Negative feedback/Low DSRs... low value items & US buyers?

porto_bello

I'm not a business seller, so I can't claim to have great exposure to the eBay marketplace, but over the years, I've noted that when buyers have made unreasonable demands, the items are usually low value and the buyers are usually based in North America.

[By unreasonable demands, I mean complaints that something hasn't arrived within 1 or 2 days, or they don't like the CD, so they want a refund and return at the seller's expense, or they've changed their mind and don't feel they should have to pay, or they feel the final price was too high, so they'd like it reduced ... usually threatening poor feedback and/or DSRs].

Speaking to other eBayers (again, private sellers) the same pattern of problem buyers emerges - low value + North American buyers. Is this just a fluke?

Or is this in line with the experiences of others?

Oliver14

Never had any problems with US buyers personally but dont get me started on the Germans.

soolin

I used to have a lot of problems with US buyers but (touch wood) it seems to be very calm there all of the sudden.

theonlywayisup

US buyers are my worst. They want everything quoted in dollars and delivered to them within 2-3 days. Not one has had any geography sense and they think England is a small suburb of some distant US state. PITA but they buy, you just need to educate them.

SpammyTheSpammer

I get a number of requests for cheaper P&P to the USA

I usually just suggest that they can collect the item if they want to save a few bob...

Obviously_the_best

There are a few buyers I don't like dealing with, Americans, Germans and Italians,
I find that they all are thoroughly unreasonable, I've had the, the buying price was too high and I want it reduced, your postage is extortionate and where's my item,
to all of them I answer, tough or wait, good job I record my telephone calls and eBay messages, so is they try the bad feedback I just get it removed!

martindow

I have more than my fair share of problems with Americans who feel they have been cheated as they expected to pay 15 dollars when something is for sale at 15 pounds or expect a next day delivery for next to nothing.

I find the first message they send looks very aggressive but if you reply calmly explaining or dealing with the problem they become very friendly and accommodating. I think it is a cultural thing.

porto_bello

Thanks all, good to know I'm not alone!

I think martindow might be on the right lines with the idea that it's a 'cultural thing'

... in the sense that I've found only American buyers make laboured claims of honesty and integrity - as well as patently dishonest claims for compensation and unguarded threats of reputation wrecking - and fit it all into the same sentence!