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EBAY QUEEN: Is it a joke? A shady query on shades
By SUZIE EADS, eBay Queen
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Dear eBay Queen: I’ve been selling sunglasses on eBay for about three years and I have more than 4,500 feedback. I received an e-mail yesterday that has completely messed me up. I’m not sure how to respond and how do I know if it is even for real?
Here’s the e-mail:
“I am interested in purchasing the Calvin Klein Gold Skinny Aviator sunglasses but wanted to ask a few questions... I’m not sure if these are the right sunglasses for me. I have never flown an actual plane, (although I did throw up in the flight simulator at the Strategic Air and Space Command Museum in Omaha, Neb.) so I’m not as concerned about the ‘aviator’ part, but I also do not consider myself skinny. In fact, I’m a little overweight. Since these glasses are for skinny aviators, will they make me look less fat or will they actually make me look bigger? I’ve tried all the fad diets out there and they’ve never really worked (aside from learning you should never combine a laxative and a sleeping pill.) Regardless of my size, however, I believe I am entitled to be shielded from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Please advise.”
Do you know what his real question is? How do I respond to this? — VLB; Kansas City
Dear VLB: I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. He’s funny.
I would say this buyer does have a legitimate question about your sunglasses but also has a little comedian in him, too. Why not respond to him in kind? If this were my buyer, I would respond like this:
“I believe these Skinny Aviator sunglasses are perfect for you. Not only are they the ‘it’ shape for the year, but Calvin Klein is known for his waif-size models. I’m sure once you put these on, all your fears of being overweight will be cast aside and these glasses will make you feel like a skinny super model. I have a pair just like these and wore them the last time I went to the airport; I had flight attendants and ground crew asking me for flight pointers! I stand behind my product so if you are not feeling emaciated once you put these on, I will be happy to refund your money!”
Let’s hope your buyer is a serious about buying as he is funny!
Dear eBay Queen: I cannot believe what I am reading. Did you know about this new feedback policy coming into effect Monday?
I was reading the Auction Bytes blog http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/comments/2008/5/1210707187.html#1210740162 today and saw this calculator that shows what our new feedback percent will be when the new feedback policy takes effect. My feedback score went from a 99.8 percent to a 98.2 percent.
I could not figure out how this could happen. After reading Auction Bytes I’ve learned that eBay is counting the neutral feedback as a negative. Apparently, only in eBay-land is a neutral comment really a negative comment.
What are they trying to do to sellers? eBay is no longer fun. I don’t want to be a part of this community anymore.
I am hoping you have some words of advice for me, or some ray of hope that might make me feel a little better about this change. Did you know about this? — Ticked off in Williamsburg
Dear Ticked: There are many people who work for eBay who believe this new system will completely make eBay stronger. I hope they are right.
When listening to eBay Radio, http://www.wsradio.com/internet-talk-radio.cfm/shows/eBay-Radio.html, last week, I heard Brian Burke, director of global feedback, talk about this very change. He did reassure the audience and said eBay would be watching for “spread” in the system and they would make changes accordingly. That, to me, means that they are going to watch for feedback percents to drop and if they do, they will adjust their standards.
I knew about the feedback policy changes, but I never realized that the neutrals were going to be considered negatives. Just like you, I am pretty upset about this. My feedback percent is going to drop also. My only advice is to wait it out and know that you are not the only person whose score is going to change.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 130221689331 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage) I’m not the biggest fan of mushrooms but I had no idea you could even buy them on eBay. What do you think 10 pounds of morel mushrooms are worth? I bet this auction will make you want to go out and pick some! SOLD $201 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItems&item=130221689331
Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay-trained education specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.
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