Sometimes on eBay you run up against an immovable object. With over a thousand items listed for sale at any time we are obviously going to make mistakes. In nine months we’ve sent the wrong item twice and had one complaint about quality. That’s less than quarter of a per cent.
We now have another complaint. With hindsight we should have expected it as the buyer asked for a discount before buying. We politely declined but he ordered anyway. We then had a letter of complaint telling us this was the worst lot he’d ever bought and various other things.
We offered him his money back.
He’s just replied that we’ve missed the point. He doesn’t want to send them back for a refund, he wants to struggle selling them and moan that the charity he sells for will lose money. He’s very keen to tell you he sells for charity.
There’s not much you can do to help some people.
Cynicism prompts me to suggest that his next note will contain a threat about negative feedback and another suggestion about discount. After all, he does sell for charity you know…
You have missed the point. He wanted you to be charitable enough to let him keep them and receive a refund.
Yes, I’m sure he did. I will say no more, as a Bad Word is forming in my mind…
🙂
🙂
As a freelancer since 1996 – I have learned to sniff out the problem potential clients right away. “It’s not much, it won’t take you any time.” ” I’d like a discount because . . .” “I need it right away.” All of these comments tell me to not even bid the job because it will be more hassle than it’s worth. Reasonable people know that things take time and things cost money. Unreasonable people are a pain in the arse (arse – Liam Neeson word – love him).
When I started up as a gardener I learned to recognise the same signs. My sister also lectured me on the fact that people who are a pain before the job is done tend to quibble about the bill afterwards too. 🙂
Your sister is a wise woman. That’s been my experience, as well.
I will tell her that. 🙂
Whew, there’s no making some people happy. Block him.
🙂 My thoughts exactly.
I might suggest letting his next order just hang in the air for a year or two.
We have the power to block him from further bidding, and might use it.
Yup, sounds like a setup to me–you have probably called the next move. Good luck with it.
🙂
I want to complain about your post having no pictures in it
This is my tactful reply –
Dear Sir, Thank you for your letter. I’m sorry that you feel you have been shortchanged by the lack of a photograph. I would send you a snapshot to redress the balance but the owner of the shop won’t let me send them unless they feature at least three fingers, which my reply does not.
Yours faithfully,
Quercus
At least three fingers – ha! Brilliant
Thank you. 🙂
Fortunately, as you noted, such customers are a minority. But they can really ruin a day.
I am training myself to be proof against awkward customers, editors and slings and arrows…
Best of luck. 😉
🙂