Stupid Question Competition!

rare_stuff

I received the stupidest, dumbest question ever in my ebay selling experience at the weekend.
It was for quite a scarce book I have on ebay here goes the Q/A

Q- "[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Could you send me a scan of the contents of this item. Thanks. NN[/FONT]"
A- "Sorry, but that would be in breach of copyright as well as extremely time consuming due to the number of pages. Due to the scarcity of this book and the detailed info contained the price I am starting this at is realistic, there are also a number of watchers on this so it may go for more than this when the auction closes"

Q - "[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Scanning the contents page(s) is scarcely breach of copyright (ever hear of 'fair use?), nor exactly time-consuming. But thanks for your efforts.[/FONT]"
A - "Sorry, Fair Use does not apply in this case as it would be for financial reward, the bookhas a total of 350 A4 sized pages and scanning at the rate of 1 page a minute this would take me almost 6 hours, at a minimum wage rate this would cost more than the book is currently listed at, I am not even willing to consider doing this."

I haven't added any potential buyers to the muppet bin forages and it took me a while to work out how!

Can anyone beat this for a stupid question via ebay?

frivolous_fay

'I have a pistol, would you accept that in trade for your earphones?'

soolin

Selling an item of clothing I got asked 'will it fit me?'

Also on clothing (and I seem to attract lots of probelsm when I sell clothing, I got asked can you please tell me what material your 100% cotton shirt is made of?

OP, do you think the buyer in your case just wants a scan of the contents page? I would probably do that if asked as long as contents ran to only a single page, or maybe two at most.

I just remembered another...I was selling a book on Amazon called 'Who invented peanut butter' and got a question from a US buyer who said she was using her Dad's account and wanted to know the answer as it was on her quiz for school. I told her that I would get the book from storage first thing in the morning as it was late in the UK and it would take me a while to put all the lights and power on for my storage. I then got a reply back , a bit curt, saying not to bother then as she had to be at school in an hour and couldn't wait! bless.

charlottevwa

soolin wrote: »

Selling an item of clothing I got asked 'will it fit me?'

Also on clothing (and I seem to attract lots of probelsm when I sell clothing, I got asked can you please tell me what material your 100% cotton shirt is made of?

OP, do you think the buyer in your case just wants a scan of the contents page? I would probably do that if asked as long as contents ran to only a single page, or maybe two at most.

I just remembered another...I was selling a book on Amazon called 'Who invented peanut butter' and got a question from a US buyer who said she was using her Dad's account and wanted to know the answer as it was on her quiz for school. I told her that I would get the book from storage first thing in the morning as it was late in the UK and it would take me a while to put all the lights and power on for my storage. I then got a reply back , a bit curt, saying not to bother then as she had to be at school in an hour and couldn't wait! bless.

lmao i think you are right with the contents page. OP, the buyer probably thinks you have gone crazy lol! Maybe you could scan the contents page for him, as an apology or something

Aww thats sweet soolin, bless her, I guess she must have googled the question then! What a strange question for a school quiz. mmm i love peanut butter

fuzzgun19

soolin wrote: »

OP, do you think the buyer in your case just wants a scan of the contents page? I would probably do that if asked as long as contents ran to only a single page, or maybe two at most.

This is how I read it too. They only want to see the (1 or 2) 'Contents' page(s) to see the chapters of the book.

StaffsSW

I'm selling some software for a windows 95 machine - It is listed in the title, the description, and it is in the correct category. The description says it is only compatible with windows 95.

I have had at least a dozen (mainly americans as well) ask if it is compatible with XP or vista. A few of these have even asked if i can open it up to check, and one cheeky git has even asked for to be sent "on approval" so they can test it. Everyone of them has been added to the BBL. I know that some Muppet will buy it then complain that it is not XP compatible, and ask for a refund.

Another question that has stumped me in the past asked me if I could arrange postage to arrive on a Sunday, as that was the only day they were at home - the item they wanted was a CD listed on a BIN at 1.99....

TSFE!!!!

richto

soolin wrote: »

Selling an item of clothing I got asked 'will it fit me?'

Just enjoy replying to dumb questions with suitably irritating answers. e.g.

'Possibly - is it your size?'

soolin wrote: »

Also on clothing (and I seem to attract lots of probelsm when I sell clothing, I got asked can you please tell me what material your 100% cotton shirt is made of?

'From small plant fibres.'

richto

stevew8975 wrote: »

I'm selling some software for a windows 95 machine - It is listed in the title, the description, and it is in the correct category. The description says it is only compatible with windows 95.

I have had at least a dozen (mainly americans as well)

That is pretty normal. 90% of my dumbest buyers are American. Just say 'Your question is already answered in the item description' and let them work it out.

soolin wrote: »

Another question that has stumped me in the past asked me if I could arrange postage to arrive on a Sunday, as that was the only day they were at home - the item they wanted was a CD listed on a BIN at 1.99....

TSFE!!!!

Just call the local taxi firm and quote the fare.

ormus

i was asked to meet a chap at some motorway services and take my dell laptop for cash on delivery. at nightime!
i replied, yes ok, good idea, my motorbike mates can come for a ride out, too.
he never got back to me. shame.

rare_stuff

soolin wrote: »

OP, do you think the buyer in your case just wants a scan of the contents page? I would probably do that if asked as long as contents ran to only a single page, or maybe two at most.

Ahhhh!

I thought they wanted all the contents of it, it's not until re-reading the 2nd question that I realise that could be the case! Will get onto it straight away!

Though good subject for discussion close to most ebayers hearts I feel!

elainew

Had someone ask me if the "childs scooby-doo umbrella" was suitable for adults??

Its listed as a childs and why would an adult "want" a scooby doo umbrella !!!