Selling Toys - Horror Stories & "Happy" Customers

altcunningham said:
That's where I aspire to be. I just can't believe the amount of people where it is a deal-breaker.
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Me either. It's pretty silly, especially when it's not the higher end Mezco-type stuff. Like, you really want the box that Lando came in? Fucking why?

My wife does most of our selling as she has more time for it than I do, and a better temperament for it. But even she loses it sometimes with these chuckledicks responding to an ad with seven pictures of a loose figure and a complete description of a loose figure with all accessories photographed and listed like "does it have the box?"
Motherfucker, EVERY element of this ad makes it clear that it does not. You are just too stupid to be allowed direct control of money or telephones. Go away.
 
Why are y'all interacting with people like that at all? Is the app/site forcing you to respond? I ignore stuff like that completely - actually, I don't even get much of that.
 
I would say 90% of the time, IF we respond at all, it's just because the market here is terrible and you want to give yourself the chance to just sell the thing. I'd say it's probably 50/50 if someone asks 'do you have the box' that the box is actually a dealbreaker. So sometimes you can be like 'no, only what's in the ad' and they still say some equivalent of 'ah, okay - I'll take it anyway.' So it's worth it at that point.
I'd only shut it down if it becomes combative or goes on for more than like.. two responses. We established the answer to your question, either you want it or you do not.
 
Damien said:
So sometimes you can be like 'no, only what's in the ad' and they still say some equivalent of 'ah, okay - I'll take it anyway.'
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That never happens to me. The guy I spend time answering questions/taking additional photos for never buys the item. Ever.

Same with the guy who sends the "Will you take half the list price?" No. "What about 53% of the list price?" No. We finally argue up to 75% of the list price when the guy is sniped by a buy-it-now buyer willing to pay full price. That, at least, is cathartic.
 
Yes, that is really nice. I've had times where I'll have some watchers and send an offer out for a little off, then it sells and I am surprised to see it was snatched up by someone who never got that offer. Fine by me!
 
Literally had a convo about "pics of the item" and the buyer "discovered" I hadn't included a photo of the left side. Fourteen photos, but he got me! (Which, it's weird that I hadn't - fair point.) But then he didn't buy the item when I sent him the fifteenth photo. Not one to not have the last word, I followed up and he said he was unsure about the condition and since I don't accept returns, he was "uncomfortable" purchasing it.

I said "thanks for wasting my time and doing EXACTLY what I thought you'd do."

It finally sold yesterday to someone else. And I was selling it for a friend! I also recently realized that when I sell things for friends, I'm taking the tax hit. Yay.
 
Oh yeah, I've just totally stopped responding to stupid inquiries. I don't know why it took me this long to figure it out, but the stupid inquiries never result in a purchase, no matter how much they say it will, so I shouldn't bother. Chances are our paths will never cross in life, so why should I feel bad for not wasting both our time?

Like today- I had someone just message me "Figure amount total?". Like....what am I supposed to do with that? Does he mean the amount of figures total in the lot? If only there were pictures detailing the figures in said lot. Does he mean the total cost of all the figures? If only there was a giant asking price on the listing. Does he mean the per-figure amount? I'm a nerd, but not a math nerd; figure it out yourself. 😅 And in a few days, when he sends the inevitable "?" follow-up message, that too shall be ignored.
 
My favorite is if I'm selling a lot, I always specify "Selling only as a lot. I will not be breaking up the lot, so please do not ask me the prices of individual figures. REPEAT, SELLING ONLY AS A LOT".

I inevitably get numerous "How much for just so and so?" to the point that I always ask them in response the same (what I think is completely valid) question: "Are you fucking with me right now or are you literally unable to fucking read?".

I have zero patience for that shit and frankly, if you are that stupid, you are not someone that I want to do business with.

My second favorite are the messages that say "I saw this seller offering this item for X amount cheaper than you".

Then buy it from that seller, bitch. I'm not that desperate for your business. The fuck are you hoping to achieve with that shit? If you see a deal and it's cheaper, then buy it from that source. Why are you even talking to me at that point?
 
Schizm said:
Why are y'all interacting with people like that at all? Is the app/site forcing you to respond? I ignore stuff like that completely - actually, I don't even get much of that.
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It's a valid question.

I had a guy tonight message me on one listing asking me about every other possible figure that I don't even have listed. Do you have X do you have? Why could you possibly be getting C? Could you possibly be getting D? If you ever find Z, let me know.

That one all just came in an avalanche and then I blocked it.

But the reason I do respond is because the majority of the time they just go. Oh okay and then they still come anyway with money. I don't fault anyone for asking.

I fault them for continuing to pursue it.

I also have this need just to provide info and I like to give people the benefit of the doubt but even my therapist is like, in 2025, why would you do that.

But I'll also note that like most sales are straightforward transactions. So the bad ones really stand out. And this is the thread for it.
 
joshsquash729 said:
Oh yeah, I've just totally stopped responding to stupid inquiries. I don't know why it took me this long to figure it out, but the stupid inquiries never result in a purchase, no matter how much they say it will, so I shouldn't bother. .
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This is the real trick. My flaw is I think everyone thinks like I do.

I see an item. I make an offer or I just take the asking price because I do my research and I have what I call a convenience tax just to get something out of the way. Inquire, offer, get the item.

But it is true that a lot of buyers given enough time do not behave this way. I think a lot of people are just looking for that dopamine hit same as physical shopping. They want to get a deal but they don't want to actually spend money. They feel like it's a victory. Or they can't afford things so they're just fantasy shopping and wish listing.

And at least on Facebook Marketplace I don't think people actually look at listings past the photo. Even if you just put a little two sentence, I live here, no shipping. They're going to ask you where you live and could you ship.

Honestly, it's like dating. The people that actually have an intent are very direct and lock things down with clear communication. The ones that are never going to pan out for you are the ones that waste your time with back and forth and questions.
 
TheSameIdiot said:
That never happens to me. The guy I spend time answering questions/taking additional photos for never buys the item. Ever.

Same with the guy who sends the "Will you take half the list price?" No. "What about 53% of the list price?" No. We finally argue up to 75% of the list price when the guy is sniped by a buy-it-now buyer willing to pay full price. That, at least, is cathartic.
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I think I categorize different types of stupid question, is the thing.

Asking if I have the box when I don't mention it or picture it anywhere? Harmlessly stupid as long as they accept the answer and move on. It can be considered one of those 'just thought I'd ask' kind of questions. If a G.I. Joe figure isn't pictured with his knife, I don't fault someone for saying 'does he have his knife?' Smart money is on 'no' because it's not in the listing. But maybe I DO have it and just forgot to mention it/photograph it. Or forgot he had one and now that you've asked I can dig it out. It's a stupid question because it's technically answered in the ad, but it's harmless even if my answer is 'nope, that's why it's not pictured.'

Those people you can, at least sometimes, get along with and make a sale to.

People that hit you with "will you accept 20% of your asking price and also give me a back rub?" That is never going to go anywhere and there's really not even a point in responding.
 
Oh crap. I am beginning to see more and more why I prefer to sell from a table. At least in person they get an "are you really that stupid?" look before I set in on them with what I really think. ;)
 
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