posted on April 17, 2003 12:01:10 AM new
Reading the messages from kyms and her unfortunate spate of negs got me thinking about special things sellers do to cultivate and keep their buyers.
As a buyer I was once impressed with a seller that sent my items (clothing) in a tyvek bag, with a sealed ziploc bag inside, and a personal invoice and thank you inside.
I really thought this was a nice touch and now I do the same. I created personalized seasonal sheets with a space for the auction #, payment date etc, personally sign it, and attach a copy of their payment method.
Maybe a little hoky but I've gotten several positives especially mentioning the care put into packaging.
posted on April 17, 2003 12:28:30 AM new
I include a US flag decal sticker (free) with every package. I also put on a post-it note with a quick thank you. Most buyers really appreciate it.
posted on April 17, 2003 01:07:03 AM new
nothing special really...
but I do personally write all emails letting them know I got the payment.. when i've send it.. and when they say thank you I got the stuff and like the product, I reply back telling them thanks.
simple communication I guess. i would have stuck with a basic template to send all my emails, but that seems so impersonal.
posted on April 17, 2003 03:59:51 AM new
I have a supply of jewelry that I bought that didn't turn out to be the quality I thought so I wouldn't list it. It's not bad, don't get me wrong. Just not what I sell. So, if I have a bidder that's been particularly kind, quick to pay or understanding about any error I may have made, I send a piece of it along with their item. I do this for people who have had to win an auction through a bidding war (sigh, those were the days) because sometimes the price would go up higher than I ever expected. My customers seemed thrilled with getting something for free.
I've been the recipient of some of these things, as well. I once bid on and won a skirt on EBay. The seller sent along TWO skirts. What a nice surprise. I've received packages with fancy bows and the like, also. These sellers stick out in my mind and I check their auctions on a regular basis.
posted on April 17, 2003 09:04:54 AM new
I do the same as hwkncat. I send a seasonal letter containing all the information necessary. I don't sign it though. I also wrap it in white tissue paper, insert it into a zip lock bag then into what type of mailing envelope that I use. I get great comments on my notes and packages. I did find a great buy at Walgreens. They had decorated computer paper for $1.00 for a hundred sheets and the design is great. It's a design of a home town with different scenes. Great for that special touch. What I do is buy my seasonal paper after the season is over so that the next year I will have more and it saves me money.
posted on April 17, 2003 11:24:54 AM new
Every trick I have, I got from other great sellers I've dealt with. I stockpile samples, etc. to throw in as freebies, and when practical make the packaging attractive with tissue, ribbon, etc. I also include a card with my eBay id, contact info and a hand-written "thank you." I can whip through a stack of these notes while watching Law and Order, and then just toss them in as I'm packing stuff up.
This also gives me a very passive-aggressive way to get back at problem bidders ... Ah ha ha, Mrs. PITAhead ... no freebie for you ....ha ha ha HA ha!"
I had to watch myself, though, because I found that I kept escalating the "level" of freebies and/or wrapping that I was expecting myself to include. (If anyone on this board is involved in Internet based swapping, you'll probably recognize that phenomenon.)
posted on April 17, 2003 01:04:53 PM new
I always ship within 24 hours of receiving payment (unless it is on a Saturday)...also, if i happen to have a related item to what they purchased I sometimes add it in for free, ie a little action figure along with a boys playset....
had one lady purchase a toy set for her son but happened to mention her little girl in the email, i wrapped a second little package with a toy for the little girl....the buyer was thrilled and said her little girl was more excited than the little boy.
Cheryl