E-bay - Am I just being over sensitive?

Rage_in_Eden

I sold an item back end of last week but unfortunately ended up in A&E poorly so didn't even see it finish. Got to post it start of this week and yesterday and today I have had 4 emails from the buyer - very aggressive in tone - demanding to know where item is. Explained that I had been v. ill and had posted item and had proof of postage. Last e-mail of the 4 said "you either give me a refund, the item or I file a dispute". I have 100% positive feedback and when I've bought something I've always given it a week (minus weekends) before I start chasing. I said that I had found the tone of their e-mails abusive/threatening and the reponse was "well fair enough you've been ill but I want to know what's going on" (paraphrasing there). I said that politness goes a long way. I have reported them to e-bay as I really don't think that 4 emails in 2 days within a week of buying something is on (especially when the seller has no negative feedback). Am I being over sensitive or are they being pushy? I do not have anyone who could have posted that I was ill.

Fern_Merkin

Cut yourself some slack in the sensitive area, you're still not top whack. Can this be sorted through communication now you've told them of the problem? If you've posted it now it should be with them very soon. Were they upset at lack of response (unavoidable) or just bolshy?

If they get it and are happy you may just get marked down on stars a bit. Hope it works out.

FX

harveybobbles

Don't forget to tick the box to display postage cost if you buy postage via Royal Mail website........................................

Marty_J

harveybobbles wrote: »

Don't forget to tick the box to display postage cost if you buy postage via Royal Mail website........................................

Yes, otherwise your buyer might want to see your tax returns to make sure you aren't overcharging. :rolleyes:

harveybobbles

And state on your listings how far from the Post Office you live, what car you drive, what it's fuel consumption is and how much wear and tear your shoes get stood in the PO queues. Just so we all know what star rating we need to leave...

Rage_in_Eden

Fern_Merkin wrote: »

Cut yourself some slack in the sensitive area, you're still not top whack. Can this be sorted through communication now you've told them of the problem? If you've posted it now it should be with them very soon. Were they upset at lack of response (unavoidable) or just bolshy?

If they get it and are happy you may just get marked down on stars a bit. Hope it works out.

FX

They were just very bolshy (bordering on nasty) - 4 e-mails of various stages of rant in less than 48-hours. I e-mailed them back to explain the situation, said that it had been posted (I wouldn't mind but within the 7 day posting rule) and when I said that the tone of their last e-mail had been quite threatening and I did not appreciate that they said I was talking rubbish and that I should have told them I was ill (obviously I can psychic mind-meld to my PC when I'm in a hospital bed :rolleyes: ) and that communication goes a long way. I pointed out that so did a polite manner....... no response to that :rolleyes: Still I guess I can count myself lucky that this is the first one I've had. The other people who were on the same closing haven't even contacted me to ask where their item is! I must admit when I've been chasing something I leave it 10 days to allow for weekends, missing the post etc before I chase it up. Some people eh? There really is no need ......

steviebabes

I think buyers have a different attitude if you are a registered business seller. They expect the item to be posted as soon as they pay. Private sellers have other commitments and usually get less hassle.

Rage_in_Eden

steviebabes wrote: »

I think buyers have a different attitude if you are a registered business seller. They expect the item to be posted as soon as they pay. Private sellers have other commitments and usually get less hassle.

That's it though - I'm a private seller!! I'm just de-cluttering! Well, I'm taking a break from e-bay for a couple of weeks now - I'd rather have the clutter than the hassle. I've also deleted another e-mail I've been sent without even opening it. I just don't want to engage any further. I've posted it and that's that. If I get told they've not got it I'll sort it out but no more verbals.....

poorly_scammo

Hi Rage!

I'm a private seller too and have managed to cling on to my fb score but I tell you, I've noticed that buyers generally are getting more obnoxious and demanding since they changed the feedback system. :mad:

I read the Ebay forums when I fancy a laugh :rolleyes: and the vitriol and nastiness which is on there is unbelievable. Add that to the unhappy sellers who are fed up with non-paying bidders, fb changes and a new search system which many say doesn't work, I'm surprised that people are still selling on ebay. I'm not anymore!

I agree with your post entirely. It's shame that people cannot be a little more understanding BUT there are numpties on Ebay now ripping people off so buyers seem to have lost all tolerance.

Very sad all round. Have you tried selling on any of the other sites? I've used Ebid and Amazon and they were ok.

Rage_in_Eden

Hi Scammo!

I suppose I should be grateful that I've sold about 130 items over the past x months and this is the first "nasty" I've encountered. Honestly when you think of how nice some buyers are - I've even sent abroad and they've been delighted I'd do that! I haven't tried either of the sites you mentioned but will check them out. I have sold some books on greenmetroplis though and have found them okay. It makes me laugh though as I had to chase something (turned out was lost in transit - boo hoo as I really wanted it) and first thing I did was I waited nearly 2 weeks (just in case I'd missed postie) and then looked at seller's feedback score and that was fine and then contacted the seller to say "I think there's a problem" - not "I demand!" I dearly wish I could now leave feedback old style for the buyer... :rotfl: instead of the new nicey-nicey.....

poorly_scammo

I know what you mean. I bought something off Ebay not so long ago and cut a long story short :rolleyes: it didn't arrive. My first thought was not, 'I screw the seller over and make life really difficult for him/her!' My first thought was, 'I'll email them and ask politely if they've sent it' etc.

As it turned out, they'd had a bit of a mix-up but they asked me if I wanted another one or a refund which was nice.

As my granny used to say, manners cost nothing but customers generally automatically assume they're being ripped off, which is shame for us honest folk.

Incidentally, Ebay is apparantely going to change beyond all recognition shortly. It will become a sort of Amazon-lite. Could be a load of %^$£ but whenever Iv'e tried to enter this on Ebay forum, the powers that be have wiped my comments off! Odd eh?