I have found that auctions, in the main, don't present many problems. If
you describe honestly and accurately in selling and ask questions, if in
doubt, when buying then there aren't usually too many problems.
However, buying from list members is something that I have just found out
that one needs to be very careful over! I recently bought an 85/2 from a
list member who offered it to the list and described it as "near mint,
including case" for $275 plus $25 for insured Fed Ex shipping to the UK.
We agreed that I would pay by PayPal, which was duly done and withdrawn /
accepted at the other end; he then asked for a further $20 "to cover PayPal
costs"! Being as KEH had two 85/2's at $299 in Ex++ condition I thought
that this was going a bit too far and so he reluctantly agreed, as he should
have told me that in advance about further charges, to send it at the agreed
cost.
When the said "near mint" lens arrived it turned out to be a real beater!
Heavily marked mount, oil on the blades, social security number engraved on
it, very gritty loud noises when focussing, dust inside - the works!
He now says that he was selling it for a relative and if I return it to him
he will only refund me $255, no postage either way and deducting $20 for
eBay costs! In other words he lies about the condition of a lens, but I end
up having spent $70 and with no goods at all and he ends up being
"all-square" with the lens back! If it was eBay I would at least be able to
take some action!
All I can say is that I won't be buying from that particular list member
again! [Anyone else who wants to know who he is please contact me off-list]
Sorry for the rant, but to pay $300 for a lens that really isn't worth $200
to a fellow list member who then acts in a thoroughly disreputable manner
has really upset me!
David
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Tom Scales
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 12:17 AM
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [OM] Trading etiquette?
OK, I'll weigh in. I am probably much more liberal than most OM sellers,
primarily because I do a pretty big 'volume'. I offer an no-questions-asked
14-day return policy, even on my ebay auctions. At any time during that
period, they can return it, less shipping, for any reason -- even if they
just changed their minds. Of course, if there is any problem with it, I also
cover shipping both ways. Let's face it, I've missed some things, so I want
to make it right. Sometimes I ship a replacement, sometimes a partial
refund. I've even sent partial refunds when they didn't ask for it, if I
wasn't comfortable that it was a fair deal anymore. For list members, I am
even more liberal and will generally accept a return at pretty much any
time.
Sometimes I get things back I didn't expect, but I'm not out much, and in
the long run I have a happy 'customer' and, most likely, a repeat customer.
That's not an issue for most on the list, as you're just occasional sellers,
but it is to me.
I guess I look at it that may reputation is more important to me than a few
dollars. In one case, there was a problem with a 75-150 that I shipped to
Japan (long story, the lens was returned to me without the buyer mentioning
that they had broken it, and I resold it). By the time I shipped a
replacement and got back a broken lens, I had essentially given the lens
away. Oh well.
There are times when 'as is' may be appropriate, if there is a known
problem. That's rare, and needs to be fully disclosed.
I also try to take the approach that I offer things to the list at a bit of
a discount from ebay 'retail'. Again, that is easier for me, as I trade a
lot.
Hope this point of view helps.
Tom
> I have always given an inspection period. I have had two people send items
back,
> which I then sold to someone else. Different people have different
expectations. An
> inspection period gaurentees that the customer is happy with the product.
If you have
> a happy customer they will buy from you again. Believe it or not, this is
the easiest
> way to deal with 'picky' customers. No back and forth flaming e-mails, bad
feedback,
> or list grumbling. It is far easier to just refund the money than to deal
wth someone
> who is unhappy. I feel it is also fairer to the seller and buyer both.
When I
> describe a lens as excellent, or near new, or whatever, no one has a firm
idea what
> my standards are. The return period also covers us both if I miss
something in my
> inspection or description. Short of meeting in person to inspect the items
I think
> the evaluation period is the best way to go. I think people are also
willing to bid
> higher, or pay more for an item that has an inspection period available.
>
> Jim Couch
>
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