Ebay Sellers That Don't Respond.

[Deleted User]

I've noticed, over the last 6 months, that most of the sellers i contact don't reply to questions i ask about their items - and it's annoying and frustrating, and results in me not buying the item incase it doesn't fit then either returning it or if not permitted i'm stuck with something i can't wear.

I've only ever bought on Ebay, not a seller myself so don't know what the seller actually sees as notifications - but i'm wondering if they're not showing hence not being seen and answered etc.

The questions i ask relate to measurements and sizes because the details hadn't been mentioned in the listings so i always ask before taking the purchase further.

Is it me, or have other buyers started experiencing this over the past 6 months, it's really noticeable now and it's not getting  better.
Anyone ... ?

Pollycat

I get an email message if a potential buyer contacts me with a question.
I think it also shows on eBay in 'messages'.
But...my descriptions are very detailed and I usually use up my 12 photos.
I show length, bust, sleeve length, care label etc.
Or if it's jewellery I'm selling, I show weight.
So I get very few questions, usually it will be about combining postage.

I can't recall in my 15+ years of buying on eBay any sellers not responding to my questions.

soolin

I respond to all sensible questions, but only a few not sensible ones.

I get a lot of things like ‘can you confirm this real gold’ when listing specifics show it as an alloy, or ‘would you say this is more bluesy green than green as I need a green hat but the last two I bought I returned as I thought they looked like they had a hint of blue in them’ and you just know they aren’t going to be happy with whatever colour it is.

with sizes , and I get asked occasionally, I just refer them to the listing details, ‘hi there, the chain length and pendant drop is as stated in the listing’. 

I tend to ignore the questions that seem angry like ‘ are you sure this is gold tone as it looks silver on my screen and if I buy it I’ll return it if it is more gold coloured’ or ‘SIZE!!!!!!’. 

Flyonthewall

I have noticed this. It happens with both business and private sellers.

It shows a notification (bell icon), shows in Ebay messages and sends an email when a buyer asks a question, plus under listings it shows a tab for unanswered questions. No excuses for sellers not replying!

I messaged many sellers when trying to buy clothes last (over 6 months ago) as many don't list measurements or material. A lot never replied or some would only answer one out of two questions.

I do wonder in some cases whether sellers think writing S/M/L/10/12/14 etc. is enough, despite how much clothing sizes vary. Therefore they just ignore the question thinking the buyer is stupid.

I have had the same with other items, but I certainly feel it is worse with clothing.

I always write polite, clear messages too so it's not like they can say they I was rude or they didn't understand so ignored it.

I don't know what can be done about it though, but you are not alone!

[Deleted User]

That's good to know then !
Yes, it's always asking for the garments measurements as they've not been mentioned at all.
And as you say, i do wonder if the seller doesn't realise that every manufacturer has a differing size model/scale and just saying S/M/L is enough.
Me asking for measurements immediately lets me know whether the item is worth going for because not all sellers take returns and if the item turns out to be wrong, and no returns accepted, i'm then left with something i can't use.
And yes, again, i'm always polite. 

[Deleted User]

...i remember asking for the size of a bag once and was told "of course i can't measure it, i don't have anything to measure it with" ....
Come on, everyone has either a tape measure or ruler somewhere on the premises  🙄😠

fenwick458

I remember asking for the size of a Starbucks coffee cup on eBay, the seller was unable to measure it in any way. they just got fed up with me asking and suggesting many simple ways in which they could convey to me how big it was, Eg. measure it with a tape measure, find out how many ml of water it holds,  take a picture of it next to a can of coke.....and they replied with something along the lines of "look mate it's just a normal coffee cup, like the size of a normal coffee mug you'd get in your kitchen, for drinking coffee out of you know?!"
part of me wanted to just buy it and do an SNAD claim as soon as it arrived to teach them a lesson but I never bothered

Belenus

I saw a very long snake advertised for sale on eBay so I sent this question.

'How many feet?'

The reply from the seller was:

'None, it's a snake'.

TripleH

I get notifications when a question pops up.

Despite listing everything in detail (not as much as Polycat) I have on numerous times had someone ask what size even though it is stated in the key features.

I sold a camera that worked perfectly but the screen at the back was damaged and there was a photo with the damage to the screen visible.

The buyer complained that the screen was damaged and I hadn't mentioned it.

Some people don't read adverts fully.

Flyonthewall

[Deleted User] said:

That's good to know then !
Yes, it's always asking for the garments measurements as they've not been mentioned at all.
And as you say, i do wonder if the seller doesn't realise that every manufacturer has a differing size model/scale and just saying S/M/L is enough.
Me asking for measurements immediately lets me know whether the item is worth going for because not all sellers take returns and if the item turns out to be wrong, and no returns accepted, i'm then left with something i can't use.
And yes, again, i'm always polite. 

Exactly. There are so many things I haven't bought because it isn't worth the hassle if they are not right.

Flyonthewall

TripleH said:

I get notifications when a question pops up.

Despite listing everything in detail (not as much as Polycat) I have on numerous times had someone ask what size even though it is stated in the key features.

I sold a camera that worked perfectly but the screen at the back was damaged and there was a photo with the damage to the screen visible.

The buyer complained that the screen was damaged and I hadn't mentioned it.

Some people don't read adverts fully.

Do you ignore the questions though?

I include all details in my listings and still get an occasional message about something that is in the listing. I still answer the questions.

I do read the adverts fully, plus look carefully at photos. Many sellers do not include important details and so many only have one bad photo. I wouldn't be sending you a question if you have included the size because I would see it and read it.