Buyer has gone off one one after I requested their contact details!

RHemmings

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

So those who say they'd want the seller to ask, how do you feel about Amazon marketplace sellers being given your phone number with any order with them?

Should the seller send you an email to ask if it's OK to call you? If so wants the point of Amazon giving the seller the number (as you could give that when the seller asks for permission)?

No. I expect that the sellers I purchase from will have my name, address, and phone number. And hence that it's reasonable for a seller to call me. I expect that the courier will be given my name and address. I'd also expect a seller to ask first before they give a courier any further details, e.g. my mobile phone number.

RHemmings

There are criticisms on this thread of customers being "over-sensitive" on this issue. But spam texts and misuse of phone numbers is rampant. I purchased a new mobile phone SIM card, and used it in an online purchase. Event though (as I always do) I carefully checked all boxes were set to the appropriate tick status to avoid spam and my details being shared, within hours I was receiving spam texts including annoying payment protection insurance and ambulance chasing spam texts, and also very offensive texts from what was basically a house of prostitution, which claimed I had "opted in".

I would much prefer that a courier has my home phone number, not my mobile. As home phone numbers don't invite streams of spam texts. And hence I haven't included my mobile in ebay listings. And hence the situation described in this thread will not happen to me. But for others who have a mobile listed, the more people the number is spread to, the more chance that the number will be misused. And hence I don't think that it's unreasonable for customers to expect that their mobile number will go to the seller, and no further. Unless they are asked.

trukdiver

As lots of people have said, it's polite to ask first. Apart from that, you can check you've got the right number. Lots of people put contact details on eBay when they sign up and never change them. They may move or change mobile networks - and changing their eBay contact number may not cross their mind.

theonlywayisup

There is a setting to require the buyer to give their phone number.....all of this is unnecessary and could have been done via an adequate listing.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

theonlywayisup wrote: »

There is a setting to require the buyer to give their phone number.....all of this is unnecessary and could have been done via an adequate listing.

I'm not sure but think that applies to all listings which may not be suitable as it can cause customer issues where the phone number isn't actually required by the seller for a courier as they sell a range of different items with different delivery options.

I still think it's a big fuss over nothing, spam texts from prostitutes because a courier was given a number is about as melodramatic as you get.

Any member of staff at any company big or small could "abuse" your number, not likely to happen though.

The idea of asking first is also laughable, some people are running real businesses, you know 3 dozen staff, thousands of orders a day, they don't have a mini call centre set up to ask customers pointless questions such as "can we give your number to a courier" and if a company was going to state they'd do this it would most likely go in the privacy policy and who here reads that for every site they shop on?

Maybe you guys should take the numbers off your front doors when you aren't home for added security...

RHemmings

DirtPoorGuy wrote: »

I am really sorry to hear about all the text spam you are getting, just to be on the safe side what was the number for the 'house of prostitution', so I can add it to my [STRIKE]contact[/STRIKE] block list

I can't remember, but I contacted the government information office about unsolicited spams, and they said I had to contact the company first. So I had to phone up reception and complain. They did remove me, but I found it a bizarre and not exactly pleasant task.

cyberbob

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

Maybe you guys should take the numbers off your front doors when you aren't home for added security...

Don't know about you I don't have my phone number on my front door.

No matter what you can harp or moan about 'oversensitive customers' but reading this thread the majority are not happy with their phone number being given to a third party so maybe people need to think about this.

It all cones down to Customer service and treating customers with respect. Those that are saying people are being oversensitive, looking at their previous posts seem to have the attitude that customers are some huge inconvenience. If thats your attitude any form of retail is not for you.

In reality whatever you think this is ebay and if the customer doesn't like your actions they will make their displeasure known in DSRs or feedback which could effect you in the future.

Personally I try and respect my customers and treat them how I would wish to be treated.

byjimini

If you haven't access to the number then you ask, you don't covertly try to obtain it.

The website I work on requires a mobile number, and we stress that customers can opt out of us passing it onto the courier if they so wish, but with the obvious disadvantage it puts them in.

prowla

You obviously have to get the buyer's name and address in order to send something, and you can do this by clicking on the "Print Postage label" option, so that is implicit in the whole process.

Given a name and address you can look somebody up in the phonebook, so if they are listed then that is implicit in their having a phone service.

I'm not sure about asking ebay for their phone number though...

But in this case it looks like you don't get thanked for being helpful!

charlies_mum

Like lovinituk, I have given my mobile number. If there was a problem, the courier could have phoned me then I could have got the buyer's number from Ebay and called them.

The item was delivered OK with no problem