This is what's wrong with the average ebay buyer

[Eric72]

I've been selling vinyl records on eBay. While slightly different than sports cards, the similarities with listings/customer interactions/sales are abundant.

They're described accurately, graded conservatively, and listed with numerous (clear, not blurry) pictures.

I am responsive to messages and communicate professionally.

The records are packaged securely and shipped the next business day - without exception.

Perhaps not coincidentally, I have nearly zero issues with any of my transactions.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I've been selling vinyl records on eBay. While slightly different than sports cards, the similarities with listings/customer interactions/sales are abundant.

They're described accurately, graded conservatively, and listed with numerous (clear, not blurry) pictures.

I am responsive to messages and communicate professionally.

The records are packaged securely and shipped the next business day - without exception.

Perhaps not coincidentally, I have nearly zero issues with any of my transactions.

Wish there were more sellers like you, Eric...

There are, of course more good sellers than bad. But the bad ones tend to stick in your memory bank a lot longer, haha.

Needless to say, it shouldn't be nearly as difficult as they make it.

[Snapolit1]

Most basic rule of negotiating is that when you tell the other side "this is my best and final" or "this is as good as I can do" you don't back off that, or you lose 100% of your credibility.

On ebay I've done pretty well with prewar. Modern cards? The wild west. Buyers are scammers and people pulling crap I've seen 100 times before. I assume young guys wheeling and dealing. I laugh at their transparent hijinks and silly stunts. Refuse to let them aggravate me. At the first sniff of trouble we are done. I'd rather sell my card tp an honorable person for less.

[buymycards]

No, the average buyer is not the way that you portray them. I have sold to over 1000 eBay buyers in the past year, and 99% of are smooth transactions, with no problems. No matter what you do or where you sell, there will always be the 1% who are losers, but the overwhelming % of them are good people.

[Casey2296]

If eBay buyers are shit, stop selling on EBay. Did you counter to his first offer?
I’ve had such great experiences with sellers on eBay, we’ve even kept I. Touch after the transaction. Sellers and buyers wrap their egos in their cards and negotiations, it’s just a financial transaction for gawds sake.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

If eBay buyers are shit, stop selling on EBay. Did you counter to his first offer?
I’ve had such great experiences with sellers on eBay, we’ve even kept I. Touch after the transaction. Sellers and buyers wrap their egos in their cards and negotiations, it’s just a financial transaction for gawds sake.

Exactly, don’t like eBay’s terms? Get off eBay.

[Lorewalker]

I would have to agree with Adam. I think in the last 18 months I have experienced a higher percentage of buyers who have taken a little less than honest approach to negotiating. I assume it is because they feel they have to. Also encountered a lot more dudes with tudes. I think it is more a product of being virtual too much of the time since Covid.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by buymycards

No, the average buyer is not the way that you portray them. I have sold to over 1000 eBay buyers in the past year, and 99% of are smooth transactions, with no problems. No matter what you do or where you sell, there will always be the 1% who are losers, but the overwhelming % of them are good people.

I kinda agree about finalized transactions, but when you take into account potential buyers, they numbers skew significantly towards Adam.

Pre-smartphone, you clicked on the listing and everything was presented in front of you on your screen. Even if they had some janky HTML or longwinded shipping/return/feedback policy, you could get to the meat of it.

Now, mobile app is not as clear cut. MANY current "buyers" do exactly what savedfrommyspokes said. Click the title, don't read anything, and go directly to "Ask the Seller". This is the 'Offerup' or 'FB Marketplace' effect. Also add in the Amazon effect of getting it in 2 days (free ship, of course) AND no question returns.

I suggest that if you take into account the ridiculous questions, absurd offers, and requests to cancel deals, the ratio of negative interactions to good purchases is high.