I am just new to selling here in FM forums. Unfortunately many people are very skeptical of buying from a seller with 0 feedback (understandable).
I do have eBay buyer feedback (excellent) and very scant seller feedback (sold a D610 and a couple of things).
How do I make potential long time FM members feel comfortable about buying.
I have a genuine FB/Twitter/eBay profile - other than I do not know what to do . I came here to the FM forums based on excellent reviews, but didn't expect this catch 22 situation for a new seller like me.
Linking to your eBay feedback will be helpful. Eventually someone will take a chance and buy from you, but you can also show that you're a trustworthy buyer (in you're in the market for anything).
It also helps to participate in the other subforums and not just Buy & Sell.
Once you get a couple positive reviews everyone should loosen up a bit.
I"d recommend that you find a Board on here that reflects your photographic interests. You've paid for upload and sell, so that's good, so use it to upload pics you've taken to that Board. Join in on the conversations. Make your self known so that members who frequent that Board get to know you. Use FaceTime or Zoom to arrange a face to face meeting with a prospective buyer. Have a setup where by you can show off what you are selling as to its condition. Get to know your buyer. This is a really good site with a many, many very competent photographers. FWIW, some of us here depend more upon whom we meet by participating in the Boards than by ratings on eBay and, FB. Just my .02. Good luck
anthonysemone wrote:
I"d recommend that you find a Board on here that reflects your photographic interests. You've paid for upload and sell, so that's good, so use it to upload pics you've taken to that Board. Join in on the conversations. Make your self known so that members who frequent that Board get to know you. Use FaceTime or Zoom to arrange a face to face meeting with a prospective buyer. Have a setup where by you can show off what you are selling as to its condition. Get to know your buyer. This is a really good site with a many, many very competent photographers. FWIW, some of us here depend more upon whom we meet by participating in the Boards than by ratings on eBay and, FB. Just my .02. Good luck...Show more →
That is a wonderful suggestion on zoom / face time call. It did not even occur to me. Thank you so much!!!
You are welcome. One of our colleague here on FM indicated that requiring that kind of face to face contact is a remarkably effective way to flush out the scammers. They typically don't respond to the request and simply disappear. GL
I am just new to selling here in FM forums. Unfortunately many people are very skeptical of buying from a seller with 0 feedback (understandable).
I do have eBay buyer feedback (excellent) and very scant seller feedback (sold a D610 and a couple of things).
How do I make potential long time FM members feel comfortable about buying.
I have a genuine FB/Twitter/eBay profile - other than I do not know what to do . I came here to the FM forums based on excellent reviews, but didn't expect this catch 22 situation for a new seller like me.
Lost here!!!
Become pro-active on FM. I have bought from 0 feedback members without any problems! I always talk with the seller before I buy an item over $100.
One can get a reasonable good feeling in a conversation as to the person credibility. Not always..but usually!
If it doesn't feel right...to you it isn't!!!
Depending on how much you want to buy or sell an item..another will appear..believe me! Been there!!
I am NOT a social media person. So those references I do not use as any validation on character.
One other thought is to start small. That is, buy and sell a few things that cost a small amount. Then, buy and sell a few things that cost a bit more. Eventually, you will build trust, and you will be able to buy and sell things that are costly. I have bought things here costing less than $150 from people with little to no feed-back. I have never bought things costing over $1000 from people with little to no feed-back. Finally, using regular PayPal provides protection that eases the minds of both parties.
Keith W.
One other thing occurs to me. Make things easy on the potential buyer. When I see an advertisement that lists a price for the item, then says to add shipping costs, and then says to add PayPal fees, I pause. Is the seller the type of person that puts their convenience above mine? When I sell items, I list one price and state that I will cover shipping, shipping insurance, and PayPal fees. I build these things into the cost. I am trying to make things easier for the potential buyer.
Keith W.
I am just new to selling here in FM forums. Unfortunately many people are very skeptical of buying from a seller with 0 feedback (understandable).
I do have eBay buyer feedback (excellent) and very scant seller feedback (sold a D610 and a couple of things).
How do I make potential long time FM members feel comfortable about buying.
I have a genuine FB/Twitter/eBay profile - other than I do not know what to do . I came here to the FM forums based on excellent reviews, but didn't expect this catch 22 situation for a new seller like me.
Lost here!!!
Post pictures of item with notepad - username and timestamp. Of course, you can link your Ebay feedback on your listing.
All good suggestions. But I really don't get why there is a lot of trepidation about buying from a 0 feedback seller. The way PayPal handles disputes I'm much more worried about a buyer's reputation at this point. We're well past the days of sending money orders and hoping seller sends item, but I think maybe attitudes haven't progressed as quickly as the way we transact has. Remember, we all had 0 feedback at some point.
kwilliam8 wrote:
One other thing occurs to me. Make things easy on the potential buyer. When I see an advertisement that lists a price for the item, then says to add shipping costs, and then says to add PayPal fees, I pause. Is the seller the type of person that puts their convenience above mine? When I sell items, I list one price and state that I will cover shipping, shipping insurance, and PayPal fees. I build these things into the cost. I am trying to make things easier for the potential buyer.
Keith W.
I skip those kinds of adds now, just out of annoyance. I'm sure most of the sellers are fine people, but it's time to get with the program, I think. Don't make me do math...
I'm very new to FM and I just bought a lens here from one of the members. I'm learning about all the rules for posting PM's and acquiring Feedback, etc. I do not understand all the hesitancy to Buy/Sell without prior references of some sort if PayPal is the conduit for the transaction. Obviously, the Seller isn't going to ship until the money lands in his account. But isn't the Buyer protected by PayPal if the Seller fails to ship after payment is received? Would someone please explain to me why PayPal doesn't provide the degree of security that Buyers seek on this site. Thanks in advance for the help.
Richard
TENOG wrote:
I'm very new to FM and I just bought a lens here from one of the members. I'm learning about all the rules for posting PM's and acquiring Feedback, etc. I do not understand all the hesitancy to Buy/Sell without prior references of some sort if PayPal is the conduit for the transaction. Obviously, the Seller isn't going to ship until the money lands in his account. But isn't the Buyer protected by PayPal if the Seller fails to ship after payment is received? Would someone please explain to me why PayPal doesn't provide the degree of security that Buyers seek on this site. Thanks in advance for the help.
Richard...Show more →
I posted this same thought earlier in this thread. I think PayPal does a great job of ultimately protecting buyers. That being said, I can see being generally concerned about the hassle-factor if a deal doesn't go smoothly, and a potentially long delay in getting funds back. I think that's why many folks recommend being an active member here and linking your work, if you can. If you just show up to buy/sell no one has any basis for a judgement.
mpix345, I understand. I can see that this is more of a 'community' than a marketplace. One needs to participate to be accepted. I'm finding that most of the members and their comments are very pleasant, which is refreshing these days, to say the least.
kwilliam8 wrote:
One other thing occurs to me. Make things easy on the potential buyer. When I see an advertisement that lists a price for the item, then says to add shipping costs, and then says to add PayPal fees, I pause. Is the seller the type of person that puts their convenience above mine? When I sell items, I list one price and state that I will cover shipping, shipping insurance, and PayPal fees. I build these things into the cost. I am trying to make things easier for the potential buyer.
Keith W.
. I came here to the FM forums based on excellent reviews, but didn't expect this catch 22 situation for a new seller like me.
