What info from zero feedback bidders?

Salamander_3

Hi,

Just starting to dabble in selling a few items on Ebay. I notice many sellers ask zero feedback bidders to contact them before bidding - what benefit does this give you & especially what information do you request?

Is it just some way to make sure bidder is genuine? - or is there another reason perhaps.

Appreciate your comments
S.

starlight_xx

I have to admit that personally Ive never seen the point in this. Ive had just as many NPBs from established ebayers as newcomers. Ive always thought it was a bit unfair, after all if everyone did that none of us would have ANY feedback. Besides even if the person emails you to say they are genuine its no guarantee they arent saying that just to be allowed to bid.

Ive found most 0 bidders to be good, as theyre pretty keen to get feedback & conclude the transaction quickly.

Just my experience tho

*Louise*

Six items I was selling ended yesterday - every one of them was purchased by a zero feedback buyer, out of those, 5 have paid already via paypal, and the 6th has sent an email saying a cheque is being posted.

I don't have a problem with new ebayers - we all had to start somewhere.

nightswimmer

starlight_xx wrote:

Just my experience tho

My experience has been the same, but I can understand why sellers of certain items might want to take more precautions.

bobadobado

In all my sales (approx 50) Ive had 1 zero feedback buyer who bid and won the item, only to change her mind and say she didnt want it.

Must confess, I have also requested ebayers with 0 feedback to contact me first. None of them did, they just bid, and thats when I realised whats the point since I havent got the time to police my bidders list and cancel bids. Anyway, people have to start somehow.

soolin

I'm happy for zero feedback buyers to bid and win my stuff, I've had more problems with established buyers than with newbies. At the moment I've got three unpaid items, two US buyers with feedback of 50 + and 100+ respectively and a UK buyer with 300+ feedback. My newbies seem to be eager to get their first item and pay immediately and leave prompt feedback.

However, when I sell phones, which I do occasionally I often ask for zero feedback bidders to contact me. I do this firstly because I know my mail can get through to them and secondly so I can make contact to establish that they know how it all works and have paypal set up, or whatever.

Soo

keithboy40

try selling a phone without blocking zero feedback, it's a mare. without the restrictions you're gauranteed scam buyers from nigeria. i agree there should not normally be restrictions, however in some cases they are necessary.

soolin

keithboy40 wrote:

try selling a phone without blocking zero feedback, it's a mare. without the restrictions you're gauranteed scam buyers from nigeria. i agree there should not normally be restrictions, however in some cases they are necessary.

The problem is you can't block zero feedback sellers, all you can block are sellers with a negative total.

Soo

keithboy40

you can block people not registered to paypal, which sometimes helps. but again it is not fair to thosegenuine bidders who do not want to use paypal.

motorguy

*Louise* wrote:

I don't have a problem with new ebayers - we all had to start somewhere.

mobile phones, consoles, pc's and laptops all attract scammers and non paying bidders. Often getting a decent price for these items is quite time sensitive, for example xbox 360's have dropped a couple of hundred pounds this past fortnight or so, so having to wait the week or so to be sure someone isn't paying can cost you quite a lot.

Typically, sellers ask for name, address and a contact telephone number and can compare these against what ebay has stored for this person - you can request this from ebay - also, making sure the address exists in https://www.192.com probably tells a lot too. A land line number also helps convince. Also even just making the contact can help reassure a seller - contact means a lot.

Sellers also check what else the bidder is bidding on - for example i had a zero feedback bidder who was the top bidder on 12 other current xbox 360 auctions.

There is the theory that scammers are likely to bother less with a seller if they see the person is 'aware' as such, also to me, people who can't be bothered sending the contact details to the seller might not be bothered paying either.

Midmac

keithboy40 wrote:

you can block people not registered to paypal, which sometimes helps. but again it is not fair to thosegenuine bidders who do not want to use paypal.

I only accept paypal as payment ,so in my case blocking non paypal members is very helpful. You do get the option with each listing to remove this buyer requirement which is also very handy.