Why do (some) sellers not check their messages?

itsnotfair_2

I am a business seller and if a question comes in via ebay (not email) and the item has a bid and is in the last hours before finishing the system lets you write you answer, click send and a message comes up saying we could not send your message as there are bids and less than 8 hours to go.

serbask

I think a lot of people bung things on ebay and dont consider at all when they will end. Also, business seller use very long listings that last almost a month, so dont really have an eye on the ending time.

The other probablem is also the number of silly questions you get. I get about 3 questions per item I list, even though I put everything I can think of in the listing. I get loads of 'can i buy-it-now?' when I state no BIN, I get 'do you post to ...' even though I say I will post anywhere, and i get loads of questions about things that are clearly stated in the listing. I used to be vidulant in checking I had any messages, but since its been so long since I had a proper question I just check every evening.

charlies_mum

I am a business seller on Ebay, and always answer questions, but do wonder why when it has been a 10 day auction, someone asks a question in the last few hours

MacsReturns

serbask wrote: »

The other probablem is also the number of silly questions you get. I get about 3 questions per item I list, even though I put everything I can think of in the listing. I get loads of 'can i buy-it-now?' when I state no BIN, I get 'do you post to ...' even though I say I will post anywhere, and i get loads of questions about things that are clearly stated in the listing.

We have a saying .... RT*L! Read the .... listing Silly questions like that, I take great pleasure in answering by simply doing a copy and paste from the listing :cool:

One of the best was "What colour is the blue one?"

TurkishDelight

serbask wrote: »

I think a lot of people bung things on ebay and dont consider at all when they will end. Also, business seller use very long listings that last almost a month, so dont really have an eye on the ending time.

The other probablem is also the number of silly questions you get. I get about 3 questions per item I list, even though I put everything I can think of in the listing. I get loads of 'can i buy-it-now?' when I state no BIN, I get 'do you post to ...' even though I say I will post anywhere, and i get loads of questions about things that are clearly stated in the listing. I used to be vidulant in checking I had any messages, but since its been so long since I had a proper question I just check every evening.

I once got a question like that as a buyer- seller had replied to the paypal payment email to ask me what my address was- I just scrolled down and copy pasted it from the email they had sent me. :cool:

Dizzie77

Can I just say that some buyers are a nightmare too.....
I had an auction end on Friday night - when I sent the invoice, I asked the buyer to confirm her address, as there were letters in front of the house number.
On Saturday, she paid for the item - without confirming the address....so I e-mailed again and said could she confirm...

Today I posted the item to the address with the letters! and I e-mailed to say that I had sent it, but as I was unsure about the address could she confirm when it arrived for me.
I get a reply within the hour to say "my address is confirmed and has been for the last 5 years actually".
BLIMEY!! Someone had a double dose of attitude pills I think...!!

I always answer questions as a seller - but I do wonder about those people who ask something within a minute of the auction ending and expect you to reply before the end of the auction...!!!

scarlet74

charlies_mum wrote: »

I am a business seller on Ebay, and always answer questions, but do wonder why when it has been a 10 day auction, someone asks a question in the last few hours

Me too! Even if I plan my auctions to end at a reasonable time of day (whatever that is - early evening I suppose) on a certain date, it doesn't necessarily mean that I will be keeping an eye on the auction for the final few hours. I might not be around that day, or unable to get to a computer, and many sellers do suggest that potential buyers should not leave questions until the final few hours as they might not get an answer in time.

cyberbob

Dizzie77 wrote: »

but I do wonder about those people who ask something within a minute of the auction ending and expect you to reply before the end of the auction...!!!

Maybe they only found the auction towards the end of its listing. I have come across things before with an hour left and wanted to ask questions.

cyberbob

serbask wrote: »

I get 'do you post to ...' even though I say I will post anywhere,

Do you state postal prices for all areas? If not that could be the reason. Royal mail only have 3 prices. Domestic, europe and the rest of the world so its only 3 postal prices to list

stabilo85

serbask wrote: »

The other probablem is also the number of silly questions you get. I get about 3 questions per item I list, even though I put everything I can think of in the listing. I get loads of 'can i buy-it-now?' when I state no BIN, I get 'do you post to ...' even though I say I will post anywhere, and i get loads of questions about things that are clearly stated in the listing. I used to be vidulant in checking I had any messages, but since its been so long since I had a proper question I just check every evening.

Yes, when people don't read your description properly it must be frustrating when they start asking inane questions. I only wish all sellers were like you with careful descriptions for their items!

charlies_mum wrote: »

I am a business seller on Ebay, and always answer questions, but do wonder why when it has been a 10 day auction, someone asks a question in the last few hours

Not everyone follows an auction for its entire duration.

Dizzie77 wrote: »

Can I just say that some buyers are a nightmare too.....
I had an auction end on Friday night - when I sent the invoice, I asked the buyer to confirm her address, as there were letters in front of the house number.
On Saturday, she paid for the item - without confirming the address....so I e-mailed again and said could she confirm...

Today I posted the item to the address with the letters! and I e-mailed to say that I had sent it, but as I was unsure about the address could she confirm when it arrived for me.
I get a reply within the hour to say "my address is confirmed and has been for the last 5 years actually".
BLIMEY!! Someone had a double dose of attitude pills I think...!!

I always answer questions as a seller - but I do wonder about those people who ask something within a minute of the auction ending and expect you to reply before the end of the auction...!!!

Obviously you'd be pretty stupid if you expected an answer within a minute of the auction ending. My original point was that I'd asked 5 hours before the end of the auction- I (wrongly) assumed that sellers would check their messages within the last few hours.

As for your troublesome customer, it just goes to show that you can bend over backwards to try and help someone out but they'll throw it back in your face! Very rude indeed.