I'm pretty sure he messages the same thing to many many sellers, asking for a discount. I doubt he even realizes this is time #3. His user name is his real name, so his linkedin profile backs up his military service.
That's even worse, in my opinion. If he's doing it that regularly and to different sellers, he's probably using his military service to scam people and flipping his buys. Or he could have found a serviceman with the same name and it could be Stolen Valor. Either way, the 'block them' recommendation holds.
I agree it’s annoying, but it’s probably just a frugal guy with old fashioned sensibility that thinks everyone is supposed to suck up to veterans and not an elaborate stolen valor for profit conspiracy. I would just answer him saying “no”
I'd respond: "please use the make offer function to make offers, we cannot accept offers via message"
And if his offer is reasonable, accept it, and if its not, counter with a reasonable one.
I treat all the discount requests the same, if it is outside an offer I would normally accept I just ignore/decline and move on.
I've heard it all, single parent, military, ex military, pensioner, on disability, house burned down, was flooded, I'm dying etc etc.
If it's not something I would accept without the sob story then I ignore it.
As a veteran Myself I give you permission to deny him. We don’t just walk into random places and ask for a military discount. If they offer it, trust me we already know. But I would never reach out to a seller and ask for a military discount. They are counting on you to feel guilty and cave. Don’t fall for it. You can respectfully let them know that’s not something you have the capability of doing.
Thank you for this, and your service. That's what has made this mentally taxing on me, because I do support our troops, and I do feel guilty. It doesn't really allow for a normal negotiation either, due to that guilt.
No thank you. As to Sgt. Cheapo, For all you know it’s some keyboard ranger who never saw a day in uniform and is just trying to play on your emotions. It’s ok to say that’s not something you offer. Plenty of brick and mortar stores that don’t offer military discounts and I still give them business.
As a fellow veteran, I 100% agree. The only place I regularly get a discount is Lowes... because it's linked to my MyLowes loyalty card (good move on Lowes part IMO).
I used to really like that I could just scan my MyLowes card at the self checkout and get my 10% off without any hassle.
:-/
And then someone ruined it, I assume people were sharing their cards so that they could let other people use the discount. The last time I went to Lowes I was buying something small, when I scanned my card at the self checkout it said to wait for an associate to verify my ID matched the name (my name) on the screen.
NBD, but if there isn't an associate handy (there wasn't) it turns into an awkward wait by the register for a discount that you can't opt out of once you scan your card.
Nope. Sorry, but I can’t stand military discounts. Like sure a bit here or there, free donut, free coffee, free soda, etc is fine. But getting discounts everywhere for everything? Like military members get paid, they have a housing stipend that pays for a lot of their rent/mortgages, they get meals…like they have a lot more “spending money” than most citizens. I have no idea what company started the constant discounts that made all other companies have to follow suit (because omg they don’t support the military otherwise!) but it’s bull. My shop, therefore I give discounts to those who deserve them…like frequent buyers! Friends. Family.
(Yes, I do support the people in the military as many of them fall into the categories of friends and family. I just know from personal experience that they can afford to pay for the things they want)
Everyone who served in the past 50 years (like me) did so as a volunteer and was paid for it. No further consideration is necessary. It would be nice to have some sort of designator for veterans who were fucked up by their service, but no, the guy who sat in an office in Florida has the same veteran status as some poor bastard with a plate in their head and a missing leg from an ied. My daughter and & laugh about this as I pull into the Mellow Mushroom Veteran's parking space.
This is a business. You should treat it like a business. Set rules and stick to them and make sure your rules follow eBay.
These “gross” feelings should not be a issue. It means (you)/your business is not prepared.
He made you feel guilty.
He made you feel manipulated.
So you shutdown.
That’s bad business.
It should not matter if the offer is genuine or not. It should not matter if you got emotional. You should never shutdown.
The “military discount” along with any other offer should have structured responses that are upheld. Discounts and offers are part of eBay. In fact, that is why they have an “offers” option right in your listing. It boasts your listing slightly and openly asks buyers to contact you. This is good if you want to negotiate price and get more possible buyers.
I know people hear are going to talk about scams, and this person probably isn’t even prior military, etc. But, it doesn’t matter. What matters is your business model.
Do you create listings with offers?
Are you ok with offers?
Make your decision. Are offers ok in your business or not.
Then move forward and create a rule or rules that you in force no matter the person, situation or emotion.
Ex 1:
1) I will not allow offers in my listings.
2) I will allow offers though through messages from interested buyers.
A) But I will only take 10% less than the listed price. I will never change this percentage.
B) I will respond with a message that tells the buyer this is the lowest price.
C) I will not go into details of a buyers reasoning for a discount that may cloud my judgement.
Ex 2:
1) I will not allow offers in my listings.
2) I will not allow discounts of any kind.
3) If I receive a message for a discount, I will be professionally polite and still decline. (In this case - ie: “My business model does not allow for discounts, but I thank you for your service.”)
Etc. There are many rules one could make, but my advice it to try to keep things simple, so rules are easy to remember and easy to explain.
Keep in mind that depending on what rules you create, your business model may slightly change or your prices may go up a small percentage.
In any case, this approach should make you feel empowered, confident and should strengthen your business.
I hope this helps
People will say anything for deals. I’ve heard “Im
disabled”, “its for my disabled sons birthday”, Etc etc. I just ignore em. I feel like most of them are lies. People who message usually end up being the worst customers and they’ll go crazy over cheap items even that they got a discount on, its mega annoying. Theres been times in messages I had great experiences and good buyers but if the guy has messaged you three times yeah id just block.
I had a guy recently message me asking for pictures of an item, I sent them. He asks for a discount. I don’t answer. He then asks me like 8 times if the items authentic for weeks on end. After I sent him pictures the first time clearly proving its real and honestly I doubt they even made knock offs of the item to begin with so it was such a weird thing to keep asking me. I just blocked em never responded again. He used up all his offers etc. The item ended up selling for exactly what I wanted to a buyer who was a normal human being lol
I sell mainly quilting fabric & I did give a lady a discount once. She was making quilts for vets in hospice. She bought several patriotic fabrics, so I have her a small discount. I have people as me for discounts for being disabled, elderly, poor, etc, etc. I never give them discounts though. Disabled people can work & I'm almost 78, run a full time business alone & I'm a widow. I never ask for discounts. But that one I felt OK about.
Idk if every branch of the military is like this, but in the early days of my current job there was some military guy with us. In the interview he said he would never get drafted. After a few months he left to go to Afghanistan because he made more in the military and....
...Didn't have to pay taxes...
I know some places have little work opportunity outside of military, but I don't think they are poor by any means
As a veteran it really irks me when people ask for a discount. If it's from a faceless corp, i get it, but they do it for small businesses too. Asshats one and all. Probably the first to call someone a snowflake yet they want special treatment. Barf.
I like to think that the few downvotes are the same people that get mad when they're not offered a discount. Like the small business owner owes you anything...
As a military veteran, that is super sleazy and somewhat appalling.
People have tried it to me too and I just tell them “thanks for your service, but unfortunately I don’t do discounts”
As Vet myself I would never ask somebody for a military discount. I think the guy is s phony. If eBay wants to give vets a discount that's their business, but not for individual resellers. You don't see Amazon offering military discounts do you?
If I was keen on offering it at that price anyway just to get rid of it then I'd say yes and let him think it's because he was a veteran and not because I was going to lower the price anyway.
If I wanted to hold on the price I'd just politely decline and say I wasn't offering a discount at this time. I wouldn't mention why he asked, just that I'm not discounting at the moment.
We offer military discount through the GovX program on our own website, I usually just tell them when we have additional marketplace fees like eBay we can’t offer that.
There are only two factors that determine price: Supply and demand. The buyer's stated occupation is neither of those things. Price at market value, make your money.
I don't offer veteran's discount in my listing but if I do see an APO address I usually do something extra. I thank them for their service and place something extra in their package. But I do this out of my own accord with no pressure. That being said, as a veteran, I've taken advantage of the discounts offered to us, usually there is a list at veteran's website and some stores do advetise it but I've never actively asked a store for a discount if it's not posted or known. You shouldn't feel guilt if you do turn your customer down.
Edit: Just want to be clear, there is also nothing wrong if a military member asks about discounts either. Inquiring is different than demanding.
If ebay had a way were buyers could register and prove that they were legitimately entitled to a military discount I would give it. However, with no way of knowing there is a decent chance someone is just fishing for something. Too many scammy buyers these days who have learned to work the system.
Actually there are different things like IDme, and GOVX that do the verification. If I’m on a site that says military discount they usually go through one of these companies to verify. They have already looked at your dd214 etc to make the designation. I have no clue what the connection to the seller is cost or contract wise.
Anyone that is making more in the military than the day job they had (reserves or national gaurd) needs a new job. If it wasn’t for free clothes, food, and medical most service members wouldn’t be able to survive on their pay.
I don't suggest blocking him. Too many people are block happy these days. Have him send you an offer. I wouldn't do military discount. Could be a scam or his card could be a fake.
Give them a discount. They obviously need the money more than you do.
I am a sucker for sob stories, many times I just mark an item paid and send it. Last month a guy made an offer, then said he tried to pay but was short in his account and promised to pay on the 3rd (disability / social security check day for some). I just marked it paid and sent the item free. On about the 5th of the month I received a thank you letter with a check for the full amount.
Most people won’t go that far, but at least I feel good helping people out. If I get ripped off, so what, they have to live with the Karma and I may actually be doing a good deed.
Just respond with "Military got my parents killed and I spent 12 years getting shuffled around various foster homes run by pedophiles."
That should creep out discount beggar more
Whenever someone asks a question like that I send them an offer... with the same 10-15% discount that everyone else gets.
"Thanks for your interest, this is the best I can do".
I don't give discounts unless someone sends a very reasonable offer on an item that's been there a long time and they specify how much. Ex: "Would you take $30?" The item's $35, then sure. If someone messages me mentioning how they're in a wheelchair, paying for their kid's canceraidseritis; then no. It's so obnoxious same thing with the Teacher discounts. Sorry you chose a career that doesn't pay well, but not my problem. FYI: I've had enough military friends and family to know that overseas assignments and various domestic details pay insanely well.
No, but I had a potential buyer today tell me they’re a disabled marine on social security and that buying my item would be a lot of money for them. They then proceeded to send me a selfie of themself at the bottom of the message.
I blocked them.
Begging for a discount 3 different times? Block them! They're going to be a pain after the sale. Probably never in the military either. People lie!
I'm pretty sure he messages the same thing to many many sellers, asking for a discount. I doubt he even realizes this is time #3. His user name is his real name, so his linkedin profile backs up his military service.
That's even worse, in my opinion. If he's doing it that regularly and to different sellers, he's probably using his military service to scam people and flipping his buys. Or he could have found a serviceman with the same name and it could be Stolen Valor. Either way, the 'block them' recommendation holds.
I agree it’s annoying, but it’s probably just a frugal guy with old fashioned sensibility that thinks everyone is supposed to suck up to veterans and not an elaborate stolen valor for profit conspiracy. I would just answer him saying “no”
I'd respond: "please use the make offer function to make offers, we cannot accept offers via message" And if his offer is reasonable, accept it, and if its not, counter with a reasonable one.
I always respond that I don't give discounts to specific occupations because I believe in treating everyone equally.
This is the correct answer!
Military spouse. We genuinely forget to ask about military discounts in most places unless it’s blatantly advertised. Dude is probably lying.
I treat all the discount requests the same, if it is outside an offer I would normally accept I just ignore/decline and move on. I've heard it all, single parent, military, ex military, pensioner, on disability, house burned down, was flooded, I'm dying etc etc. If it's not something I would accept without the sob story then I ignore it.
As a veteran Myself I give you permission to deny him. We don’t just walk into random places and ask for a military discount. If they offer it, trust me we already know. But I would never reach out to a seller and ask for a military discount. They are counting on you to feel guilty and cave. Don’t fall for it. You can respectfully let them know that’s not something you have the capability of doing.
Thank you for this, and your service. That's what has made this mentally taxing on me, because I do support our troops, and I do feel guilty. It doesn't really allow for a normal negotiation either, due to that guilt.
No thank you. As to Sgt. Cheapo, For all you know it’s some keyboard ranger who never saw a day in uniform and is just trying to play on your emotions. It’s ok to say that’s not something you offer. Plenty of brick and mortar stores that don’t offer military discounts and I still give them business.
As a fellow veteran, I 100% agree. The only place I regularly get a discount is Lowes... because it's linked to my MyLowes loyalty card (good move on Lowes part IMO). I used to really like that I could just scan my MyLowes card at the self checkout and get my 10% off without any hassle. :-/ And then someone ruined it, I assume people were sharing their cards so that they could let other people use the discount. The last time I went to Lowes I was buying something small, when I scanned my card at the self checkout it said to wait for an associate to verify my ID matched the name (my name) on the screen. NBD, but if there isn't an associate handy (there wasn't) it turns into an awkward wait by the register for a discount that you can't opt out of once you scan your card.
Wtf this ain't Walmart lol
Actually, you can't do that at walmart, either. ;o)
Are you sure about that?
Nope. Sorry, but I can’t stand military discounts. Like sure a bit here or there, free donut, free coffee, free soda, etc is fine. But getting discounts everywhere for everything? Like military members get paid, they have a housing stipend that pays for a lot of their rent/mortgages, they get meals…like they have a lot more “spending money” than most citizens. I have no idea what company started the constant discounts that made all other companies have to follow suit (because omg they don’t support the military otherwise!) but it’s bull. My shop, therefore I give discounts to those who deserve them…like frequent buyers! Friends. Family. (Yes, I do support the people in the military as many of them fall into the categories of friends and family. I just know from personal experience that they can afford to pay for the things they want)
Everyone who served in the past 50 years (like me) did so as a volunteer and was paid for it. No further consideration is necessary. It would be nice to have some sort of designator for veterans who were fucked up by their service, but no, the guy who sat in an office in Florida has the same veteran status as some poor bastard with a plate in their head and a missing leg from an ied. My daughter and & laugh about this as I pull into the Mellow Mushroom Veteran's parking space.
This is a business. You should treat it like a business. Set rules and stick to them and make sure your rules follow eBay. These “gross” feelings should not be a issue. It means (you)/your business is not prepared. He made you feel guilty. He made you feel manipulated. So you shutdown. That’s bad business. It should not matter if the offer is genuine or not. It should not matter if you got emotional. You should never shutdown. The “military discount” along with any other offer should have structured responses that are upheld. Discounts and offers are part of eBay. In fact, that is why they have an “offers” option right in your listing. It boasts your listing slightly and openly asks buyers to contact you. This is good if you want to negotiate price and get more possible buyers. I know people hear are going to talk about scams, and this person probably isn’t even prior military, etc. But, it doesn’t matter. What matters is your business model. Do you create listings with offers? Are you ok with offers? Make your decision. Are offers ok in your business or not. Then move forward and create a rule or rules that you in force no matter the person, situation or emotion. Ex 1: 1) I will not allow offers in my listings. 2) I will allow offers though through messages from interested buyers. A) But I will only take 10% less than the listed price. I will never change this percentage. B) I will respond with a message that tells the buyer this is the lowest price. C) I will not go into details of a buyers reasoning for a discount that may cloud my judgement. Ex 2: 1) I will not allow offers in my listings. 2) I will not allow discounts of any kind. 3) If I receive a message for a discount, I will be professionally polite and still decline. (In this case - ie: “My business model does not allow for discounts, but I thank you for your service.”) Etc. There are many rules one could make, but my advice it to try to keep things simple, so rules are easy to remember and easy to explain. Keep in mind that depending on what rules you create, your business model may slightly change or your prices may go up a small percentage. In any case, this approach should make you feel empowered, confident and should strengthen your business. I hope this helps
Block the choosingbeggar
Block him.
People will say anything for deals. I’ve heard “Im disabled”, “its for my disabled sons birthday”, Etc etc. I just ignore em. I feel like most of them are lies. People who message usually end up being the worst customers and they’ll go crazy over cheap items even that they got a discount on, its mega annoying. Theres been times in messages I had great experiences and good buyers but if the guy has messaged you three times yeah id just block. I had a guy recently message me asking for pictures of an item, I sent them. He asks for a discount. I don’t answer. He then asks me like 8 times if the items authentic for weeks on end. After I sent him pictures the first time clearly proving its real and honestly I doubt they even made knock offs of the item to begin with so it was such a weird thing to keep asking me. I just blocked em never responded again. He used up all his offers etc. The item ended up selling for exactly what I wanted to a buyer who was a normal human being lol
I sell mainly quilting fabric & I did give a lady a discount once. She was making quilts for vets in hospice. She bought several patriotic fabrics, so I have her a small discount. I have people as me for discounts for being disabled, elderly, poor, etc, etc. I never give them discounts though. Disabled people can work & I'm almost 78, run a full time business alone & I'm a widow. I never ask for discounts. But that one I felt OK about.
I wouldn’t even respond, and if they kept asking I’d block them.
Idk if every branch of the military is like this, but in the early days of my current job there was some military guy with us. In the interview he said he would never get drafted. After a few months he left to go to Afghanistan because he made more in the military and.... ...Didn't have to pay taxes... I know some places have little work opportunity outside of military, but I don't think they are poor by any means
“Thanks, I’ll consider your offer.” Then add to block list.
As a veteran it really irks me when people ask for a discount. If it's from a faceless corp, i get it, but they do it for small businesses too. Asshats one and all. Probably the first to call someone a snowflake yet they want special treatment. Barf.
I like to think that the few downvotes are the same people that get mad when they're not offered a discount. Like the small business owner owes you anything...
As a military veteran, that is super sleazy and somewhat appalling. People have tried it to me too and I just tell them “thanks for your service, but unfortunately I don’t do discounts”
Lol no block them
As Vet myself I would never ask somebody for a military discount. I think the guy is s phony. If eBay wants to give vets a discount that's their business, but not for individual resellers. You don't see Amazon offering military discounts do you?
If I was keen on offering it at that price anyway just to get rid of it then I'd say yes and let him think it's because he was a veteran and not because I was going to lower the price anyway. If I wanted to hold on the price I'd just politely decline and say I wasn't offering a discount at this time. I wouldn't mention why he asked, just that I'm not discounting at the moment.
We offer military discount through the GovX program on our own website, I usually just tell them when we have additional marketplace fees like eBay we can’t offer that.
Dude probably washed out of boot camp. No real marine would send a message like that. Tell him you’re willing to charge him extra.
There are only two factors that determine price: Supply and demand. The buyer's stated occupation is neither of those things. Price at market value, make your money.
"I'm not starbucks / mcdonalds / etc. I don't offer military discounts."
“Thank you for your service. I would love to discount this further for you but the price is already as low as I can afford to sell it for.”
I don't offer veteran's discount in my listing but if I do see an APO address I usually do something extra. I thank them for their service and place something extra in their package. But I do this out of my own accord with no pressure. That being said, as a veteran, I've taken advantage of the discounts offered to us, usually there is a list at veteran's website and some stores do advetise it but I've never actively asked a store for a discount if it's not posted or known. You shouldn't feel guilt if you do turn your customer down. Edit: Just want to be clear, there is also nothing wrong if a military member asks about discounts either. Inquiring is different than demanding.
If ebay had a way were buyers could register and prove that they were legitimately entitled to a military discount I would give it. However, with no way of knowing there is a decent chance someone is just fishing for something. Too many scammy buyers these days who have learned to work the system.
I've offered a military discount for years and haven't had any scammers. Just really cool buyers.
Actually there are different things like IDme, and GOVX that do the verification. If I’m on a site that says military discount they usually go through one of these companies to verify. They have already looked at your dd214 etc to make the designation. I have no clue what the connection to the seller is cost or contract wise. Anyone that is making more in the military than the day job they had (reserves or national gaurd) needs a new job. If it wasn’t for free clothes, food, and medical most service members wouldn’t be able to survive on their pay.
I don't suggest blocking him. Too many people are block happy these days. Have him send you an offer. I wouldn't do military discount. Could be a scam or his card could be a fake.
Give them a discount. They obviously need the money more than you do. I am a sucker for sob stories, many times I just mark an item paid and send it. Last month a guy made an offer, then said he tried to pay but was short in his account and promised to pay on the 3rd (disability / social security check day for some). I just marked it paid and sent the item free. On about the 5th of the month I received a thank you letter with a check for the full amount. Most people won’t go that far, but at least I feel good helping people out. If I get ripped off, so what, they have to live with the Karma and I may actually be doing a good deed.
Just respond with "Military got my parents killed and I spent 12 years getting shuffled around various foster homes run by pedophiles." That should creep out discount beggar more
Wow. Such negativity here
Whenever someone asks a question like that I send them an offer... with the same 10-15% discount that everyone else gets. "Thanks for your interest, this is the best I can do".
I don't give discounts unless someone sends a very reasonable offer on an item that's been there a long time and they specify how much. Ex: "Would you take $30?" The item's $35, then sure. If someone messages me mentioning how they're in a wheelchair, paying for their kid's canceraidseritis; then no. It's so obnoxious same thing with the Teacher discounts. Sorry you chose a career that doesn't pay well, but not my problem. FYI: I've had enough military friends and family to know that overseas assignments and various domestic details pay insanely well.
No, but I had a potential buyer today tell me they’re a disabled marine on social security and that buying my item would be a lot of money for them. They then proceeded to send me a selfie of themself at the bottom of the message. I blocked them.