Thread: Why don't buyers read listings?

You did the right thing by refunding the buyers money to avoid any negative feedback or other problems. Just take it as a learning experience and put it behind you.

English is a crazy language and so many things can go wrong, for example: "Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse."

But I will say the buyer can ask questions, and probably should more often on eBay. I think people are scared to ask questions though, as they feel it'll increase the desire of others to bid when questions are answered positively.

I personally take no offence, and rather prefer it when the the seller posts allot of quality photos and states, "The photos are the description. Please feel free to ask any questions."

I sell quite a bit here and on Ebay, and I make sure all the flaws are documented and described in pictures and text. I've only had one return and that was handled with an exchange swap. With hone wear I try to take the best photo's possible of the spine, just so there is no mistaking what's there as far as wear is concerned. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I always post a minimum of 5 high quality picks showing the razor from all angles. I use a white cloth as a backdrop so there is no interference with the item being photographed. I also list the disclaimeer that the pictures are an important part of the desription so they should be viewed carefully. I've got a rating of 1574 transactions with 100% feedback (not even one neutral rating). I've sold around 200 straight razors on ebay in the last 6 months of various sizes and conditions and this is the first sale that a buyer seems to have had a problem with. I guess you just can't please all of the people all of the time.

From the looks of it to me, the blade IS in excellent condition even with the hone wear! There is no rust, I see no real pitting, and it's got great beautiful etching. It's not new old stock and has been used, but what's to say it's not excellent? Now if he said the blade was in excellent condition with no hone wear, that's another thing! If he said the blade was in new condition or mint condition, then yes he would be wrong, but excellent... I wouldn't want to sell anything at all to some of you guys... jeez... I would be afraid to sell something to you guys NIB!

I would take the description to mean the whole thing, generally, is excellent. I use way too many commas, all the time, constantly, and without ceasing.

However, is that really bad hone wear? Maybe I'm easily pleased, but that razor still looks quite excellent to me. Would that amount of wear cause a honing problem, apart from a wider bevel? I'm not sure I would have complained...

The amount of power buyers have on the bay is probably not fair, but as an honest buyer (have only sold two items to test the waters) I wouldn't be without it. On more than one occasion I've asked about the condition of a razor (where the photos and descriptions were inadequate) and been reassured there were no cracks/chips etc etc, only to find just such damage after purchase and delivery. On all but one occasion the sellers rapidly refunded my money and accepted responsibility, much to their credit. Was it fair? Even if their mistakes were the result of harmless inexperience, they did the right thing, and earned a lot of respect and knowledge in the process. The converse is true with the local auction website, 'trademe' and it makes it an intimidating, unsafe and unscrupulous place to trade where you are on your own to resolve any issues you may have with a trade (the website takes a ridiculous hands off approach as soon as the sales done and they've got their fees), trades that often end with sellers flat out daring buyers to take 'them to court' to resolve even minor disputes. If only every site was as regulated and buyer-centric as eBay!

Originally Posted by EisenFaust

The amount of power buyers have on the bay is probably not fair, but as an honest buyer (have only sold two items to test the waters) I wouldn't be without it. On more than one occasion I've asked about the condition of a razor (where the photos and descriptions were inadequate) and been reassured there were no cracks/chips etc etc, only to find just such damage after purchase and delivery. On all but one occasion the sellers rapidly refunded my money and accepted responsibility, much to their credit. Was it fair? Even if their mistakes were the result of harmless inexperience, they did the right thing, and earned a lot of respect and knowledge in the process. The converse is true with the local auction website, 'trademe' and it makes it an intimidating, unsafe and unscrupulous place to trade where you are on your own to resolve any issues you may have with a trade (the website takes a ridiculous hands off approach as soon as the sales done and they've got their fees), trades that often end with sellers flat out daring buyers to take 'them to court' to resolve even minor disputes. If only every site was as regulated and buyer-centric as eBay!

And that is the reason I buy on EBay!

The description thing is one of my pet eBay peeves. I almost always 'message' and ask about the condition of the article. At least this way both seller and buyer have proof of was transpired.

I'm going to tell the truth and say that I couldn't tell the honewear. I have seen a couple of razors that were flat as a pancake and in comparison, yours looks great. I have begun taping the spine of razors while honing because I don't want to wear them out.

I, too, have purchased a couple of other razors from the OP and have been very satisfied. If they are good enough for him they're certainly good enough for me.