if only we could write the truth

hermum

soolin wrote: »

Hermum- I am sitting here wrapping things and I thought about what you said about people being used to seeing things sold as vintage when they are new- it was me that started a thread a month or two ago about the vintage 1950s dresses that were actually brand new current style Primark. I seemed to be in a minority then thinking it was inaccurate but this does rather suggest that perhapt a large percentage of people on ebay expect a genuine vintage piece to be brand new. I am so used ot selling within a trade outside of ebay where we are careful with how we describe things that I didn't really understand how some people use words.

This reminds me of a decanter I sold a few years back ready for Christmas. My item was a truly vintage piece and I sold it as such. However when I checked out completed listings before I listed mine- in the antique section for decanters there were as many modern ones in an 'old style' as old ones. There was even one that was being sold as Edwardian (it might have been Victorian) that was new and still in the Debenhams box.

I was part of your minority.
I want vintage to mean old, with some history.
I sold a pair of vintage all leather boots including the sole.
I'd bought them at great expense in the late 70's early 80's & wore them a couple of times when I would still attempt silly heels.
The buyer said they were disappointed that they smelled like old leather. Maybe it was a foot fetish person & they were hoping that my feet were so bad they would still detect that stench.

MissGivings_2

I was honest once at an exam at university

I just wrote 'I don't know anything about this' and put my head down and slept through it.

I had a terrible hangover and hadn't studied.:D

martindow

MissGivings wrote: »

I was honest once at an exam at university

I just wrote 'I don't know anything about this' and put my head down and slept through it.

I had a terrible hangover and hadn't studied.:D

Was the examiner impressed with your honesty?

MissGivings_2

martindow wrote: »

Was the examiner impressed with your honesty?

I'm guessing not. I got thrown off that course!
Best thing in the end though.:)

macfly

Crowqueen wrote: »

I sometimes feel like a cash cow with an open wallet who is expected to be infinitely patient and infinitely understanding.

You want to try running a business if that's how you feel. Not yet obviously, given your circumstances.
However, it would be an eye opener for you. I wear cargo trousers often, to make it easy for all the people who have their hands in my pockets.
Tax, N.I., VAT, business rates, insurance. Then customers who think everyone who runs a business is minted.
I work 4 days a week for the government. Just so people who messed about at school, had kids they couldn't afford, or those who can't cope with the world can survive. Not only that, I have to listen to their understanding of their "rights". Given to them by politicians who also never had a real job.


Tis a funny thing perspective.

wendym

martindow wrote: »

Was the examiner impressed with your honesty?

My OH marks A level papers, and there's an increasing trend of candidates writing something like 'dear mr examiner i am afraid i dont know anything about this'. The ones who really want to impress with their cuteness add 'so i drew you this picture'. It's often of a penguin, for some reason.

sharpy2010

soolin wrote: »

I'm so careful as well- I even put in a bit about the item being 60 years old (or whatever) but it shows how little of the auction some buyers read.

But this is exactly what I was stating in the thread that I set up, no matter how careful you are, there are always idiot buyers who will screw you over.

No-one showed me any sympathy though, basically I was told it was all my fault, and I should be much more careful with my listings and grammar etc etc.

MissGivings_2

sharpy2010 wrote: »

But this is exactly what I was stating in the thread that I set up, no matter how careful you are, there are always idiot buyers who will screw you over.

No-one showed me any sympathy though, basically I was told it was all my fault, and I should be much more careful with my listings and grammar etc etc.

In that thread you said 'Thank you for your encouraging and somewhat comforting response though, it's appreciated!' ?

I gave you sympathy and praised you too, sharpy2010, as did many others in your idiot buyers thread.:).

hermum

sharpy2010 wrote: »

But this is exactly what I was stating in the thread that I set up, no matter how careful you are, there are always idiot buyers who will screw you over.

No-one showed me any sympathy though, basically I was told it was all my fault, and I should be much more careful with my listings and grammar etc etc.

I've just re-read that thread to see whether my recollection of it was wrong.
There was as far as I can see just one negative comment aimed at you.
We may not have offered you tea & cakes but we certainly didn't try saying that it was your fault.

samanthaknd

macfly wrote: »

It will come as no surprise to you that we have a totally different approach.
I've had mobiles returned as the buyer found them too complicated. I go along with these returns as I'm aware most people are too thick to research these days.
One customer who bought a satnav though copped a barrage. Email after email, "won't work - funny message coming up". After 4 more, the answer was "cannot load map." I asked him if he would like to return it for me to reload them from the cd I sent him, if not gave him instructions on how to do it - simple ones. He answered "can't be bothered". Told him to return it for a full refund. He replied "too much fuss, could I give simpler instructions". My reply, "copy map from cd, paste to sd card - doesn't get any more simple". A snotty email back, "I work in a shop selling these type of things, I'm au fey with how they work".
My final response " send it back at once. You are far too thick to be driving, never mind operating a satnav. And by the way - the phrase is au fait you stupid tw**."
Strangely - no return and no bad feedback.

Haha this had me in stitches xxx, Amazing response!