Posts Tagged ‘babel fish’

Dear eBay Queen:

I know you have answered a question sometime this year about how to translate words from another language. I’ve looked and looked but can’t find that article.  I received 2 messages from a buyer, and I have no idea what they are saying, or what language it is.  Could you help me?

Here is the first message: 大切な eBay 人、ありがとう良い製品を購入しましょう。ください私と一緒に私の言語はない通信他の知っています。購入し、すべての料金を通信とこれを非常に迅速にお支払いします。くださいこれは速い。

I responded this to the buyer:  “I am very sorry; I do not know how to answer you I will figure it out and let you know as soon as I can.”

I then received this message: 私大切な eBay の人;あなたのメッセージは読み取れません。書くし、私の言語を話す私はすることができますのみ。できるだけ早く私はお金を対応することができますどのくらい請求です教えてください

Please help me with this crazy question.

Tracy

Dear Tracy:

The website you are looking for is http://www.babelfish.com/ .  The Babelfish website has been around quite some time, and one of the best secrets on the internet.  I love that it’s free, and the translation can be used for almost any language.

Here are your translations:

First Message: “Dearest eBay Person, Thank you for let me buy your good product. Please communicate with me in my language as I know no other. I will buy and pay for this very quickly once you communicate all charges. Please do this quicker.”

Second Message: “Dearest eBay Person; I cannot read your message. I can only write and speak my language. Please let me know as soon as possible how much the billing is so I can respond with money.”

In the last few years, my international sales have increased.  I believe it is so important to have good communication with my buyers.  A year or so ago, I received a thank you note from a Chinese buyer thanking me for making the effort and he said that, although he spoke excellent English he appreciates a seller showing “respect” by including the translation.

Dear eBay Queen:

Do you leave feedback after payment, after you receive buyer feedback, or not at all?  Do buyers really care? I’m asking because a friend of mine told me I should leave it immediately after they pay. I leave it when I get around to it; usually a couple of times a month.

In my eBay career I’ve gone from not leaving feedback at all, to now leaving it.  It really seems pointless if they can only get positives. I really feel like the sole purpose of feedback now is to rank/punish sellers and leaving ANY feedback adds legitimacy to the system. If the majority of people did not leave feedback anymore, they’d have to find a new system.

Stash, Olathe, KS

Dear Stash:

So many people debate this.  I don’t believe there is a right answer.  eBay suggests the seller leave feedback once the item has been paid for.  I think you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable.  It’s your business, you should run it the way you want to.

I leave feedback just like you do.  Usually once a week I push a button on my Blackthorne Pro and it leaves positive feedback for each person that bought something from me.  I have had a few buyers complain that I was not fast enough in leaving their feedback. I just apologize and let them know I usually leave feedback on Fridays.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item: 330588694086 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page) Do you like the Smurfs? Do you like cereal? Check out what this box sold for! Post The Smurfs Pebbles Cereal Box Coco Fruity SOLD $995.99  Check it out HERE

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? Email: questions@asktheebayqueen.com

Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve been selling for 7 years on eBay.  For the last few years I have consistently seen the same guy at auctions, estate sales and garage sales.  He is ALWAYS outbidding, me and sometimes I’m sure he’s laughing at me when he does it. Have you ever felt this way? 

Yesterday, I was standing in line at the post office and guess who walks in?  The Guy!  I smiled and he nodded at me.  I wanted SO badly to ask what his eBay name is, but I just don’t have what it takes to do this.   Is there a way to look this guy up without knowing his eBay name?  I do know his first and last name, can I do it that way? 

KKB, Gardner, KS

Dear KKB:

When I first started going to auctions, I felt the same way you do.  I have learned the hard way to decide before I start bidding what I will pay for each item.  I do it this way so that I don’t get caught up in that feeling that I am competing with someone standing across the auction ring.  When you get caught up in that, you will end up spending more than you want to.

There isn’t a good, sure fire way to figure out someone’s eBay ID.  If you were patient and knew what “The Guy” was selling, you could figure it out.  Here’s how to do it:

·         Put an item you know they bought to sell on eBay in the search box

·         Select “Distance: Nearest First”

This also works when you want to buy something close to you.  Good luck finding your nemesis’ eBay ID

Dear eBay Queen:

 I just found out in July that my Power Seller discount will be taken away. I also found out that I am going to be charged more in final value fees in July!  It is almost impossible to get the 20% discount as a Top Rated Seller since the requirements are ridiculous and so hard to achieve.  eBay keeps advertising these as NEW LOWER RATES!  It seems to me that my fees are going way up. Is there even a point to being a Power Seller anymore if you don't get a discount? I guess the only way to do this is to move all of my listings to free shipping, so that I can at least get better search engine rankings. I already have my absolute highest prices on eBay, but I guess this means I'll just have to raise my prices again.

This month as a fluke, I decided to list a few of my items on all of the eBay international sites. I had a buyer on eBay.de purchase a necklace from me. I don’t think she’s received it yet.  I shipped it in the beginning of May. This morning I received and email from her.  With my luck she wants a refund, and it hasn’t arrived yet!  Here’s what she said: Danke soviel für die schöne Halskette. Ich möchte ein anderes gerade wie es für meine Mutter bestellen. Haben Sie ein anderes, das ich kaufen könnte? Informieren Sie mich bitte bald, ich möchte dieses für mein  kaufen; s-Geburtstagfeier.

 Guess what? I can’t read a word of it. Somehow I'm supposed to respond to this on eBay.de what do I do?  

I've really about had it. When are they going to realize that these constant fee changes just mean higher selling prices for the buyers? I'm sure buyers aren’t crazy about it either.

Silver Seller

Dear Silver;

The good news about the up coming changes in July?  Everyone is in the same boat. All sellers are going to be raising their prices, not just you.  If you check your seller dashboard, it will show you how the new fees will effect your wallet.

How are you doing adding your items to other eBay sites?  I have not done that yet, and wondered if it was worth the fees.  I had no idea that eBay did not convert the emails into English.  There is an easy way to translate any email, or website language; go to: http://babelfish.yahoo.com/  I translated your email for you.  The buyer is very happy with the item, and wants another one! Here is what it says:

Thank you so much for the beautiful necklace. I would like to order another one just like it for my mother.  Do you have another one that I could purchase?  Please let me know soon, I would like to buy this for my birthday celebration.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item: 230624681772(enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): Did you watch the Royal Wedding? Check out Princess Beatrice’s Royal Wedding Hat by Philip Treacy SOLD $131,341.47  http://cgi.ebay.com/Princess-Beatrice-Royal-Wedding-Hat-Philip-Treacy-/230624681772

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? Email: questions@asktheebayqueen.com