First ebay block... Red flag?

spyglassdesign

OK I know I said I don't block people for asking questions... But I just had someone try to tell me what a coin was worth because apmex sells random versions of it for $x, and he would offer me less than $x because that's what it was worth. Which just happened to be far below price guide as well.

I think telling someone something is worth an amount they want to offer for it because that's what they want to pay is a red flag.

Agree? Disagree?

PS - the only other block is an actual scammer, tried to do a drop ship scam.

Zoins

If it's the first time, I would probably just decline their offer and see how the person reacts. Maybe the person will come back with a reasonable offer?

What's the drop ship scam?

spyglassdesign

@Zoins said:
If it's the first time, I would probably just decline their offer and see how the person reacts. Maybe the person will come back with a reasonable offer?

What's the drop ship scam?

It would be different if they just made an offer I'd decline or counter. But to tell me my coin is worth x amount because someone else sells generic versions seems rather rude.

The drop ship scam is where they purchase an item from one account then message you from another account to drop ship the item to a different address.

Zoins

@spyglassdesign said:

@Zoins said:
If it's the first time, I would probably just decline their offer and see how the person reacts. Maybe the person will come back with a reasonable offer?

What's the drop ship scam?

It would be different if they just made an offer I'd decline or counter. But to tell me my coin is worth x amount because someone else sells generic versions seems rather rude.

It's up to you of course.

If you don't want to deal with this, then don't

The drop ship scam is where they purchase an item from one account then message you from another account to drop ship the item to a different address.

Ah, good to know. Thanks.

MasonG

If you're offering to sell stuff for more than it's worth (not that I believe this is so), you're doing people who question your pricing a favor by blocking them.

spyglassdesign

@MasonG said:
If you're offering to sell stuff for more than it's worth (not that I believe this is so), you're doing people who question your pricing a favor by blocking them.

That's the thing he didn't question it, he simply said its wrong (or at least implied it) because someone else said so and he was going to offer a lowball amount. Not even the amount a generic non specific coin is selling for from apmex.

If he had asked a question, or if I would consider an offer because this or that, then I could explain my reasoning. He basically acted like it was my duty to accept his lowball offer.

MasonG

IMO, there are lots of buyers on eBay. No point trying to deal with ones like you described. When I get inquiries like that, I just tell them that they'd probably be happier buying from someone else.

bsshog40

I would've just responded with " that's my price" . He would've either paid or went somewhere else. Same results either way.

spyglassdesign

@bsshog40 said:
I would've just responded with " that's my price" . He would've either paid or went somewhere else. Same results either way.

True. I guess if they are unhappy with the price this early on, even if they did purchase they may be the kind of person to leave a neutral feedback or return it because they decided they didn't like the price afterwards? Seems more prudent to avoid from the beginning?

daltex

@spyglassdesign said:
OK I know I said I don't block people for asking questions... But I just had someone try to tell me what a coin was worth because apmex sells random versions of it for $x, and he would offer me less than $x because that's what it was worth. Which just happened to be far below price guide as well.

I think telling someone something is worth an amount they want to offer for it because that's what they want to pay is a red flag.

Agree? Disagree?

PS - the only other block is an actual scammer, tried to do a drop ship scam.

You're under no obligation to sell to anyone. If you have a bad feeling about them for whatever reason you don't need our permission to block.

spyglassdesign

@daltex said:

@spyglassdesign said:
OK I know I said I don't block people for asking questions... But I just had someone try to tell me what a coin was worth because apmex sells random versions of it for $x, and he would offer me less than $x because that's what it was worth. Which just happened to be far below price guide as well.

I think telling someone something is worth an amount they want to offer for it because that's what they want to pay is a red flag.

Agree? Disagree?

PS - the only other block is an actual scammer, tried to do a drop ship scam.

You're under no obligation to sell to anyone. If you have a bad feeling about them for whatever reason you don't need our permission to block.

It's not about permission as much as getting feedback from other people who also deal with ebay. Many here have dealt with more shenanigans than I.

daltex

@spyglassdesign said:

@daltex said:

@spyglassdesign said:
OK I know I said I don't block people for asking questions... But I just had someone try to tell me what a coin was worth because apmex sells random versions of it for $x, and he would offer me less than $x because that's what it was worth. Which just happened to be far below price guide as well.

I think telling someone something is worth an amount they want to offer for it because that's what they want to pay is a red flag.

Agree? Disagree?

PS - the only other block is an actual scammer, tried to do a drop ship scam.

You're under no obligation to sell to anyone. If you have a bad feeling about them for whatever reason you don't need our permission to block.

It's not about permission as much as getting feedback from other people who also deal with ebay. Many here have dealt with more shenanigans than I.

OK, sure, but you need to decide how much shenanigans you're willing to deal with. I think we all understand that even the most difficult buyer can be profitable, but you need to decide how much that profit is worth to you.

1madman

Not sure if this falls into the norm of ebay sellers blocking or not, but years ago I was blocked by a ebay seller who is something like a consignment seller /auction house style company. I bought a set of proof coins (~$3000) that the surfaces were all chipped up. Couldn’t tell this from the awful scanner photos on the auction, so I returned them. Fast forward to about 6 months ago and I tried to place a bid on one of their auctions and couldn’t because they blocked me. The coin sold for $1500 less than the bid I was trying to place. I needed that coin, had no intentions of a return.

Guess I’m saying don’t be too quick to block.

jmlanzaf

It really depends on tone. Really doesn't matter either way. He's never going to be a regular buyer. There are a lot of better buyers out there.

One of my best friends was a dealer. He always started every negotiation by referring to my coins as "swill". I used to just say, "you don't have to buy them". His response was always, "I didn't say I wouldn't buy them. " lol.

He passed away in 2019. I miss him every week. It was just his way.

JBK

Maybe the person thinks they are educating you. People on here do it all the time (telling people their coin is counterfeit, etc.)

If the person is honestly misinformed you can just ignore them. If you think they are a scammer or attempting to manipulate you then that's another story.

I know that if you are an experienced seller it seems offensive but his intentions might not necessarily be underhanded. (Or they might be.).

There have probably been times I've explained to a seller my reasons for an offer or counter-offer. It's an attempt to justify my offer so they don't think I'm just trying to lowball them.

PerryHall

I wouldn't have blocked him because he may be a future customer. Respond with your best price and tell him to play or pass.

ricko

In the case cited in the OP, I would respond with my price, and reference noted price guides... And just leave it at that... If the potential buyer responds obnoxiously, then you could block. Cheers, RickO

spyglassdesign

@jmlanzaf said:
It really depends on tone. Really doesn't matter either way. He's never going to be a regular buyer. There are a lot of better buyers out there.

One of my best friends was a dealer. He always started every negotiation by referring to my coins as "swill". I used to just say, "you don't have to buy them". His response was always, "I didn't say I wouldn't buy them. " lol.

He passed away in 2019. I miss him every week. It was just his way.

Yeah some people are just weird. His tone came across as if he was telling me how it was going to be and I need to accept it because he said that's what it's worth. That's what threw me off and made me think he could be a problem buyer...

I guess he could just be a bad communicator...

This is why I ask here because sometimes I'm fully justified and sometimes you guys give me pause to reconsider.

MasonG

@spyglassdesign said:
Yeah some people are just weird. His tone came across as if he was telling me how it was going to be and I need to accept it because he said that's what it's worth.

Is that the kind of buyer you want to encourage? Suppose there's a problem with the transaction that's not your fault- package is damaged or lost, for example- how do you think that might play out? Do you think he'll be cooperative or will he insist on telling you how things are going to be?

logger7

Courtesy doesn't cost anything and often will defuse differences of opinion.

1madman

@MasonG said:

@spyglassdesign said:
Yeah some people are just weird. His tone came across as if he was telling me how it was going to be and I need to accept it because he said that's what it's worth.

Is that the kind of buyer you want to encourage? Suppose there's a problem with the transaction that's not your fault- package is damaged or lost, for example- how do you think that might play out? Do you think he'll be cooperative or will he insist on telling you how things are going to be?

Keep in mind that ebay does have a process in place that guides the buyer and seller in a specific direction on the steps of a return or refund. This buyer can’t just extort from the seller and make his own rules. Ebay will side with and protect the seller in that scenario.

spyglassdesign

@MasonG said:

@spyglassdesign said:
Yeah some people are just weird. His tone came across as if he was telling me how it was going to be and I need to accept it because he said that's what it's worth.

Is that the kind of buyer you want to encourage? Suppose there's a problem with the transaction that's not your fault- package is damaged or lost, for example- how do you think that might play out? Do you think he'll be cooperative or will he insist on telling you how things are going to be?

That's where my mind was headed. I felt that was a red flag. But I wasn't 100% sure if I was over reacting. Which is why I appreciate the feedback here.

Just for clarity it was by message not by making an offer. If he had actually made an offer I would have simply declined or countered or ignored.

lkenefic

I'd have just let the prospective buyer know that "this was my price"... and let it go at that. If they come back with multiple messages and basically spam your Inbox... then, I'd move to block. I stopped offering "Buy it Now" because of the endless back and forth e-mails but I've never had to block anyone...

MasonG

@spyglassdesign said:
That's where my mind was headed. I felt that was a red flag. But I wasn't 100% sure if I was over reacting. Which is why I appreciate the feedback here.

I don't think there's any way to ever be 100% sure that a potential problem buyer will eventually become one. Just go with your gut feeling and if blocking him seems to make sense, do it and don't worry about it. There are plenty of buyers who are great to work with, no reason to fool around with the others.

RLSnapper

I just made an offer based on the Ebay suggested offers. Of course I started with the lowest offer suggested by Ebay. I always start by saying that I like the coin and appreciate the seller taking the time to review my offer. The offer timed out and I got no reply from the seller. A simple thanks for your offer would have made me more comfortable with the seller. I value communication and the 30 seconds to reply to my offer would probably have gotten me to raise my offer. Now...I will probably contact the seller directly and just ask for their best price.

jmlanzaf

@MasonG said:

@spyglassdesign said:
Yeah some people are just weird. His tone came across as if he was telling me how it was going to be and I need to accept it because he said that's what it's worth.

Is that the kind of buyer you want to encourage? Suppose there's a problem with the transaction that's not your fault- package is damaged or lost, for example- how do you think that might play out? Do you think he'll be cooperative or will he insist on telling you how things are going to be?

I had a guy who claimed a comic slab cracked in transit. [I never did get a good picture. ] like coin slabs there is a seam that can have lines. He alerted me to the alleged problem. I asked if he was sure it wasn't the seam and asked him how he wanted to handle it: return, refund, etc.

He responded that he wanted a $22 refund and he could get it reslabbed for that.

I didn't see it immediately and an hour or two went by and he sent a second message reiterating the request. He said he was being more than reasonable and if i didn't accept it. He would have no choice but leave negative feedback.

I refunded him and blocked him. While his request was likely reasonable, he was being unreasonable in the presentation of the request.

MasonG

@RLSnapper said:
I just made an offer based on the Ebay suggested offers. Of course I started with the lowest offer suggested by Ebay. I always start by saying that I like the coin and appreciate the seller taking the time to review my offer. The offer timed out and I got no reply from the seller. A simple thanks for your offer would have made me more comfortable with the seller. I value communication and the 30 seconds to reply to my offer would probably have gotten me to raise my offer. Now...I will probably contact the seller directly and just ask for their best price.

I get offers all the time and regularly submit counteroffers. I can't remember the last time one of those prospective buyers who received a counteroffer that they weren't interested in responded in any way. These days, if I get an offer that I don't see as serious, I just ignore it.

messydesk

I would probably just have declined the offer and moved on, but the buyer does need to learn a thing or two, and catching me in the wrong mood would result in being blocked. If he walked into someone's shop or walked up to their bourse table and said this, there's a chance at being thrown out.

Project Numismatics

Either ignore the offer or, if it’s generic material (like an ASE or common date Morgan), check recent sold items and use those to justify your price. “My price is tied for the lowest sale on eBay in the last 30 days and is the lowest I am able to go.”

spyglassdesign

@messydesk said:
I would probably just have declined the offer and moved on, but the buyer does need to learn a thing or two, and catching me in the wrong mood would result in being blocked. If he walked into someone's shop or walked up to their bourse table and said this, there's a chance at being thrown out.

I wasn't even in a bad mood... But the attitude concerned me. As @MasonG pointed out if he starts out telling me how something is going to be before making an offer, how good will it go should something go wrong during the transaction?

I keep going back and forth because everyone is bringing up good points to consider, but as of now I'm fairly certain I will leave him blocked as I feel he's too much of a risk at this point.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

DennisH

I'd block him too. Life is too short to deal with people who are... well, it''s a long list of things.

ifthevamzarockin

@spyglassdesign "but as of now I'm fairly certain I will leave him blocked as I feel he's too much of a risk at this point."

You need to go with your gut feeling, there are plenty of other buyers out there.

Once I block someone I will NEVER unblock them, I would recommend you don't either.