Posts Tagged ‘buyer returns’

Dear eBay Queen;

I run a small independent video production business and have been approached by someone in my area who had been something of a local celebrity here in NJ.  He had his own TV show for 17 years on the subject of casino gambling ("Cappy’s Casino Corner"), and he still attracts large crowds to his class on the subject where he teaches an Adult Education course at the local H.S. He asked me if I could put a DVD together for him from an extensive collection of his shows on VHS tape, and market them for him on the Internet.  I told him the first part would not be a problem, but marketing on the Internet was not my area of expertise.  I’m familiar with buying on eBay, but have heard it has become something of a joke trying to sell anything there with all their new rules and regulations, plus cost increases.  Would you have any practical suggestions on how I can help him market his product on the Internet once I produce the DVDs?

Video Guy, New Jersey

Dear Video Guy;

This is pretty exciting!  I think it’s a great opportunity to be on the ground level of this project. Did the client tell you how he wanted this marketed?  If he is leaving the marketing up to you, I would probably handle this in a couple of ways.

The first thing I would do is create a website for "Cappy’s Casino Corner".  I would set up a shopping cart on the website so people could purchase his DVD directly from his website. Another way to market him would be create a blog, and a subscription “Tip of the Day” email.  After his website was up and running, I would set up accounts on Amazon, Half.com and eBay to sell his DVD’s.

I don’t know how internet savvy “Cappy” is, but it would also be a good idea to set up a Facebook page and Twitter account for him.  Poker is popular now, and if “Cappy” would Tweet, or market himself on Facebook, he would find his sales go up by doing this.

You are right about eBay becoming some what of a joke.  I have hopes that the higher ups at eBay  will realize that the core of eBay is the community, and not themselves.  If they don’t realize it soon, I hope the board of directors do!

Good luck on your marketing and creating a buzz with Cappy and his Casino Corner!

Dear eBay Queen;

I sell primarily vintage clothing.  I had a vintage quilted jacket I put on a buy it now on eBay for 29.99.  It sold 2 weeks ago, and the buyer left positive feedback.  I received the following email today:

I appreciate the fast shipping however; I am concerned about the condition of this Item.  You’re Ad States:

• This is a yellowish Gold color. -  Yes
• It is made of silky polyester -Yes
• Features 3 large plastic pearl buttons. Yes
• This jacket is in excellent condition, but there is a small amount of fraying in one of the button holes (this is hardly noticeable; I almost missed it until I looked at one of the buttons close up.)  NOT ACCURATE

This item is CLEARLY NOT NEW.  The lining is ripped and poorly hand sewn back together.  Kindly refund my money ASAP.

I emailed the buyer back the following:
I am very sorry the jacket is not what you expected.  I would be happy to refund your money, please send the item back to: (my address was here).  

She emailed me back this:
I don’t think I should have to send it back.  If I do, I will leave feedback stating that the item was misrepresented.

The jacket is stated as VINTAGE, not new. It did not have a ripped lining when I sent it either. What should I do?

JAB; Rantoul, KS

Dear JAB;  

If this were my transaction I would stick to my guns.  Since the buyer has already left positive feedback she can not change it after the fact.  I would not email her again, and wait for the buyer to send the jacket back.  Sometimes people want something for nothing, and this buyer seems to be one of those people.

It couldn’t hurt to let eBay know this buyer has threatened negative feedback if you do not let her keep the item.  You can email eBay’s Dean of education here: griff@ebay.com.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 110449627952 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page).  Have you ever wondered what to do with those old dried out Gourds?  Check out this Gourd Banjo SOLD $395.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110449627952     

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.