Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Of course I am thankful for ALL of the on-going sales, via my Store, eBay, Amazon and the awesome people who for the most part, are great to deal with... but wow... some people are just morons.

I guess it's like that everywhere... like anyone dealing with customers all day, and 8-9 of 10, are fine, some happier and more polite than others, but then you get the 1 Karen who complains about everything under the sun.

I guess it's that time of year too... now that the Holidays are here online sales are already up 3-4x what they usually are.

I had someone recently order on eBay, and in the Address to ship to, it was completely blank. Nothing, not a single thing other than his name.

I messaged him about 4-5x, nothing... no reply at all.

I guess I get it, not everyone is online daily, or even weekly... but you would think if you are going to order and buy stuff, you would pay a bit more attention.

I mean, on all of my various accounts, if I get a sale, or an incoming message on one of these platforms, I get an "e-mail" to let me know... maybe this guy doesn't check e-mail either? Oh well...

Another favorite, is when someone makes an "offer" on an item, you deny their offer, or... make an immediate counter offer. Then they go back and forth with you... and I finally decide to "accept" their offer... then of course, they never pay the invoice for the item.

I will send a kind reminder or two, "Hey, I accepted your offer, please pay the invoice and I will ship ASAP" and nothing.

Who are these people? Or is that a dumb question to ask.

I long ago have come to the conclusion, that someone who asks more than 1-2 questions... is not going to buy it anyway, and if they do, it's almost a guarantee that once they receive the item, they are wanting to return it, or writing back with: "This is not what I expected", "The sleeves feel weird", "The corner of the jewel case was cracked", "How come it was sent Media mail?" and a bunch of other drivel.

Or the person that inquires about "over night" or "expedited" shipping... then you give them the rate, and they are in shock. Really? Did you think this was going to cost $5 to overnight you a package from across 3/4 of the U.S.?

Friday night rant over... thanks for feeling my baldness and pain!

$tEvil

Question. What is up with the NBA merchandise in your eBay store?

MattleyCrue wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:56 pm Question. What is up with the NBA merchandise in your eBay store?

You mean the few Lakers & Dodgers t-shirts?

Just stuff... I have a mix of stuff... some UFC branded too... it's just random sh!t... all brand new in the packages.

Over the years, I have acquired more stuff than I need, including stuff while being endorsed, by clothing companies, music equipment, skateboard gear and more.

At some point I just figured... I don't want this, or that, and just listed it. Music, Sports and even Porn! Ha.

I have 2-3k items on Amazon, across the board, zines, books, Cds, vinyl, more.

$tEvil

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:33 pm Of course I am thankful for ALL of the on-going sales, via my Store, eBay, Amazon and the awesome people who for the most part, are great to deal with... but wow... some people are just morons.

I guess it's like that everywhere... like anyone dealing with customers all day, and 8-9 of 10, are fine, some happier and more polite than others, but then you get the 1 Karen who complains about everything under the sun.

I guess it's that time of year too... now that the Holidays are here online sales are already up 3-4x what they usually are.

I had someone recently order on eBay, and in the Address to ship to, it was completely blank. Nothing, not a single thing other than his name.

I messaged him about 4-5x, nothing... no reply at all.

I guess I get it, not everyone is online daily, or even weekly... but you would think if you are going to order and buy stuff, you would pay a bit more attention.

I mean, on all of my various accounts, if I get a sale, or an incoming message on one of these platforms, I get an "e-mail" to let me know... maybe this guy doesn't check e-mail either? Oh well...

Another favorite, is when someone makes an "offer" on an item, you deny their offer, or... make an immediate counter offer. Then they go back and forth with you... and I finally decide to "accept" their offer... then of course, they never pay the invoice for the item.

I will send a kind reminder or two, "Hey, I accepted your offer, please pay the invoice and I will ship ASAP" and nothing.

Who are these people? Or is that a dumb question to ask.

I long ago have come to the conclusion, that someone who asks more than 1-2 questions... is not going to buy it anyway, and if they do, it's almost a guarantee that once they receive the item, they are wanting to return it, or writing back with: "This is not what I expected", "The sleeves feel weird", "The corner of the jewel case was cracked", "How come it was sent Media mail?" and a bunch of other drivel.

Or the person that inquires about "over night" or "expedited" shipping... then you give them the rate, and they are in shock. Really? Did you think this was going to cost $5 to overnight you a package from across 3/4 of the U.S.?

Friday night rant over... thanks for feeling my baldness and pain!

$tEvil

I occasionally sell crap via Facebook marketplace, and it is astonishing the level of bizarre behavior from people.
I frequently find myself singing The Doors "People Are Strange"

Velvis wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:20 pm

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:33 pm Of course I am thankful for ALL of the on-going sales, via my Store, eBay, Amazon and the awesome people who for the most part, are great to deal with... but wow... some people are just morons.

I guess it's like that everywhere... like anyone dealing with customers all day, and 8-9 of 10, are fine, some happier and more polite than others, but then you get the 1 Karen who complains about everything under the sun.

I guess it's that time of year too... now that the Holidays are here online sales are already up 3-4x what they usually are.

I had someone recently order on eBay, and in the Address to ship to, it was completely blank. Nothing, not a single thing other than his name.

I messaged him about 4-5x, nothing... no reply at all.

I guess I get it, not everyone is online daily, or even weekly... but you would think if you are going to order and buy stuff, you would pay a bit more attention.

I mean, on all of my various accounts, if I get a sale, or an incoming message on one of these platforms, I get an "e-mail" to let me know... maybe this guy doesn't check e-mail either? Oh well...

Another favorite, is when someone makes an "offer" on an item, you deny their offer, or... make an immediate counter offer. Then they go back and forth with you... and I finally decide to "accept" their offer... then of course, they never pay the invoice for the item.

I will send a kind reminder or two, "Hey, I accepted your offer, please pay the invoice and I will ship ASAP" and nothing.

Who are these people? Or is that a dumb question to ask.

I long ago have come to the conclusion, that someone who asks more than 1-2 questions... is not going to buy it anyway, and if they do, it's almost a guarantee that once they receive the item, they are wanting to return it, or writing back with: "This is not what I expected", "The sleeves feel weird", "The corner of the jewel case was cracked", "How come it was sent Media mail?" and a bunch of other drivel.

Or the person that inquires about "over night" or "expedited" shipping... then you give them the rate, and they are in shock. Really? Did you think this was going to cost $5 to overnight you a package from across 3/4 of the U.S.?

Friday night rant over... thanks for feeling my baldness and pain!

$tEvil

I occasionally sell crap via Facebook marketplace, and it is astonishing the level of bizarre behavior from people.
I frequently find myself singing The Doors "People Are Strange"

FB Marketplace is the WORST.

I have listed on their a few times... VERY few... not worth the energy as it's 95% flakes!

$tEvil

Advertise garbage and you’re bound to attract hobos!

Nibbler wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:25 pm Advertise garbage and you’re bound to attract hobos!

Good one...

$tEvil

The Girlfriend and I do some reselling on the side and have had pretty good luck on Mercari, Minimal returns and customer interactions. Every time we think about getting back on Ebay we hear more horror stories, not just about shitty customers, but Ebay themselves. Taking much bigger cuts then they used to, freezing accounts without warning and issuing refunds to customers who complain, again without warning. Facebook marketplace is by far the worst though. I've been unpacking and cataloging my book collection and decided to list a few that are a bit hard to find thinking the prices would weed out the idiots and boy was I wrong. Incessant questions, scammers, lowballers and the few in person interactions I had were not worth the money or the effort. A year ago we thought we could really make a go of reselling and get to the point where at least one of us could quit our job and do it full time, but we're not so sure anymore. As Randall in Clerks said, "This job would be great if it weren't for the fucking people."

Ebay sucks.

As someone who has sold a considerable amount of stuff there over the years, it's only gotten worse and worse. They couldn't care less about their sellers (their actual customers). And they do nothing but look for ways to increase their fees.
There's really no justification whatsoever for them to not automatically bill the winning bidders as soon as an auction closes, but they refuse to do that and prefer to let their sellers get strung along for payment for days/weeks.

The idea / function of it is great, but they have done nothing but completely abuse their position as the go to auction site on the internet. Sadly, competing sites are at a huge disadvantage because once there is a huge established market place, there's no incentive to go elsewhere, where the buyers aren't in similar numbers.

These are the same people that post a 1 star review because their package was a day late or was the shipping box was slightly damaged. Well ok but how did you like the item?

I've sold a guitar on Ebay and put others on Reverb. I didn't have an issue on Ebay. Reverb is different because you'll get a lot of lowballs if you accept offers. There are also a lot of messages from scammers that try to get you to email them. A guitar I sold on Reverb went right back on the site a month later with the guy trying to flip it for hundreds more than he paid. Good luck to him. I don't think he's gonna get it.

I like it when you're selling something for $3, and somebody makes you an offer for $2.50. Like you can't find 50 cents in your cushions?! Even if it's $50 and somebody comes along with $49.75. WTF? If that 25 cents is gonna break you, you probably shouldn't be buying something on Ebay.

Or when they make an offer like $22.47 because with tax and everything, they'll end up paying an even number. You're not balancing a checkbook, and I don't care about your OCD, make me a real offer.

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:11 pm

MattleyCrue wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:56 pm Question. What is up with the NBA merchandise in your eBay store?

You mean the few Lakers & Dodgers t-shirts?

Just stuff... I have a mix of stuff... some UFC branded too... it's just random sh!t... all brand new in the packages.

Over the years, I have acquired more stuff than I need, including stuff while being endorsed, by clothing companies, music equipment, skateboard gear and more.

At some point I just figured... I don't want this, or that, and just listed it. Music, Sports and even Porn! Ha.

I have 2-3k items on Amazon, across the board, zines, books, Cds, vinyl, more.

$tEvil

What do you find the difference is between Amazon and eBay? Does one more you more money than the other?

Some people are just rotten.

BDG135 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:04 am I've sold a guitar on Ebay and put others on Reverb. I didn't have an issue on Ebay. Reverb is different because you'll get a lot of lowballs if you accept offers. There are also a lot of messages from scammers that try to get you to email them. A guitar I sold on Reverb went right back on the site a month later with the guy trying to flip it for hundreds more than he paid. Good luck to him. I don't think he's gonna get it.

I've probably sold about 20 guitars and basses, from $400 to $15k.... some signed, some not.

I try like hell to NOT sell anything on eBay, that is too valuable... $750.00 - $1,000.00 is my limit...

Slash AFD edition Gibson Les Paul (3 GnR members signed it) went for that $15k.

The guy made a few offers, and I replied and mentioned I am in a band, toured, knew the industry, etc... and did my best, to hint to him, "Dude, contact me on Social Media!"

I mentioned my band, history, as people that don't know, or follow this 80's world that much, don't know me from a whole in the ground... but they usually ask "How did you get this signed by Tommy Lee?" or similar.

After several failed attempts... I googled his name and state and found a FB profile, that had a bunch of "Rock Guitar" stuff on it... so I was pretty sure it was him.

Of course since we're not friends, my messages were probably sitting in that filter folder for a week, plus he didn't accept my FR right away.

Finally after about 10 days he finally got a clue, and then we swapped phone numbers and got down to business.

There is NO WAY I was going to do a $15,000.00 transaction on eBay.... and we were both on the same page. In the end, we cut a deal, and all went well.

These platforms, like eBay and Amazon do NOT want their customers swapping emails or phone #s, as they know they're going to get cut out of the mix...

I had another guy in So. Calif. who wanted to buy an expensive guitar, so I wrote him a slightly coded messaged... "Hey man... AteWonAte, 21ATE, etc... "

He writes me back, and says something like, "The message is coming in all weird and scrambled..." I was like "Bitch, are you kidding me?"

After a few more "coded" messages, he figured it out and called me and we sorted the deal as well. Ha.

These platforms all have that filter algorithm set up, and if it detects you're sharing phone or emails, it will not send the message.

As for the complaints about cracked jewel cases, and small item stuff, I pretty much refund a few dollars at once, and be done with it... no time to argue over a few bucks.

I have listed some Skateboard decks on FBMP, and sold a few right out of the car over at the local Ralph's or Starbucks to some teen kid and his Mom.... all good... but if someone calls and wants to meet at 11;pm, in Inglewood... I will politely pass.

I once bought a weight bench, new in the box off FB marketplace... it was like a $300-350 set up, and the guy wanted $150... I called him... and drove to his address... he came out of the side of the house, total shady area too but I wanted a new bench, and it was during the pandemic, when everything was closed down...

He seemed kinda skittish, and asked me a few questions, then went into his garage... came out with it, brand new in the box, etc... gave him the doe and bailed.

After the fact I was thinking... something was up with that guy... and came to the conclusion, that he either works at Big 5 Sports, or a friend does, and when they off-load and inventory a truck, they leave some boxes by the dumpster at closing, then circle back and take it home, to sell it online.

$tEvil

VinceVanLane wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:23 am

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:11 pm

MattleyCrue wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:56 pm Question. What is up with the NBA merchandise in your eBay store?

You mean the few Lakers & Dodgers t-shirts?

Just stuff... I have a mix of stuff... some UFC branded too... it's just random sh!t... all brand new in the packages.

Over the years, I have acquired more stuff than I need, including stuff while being endorsed, by clothing companies, music equipment, skateboard gear and more.

At some point I just figured... I don't want this, or that, and just listed it. Music, Sports and even Porn! Ha.

I have 2-3k items on Amazon, across the board, zines, books, Cds, vinyl, more.

$tEvil

What do you find the difference is between Amazon and eBay? Does one more you more money than the other?

Ebay is always more than Amazon for me... at least it has been for a decade or more.

I only sell CDs, Books, Vinyl and Magazines on Amazon... eBay is a lot of other stuff... guitars, skateboards, music related, snow board, MX gear, etc...

I used to sell tees, hoodies, etc.. on Etsy too... but that platform is whacky... stopped at some point.

Also used to do Discogs... but that place is full of super over the top anal collectors... they start asking about the bar-code, blah, blah, blah... F#@k that!

No time for that nonsense...

$tEvil

richard cranium wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:21 am These are the same people that post a 1 star review because their package was a day late or was the shipping box was slightly damaged. Well ok but how did you like the item?

Reviews are for the transaction not the item itself.

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 10:32 am

VinceVanLane wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:23 am

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 9:11 pm

You mean the few Lakers & Dodgers t-shirts?

Just stuff... I have a mix of stuff... some UFC branded too... it's just random sh!t... all brand new in the packages.

Over the years, I have acquired more stuff than I need, including stuff while being endorsed, by clothing companies, music equipment, skateboard gear and more.

At some point I just figured... I don't want this, or that, and just listed it. Music, Sports and even Porn! Ha.

I have 2-3k items on Amazon, across the board, zines, books, Cds, vinyl, more.

$tEvil

What do you find the difference is between Amazon and eBay? Does one more you more money than the other?

Ebay is always more than Amazon for me... at least it has been for a decade or more.

I only sell CDs, Books, Vinyl and Magazines on Amazon... eBay is a lot of other stuff... guitars, skateboards, music related, snow board, MX gear, etc...

I used to sell tees, hoodies, etc.. on Etsy too... but that platform is whacky... stopped at some point.

Also used to do Discogs... but that place is full of super over the top anal collectors... they start asking about the bar-code, blah, blah, blah... F#@k that!

No time for that nonsense...

$tEvil

Bar code? WTF?

I'll never sell anything on eBay again. I had a guy buy a Jackson DK pro series from me, and then try to say it didn't work when it arrived. I really thought I was getting scammed, but he sent it back to me. I'm guessing his wife vetoed the buy after the fact. I called eBay customer service, and they were great. They ate the sale and gave me the money. I asked what they wanted me to do with the guitar. They told me to keep it. So, I sold it again on Reverb a couple days later.

While it turned out in my favor, I'm sure most people would have just accepted the situation and been out shipping...which isn't exactly cheap these days.

I've never had an idiot experience on Reverb, save for a few low-ballers. One was a Boss tuner pedal I was selling for $30. A guy wanted me to take $20 and ship it to England. Pass....

BDG135 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:04 am I've sold a guitar on Ebay and put others on Reverb. I didn't have an issue on Ebay. Reverb is different because you'll get a lot of lowballs if you accept offers. There are also a lot of messages from scammers that try to get you to email them. A guitar I sold on Reverb went right back on the site a month later with the guy trying to flip it for hundreds more than he paid. Good luck to him. I don't think he's gonna get it.

I don't often BLOCK someone on eBay... but today it was required.

In short... a guy wants to buy a $350.00 Snowboard from me... and he's asking a dozen questions about the shipping ($120.00).

He asks me not 10 times, not 15 questions, not even 20 related questions... the guy will not stop.

He's literally sent about 30-40 messages, I lost track.

"Sell me the board for $250 dude"

"I see others that sold for 200 and 250"

"Shipping should be lower... cut the box to make it smaller"

"Do you wanna sell the board or not?"

And the rest... it has to be a 20-something year old punk... and a pothead too... = blocked.

If the guy actually bought it at full price, with the shipping, at this point I would def NOT ship and cancel it.

$tEvil

This was the last 4-5 messages, after he sent about 25 random, 1 line, "Hey bro... drop it to 250..." type of messages.

-----------------

New message from: p????cali420 (269-Star)
All you had to do was lower shipping costs for me and I showed you how and I would’ve bought the board for your asking price but for some reason you were negative and said no



Your previous message
No disrespect... but no thank you.
You seem to have found others, for cheaper? If so... why would you bother with mine?
I understand there are others out there, others willing to cut deals. etc..
My board is NEW (Mint), in the factory sleeve, box, and my price and shipping are set.
With respect... I won't be lowering it at this time.
Regards, RLS


p????cali420:
I’d give you 250 plus shipping


Your previous message
Hello...
Thank you for your messages.
The postage will stay as is... as I have already checked with UPS, what the cost is to ship this.
I have been burned before, by lowering it... and then the cost exceeded what I charged.
Also, I will not cut the box down... it's the factory box, that this item came in.
If you want to buy it, it's listed for Sale, this price, won't lower it... it's the lowest price available for this model on eBay.
Thanks, RLS


p????cali420:
Can you adjust shipping costs? I shipped a board to Washington state from Jersey for 85 and it was a bigger board. You can cut that box down to size a bit as it’s a bit oversized and that should help lower the cost of shipping. See what you can do and then message me back and then I’ll send over an offer

--------------------------------

No thank you... have a nice day.

Now that he's blocked... he's DEF going to be angry.

$tEvil

“A lot of people are really fuckin’ stupid!”

“Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that means almost half of all people are even stupider than that!”

Repeat these George Carlin-isms to yourself a few times daily. Your blood pressure will go down and you will have a much easier time understanding and dealing with humanity. Godspeed, Chief!

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 12:55 pm This was the last 4-5 messages, after he sent about 25 random, 1 line, "Hey bro... drop it to 250..." type of messages.

-----------------

New message from: p????cali420 (269-Star)
All you had to do was lower shipping costs for me and I showed you how and I would’ve bought the board for your asking price but for some reason you were negative and said no



Your previous message
No disrespect... but no thank you.
You seem to have found others, for cheaper? If so... why would you bother with mine?
I understand there are others out there, others willing to cut deals. etc..
My board is NEW (Mint), in the factory sleeve, box, and my price and shipping are set.
With respect... I won't be lowering it at this time.
Regards, RLS


p????cali420:
I’d give you 250 plus shipping


Your previous message
Hello...
Thank you for your messages.
The postage will stay as is... as I have already checked with UPS, what the cost is to ship this.
I have been burned before, by lowering it... and then the cost exceeded what I charged.
Also, I will not cut the box down... it's the factory box, that this item came in.
If you want to buy it, it's listed for Sale, this price, won't lower it... it's the lowest price available for this model on eBay.
Thanks, RLS


p????cali420:
Can you adjust shipping costs? I shipped a board to Washington state from Jersey for 85 and it was a bigger board. You can cut that box down to size a bit as it’s a bit oversized and that should help lower the cost of shipping. See what you can do and then message me back and then I’ll send over an offer

--------------------------------

No thank you... have a nice day.

Now that he's blocked... he's DEF going to be angry.

$tEvil

This guy still? YIKES! Some folks just cant accept an answer. Or are so full of themselves, they will never back down.

Today's incoming via eBay messages...
-----------------------------------------------
New message from: m???mike (778-Star)

Hello,

I'm contacting you RE:Tuff "What Comes Around Goes Around" Remastered 2021 RLS Records Stevie Rachelle

While I have no problem with the price of this item@ $15.. , I do have a problem with the shipping cost which should be $3.92 as that is the going rate at the Post Office for Media Mail and I have mailed many CDs. If you will change the shipping charge on this disc to that amount, I will buy it. Another option would be to lower the price by that difference and keep the shipping where it is.

Mike
------------------------------------------------

I like when people tell me what to do, lower this, change that, etc...

Here was my reply.... when he flips his lid on the next, I will share as well.

""""""""""""""""""
Hello Mike,

Thank you for your message...

My prices are set, as are the "Shipping & Handling" charges.

With respect, I won't be lowering either... and if that doesn't work for you, it's all good.

Thank you, Stevie Rachelle / Tuff / RLS Records
"""""""""""""""""""

$tEvil

Way to stand your ground! You know your worth!

I love standing up people when I am selling

MattleyCrue wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 1:26 pm Way to stand your ground! You know your worth!

I love standing up people when I am selling

Right.... he's telling me to the penny, what the shipping is, or should be, etc... silly.

In short, this guy is penny pinching and that alone drives me nuts.

Also... my view is this is a "shipping" AND "handling" charge... in other words, there is an envelope cost, tape, etc...

I have done mail-order and online sales for 35+ years, and won't cave to this kind of nonsense for a sale.

In the case of an item that is the high-hundreds, or thousands of dollars... sure... let's negotiate, but a CD, or T-shirt... nope.

$tEvil

It's like these people are haggling at a street market. Two dollars less...come on!

Some people have a psychological need to feel like they got a deal.