posted on October 12, 2000 08:12:27 AM
As y'all may remember I was ecstatic when an item I bought for $.75 sold for over $100 on eBay recently, to a Japanese bidder. I took great pains with this package, making sure it was packed VERY securely and paying for insurance myself when the bidder did not want it (since shipping was already $20 for him). I shipped it promptly and emailed him to let him know it was on its way. During the transaction process he was very prompt with emails and prompt with payment. I left FB upon receipt of payment, of course.
I looked on eBay and even though he has over 60 positives, no negs, he hasn't left ANY feedback ever. So, I'm not expecting to be the first lucky one to receive FB, no biggie.. however I WOULD like to know if the package got there safely. I guess if it hadn't I would have heard from him by now since it's been over a month since I shipped it airmail. I've emailed him twice just asking for a simple confirmation that he did indeed get the $100 book; I suppose I wouldn't be so neurotic about it if I regularly sold stuff for this amount, but most of my sales are in the $15-40 range, and most are not International transactions.
Well, I cannot get a response from him, and I admit it, it's pi**ing me off. Is this a common thing, and why? What is so hard about saying "I got it, thanks" when asked specifically? Nevermind the feedback issue. I just want to stop worrying that the package is lost out there somewhere and that some morning I'll wake up with this frantic email from him or something. Feh.
posted on October 12, 2000 08:30:28 AM
Sheri, I know what you're going through, but I don't know the answer.
When I don't hear anything, I send a 'follow-up' email to make sure the item has been received and all is well. Usually it gets me an answer of some sort, but some people won't even click on "reply" and type in a two or three letter word (yes or no) and hit the send button. It would be so EASY.
I'm one of the ones who don't usually post feedback until the transaction is completed (and I don't want to start that eternal argument again), but I ask them in my "item has shipped" email to please let me know that item is received all right, and if they are satisfied with the purchase. And add that when transaction is completed, I will clear my files and post positive feedback.
By the way, I never have and never will solicit feedback, or make it conditional that my buyer leave feedback. Every so often I go to the section on eBay that tells me what I haven't left feedback for, and if there or some that are over 30 days that I still haven't heard anything from, I just assume there is no complaint and post positive.
Got a delightful letter a few minutes ago from a buyer who hadn't posted feedback...immediately gave her some.
Doing the follow-ups is a real pain, mostly because it shouldn't be necessary, but I just feel like I must.
posted on October 12, 2000 08:55:52 AM
After you've been selling for three years and sold a few thousand items, you might do what I do;
I ship, and at the same time send an email syaing it's shipped, and at the same time I leave FB. Then I forget it.
I never ask for FB and I don't even say I left it (the buyer can see his number went up) since that would be a suggestion that I want it. And I don't care if I get it or not. My emphasis is on accurate descriptions, good packing and quick shipping. Once it's shipped that's the end of my job, and I don't worry about it. If the buyer gets nervous I will answer his emails, but I move on, I have more things to list and sell and pack and I can't be bothered worrying about yesterday's shipments.
BTW my FB is well over 500 with no negs or neutrals.
posted on October 12, 2000 09:03:42 AM
I used to worry about stuff I sent, now my only concern is big ticket items which I insure to relieve some of the anxiety.
I really don't like overseas shipping. Here I can do a DC and have a reasonable assurance that the item did indeed get there.
I'd forget about this one for the time being. No news is good news.
posted on October 12, 2000 09:33:19 AM
I have a theory -- the bidder does not know how to correspond in English so they have a friend help them. Now that the transaction is complete, they do not need the friend to do the translating for them. As a result, the bidder does not know what your emails are about. I would use that theory to explain the lack of response and just move on to something else.
An alternative theory is that the bidder does not have a computer in their home. Instead they use one at another location. Since the transaction is complete, there is no need to check for correspondence from you.
What ever the reason, I'm certain that they will contact you if a problem should arise.
posted on October 12, 2000 09:50:55 AM
I would guess no news is good news. But, I understand how you feel. When I sell something I think is really special or expensive I would like to know if it arrived safely. It would also be nice to know if they liked it, but that would be asking too much evidently, because half the time the buyer doesn't even leave feedback.
posted on October 12, 2000 12:29:16 PM
I've lived in Japan for a couple years and auctioned there and here in the US sending stuff to Japanese buyers. I have to say that very few of them ever FB because I found most of them are very uncomfortable with their English even though it can be quite good.
While I was in Japan, several times I was asked to review English emails to Ebay sellers which were fine. Not perfect but understandable. Anyway, these people were so nervous about it, that to ask them to do something sort of spontaneous like giving unscripted feedback would be a bit terrifying for them. I've found that if I write to them in Japanese, they are much more willing to respond in English. Go figure.
Plus the mercantile culture of Japan is very different from the US. There is no such thing as a return in Japan. You buy it, its yours. Once I tried to return milk I had just bought that was sour and boy, did that cause a rucus. They had to call in three managers and only did it because I was causing quite a scene. Returning items for cash is an alien idea. Once the transaction is over, it's over. Wrong size, wrong item, etc.... Tough luck, your fault, its yours. Maybe feedback makes no sense to them?
Anyway, here's a rudimentary script in Japanese that you can use to ask if they have the item you shipped and if its okay:
Konnichiwa,
Sumimasen. Sengetsu, watashi wa [item name here] wo yubin de tokan shimashita. Anata wa [Item name here] wo uketori mashita ka? [Item name here] wa daijoobu desu ka? Denshi no meiru de (email) eigo de kudasai.
Arigato gozaimashita,
[your name here]
Translation of above:
Hello,
Excuse me (polite form). Last month (use "sensengetsu" for the month before last) I sent [item] by mail. Did you receive [item]? [Item] is okay? Please email me in English.
Thank you very much (form used by shop keepers after a transaction),
Please note my Japanese is poor and I make no claims to the grammatical accuracy of this little script. "To receive" something in Japanese is a complicated word, because there are so many verbs/ways to receive something. I picked one that means "to receive" so while it may be in the wrong usage, the word at least means to receive or get. Plus I've forgotten the Japanese word for e-mail, but I'm pretty sure the above is correct though though I would leave in the "(email)". Most of the time, my Japanese makes Japanese people laugh but they understand what I'm trying to say. Someone said I speak like a very young but polite confused child.
Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing if he/she responds to the above.
posted on October 12, 2000 12:45:13 PM
I had an auction close on Yahoo 9/21 with the winner from Japan. I "assumed" they were from Japan because of the email addy. I had trouble making contact even though nothing was bounced back. I also used 2 different locations, just in case THERE was a mail problem. My first contact with them was when they emailed to say money was on the way. I had not even given them the shipping price yet! Money arrived (registered mail) with about $16.00 over the bid price which I gather is what they assume the postage will be. I am unsure of the handwritten address on the MO so I have emailed several more times asking them to send me the address EXACTLY as I should print it on the label. I have had no answer yet. So I guess I'll just set on the money and the package until/if I do hear from them. I don't want to run the risk of misdirecting it. I checked their FB and they have only made a couple of buys, but got "very prompt" payment reviews. They have not left any FB. I hope I'm not their first and it's a NEG for non-delivery of goods!
