more eBay thinking

[valis2]

At this point I'm nearly convinced that the "inaccuracy" the buyer was speaking of was actually something else entirely. Upon investigating, I realized that the description for the product in question contained an industry term which is not incredibly common, but still should set off red flags. I didn't define said term--I don't think I ever have. The photo for the product clearly shows what the term means.

I think what happened is that the buyer had no idea what it meant, and didn't realize what it was, exactly, until they received it, and now has no use for it. So I'm being penalized for their failure to get a term defined.

I've tried to think of an analogy. Here's one that pops into my head:

Say you're looking to buy some silver JFK half-dollars. The only year silver JFKs were made was in 1964, so you bid on a JFK from that year. The description says "clad coinage," and you don't know what that means.

You get it home and realize it looks coppery on the edge. A little research and you realize that it's not silver at all, but a modern mix of copper and zinc and worthless materials called "clad coinage." Useless for your purposes, as it's not a silver JFK at all.

You realize that other sellers have explained "clad coinage" in their descriptions, but not this one, so clearly it's the seller's fault for not defining the term.

FAIL.

*grumbles, and goes to edit listings*

Comments

[artystone.livejournal.com]

You know what? Just post a generic feedback response, some sort of Item is "clad coinage" as described. Please note description details when shopping and move on. Anyone who decideds not to buy from you based on that feedback--actively ignoring the rest of the comments that clearly show you are not inaccurate in your descriptions, is probably not someone you want to deal with anyway. You can't change stupid no matter how much you try.

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

I think this is a very good idea! If they didn't know the term, they should have looked it up.

In the future, define it (as it seems you have on edits). But it's not completely your fault that they don't do their homework and ignore the rest of your feedback.

[artystone.livejournal.com]

But it's not completely your fault that they don't do their homework

You know, there's this neato clicky link on ebay that clearly says "ASK THIS SELLER A QUESTION!" If I didn't know what "clad coinage" meant I'd probably ASK!

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I've found that button to be very useful. lol

[valis2.livejournal.com]

*pokes button* "HEY SELLER WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!!! WHY YOU NO ANSWER ME? I SHOUTY SHOUT AT THE COMPUTER!!"

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, you make me feel so very much better. Honestly, I was starting to go crazy, but everybody here has had so much common sense...whew.

:)