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Is customer service a thing of the past?

shagrotn77shagrotn77 Posts: 5,607 ✭✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I know this topic extends far beyond the boundaries of card collecting, but that's the genre I'm specifically talking about here. There are 3 or 4 cards on eBay right now that I'm interested in, but the scans are less than stellar. I've e-mailed each of the sellers, some twice, politely asking for a better scan. I've heard back from only one seller, who said "sorry, that's the only scan we have". Meanwhile, there's 5 days left in that auction. You mean to tell me he can't find time sometime in the next 5 days to scan the card individually as oposed to the 4-card image in the auction now that shows little detail? Unbelieveable. I guess I should feel happy that he replied at all since the other schmos didn't even have the decency to. I can understand if a card will likely only sell for a few shillings, but the cards I've inquired about are all roughly $75 and up. When the shoe is on the other foot I always reply to an inquiry, give a better scan, etc. Sorry to vent, but this type of thing just doesn't make any sense to me. If you look at auctions with really nice images vs. the same item with a crappy image, the better image ALWAYS wins out.
"My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. Our childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When we were insolent we were placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really."

Comments

  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭
    I am very surprised as to how many times I do not recieve a response to questions I may ask about in regards to shipping or the card itself.Its like asking nobody.Even after they indicate if any questions please ask???????????Definetly thier loss because it will be a cold day in hell before I bid in the item no matter how bad i want it.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • stevekstevek Posts: 29,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I once was interested in a card lot on ebay. I asked some questions about two days in advance. Didn't get a response - I was hot for these cards and followed the bidding, but based on the price and the uncertainty, it wasn't worth it so I didn't bid. About ten minutes AFTER the auction ended they e-mail me with the questions answered - what a bunch of dopes! The lot sold for about $700 and based on that information I would have easily paid at least several hundred dollars more.
  • poppiepoppie Posts: 598


    << <i>You mean to tell me he can't find time sometime in the next 5 days to scan the card individually as oposed to the 4-card image in the auction now that shows little detail? >>

    If he would email you the scan that he used, you will have way better detail than the Ebay Photo. My experience has generally been very poor with those that will not comply with such a reasonable request as your.
    My focus, 1970 Topps Baseball Raw and Graded, pre 1989 PSA Hockey and 1933 INDIAN GUM ! Yikes!!
  • tkd7tkd7 Posts: 1,799 ✭✭
    I do my best to answer questions and have additional scans ready for any questions. I always feel the having good customer service is good business. I do admit that if I get a question a couple of hours before an auction closes, I may not respond in time since I'm not always on the internet. I use the scanner at work so I'm not able to respond to last minute requests.

    But in an answer, customer service can be spotty on ebay, but I've had deals with great sellers as well.
  • ndleondleo Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If he has a poor scan up on ebay, then he will probably not have a better scan available. Not everyone has a scanner and may have had someone else do the scan.

    I stopped sending scans because the person that requested them ended up using them for a fake auction. I put up high quality scans and if someone is asking for another one, I do not reply.
    Mike
  • JasP24JasP24 Posts: 4,645 ✭✭✭
    I think its 50/50 on ebay just like any other businesses you deal with. Some care about customers service and others don't. I used to use a picture service to upload high res scans to ebay, but it became too much of a hassle. Especially since I don't sell a whole lot, just my extras and the such. If someone e-mails wanting a larger scan or scan of the back I always comply.

    I do care about customer service because I buy and sell particular types of cards (PSA football rookies) and I think having a good rep or a bad rep in a specific card collecting area can affect sales for the good or the bad. Some of the mass market dealers who sell 1,000 cards a month are more concerned with the bottom line and simply moving product.

    Jason
    I'm here to question, not to inspire or build up. To live how I want, as I see fit,
    according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
  • jayhawkejayhawke Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭
    ndleo,

    If someone asks for a better scan or a scan of the back of the card, put a watermark on the card. It might get you more bids and the watermark will deter fake auctions.
  • WeekendHackerWeekendHacker Posts: 1,445 ✭✭
    If someone wanted to 'pilfer' your scan, they would only need to the following:

    - right click the pic

    - save target as

    - give it a file name and poof, they have your pic. I whole-heartedly agree with jayhawke - a watermark will prevent this from occuring.
  • shagrotn77shagrotn77 Posts: 5,607 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If he has a poor scan up on ebay, then he will probably not have a better scan available. Not everyone has a scanner and may have had someone else do the scan. >>



    If a seller has a scan of 4 cards together, they can easily scan one for you so that you can see that card in detail. Even if the seller is not doing his own scanning, someone obviously is, so with 5 days left in an auction to say "sorry, that's the only scan I have" doesn't make any sense if you're interested in getting top dollar for your item. Even if the person who asked for the scan doesn't win the card, underbids will help to boost the sale price. Some people just don't see that doing a little extra can go a long way.
    "My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. Our childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When we were insolent we were placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really."
  • zef204zef204 Posts: 4,742 ✭✭
    I always will provide additional or better scans when someone asks. I have nothing to hide nor would I ever want to give that impression. I have had people ask for these things within a couple hours of auctions end and not been able to answer because I was away from the computer from then until the auctions end. If they won the item, I will e-mail them and appologize for not getting back to them before the end of the auction and if they are unsatisfied for any reason I'll give them a full refund.
    EAMUS CATULI!

    My Auctions
  • ndleondleo Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Of the 1000 auctions I have run this year, only one person has asked for another scan. He had 3 feedback and was asking for a scan of the front and back of a PSA 9 Jordan RC. I ignored that request.

    My point is if the scan on ebay is blurry, I doubt they will do any better. Most quality sellers will take the time to do it right the first time.
    Mike
  • Bosox1976Bosox1976 Posts: 8,557 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Agree that good customer service as a "given" is a thing of the past. Most everyone seems willing to accept this (in all industries). People look at me like I am nuts when I say that I only tipped 5 or 10% after mediocre waiter service - but I believe that you vote with your wallet. I tip big for good service, and am loyal to stores, restaurants, and brands that treat the customer right. Ebay is no different from the "real" world. A bell curve exists - and I would put it at about 10% horrendous service, 80% Mediocre service, 10% excellent service. I think many ebayers are "brand loyal" and as a result are willing to pay more for auctions listed by people that they trust and have been treated right by.
    Mike
    Bosox1976
  • boggsboggs Posts: 91
    Without reading any post. Good consistent CS is almost gone.
  • ArchStantonArchStanton Posts: 1,182 ✭✭✭
    I had a 2005 Topps All American auto on ebay. It was a SP. They were selling for about $300. Someone emailed asking about the corners. They were killer. So, I sent him a scan of each corner. He ended up buying the card for about $530.

    Here's the trouble. This is my hobby. I do it for fun. I was glad to send extra scans. The card kicked a55. When I am working, I catch myself not returning calls. I catch myself not going 100% all of the time. I like what I do, but I don't love my job. It would suck if my hobby became more like work.
    Collector of 1976 Topps baseball for some stupid reason.
    Collector of Pittsburgh Pirates cards for a slightly less stupid reason.
    My Pirates Collection
  • ndleondleo Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I travel on business about twice per month. You guys should see the airport. I think they eliminated service from the vocabulary of the airlines. They blame the lack of service on the customer for wanting lower prices......translation - the customers won't support our inefficiency.
    Mike
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