eBay Jerk of the Day

[ibuysportsephemera]

I always cut the top part off that says eBay for 2 reasons. 1) I don't like giving eBay the free advertising and 2) Why give anyone an idea that there is something of value in the envelope?

[Bpm0014]

I'll play devil's advocate; I'm in sales. It doesn't seem like an unreasonable request to be honest, no matter what kind of volume you deal with. If I had a client who made this request, I wouldn't even think of complaining or saying that it was too "tough" to fulfill. And who knows, maybe you make the guy happy and he buys more cards off of you in the future.

[quinnsryche]

What's the big deal? It will actually cost you less to send it the way he wants. I sell on ebay alot and I would have no problem in doing that for a customer. I certainly wouldn't consider this guy a "jerk" for asking what he did. It's all about customer service!

[howard38]

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[Sean1125]

I haven't read through the thread so excuse me if someone posted this already but the one and only reason someone would ask for PWE delivery is because you cannot put tracking on it. It means they will file a claim the day they receive the card and you will be out the card and money... It's best to just cancel the transaction and not even try for payment because that request means you are dealing with someone who intends to steal money. Period.

[alanu]

I don't think I would call the buyer a jerk, but since the "special" request is a deal breaker for the buyer, he should have asked if the card could be shipped using the "special" method before he bid on the card.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by alanu

I don't think I would call the buyer a jerk, but since the "special" request is a deal breaker for the buyer, he should have asked if the card could be shipped using the "special" method before he bid on the card.

I agree that if shipping the card in a plain envelope was so important to him, he should have contacted Buythatcard before bidding. But, on the other hand, was it specifically stated in his listing that he ships in bubble envelopes and that there was "no way around it?" If not, then I don't see how the buyer can be faulted for asking after the fact.

Buythatcard, if you're concerned about tracking, you could have responded something like this: "All cards are sent in a top loader and bubble envelope. The shipping label will say eBay on it. I print all my label from ebay in order to have the tracking #'s recorded automatically. However, if you are willing to assume the risk of loss or damage in the mail, I'll be glad to comply with your request. Please respond and specifically tell me that you're willing to assume the risk, and I'll be happy to mail your card in a handwritten envelope."

By "surprise," the buyer could have meant a surprise to himself. Maybe he gets a lot of mail, and whereas a large bubble envelope would have stood out right away, a #6 or #10 envelope with the card would be mixed in with the rest of the incoming letters, and as he sorted them he'd get the surprise of knowing it arrived.

As far as hiding hobby purchases from a spouse, sometimes there are extreme situations where it's necessary, as this anecdote from the legendary stamp dealer Herman Herst, Jr. will show (relax, no prior knowledge of stamp collecting is required)...

The customer was a doctor in Brooklyn. He needed a used single of [a very expensive stamp] and asked me to send him one on approval. Since he was a good buyer over the years, always paying promptly and never complaining, I did not hesitate to submit one.

Back it came, promptly, torn in half, with a brief note from his wife:

“My husband has received strict orders from me. He is not going to buy any more stamps. I hope this teaches you a lesson.”

Fortunately, his original letter had an office telephone number on it, and I was not long in calling him on the phone.

He thought that I was calling for not having sent the stamp. He said:

“My wife said that if she saw any more letters from stamp dealers she would open them and tear any stamps in the letter in half. I did not think she meant it.”

He continued, “It has taught me a lesson. I am going to take a Post Office Box. I will give you the address as soon as I have it.”

He did not stop buying stamps, and was decent enough to pay for the torn stamp. I asked if I might keep it as a souvenir of the stupid act of a wife jealous of her husband’s hobby.

It does not happen often that one spouse denies the other the pleasure of a hobby. But when that couple finally breaks up, her forcing him to seek additions to his collection via a Post Office Box will have been the start of it all. Happily, few of us are that dumb.

[olrac44]

I had a guy win a card last night, he then sends me a message and says He's sorry but he no longer wants the card. I respond, why did you bid then?

His response was I bid on several of your auctions and didn't win any of them so I do not want this one either. I looked and sure enough he bid on several items but lost all of them.

Since eBay won't let me leave negative feedback for a buyer, well, there isn't much concern about backing out. Very weak ebay. Very weak.

[Buythatcard]

So, after posting this thread, I mentioned 2 days ago that I decided to send the buyer the card for free. I wrote him an email that night and told him what I decided to do.

Now, if someone did that for me, I would have responded and thanked them.

This buyer never even acknowledged my email.

So, I am heading to the PO this morning to drop off all my packages. One of the packages is for him.

Should I mail it or keep it?

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

The customer was a doctor in Brooklyn. He needed a used single of [a very expensive stamp] and asked me to send him one on approval. Since he was a good buyer over the years, always paying promptly and never complaining, I did not hesitate to submit one.

Back it came, promptly, torn in half, with a brief note from his wife:

“My husband has received strict orders from me. He is not going to buy any more stamps. I hope this teaches you a lesson.”

Fortunately, his original letter had an office telephone number on it, and I was not long in calling him on the phone.

He thought that I was calling for not having sent the stamp. He said:

“My wife said that if she saw any more letters from stamp dealers she would open them and tear any stamps in the letter in half. I did not think she meant it.”

He continued, “It has taught me a lesson. I am going to take a Post Office Box. I will give you the address as soon as I have it.”

He did not stop buying stamps, and was decent enough to pay for the torn stamp. I asked if I might keep it as a souvenir of the stupid act of a wife jealous of her husband’s hobby.

It does not happen often that one spouse denies the other the pleasure of a hobby. But when that couple finally breaks up, her forcing him to seek additions to his collection via a Post Office Box will have been the start of it all. Happily, few of us are that dumb.

This tale would suggest that the wife was already planning on a divorce and just wanted half the stamp in the property settlement.

[shammus]

It's probably best to check with the seller about this sort of request before completing a transaction though. It's not fair to the seller to buy something and THEN ask your questions.

In addition, shipping in a white envelope isn't exactly the safest way to ship your cards. I would say that's a borderline unreasonable request. It's up to the seller to make sure the cards arrive at their destination safely and free from harm. If the original poster had sent the cards in the white envelope and they had been damaged during shipping, he would be liable for them.

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by shammus

It's probably best to check with the seller about this sort of request before completing a transaction though. It's not fair to the seller to buy something and THEN ask your questions.

In addition, shipping in a white envelope isn't exactly the safest way to ship your cards. I would say that's a borderline unreasonable request. It's up to the seller to make sure the cards arrive at their destination safely and free from harm. If the original poster had sent the cards in the white envelope and they had been damaged during shipping, he would be liable for them.

We had an item that we specifically said ship to USA only and a buyer from Austria emailed about overseas shipping which we said we respectfully did not do and the moron bid anyhow. Even when you give specific information and answers to customers, they do not always listen. I agree with Sean about the fact you can't put tracking on a plain white envelope is a possibility here so canceling the transaction may not have been a bad move.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by kmac32

We had an item that we specifically said ship to USA only and a buyer from Austria emailed about overseas shipping which we said we respectfully did not do and the moron bid anyhow. Even when you give specific information and answers to customers, they do not always listen. I agree with Sean about the fact you can't put tracking on a plain white envelope is a possibility here so canceling the transaction may not have been a bad move.

Hello Ken,

If you wish to only ship to the USA you can make the changes on the ebay listing form under shipping. You can check off the places, by continent or country, you do not wish to ship to. If you do that they will not be able to bid. I have first hand knowledge of this. I saw an item on ebayUK that I was wanted to bid on. The seller had Europe only. I asked if he was willing to ship to the U.S. and he said he would. I tried to bid before he unblocked the U.S. and I was prevented from bidding. A message came up saying that the seller did not ship to that country. After he unchecked the U.S. no problem.

Cheers,

Michael

[T206BrownHindu]

I don't like when people say their life is too busy to wait in line (for anything). Nobody likes doing it, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

[poorlydrawncat]

I don't see what's wrong with that request. A top loader in a white envelope can be mailed for a single, standard stamp. Just throw it in the mailbox and you're all set. Although had I been the buyer I would have checked beforehand just as a courtesy, as a seller I would probably not deny such a request.

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Hello Ken,

If you wish to only ship to the USA you can make the changes on the ebay listing form under shipping. You can check off the places, by continent or country, you do not wish to ship to. If you do that they will not be able to bid. I have first hand knowledge of this. I saw an item on ebayUK that I was wanted to bid on. The seller had Europe only. I asked if he was willing to ship to the U.S. and he said he would. I tried to bid before he unblocked the U.S. and I was prevented from bidding. A message came up saying that the seller did not ship to that country. After he unchecked the U.S. no problem.

Cheers,

Michael

Know that now and all new listings are done this way. My point is that they specifically emailed about the shipping, we're told no, and they still bid. Did learn from this situation, but I do consider this person a jerk for not respecting the listing and proceeding even after being told no.

[Buythatcard]

Just to show this buyer that I am not a bad guy.

I decided to send the card off in a white envelope. Not only that, I told him that the card is for free.

Sometimes, doing nice things for people has more of an impact than trying to scold them.