Almost every transaction I have online is a positive transaction.
This is because I try to look before I leap. I don't like to be surprised and I don't think many people really do when it comes to your money and what you think you're buying with it.
I learned this through experience but it doesn't have to take a long time to do things better and better until it is natural and you check things without even thinking about it.
The price of shipping: I have a reasonable shipping amount set in my head for shipments from around the world but it is not set in stone. I check the shipping stated in the auction description and also check behind the tab for Shipping and Payments. It's best to know what you're in for.
Some sellers add a bit (or more) on to each extra transaction, some don't. Some charge cheap shipping, some charge high. If you think you can get the item for a good price then remember to add the shipping on to the total to get the real price.
Sometimes I gust figure than if I want to but an item from around the world or anywhere I have to pay shipping to get it to me, it's just natural. Shipping stuff costs. Unless the seller is one that sells a huge bunch of stuff every month then he probably doesn't have a cheap postage or shipping supplies resource to go to to help cut his costs.
If you don't understand the statements or terminology or conditions and you think you might really want this item, then use the link Ask A Question on the right upper or, if that's not there, scroll down to the bottom and use the link there on the left.
If you don't ask you can't find out. If a seller wishes to sell an item and be friendly about it he'll answer as promptly as he can. If not, well, that's one strike against him. Give a person some time (days) before you write him off though. He could be sick or gone for the weekend or something.
RTFQ An old Air Force saying I learned from a teacher after high school. It means Read The Fuddle-duddle Question.
What's the seller mean when he says this or that? What's he really saying here? What's he trying to do? Sell something or get my money?
Same goes for looking at the pictures. Look at them as if you had the stamp in your sweaty hands and were going over it in person.
People read and see things that aren't there sometimes. You miss things. You gloss over some words you don;t understand or don't quite read right. It's natural.
You have a better chance of having a positive transaction if you pay attention and know what it is you are buying, even if it's a surprise bag of stamps or a box of whatever.
Read how the seller phrases things, how he writes, how he takes pictures. What's the 'feel' you get from it all?
It doesn't really matter if the words are not good English or the pictures aren't the best. If you don't feel anything or feel something's not quite right, move on. It's not up to you to buy the item and make it turn out right. But it is up to the seller to describe, as best he can, what it is he's selling. That includes the scrapes and bumps things get as they get old.
Read the Feedback! No, I don't mean look at it or glance through it. I mean Read it. Try to think like the person who wrote that feedback. Why did he write it that way? Does he care? What's he care about? You? Him? Is he reasonable or is he angry? Does he try or just go through the motions?
And all of this is over time too. Don't just look at the first page. Jump backwards a few times. Look at any Neutral of Negatives (on any site). How's he deal with things? Has he improved and cleaned up his act after some downturn? Good! Or has he blamed others and kept his old ways? That's easier to do and a lot of people do it for different things. No harm done if you know what to expect.
Now for the Extras.
Does he Under Promise and Over Deliver? That is when you are OK with what you think is going to happen and the seller adds things or services or is quicker or friendlier or more professional or more something than you expected him to be. Something that leaves you feeling good, that you've been looked after well, that you would shop here again.
No, he doesn't have to do any of that. But it sure helps to bring back the customers.
I guess it all comes down to having realistic expectations and knowing that stuff happens and that you can get through it and still be OK.
And a big part of that is your learning and your education about eBay and stamps and people. You might not know all of everything but you always know a bit of something or other.
I can't expect every seller to be as learned up and as educated as me, can I?
So guess what? I know that whatever happens, I can handle it, I can get through it, I can enjoy the good parts and take care of the bad parts. If I don't know what to do right now I sure can learn up on it and give it a go. Maybe not my best go but some kind of a go at it.
That's how to keep it all positive. You use what you know and learn what you don't. Can't do any better than that today folks. Good luck bidding!
Posted 11/14/2011 01:58 am
