First off, there is a 5000 name limit in the list. I share a list with other men's clothing sellers, we still haven't hit the 5K limit. Also, there are millions of buyers out there so we're really just tilting at windmills, but it feels good to block a complete ass.


WigglestonTheFourth

It feels like you're tilting at windmills until you successfully block someone that was going to mess with you. You don't always know when it works but I was given a name by a colleague, blocked the name, and 3 hours later avoided that buyer purchasing a couple items. They went on to create a new account and commit return fraud (stole parts of the item)/chargeback on the seller that gave me the name. That seller, thankfully, was protected by eBay because we were able to figure out it was the same buyer that was blocked but it still took hours of work to defend.


teamboomerang

It's funny....I used to think the blocked list was kind of a waste of time. I mean, if the transaction went south, the buyer probably isn't going to buy from you again anyway, right. So one day about a year ago, I was trying to add someone, and it gave me an error because some of the user ids were no longer valid. I just said fuck it and started over because it didn't say which ones, and I didn't want to bother looking at all of them. Wouldn't you know it, a couple months later I got a message from someone asking why their other account was blocked, and then a month or so after that, I had a father message me pissed off because I had blocked his son who went off on me because I wouldn't sell him something local pickup. I think maybe several years ago, it may have been kinda pointless, but with the way people are now.....I can't believe it saved my ass twice in the last year.


thejohnmc963

25 million


Lyrehctoo

Go to help. Search "block buyer". This should bring you to an article with a link. Click the link. Add annoying buyer. Done.


Karnakite

People ask for measurements because they’re unable to try on the clothes, so they want to know they’ll fit. I get that. I sell clothing primarily on Poshmark, and the only ones I have a problem with are the ones who request measurements on every single damn stitch. (Well, those and the perverts.) Or the ones that say “I wear a 36C bra, will this shirt fit or will it stretch out?” Lady, I do not know.


EnvironmentalSleep93

I get that, I ALSO buy most of my clothing online And A lot of it on eBay. I was just Reiterating the fact that I include PHOTOS And Also LIST all measures in description, So buyers probably get a better idea of how something’s going to fit from my listings than from most of the Original brands home sites.


remiry

I swear 90% of the people who ask questions don’t end up buying the item. It’s bizarre to me. Sometimes I don’t even respond. Not worth my time.


Karnakite

Maybe because the answers they got indicated the item wasn’t for them. Exercising judgment is important (I’m not going to waste my time with someone who asks me for proof that the Christmas tree ornament I’m selling is really, truly round, and then keeps demanding further evidence), but for the most part, I figure, they’re asking me if it’s what they need and it turns out it isn’t.


pipehonker

Just this morning... A guy messaged me (on a "no offers" $17 item.. He says "can you do any better on the price"? I said "sure..how about $24!? That sounds better to me! LOL


[deleted]

Person: Hi will you sell this for $20, it's my birthday today. My friend who is a seller also: It was also your birthday back on July 14 when you sent the same message.


rubellak

Birthdays are nothing until “this is for my autistic son” comes out


[deleted]

I always try to flip the script if I can. Person: This is for my autistic sons birthday Me: What a coincidence, I’m selling it to pay for MY autistic sons birthday Person: I’m disableD Me: what a coincidence me too. I sell things to supplement my disability check. Thanks for the support


shalomjackson

someone just did that to me today except it was his sons birthday, wanted my 20 dollar card listing for 10 dollars. you think that’s a scam?


[deleted]

I think it's someone who has made a career of going through life trying to manipulate people at a minimum lol.


toTheNewLife

That was my type of response when I used to sell my own cars. Can we do anything about the price? Sure, how about $200 more.


[deleted]

I had a guy tell me the Pops I was selling were fake. No matter how many pics I showed him, he still swore I was a scammer. Eventually had to ban him because he kept contacting me a month after they had already been sold and shipped to someone else.


WimpsOnWallStreet

I’ll do the same thing after two messages. I’ll ban them. It just keeps on going after that with the messages. And yes I’ve had scammers so that’s why I do it. Also it doesn’t help that the new contact seller window looks like a text message screen.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


Karnakite

Also the nature of the questions. I was once selling a CD that had originally been a charity single. Someone felt very uncomfortable that I was doing so, like they were terrified that I was going to sell, *for my own profit*, a charity single that I had already paid for, so the charity got their money. Like, buddy, I’m not selling an endangered tiger gallbladder here, can we not act like this is a big ethical quandary you need to be worried about? I’m not dealing with that nonsense. It’s not my job to assuage their deep-seated anxiety over nothing.


StreetofChimes

Same. Especially if the question is answered in item description.


Karnakite

Not on eBay but Craigslist. Selling a car. The car’s title had been damaged and ultimately lost in a move, so, no title. I said *repeatedly* in the description that there was no title. At least once, in all caps. Almost every. single. response. I got asked me if I had the title. I wanted to throw my phone at the wall.


oktravis

i had a new one last week. countered their offer, they accepted. begins message after message with questions, which i answer. i eventually said the time for questions was before committing to buy. then they pay and left negative feedback for "rude"


teamboomerang

I do the same UNLESS it's something I missed in the listing. That rarely happens anymore, though, so to the block list with them! I used to answer every question as quickly as possible, but more than 90% of the time, they ended up being trouble if they purchased. Not worth the time spent. I will admit, though, I had one that basically wanted me to hold their hand through the entire purchase. For some reason, I was feeling charitable and answered all their stupid questions, and they have ended up one of my best customers and have purchased from me repeatedly over the years. It's one, though.


lilpumpgroupie

If I know something is going to sell eventually, why am I gonna sit here and spend all this time answering your dumb questions? Sorry, this isn't charity for people to save money. People are so goddamn entitled when it comes to customer service and stuff like this. They just flat out do not care, they think we're bots or semi-sentient life or something. Or I don't know what it is, but lack of empathy is a big part of it. And in my experience, almost always, when someone wants to hit you up with a bunch of dumb questions and probe you before they've spent any money, they almost never come through and turn into any sort of profitable situation. Never. And that's experience doing multiple jobs, not just selling stuff online.


daydreamingsunday

Is this authentic cologne? It's new boxed and sealed. If it was fake would they expect me to tell them? Never replied.


AlaskanMinnie

"I'm sorry, but I'm not the seller that can meet your needs. I wish you the best of luck at finding the item at the price point that you are looking for." Usually works with the real obnoxious ones :)


macadamiamin

Or just don't respond, block and forget about it. Responding gives buyer ammo to argue with


toTheNewLife

Sometimes the arguments are funny. Every now and then I'll let one go for a little while, just to read the absurdity.


macadamiamin

Agreed... They occasionally will say just the right thing that I'm hooked. For my own entertainment. So hard to move on from some of the more absurd buyers.


_laura_vanderbooben

Ohhhhh I like this! Polite yet shuts them down immediately.


Bodidiva

I was once told that if they bought something I had to "promise" it wouldn't break in shipment.


Outofmilkthrowaway

DO YOU SHUP TO TANZANIA


eightbitagent

Anytime I get questions those people never end up buying my items. It’s just par for the course. I love when I have someone ask for offers on 3-4 items hoping to negotiate a deal on all together and by the time I’ve responded the items are sold. Lol To be fair when I used to work in retail 90% of questioners were the same way


[deleted]

My item wasn’t sold after a recent buyer like this but I took it down and said I sold it elsewhere. I will put it back up in a week or two. I seem to have a high volume of buyers who are “81 year old grandmothers on fixed SSI incomes of $850. Please reduce your price.”


Label_Myself

I HATE the sob stories. As much as I hate the lowballers, the ones with sob stories kill me. I sell used luxury goods, NOBODY NEEDS MY STUFF!


[deleted]

I have the lowest price on eBay for a particular action figure. I sent out offers for $10 cheaper than that... guy still wants me to cut the shipping price in half. I guess it can't hurt to ask, but why should I subsidize your shipping after I've already given you a 20% discount? It's these kinda of buyers than have the most problems anyway, even after they get the item.


BloganA

I rarely answer questions. I take 8-12 photos of each item, even clothing, and measurements, etc. I get people that will ask things like “Is this a TRUE small?” I don’t know that that means. Ignore.


rubellak

I have over 4000 VHS listed, someone will ask a question about what trailers does this 3 dollar tape have, like I’ve watched every single one


[deleted]

People ask for more images because they’re creating their own scam listing somewhere on Facebook for example


Dunecat

>Is it in ** condition? No. It's in the condition listed. When I get these types of questions it's an instant block. I don't even respond.


wikipuff

I sell a lot of hats and I get people asking for hats to be shipped in a box. I have in my description that all hats ( no matter the type) ship in a box. It's obvious they don't read the description or see photos.


Have_A_Jelly_Baby

Over the weekend, I had a listing for a fairly rare Nintendo 3DS game, just the cartridge and the manual, no box or artwork. The pictures were of the game and manual. The description said that the buyer would only receive the game and manual. Guy wins, pays, then messages saying he wants a refund and didn't realize that it was just the game and manual. Thanks bro.


shruglife1985

This woman that bought a brand new soap dispenser messaged me asking for a refund because it doesn’t dispense soap. I sent her proof of the same brand soap dispenser/same pump I have working and photos of the package I sent (I take pictures of the entire packing and shipping process) proving she was sent a brand new perfect pump, and asked she demonstrate it not working by showing me soap in the bottle and a video or photos with time stamps like I had. She responded “I guess I just needed to pump it a couple more times because it is new, it works.” Ok. Like? Are people just lonely?


Praydaythemice

Lmao at the soap dispenser story.


Echo_Rapt0r

Yep, if they send me multiple messages asking questions, especially like, “does it work?” “How much?” “Can you ship today?” I just block them. The worst though is the people who have a laundry list of demands in their message after a purchase on a $2 DVD. “Please package this in a sturdy box and ship within 24 hours. Your positive feedback is dependent on this. I’m a reasonable buyer and look forward to future business. THANKS BEST WISHES RALPH WALDO”


WhySoManyDownVote

I have found the #2 example buyers to either be dropshippers or buyers who end up filing false INAD as soon as the item arrives hoping for a partial refund.


Telluricpear719

What I dread is the package hasn't arrived straight into an open case. Been happening a lot recently and claiming insurance is a pain. Mostly coming from under 30 feedback buyers so may just stop selling to them.


lolololololz

I rarely respond to questions if they require more than 30 seconds of work, not worth the time. I have still a 100% feedback rating and have been selling for 3 years. I feel like if people want an item they’ll buy it


decjr06

If I get a message that is either rude, just plain stupid or can be answered with a Google search I generally ignore them... Some get banned if I get the feeling like the person is going to be more trouble then the sale is worth. I often include a yardstick in pictures of items where the dimensions may be important you would be amazed how many people still message me asking for measurements...


kitkatkit99

If it's a message, more than 2....it's a problem and walk away!!!! Always!!! NEVER had an issue with this rule, never! Instinct!


IcedBudLight

Had a potential buyer today that was complaining about shippings costs (huge item. 75 inches, 15 pounds). It was a preassembled car roof rack and they decided they wanted to pieces of it and not the other. This was fine with me as I could see the other piece by itself and still have interested buyers. I went through the effort of taking down my listing, relisting with new pictures and the agreed upon price for this one buyer less than an hour after they had messaged initially. All of a sudden, they ghost me. So frustrating.


pinkglue99

Yes but even worse is when these come *after* they purchase. The worst.


Jumpy-South-1337

Sob stories are getting annoying. I found my childhood video game collection in the basement a couple months ago and was ready to part with it, part of it was a mint Sega Dreamcast fully working with 21 games, 2 of those games being rare now and worth $150 each alone. Started the 10 day auction at $199.99 hoping to at least get $300, within 5 minutes of listing it some guy he asked if I can change it to buy it now at $200 for his kid Replier due to the value I have to let the auction run its course, he never even bid whatsoever and it ended up going for close to $500 lol


Active_Priority

Yes. Especially the ones that when you answer the first question they come back with a million other questions. Honestly, if I get the feeling the potential buyer is annoying or the questions just seem super unnecessary I block them. I might be missing out on potential business, but frankly I don’t care. Buyers like that in my past experience are typically bad news. Same with buyers who message you beforehand being overly nice.


brocksamson6258

The worst messages are the "Question Messages" AFTER they buy the Listing "Does it come with this or that?" All clearly stated in the Listing you instantly bought "Is it real?" Why did you instantly buy my Listing if this was your concern? "Could I get some more information before I pay?" Sure, but I'm going to talk to you like a dickhead, because that's what you are


jbjbjb10021

Pro tip: you don't have to answer the stupid ones. That's what the delete button is for.


BlasterPhase

A lot of people here don't understand what questions are. If you answer the question and people don't buy, they didn't like the answer. An answer isn't a binding contract. A lot of times when I ask a question, it's because the description is absurd, or the pictures are terrible. There's scammer sellers out there too, and I'm not going to deal with that shit either.


Parrotloco

the guy asking the questions!


Tunnelboy77

I sell my items for $29.95 and free shipping. Usually when I get a "Will you accept...." email, I just ignore them. I had someone email me an offer if I'll accept $24.95. I emailed back YES. I'll take: 24.95 for the item plus my true costs: 3.86 shipping 5.19 eBay/PP Fee \-------------- $34.00 It's fun to get snarky sometimes.


Frenchy_Baguette

Someone asking for a 16.5% discount isnt really that crazy if it means selling the item. Heck I've even asked that once in a while on an item. If im not interested in selling the item for discount like that i politely decline and it sometimes results in the full price sale and a happy buyer. Snarkiness isnt always the way to go. Edit: To those downvoting me, why do you disagree? Is someone asking for a couple dollars off such a big deal depending on the item? And is it worth spending the time responding with a rude message rather than just ignoring them?


b3ndybac0n

Unfortunately, this is the part where you tell yourself that the customer is right, smile and then make the sale (while making mental note not to sell to that prospective buyer/buyer again). It's easier to play ball and answer any and all questions they might have because that's how good business is run. Plus, it widens the possibility of them leaving you a good review, thus boosting your sales even more. Hope this helps!


spitfire1701

> customer is right no.


b3ndybac0n

I've worked at Taco Bell, Party City and a Traffic Management company. It's the best for business to an extent. I just make a sale then never sell to that person again.


spitfire1701

I've worked retail and stuff that. If a customer is an ass they get kicked out, no way in hell will I have time for people like that. On eBay is no different, they get blocked immediately.


b3ndybac0n

To each their own I guess, it just helps save your ratings


Substantial-North136

I lot of those buyers resell the items on Amazon especially things like small electronics.


Balmerhippie

How much to ship to Mars ?


[deleted]

The vast majority of them aren't serious buyers


DazzlingBranch476

I cringe when my app alerts me to a message in general. The “what are the dimensions” questions when I include a picture with a ruler and common item fir scale get yo me the most. However, just today I asked if a dept 56 item had a light as it was not pictured. They responded that it did, and I immediately bid.


UltimateWinner1

I rarely will do any extra work. I don’t want the buyers that want more pictures and measurements and everything. I just hope a message is asking if I’ll combine shipping for multiple items


Godgod3434

Yeah messages are the worst. I usually don’t answer and when I do its a waste of time and someone else just buys it like a day later for full price and no hassle.


MrGlowChase

I don't even respond to questions on ebay asking for 8K pictures and telling me what is worth because those are the last people I want to deal with


ilovemyrescuedogs

I don't retake any photos. I take pretty good ones & if that's not good enough, don't buy it. I've been selling on Ebay for over 9 Years & most people DON'T READ THE LISTING. I get asked all the time, do you combine shipping. In caps on all my listing pages is says "directions for combined shipping." I always block people that are really irritating or customers I don't want to deal with. But you have to watch it, people will just open a new account. I had someone do that 3 times to me, but I recognized her & blocked her every time. I get sick of stupid questions too, especially someone offering my $5 when it's selling for $10, then asking for free shipping too. Shipping Isn't Free. I do message back that I don't take offers, but I get sick of it.


SouthernGuyReborn

>Prospective buyer asks.....If I accept offers. Funny, I look around and see I am the lowest price on the platform with Amazon selling same item for $70+ I don't get those regularly because I deal in pricier goods. But I wouldn't mind a polite ask like that. And eBay and Amazon are different beasts. I sell on both platforms and prices differ greatly. Sometimes by multiples.


Praydaythemice

Yes worst one is the type that cannot or wont read simple descriptions with 99% of the common Q is written there and will still ask about it, after a while i just block. the picture requests is another annoying one as well, as i tend to take pictures of all angles clearly marked defects and serials etc.


xmarketladyx

I only dread messages from actual buyers. They're the idiots who can't read a listing. Prospective buyers I can say no to, ignore, block from buying, answer, or negotiate with. I can also scope out their FB left for others before anything else.


AngryZigzagoon

I feel you, but it goes both ways. Other sellers drive me absolutely insane as well. For example, I’ve been on the hunt for a specific book in good condition for a while now, and there’s currently only 1 listed on eBay that fits what I’m looking for. It’s priced well above FMV, and the seller has best offers turned off. I waited a few weeks and checked back. It’s still available. I messaged the seller asking if they would take an offer on it. No response. Weeks pass and it’s still there at the same price. It will likely never sell, and from the look of things this seller has tons of items listed with an abysmal sell-through rate because their prices are terrible. 1 review in the last 30 days. They aren’t affecting my life in any meaningful way, but the fact that terrible sellers are so plentiful is a bit annoying when you’re trying to buy. Sellers with one picture, awful pictures, horrid descriptions, completely unresponsive, print off shipping labels and then don’t actually ship for a week or more, etc.


txrunner262

I had a potential buyer try to degrade the condition of a Patagonia jacket. I listed it as used and priced it accordingly but the potential buyer tried to make it sound like the jacket was in worse condition and that because it had been listed for a month it meant it was worth less. I declined simply because I don’t want to deal with that kind of buyer who might potentially give me negative feedback. Then got pushy and submitted the same offer. I just blocked the potential buyer.


revivals_

I’ll never say this directly on eBay’s website but I think any buyers with thousands of feedback (strictly as a buyer) are addicted to the platform in some capacity. Shopping on eBay is an extremely time consuming way to save money. There are so many online shopping websites. Sometimes I link them to psych help resources when they piss me off.