People who don't answer ebay questions

You just have to ignore both situations and move on. Online marketplaces are riddled with people who have no idea about well, just about anything really.

They are also riddled with people who ask inane questions with no intention to buy.

Sometimes it gets lost in the noise or people make assumptions about certain types of questions/perceive they have enough interest that they choose not to engage with the questions.

Bit like the old give you X as the opening gambit on a Facebook market place . I won't even engage with them. Infact that is likely to get a block. From experiance 9 times out of 10 selling to that sort of person will be nothing but grief.

Is asking the same question 8 times too much? 😉

I just think if you list something you should be prepared to answer a question. Or alternatively give a decent description so questions are not needed.

Gumtree/ Facebook are worse than ebay as you do get people saying I'll give you £half-of-what-its-listed-at tonight if I can come now. And the disappearing.

It's like waving at people that don't wave back,just let it go. 😉 😆

If an eBay seller doesn't answer my questions, I don't buy their stuff.

If they don't answer questions will they post their stuff in a timely manner?

If they don't answer questions is their stuff in the condition they have described?

eBay's got enough stuff that it's unusual for me to buy a unique item. I don't buy many handmade one off items.

"Are the wheels still true?" = "I assume you've no scruples and are selling crap without mentioning it but will admit when directly questioned" and/or "I'm very very picky and expect second hand goods to be as good as brand new factory sealed product, probably better. I'm likely to complain that the goods weren't as described when I receive them because they're not pristine"

I'd answer your question with an audible eye roll and be pleased you'd announced yourself before bidding.

"Am I right to assume that if I ask “Are these wheels still true?” and it doesn’t get answered then the wheels are not true?"

They probably don't understand the question. Not everyone who has a bike knows the jargon. At the shop we often got things like "the down tube spinner doesn't work" (crank) or" the pedal fell off" when actually the BB disintegrated and the whole non drive crank arm came off and fell in the canal

@dangeoubrain you seem upset, have you had a bad ebay experience recently? I'm not suprised if you think expecting wheels to be true is being picky.

They probably don’t understand the question. Not everyone who has a bike knows the jargon. At the shop we often got things like “the down tube spinner doesn’t work” (crank) or” the pedal fell off” when actually the BB disintegrated and the whole non drive crank arm came off and fell in the canal

Yes sounds familiar I used to work in a bike shop!

@tall_martin yes ultimately this is my attitude. I just can't get my head around people selling decent gear and not answering questions!

OTOH I've had a good few questions from folk asking detailed or at least not silly questions, do they end being on the bidding list? DTF.

Buy from your LBS - or wiggle, crc, ribble, bike discount, mantel...

I just can’t get my head around people selling decent gear and not answering questions!

all my best ebay bargains have been items that were poorly described  and couldn't answer questions well - best kind on eBayer in my experience.

When I'm selling the describe the life out of stuff  - gets me a better price. But I dont want to pay higher prices. Do you?

I'm on the side of the seller here, I wouldn't bother answering that question. Wheels are never perfectly true, and most people don't have a jig or whatever to check, so the best the seller could do would be to spin it and put his finger next to the rim and see how much it wobbles (ooh er), but one persons "that's fine" is anothers "that's knackered". In any case, if you can't tighten a few spokes to fix it, you shouldn't be buying 2nd hand wheels.

dangeoubrain you seem upset, have you had a bad ebay experience recently? I’m not suprised if you think expecting wheels to be true is being picky.

Tbh out of the two of you he seems the more rational imo.

Nice 👍

Remind me not to start a light hearted thread again 🤣

Really? I doubt anyone is expecting bawhair* precision but a simple confirmation of whether it has a noticeable wobble in either direction isn't really unreasonable.

FFS I saw a frame described as "great condition" with what looked like a very obvious crack on the weld between the seat tube and seat stay. If I asked I presume that would have been unreasonable?

Either you want to sell it or you don't. If you can't be bothered answering questions regarding info you've omitted then don't be surprised if people don't want to pay what it's worth. FWIW I always invite questions on my listings and besides the occasional space cadet I rarely if ever get any.

*trued to one thou, that's the thickness of a bawhair. Is it Al? You've never mentioned...

I’m not suprised if you think expecting wheels to be true is being picky.

It's not that it's being picky but, if they knew they weren't true, don't you think they would mention it in the ad?
You've either assumed a level of knowledge they probably don't have or are accusing them of being underhand.
Also, its second hand, retruing it is not big job and sort of par for the course, it's not buckled, dented or cracked etc.

The reality is, people who ask questions like "can you confirm the colour, you say green but it looks blue in the photo" or "what size is it" are generally fine. People who ask questions about "is this thing your selling as good actually broken" are usually a pita.

Is asking the same question 8 times too much? 😉

Never, wear the bugger down 😀

edit: I think 8 times should just be for starters, try 8 per day.

OK, if they knew they weren’t true, don’t you think they would mention it in the ad? You’ve either assumed a level of knowledge they probably don’t have or are accusing them of being underhand.

Many, many descriptions on eBay are just the auto pasting of the title.

If the wheels are £££ and there is no description of condition then I can't bid without knowing more.

Never, wear the bugger down 😀

edit: I think 8 times should just be for starters, try 8 per day.

If I share the ad maybe we could all ask?

If the wheels are £££ and there is no description of condition then I can’t bid without knowing more.

I think you know enough if that's the case to be honest.

If the wheels are £££ and there is no description of condition then I can’t bid without knowing more.

Then don't bid, it's their loss not yours. Some other mug won't ask/care they can take the gamble and then end up in a protracted argument...

eBay isn't a great place to shop for bargain kit these days, and I think some items attract crazy bids just because of a bit of FOMO and a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the bidders. It's prudent to ask questions, responses are seldom instant though (sellers do have lives outside of eBay)

Don't use eBay for stuff you urgently need, don't bid more than its worth (to you) and be prepared to walk away if there's a question mark about anything...

If I share the ad maybe we could all ask?

An excellent proposal.

Item description is

700c Aluminium. Great lightweight wheelset, I usually used them for winter riding. In good condition, any questions shoot them over! Accepting offers.

😉 Bloody tease! I'm not going to buy them.

In fairness I love ebay and have been using it since the early 00s. Bought a Klein Rascal from the USA! Must have spent 10s of thousands through it and sold nearly as much.

Many, many descriptions on eBay are just the auto pasting of the title.

If the wheels are £££ and there is no description of condition then I can’t bid without knowing more.

I’m one of those who never describes condition on eBay listings or in response to questions. I’ll take lots of detailed photos and allowing viewing for high value items, but never describe anything other than specification.

Descriptions of condition are too easy to read subjectively and open the door to “Not as described” complaints. Last thing I’d want is my description of “Yeah, they’re true” being challenged as “not as described” and refunded by eBay without being returned because the buyer sticks a micrometer on them and finds they’re a thousandth out.

I very rarely answer questions and I have sold almost over £20K of stuff over the years. I list my items well - very good photos, very good description, I send next day at worst etc,.
This means that any questions I do get are stupid questions 99% of the time so I have learnt just to delete them rather than read/engage and waste my time. If the 1% of people asking a sensible question don't buy it then never mind, my stuff always sells within a few days so the next person will buy it.

Tbh out of the two of you he seems the more rational imo.

Someone got out of bed the wrong side.

Can you block us all on eBay please? Just in case.

Or alternatively give a decent description so questions are not needed.

You've not sold on Ebay have you? I always say something along the lines of 'This is an auction, I will not end it early so please do not make offers' yet I always get someone making (usually very silly low) offers for stuff I know will sell easily.

I used to answer ever question diligently, if the info they wanted was relevent I'd stick it in the listing etc.

Now, 99% of questions are the stupid type, like "what's your best price" on a BIN listing, or "would you split the listing as I only want one item of the 10", "can you ship for free"....

Something like wheels as a buyer I'd assume are true unless stated otherwise. If they turn up pringled the negative feedback and return them for refund. Location of item, if pick up is available I'd put the town in the listing, if I don't offer a pick up option - them I don't give any address details.

This means that any questions I do get are stupid questions 99% of the time so I have learnt just to delete them rather than read/engage and waste my time.

How would you know that they're "stupid questions 99% of the time" when you've "learnt just to delete them rather than read/engage and waste my time" ? You don't even read them so are just assuming that you've not missed something or that something which is pertinent to someone else, perhaps wasn't to you when listing.

frankconway

Buy from your LBS – or wiggle, crc, ribble, bike discount, mantel…

Why? Some of them are crap at answering questions too!

How would you know that they’re “stupid questions 99% of the time” when you’ve “learnt just to delete them rather than read/engage and waste my time” ?

You are one of those people who ask stupid questions aren't you!

As part of the learning I used to read and engage and as a result of that learning I came to the conclusion that 99% of the questions are stupid.
I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS

(Queue next question from you after not seeing the bold capital part....)

Someone got out of bed the wrong side.

Can you block us all on eBay please? Just in case.

what colour is this red car you have for sale ?

what colour is this red car you have for sale ?

Is it the same colour as my garage door?

Just sold some van seats.

The advert says:
1) only 1 seat base included
2) collection only

Obviously had a message asking:
1) do both seats come with bases?
2) will you post/courier them

They probably don’t understand the question. Not everyone who has a bike knows the jargon.

Moreover, not everyone who is selling a bike on places like Facebook Marketplace owns a bike.

Moreover, not everyone who is selling a bike on places like Facebook Marketplace [s] owns [/s] possess a bike.

Ftfy

Is it the same colour as my garage door?

Is the garage door included in the sale, mines a bit bent so it would be useful to know if it's included with the Deore rear mech?

Would be interesting to see the Venn diagram of folk who refuse to provide actual information and folk who refuse to do other reasonable things in life.