We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

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

Options
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?
"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx

Comments

  • Oliver14
    Oliver14 Posts: 5,878 Forumite
    Never had any problems with US buyers personally but dont get me started on the Germans.
    'The More I know about people the Better I like my Dog'
    Samuel Clemens
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,051 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    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.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • 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.
  • 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...
    I am a cow so cannot speak Bullshine but I do recognise its smell when I come upon it.
  • 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
    martindow Posts: 10,564 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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
    porto_bello Posts: 1,828 Forumite
    Thanks all, good to know I'm not alone! :wink:

    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! :D
    "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
    ...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
    Groucho Marx
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.