Respect.. Find Out What it Means to eBay

June 1st, 2007 |

Author: admin

Dear eBay Queen:

I started doing eBay full-time six months ago. I am doing pretty well with it, and I know I can make a living at this. I am having a hard time with my family and neighbors accepting the fact that I sell on eBay. They just drop by the house, call me several times a day or want me to watch their kids because “I’m not really working”.

Have you ever had this problem? How can I get the respect my work deserves?

RESPECT

Dear Respect;

I can hear Aretha singing in the background as I write this to you. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me!” First off, congratulations on launching your successful business on eBay. This alone is a lot of hard work and deserves respect! Second, know it is not personal. I believe anyone who works at home can have a problem with people imposing on their work time. This is the same problem many housewives have had for years.

Just like you, I have had this happen to me. I have implemented a couple of rules to keep me on task.

I do not answer the phone during work. Let the answering machine pick it up. You can call them back on your scheduled break.
I don’t answer the door during working hours. Keep in mind I live just East of the Middle of Nowhere, so it is a rare occasion someone drops by my house. If you don’t feel comfortable not answering the door, you could put a note on your door letting people know you are working and will be done at your specified time. Kind of like one of those “We will be back” with the clock and moveable hands sign.

I’m sure you remember what it was like to have a job with a boss. Your boss would not want friends dropping by the office or your neighbor’s kids there. Bosses are also picky about talking on the phone instead of working. Adopt that attitude, and your family and friends will fall in line quickly.

Dear eBay Queen;

I had a new bidder with only 5 feedback, make a best offer on a pair of tennis shoes. I accepted. He later claims he made a mistake and refused to pay. I did an agreement to end the transaction. The transaction is closed, and bidder asks me to give him POSITIVE feedback and promises the same for me.

I looked up his bidding history, and discovered he bought the same pair of shoes from another seller 2 HOURS AFTER he bought them from me. His "honest mistake" in hitting the wrong button was a lie. I looked up his contact info – the phone number is disconnected. I really want to tell him off for lying to me, and give him a negative for backing out of the transaction. What is the worst thing that could happen? What would you do?

Best Offer Reject

Dear Best Offer;

Well, that really stinks. This buyer was obviously taking advantage of your good nature. The first thing I would do is report him for having out of date contact information. http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowCUPortal It is against eBay policy for any eBay user to not have the correct contact information. This includes address, phone number as well as email. eBay will temporarily suspend a user for invalid contact information.

If you give this buyer a negative for not paying/backing out of the transaction, he could give you a negative in return. I don’t know how you feel about receiving a retaliatory negative, but it is something to consider before leaving feedback.

If this were my eBay transaction, I would not leave him any feedback, and block him from buying from me again. http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?bidderblocklogin In these kinds of situations, it is better to vent to an eBay friend and move on to the next sale.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 130111120897 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). I guess even Barbie needs a nice swimsuit for summer. Check out this auction 1958 Swimsuit Barbie Midge Wig Set SOLD $809.00. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130111120897

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.