- Original Poster
- #1
My ebay sales of expensive, clever radio gear generates returns when people don't understand what they are buying. I've even changed some of the ads and added comments such as "Please don't buy this radio if you do not have a computer - trying to type in the data on the little keyboard will take months" - sort of friendly tongue-in-cheek comments that do then generate questions before buying, but this week I responded to a question with a firm NO, you really don't want to do this - and a long explanation. Then another short "can I do this.. from the keyboard?" and I rsponded with another no - and I even explained why - and said that I could not do it for him, because living two hundred miles apart, I can't test it. I pointed him to websites and forums. Got another message. I explained again, in depth that this would require him to connect the radio to his computer, which MUST be a PC, he could then download new firmware, download an installer, and told him the manufacturers support site download area. I then typed in capitals - if you update the firmware, and do not do it correctly, you will turn the radio into a brick - a totally useless, non functioning item, that I can not refund - you have killed it. I finished with a nice comment suggesting that this radio may not be for him, and I sell them to enthusiasts who like to experiment, as it needs a level of skill I'm not certain you possess. Ten minutes later he bought one. I've not done an invoice yet, seems a little pointless.
Then another person asks if I can add a couple of frequencies to a radio so he can hear his old lifeboat chums now he's retired. I said fine - so programmed the radio up and that one is coming back because he has a policy of inspecting products when he buys them, and the box had been opened and the keyboard protector removed. In pointed out I had to do this to add the channels and turn it on. It's still coming back - and he even used this in the ebay return = reason for return? Box had been opened.
Katie Hopkins came to mind because there is a trend. Apologies to any innocents out there, but the names do rather reveal who I should not sell radios to.
Cedric and Charles are these examples, but looking back through past similar returns, there is a trend. Reginald, Royston and a Sebastion. I'm thinking that before I send any clever products out, I really need to consider their name. I suspect Reg or Roy would be electronics savvy, but if I get an order in the future from people with names that suggest they're even older than me, I may just say no based on name alone. There's probably some Woke rule that says that makes me ageist, but how does somebody even think programming a radio, switched off inside a box is even possible?
I'm also seeing addresses that also suggest things about the occupier, or even the suitability of the product they are ordering. One person complained the radio was useless because he could not hear the coastguard. Googling his postcode revealed he lived in a small village near Leicester. Apparently I should make it clear that these radios are only going to work if you live near the sea! Reason for return? Does not work, which is sort of corrct I suppose.
I don't think I'd get away with adding "unsuitable for owners called Cedric, Charles, Reginald or Royston" and I could add the name of each returning customer to the listings. Or perhaps not. Maybe I need to add a drop down box for their exam qualifications?
Then another person asks if I can add a couple of frequencies to a radio so he can hear his old lifeboat chums now he's retired. I said fine - so programmed the radio up and that one is coming back because he has a policy of inspecting products when he buys them, and the box had been opened and the keyboard protector removed. In pointed out I had to do this to add the channels and turn it on. It's still coming back - and he even used this in the ebay return = reason for return? Box had been opened.
Katie Hopkins came to mind because there is a trend. Apologies to any innocents out there, but the names do rather reveal who I should not sell radios to.
Cedric and Charles are these examples, but looking back through past similar returns, there is a trend. Reginald, Royston and a Sebastion. I'm thinking that before I send any clever products out, I really need to consider their name. I suspect Reg or Roy would be electronics savvy, but if I get an order in the future from people with names that suggest they're even older than me, I may just say no based on name alone. There's probably some Woke rule that says that makes me ageist, but how does somebody even think programming a radio, switched off inside a box is even possible?
I'm also seeing addresses that also suggest things about the occupier, or even the suitability of the product they are ordering. One person complained the radio was useless because he could not hear the coastguard. Googling his postcode revealed he lived in a small village near Leicester. Apparently I should make it clear that these radios are only going to work if you live near the sea! Reason for return? Does not work, which is sort of corrct I suppose.
I don't think I'd get away with adding "unsuitable for owners called Cedric, Charles, Reginald or Royston" and I could add the name of each returning customer to the listings. Or perhaps not. Maybe I need to add a drop down box for their exam qualifications?
