My mom and I sold stuff on eBay. She does this sort of thing, I just buy. (and buy WELL, I might add, as does she. and HolySister.)
Mom did the descriptions and photos and I was supposed to check over those listings before she posted them. I did not. I mean, my MOM wrote them, and so what if that was months ago in the middle of the night and we were both emotional and sleep deprived...? Well, to be fair, I don't think she was emotional, but I was and fact-checking just really didn't rate as a priority. Mom's so reliable, anyway, and it would be such a total pain to go to so much trouble...
See where I'm going? uh huh. I screwed up three different auctions, and am trying to rectify it. I'm trying HARD to rectify it because that is potentially THREE WHOLE NEGATIVE FEEDBACKS. And if you don't get the gravity of that, well, just trust me. That's BAAAAD. Mike doesn't understand this at all, and said, "Honey, this will not change your life in any significant way."
Hello? Was that MikeSpeak for "Stop overreacting?" Because I don't like to be told that. Ever.
This clearly demonstrated that he had NO concept of the sacred nature of the eBay feedback system. You guard your positive feedback score with everything you have so that people will recognize you as a good seller. And? A good SHOPPER. Which I am.
So I exhaled slowly and calmly said, "You do not understand. Three negative feedbacks... that is... the scarlet letter upon my very eBay soul..." I leaned in a little so he'd see the seriousness in my eyes.
He snorted. The nerve!
The next day things did not seem so bleak at all, and I explained the entire episode to HolySister. Complete with the 'scarlet letter' metaphor. (Which should be appreciated because I just don't do metaphors often or well, and this one rocked. ROCKED.)
And she didn't miss a beat, and said, "EXACTLY. That is EXACTLY what it's like." And then went on to talk about how it hadn't happened yet, and what to do next.
Final note to my Mom: You've turned me into a seller. Fun!
to HolySister: I relished telling Mike exactly how you reacted. (Now he thinks we're both weird.)
Final Note to Y'all:
Nuh UH am I so NOT giving out my eBay user id! Are you kidding me? I'd just vomit if I thought I'd accidentally misrepresented an item to momrn2 or to shalee or whoever. Nuh UH, so not going there. You might think I don't like anonymity, given all of this bloggy stuff, but I have my limits. I think.
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/677099/5203478
Your Comments
I've found that most ebay buyers are pretty good if you do your very best to rectify the situation promptly. I've had to issue a refund once because I remembered something incorrectly. So the key is good communication and to try your best to make things right. Usually all is okay then!
And you can tell Mike that I guard my 100% positive feedback with my life!!!!
Too funny! I just bought my first eBay item and when I got my first positive comment I thought "whoa - this is heady stuff - I can see where it can get a little addictive." But I haven't gone back since, because the duty I had to pay bringing it into Canada killed the joy fairly quickly.
(The Heather from Fumbling for Words, since you seem to have plethora of Heathers who comment here.)
Keep your identity secret, I say. You can be the Super Woman of Ebay. But for the record, I would definitely not hold you accountable, especially if you told me about how and your mother wrote the descriptions. It's all a learning curve.
I have things to sell, but I am so scared that I wouldn't even know where to start... Maybe you can tell me about it in October when we're at the Dallas get together? I figure if I stay on the topic of shopping, you will be entirely comfortable with me. :)
Just so your husband knows there are guys who also know what you mean. I protect my ebay rating with my life. I have jumped through hoops to keep it clean and I value my 100% rating as much as any diploma or degree. And to be honest I've gotten more value out of my rating as well.
Dallas get together? Oh, sorry, don't mean to be nosy.... :)
As far as e-bay goes, I'm a buyer, (and my husband laughs when I get excited about my "win"....since I actually have to PAY, it's not like I WON the item for free!) but anyway, I too, guard my 100% feedback with my life. I had a rude seller once, but I refused to leave negative feedbak, for fear she would do the same... It's like a game sometimes!
Most people really are nice. One time I was selling a record album and didn't pack it well enough and it was broken in half when the guy got it. He emailed and let me know and I was properly horrified and offered to return his money and he was fine with the whole thing. Said I had good communication on the feedback and didn't even mention it was broken. As long as people don't think you're trying to mess with them on purpose, hopefully it will all be fine.
I'm going to Dallas too! Hope to meet you. I promise I don't have a perfect ponytail. :)
I've sold quite a bit on ebay altho it has been a bit. I got one nuetral feedback and I was devastated. Took me over a week to decide to do nothing and let it go since it didn't hurt. My poor husband who does understand ebay still found it hard to deal with me over it for a week. LOL
I hope to continue selling agains soon.
Just where will I find the time??
Positive feedback? HUGELY important! If I see a seller with less than 100%, I go check to see what that one negative feedback is about. Most of the time, I determine that it's okay anyway...especially if it's something I really really want.
(The scarlet letter metaphor totally rocks, by the way!!)
YES I DID!!! I had my six-month old baby in the baby carrier and she was holding her sisters ratty old barbie doll. I put my WALLET, not purse, WALLET under the seat and did my shopping. I had paid for all of my purchases and the ONLY other thing in the cart was the ratty doll that I had placed in the child seating area. I got in line and when the cashier was ringing me up the phone at the register rang and it was the managers telling her that she needed to check my cart because they thought I had put something in there. I HAVE NEVER STOLEN ANYTHING IN MY LIFE!!! But there I was, being accused of it with six people in line behind me. Then the stupid cashier had the nerve to tell me in her whiney nineteen year-old voice "Don't be mad at me, the managers made me do it." AGGGHHHH!!!!!
I came home and told my dh and then my mom. My mom was furious and told me that I should have just taken my bag and walked out and then when they accused me of shoplifting in the parking lot I could have sued them. WHY didn't I know that THEN!!!
It was humiliating! I called the manager and didn't even get an apology. She just said "Well, she wasn't supposed to let you know that she was looking."
I have tried to look guilty since then so that they would accuse me again...It hasn't worked yet.
Oh, please don't vomit. That would be a bit extreme?! Glad to see you wouldn't want to misrepresent to me though! :-)
I'm hoping that is the case with this whole exercise/ eat right site you referred me to because... well, let's just say I am a wimp and have had my hiney kicked this week!! If you could only feel my pain... *whimper*. (don't laugh when I tell you all I've done is walk the treadmill)... don't ask about the incline I tackled though... (more whimpers)and it's ONLY Tuesday!!
And to be even more honest... I would have just searched for you on e-bay as "holymama". Who knew you could be "more" names than one?!?! :-)
You can tell your husband that there are 3 "weirdo's" out here because I too get it. I hardly ever shop e-bay... but when I do, I definately check the ratings. Any negative makes me re-think.
OH, I am so sorry! I'd still buy from you anyday... (if only I knew your name....hhmmmm) :-)