EBay - Ask a quesion - but no replies????

luminated

On the item page I click to 'ask a question' then type up my query but whilst I get a copy in my inbox I have found each time that the seller does not reply & there is no evidence of the question being asked on the item page.

Typically (three times this week) it has been about digital cameras with questions about age, number of shutter clicks, if UK bought & if receipt will be provided. Can the seller ignore as they may feel to answer will put them at a disadvantage or am I asking too close to the ending time.

Guidance would be useful thanks.

elsien

How close to the end time are you asking? When I've asked question, it sometimes takes a few days for people to get back to me, especially the bigger sellers. Or it could also be that they don't know the answer, or don't want to give it. Probably a bit of both.

Oakdene

Hi

It is down to the seller to decide, when they reply to your message, if it gets posted to the item page. They have to check a tick box to confirm they wish for it to go on the item page itself.

If the seller is a serious ebayer then they tend to reply in my experience. It my be that they are new & dont know they even have a message, let alone reply.

Gav

luminated

Wow you guys sure are fast at replies.

Naively I thought my question would appear on the item page and then the sellers reply when given. I have asked from - a couple of days to go - to 8 hours to go.

My thinking is now that the sellers don't like the question as it will devalue the item but with a digital camera I would of thought it was common sense, as a buyer, to want to know the age, where bought, what usage & if they have had any issues updated like there have been camera specific issues like with Fuji X10 orbs needing a free sensor update.

But.......?

ballisticbrian

What it generally means - the bottom line... the extremely competitive environment on eBay, they make a few pennies per item and cannot afford to answer questions. It's as simple as that. Especially noticeable if you click "sort by price" and go to the cheapest person to ask questions. They are not in the game of helping people.

luminated

I don't use EBay much. Now & then, as a seller, with higher value items £100 plus. Rarely as a buyer & I'm starting to learn its foibles.

demystified

Ask at least 24 hours in advance, preferably more. Contrary to popular believe sellers don't spend all day sitting at their computer waiting for questions to come in, they list and then forget about it until the auction ends.

Having said that though if the seller doesn't bother to respond at all then I'll usually not bother to bid myself.

luminated

When I've sold perhaps I've put too much information hence no one has ever usually asked me a question.

fozziebeartoo

Maybe the Sellers are too busy, sitting trying to work that one out???



I usually sell on my old digital cameras on ebay (when I buy a new one) and i would be stumped if someone asked me
that....:o

luminated wrote: »

On the item page I click to 'ask a question' then type up my query but whilst I get a copy in my inbox I have found each time that the seller does not reply & there is no evidence of the question being asked on the item page.

Typically (three times this week) it has been about digital cameras with questions about age, number of shutter clicks, if UK bought & if receipt will be provided. Can the seller ignore as they may feel to answer will put them at a disadvantage or am I asking too close to the ending time.

Guidance would be useful thanks.

luminated

fozziebeartoo wrote: »

Maybe the Sellers are too busy, sitting trying to work that one out???



I usually sell on my old digital cameras on ebay (when I buy a new one) and i would be stumped if someone asked me
that....:o

Can be hard with many cameras but there are site where you can upload a shot straight from the camera (usually only DSLRs I think) & it will give you a shutter count.

ilikewatch

luminated wrote: »

Can be hard with many cameras but there are site where you can upload a shot straight from the camera (usually only DSLRs I think) & it will give you a shutter count.

Yes, I think shutter count (if available) is always recorded in the EXIF data on each photo and can be read using any of the many (and free) EXIF programmes and apps.
Interestingly, on devices with GPS (such as smart phones) the GPS coordinates where the photo was taken are also recorded.