How would you reply to this inquiry?

sm007h on 06/07/2018 - 13:41

I get this type of inquiry quite often on Ebay and I don't know what to make of it. Here is an example of the inquiry:-

"Hi, in confused……how is this ATH so cheap? They are used or they aren’t original?"

If I was a genuine seller I would respond with "Hey, thanks for your interest in our products. They are brand new, unopened, and absolutely genuine. Just exactly like what you would get when you walk into a major retailer."

And if I was a scam artist, my reply would be "Hey, thanks for your interest in our products. They are brand new, unopened, and absolutely genuine. Just exactly like what you would get when you walk into a major retailer."

So seriously, those that have sent inquiries like this before, what responses are you expecting? And to other ebay sellers, how do you respond to these inquiries?

PS: I get these inquiries even when we are not doing any special pricing!

PSS: My reply in this particular case was "Hi would you feel better if we increase the price to $350?". It did not make him feel better :(

General Discussion

Comments

  • theHMASfriendship on 06/07/2018 - 13:48
    +31

    I'd reply with

    !•-:¦:-•!EXCELLENT!•-:¦:-•!EBAYER!:•-:¦:-•!SMOOTH!:•-:¦:-•!TRANSACTION!:•-:¦:-•!A++++++!:•-:¦:-•

    • sm007h on 06/07/2018 - 13:49
      +3

      I am seeking permission from you to license this response out to me free of use. Thanks!

      • ausdday on 06/07/2018 - 14:02
        +3

        you can use it when he is looking away to find his socks.

      • theHMASfriendship on 06/07/2018 - 14:06
        +5

        Not free but using the code PLATYPUS you can take 10% off my usual fee. Don't forget cashrewards!

  • foxmulder on 06/07/2018 - 13:52

    Some sellers advertise item as new even it's not 'brand new'. Price cheap and expecting buyer to forgive for sup par condition. The other question even it's silly - usually asked if price is quiet significantly cheaper. You just have to answer it and move on. If too many similar questions you can automate your response.

    • JimmyF on 06/07/2018 - 14:46

      yeah those 'new to you' sellers. Scammers.

  • Ryanek on 06/07/2018 - 13:53
    +10

    There is no harm in asking if an item is genuine. It leaves a digital trail which can be used as evidence for a chargeback request.

    • sm007h on 06/07/2018 - 13:54
      +1

      This is a good point I had not considered, but at the end of the day, if it was a scam, this wouldn't change anything. The listing would have been ample proof and you can always dispute with Ebay, paypal and your credit card company. Triple fall-back.

      • foxmulder on 06/07/2018 - 13:57
        +1

        Seller can change listing after buyer purchase it. Some seller I know recycle listing for entirely different item just for the sake of selling history.

      • Ryanek on 06/07/2018 - 14:00

        Listings are can be deceptive. Many people have been caught out buying consoles only to realise somewhere in the listing it says "Box Only". In this case, the listing is legit.

  • HighAndDry on 06/07/2018 - 14:01

    So seriously, those that have sent inquiries like this before, what responses are you expecting?

    Presumably to this part of the question:

    how is this ATH so cheap?

    A credible response would be something like: "While still top of the line and great quality, these are an older model and we have to make space for incoming stock of a newer model. That's why we can offer it at such low prices."

    They want a reason why it's so cheap.

  • Skramit on 06/07/2018 - 14:02
    +7

    I understand your irritation but as a regular eBay shopper myself, the amount of inaccurate information, or complete lack of information in product descriptions is truly scary, even from the major players. I don't blame any eBay shopper for asking dumb questions such as "is this new?" or asking why its cheap etc just to see your response.

    You only have your fellow eBay bad sellers (big and small) and scammers with bad info on their descriptions to blame, even if yours are 100% accurate. That's just the marketplace you're choosing to sell in.

    I'm sure smart arse replies don't do your sales any favours either shrug

    • sm007h on 06/07/2018 - 14:12

      I am in no way justifying my smart arse replies in certain situations but I have had inquiries like "How are you able to get prices so low?" and my replies have often been, we are one of the largest headphone reseller in the market and if you check our feedback you will be able to gauge the product quality. Of course, you also have Ebay and Paypal to back you up if there is anything wrong with the product.

      It is when someone just openly questions whether its a fake is when I start thinking, why would I bother to answer that? The answer would be the same either way, so does it really provide comfort since the answer will be the same?

      • Skramit on 06/07/2018 - 14:14

        Fair enough but I think I would still answer you the same way - because there is so much dodgey stuff on ebay, even the good sellers with 99.8% records get these questions.

        P.S Are you snufkin??

      • HighAndDry on 06/07/2018 - 14:15

        I feel like "we are one of the largest headphone reseller in the market" is good, just add onto that - "and so we get supplier discounts for volume and can afford to cut our own margins."

        • sm007h on 06/07/2018 - 14:16
          +3

          So you reckon "We can raise the price to a more comfortable level for you" doesn't cut it? I ran it by my wife and she clipped me around the ears, but I really thought she was wrong in this case.

        • HighAndDry on 06/07/2018 - 17:19

          @sm007h: Ha! As tempting as that might be… resist the urge lol.

          Or not - and report back how you go. There's a social psychology experiment in here somewhere…

  • outlander on 06/07/2018 - 15:58

    You said you would expect the same reply from either, but in my experience people trying to scam you are more desperate in their responses. I would expect something like "Look my bud dy, these are the premium quality. You not find anything as good quality and cheap price as my store. You buy right now"

  • Diji1 on 06/07/2018 - 17:14
    +1

    Add an FAQ to your description.

    • Speckled Jim on 06/07/2018 - 17:42

      Or in their eBay store. Just copy/paste the blurb on the C.O.W. site.

  • Melb69 on 06/07/2018 - 22:12

    Maybe put a reason why you get it so cheap as the first line in the description. You will still get the questions, but at least it may reduce them. Lucky you're not selling on Gumtree. Low ball offers, Is this item available (sic yes if it wasn't on there it wouldn't be for sale), I'm interested in this item. They low ball offers, Postage costs. Then nothing after you respond. Total waste of time 95% of the time. Suppose that's what you get for free listings.

  • sahh on 06/07/2018 - 23:23

    Reminds me of my mum at the butcher/fish store, she’d always ask “is it fresh?” Lol

    • sm007h on 06/07/2018 - 23:51

      Yeah my mother-in-law always ask the fruiterer is this sweet, and without fail, they always say yes. Then when it is actually sour, she would defend the fruiterer and say its probably just that one and the one after that…

      • HighAndDry on 12/07/2018 - 16:55

        Other than the fact no one is going to answer no…. how are they going to know if a particular fruit is sweet or not before it's peeled?

    • belongsinforums on 12/07/2018 - 16:53

      Working at a deli, I had to answer yes, as long as the product hadnt been frozen

  • Peck on 07/07/2018 - 09:27

    Add to your listing details :-
    "They are brand new, unopened, and absolutely genuine. Just exactly like what you would get when you walk into a major retailer."

  • Seedy seed on 07/07/2018 - 09:31

    Item link please open, I have 12 eBay accounts to ask with.

    • sm007h on 08/07/2018 - 10:44

      12 accounts? Now that is dedication!

  • HeWhoKnows on 07/07/2018 - 22:23

    Yes, No, maybe
    thats all for today

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