Don_s said: On another note to buyers. Please respond promptly to counter offers. I have had some counter offers completely ignored. Ignoring a counter offer prevents the seller from accepting other offers or making other counter offers until the original counter offer has expired. There's no need to be held in limbo. Offers and counter-offers can be held open for a set time or be open-ended. If the former, don't give the other party any more time than the time within which you think you should get a response. If the latter, you are free to impose an expiration time later, i.e. "if I don't hear from you by _______, my offer will terminate and I'll go on to the next buyer." |
In selling and buying, I've had the best experience when 'pick up for cash' governs the transaction. The buyer gets to see the equipment and listen to it, any issues are addressed first hand, and in any follow on, we know who we are talking to. Yes, I limit my market area but I've never had a 'bad' experience. Of course, no paypal fees, bounced checks and shipping delays and damage. |
Whenever I sell something here, I keep the buyer informed every step of the way. I usually get paid via Paypal, so after I receive payment, I message the buyer and thank them for the sale. I usually ship the next day and again, I message the tracking number to them and also tell them the expected delivery date. I keep track of the shipping and once I see the item has been received, I follow up with the buyer to make sure it arrived safely and if they are happy.
My big gripe is after I submit feedback, I have to wait days or sometimes never receive any for the transaction. It seems many times I have to beg the other party to provide feedback. I feel if I can take all the time to keep the person informed, the least they can do is respond to my feedback request, good or bad. |
To all, just sold a pair of heavy speakers to a member in another state. I kept my buyer fully advised each step of the way about status, including when I received his check, and shipping information.
In fact, when packing the speakers, I noticed a slight "dimple" on a tweeter screen guard. I called the factory to see if it affects performance -- and was assured it does not. The screen guard is purely cosmetic.
Nevertheless, I immediately called my buyer, advised him of the issue, and assured him that I would pay any cost needed to make him 100% satisfied. Right now, my biggest worry is whether the shipper will play football with my speakers even though they were boxed in the original boxes and palletized. |
Justlisten wrote: "When I am a seller, I am mindfull someone has just entrusted me with their money and make sure I keep them advised and in the loop and respond to their emails timely."
I heartily agree and follow that practice. I also make it a point of personal pride to ship promptly--next day or sometimes the same day. A couple of times I shipped before receiving payment because I fully trusted the buyer when they informed me payment had been mailed.
On another note to buyers. Please respond promptly to counter offers. I have had some counter offers completely ignored. Ignoring a counter offer prevents the seller from accepting other offers or making other counter offers until the original counter offer has expired. Courtesy and communication works both ways. |
I've been lucky. Most sellers I've dealt with are hobbyists/enthusiasts and are more than willing to share their experience or help with trouble shooting. Now there have been times with some sellers that just move gear and couldn't care less about support. I remember one response I got was I just sell the stuff once you received the gear you figure it out.
Now in Justlisten's case if I spent thousands of dollars on equipment I better get some timely support. Nothing round the clock but a response in a day or so wouldn't be bad. |
Customer service goes a long way. |
the way it has worked for me, is that when email is sent through the Audiogon system, I receive/and vice versa the seller, a note within my personal email account (for me, Gmail) a notice of a message and the actual message. This would eliminate the excuse, the seller didnt log into Audiogon and therefore did not get the message.
also, to address the issue with buyers not responding, the one big difference is to the seller, they still have the item and can sell it to someone else, ----in my example, I have just sent thousands of dollars to someone I have never met, across the country.
When I am a seller, I am mindfull someone has just entrusted me with their money and make sure I keep them advised and in the loop and respond to their emails timely. |
I think there's at least one more variable here. I notice communication now is not automatically forwarded to private e-mail. If this happened, it may increase response times. I just sold a CD for instance. I let the buyer know his check was received, I would deposit it.... It took several days to hear back from him. When I did, it appeared only through signing in on Audiogon. Please don't take this as a complaint, but it may have a bearing on the issue.
I just don't think members sign in here, as often as they might their private e-mail. I guess if my opinion does offend, you will never see it anyway. Cheers, Don |
The same goes for buyers - many times a "offer" is made like "will you sell for $ xxxx. I send an almost immediate reply as to yes send $ to and you never hear form them again, or you get the usual lame excuse - well I have to sell a few things first - or the classic - my wife won't let me.
it goes both ways
As always Good Listening
Peter
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I couldn't agree more. This should be mentioned in their feedback. I wouldn't buy from a seller like that. |
