What's the big secret?

I've pretty much gotten used to the anonymous one-liner responses to ads:
"How much is shipping to XXXXX?"
"I'll take it for $YYY shipped"

Then there are the ones that go for continued dialogue, following up with requests for pictures, shipping questions, husbandry questions, weird offers, and even telling me in advance the multiple background reasons why they aren't going to buy...all without a name, or, at best, only first name.

But WTF is with people refusing to give even their name when they are trying to sell or trade? Or responding as if they are truly offended when somebody asks for contact info (name, address, phone)? Do people really send out large sums of money to nameless sellers, to a set of initials, or unverified paypal accounts?

Makes you want to run as fast as you can the other way, dont it. And that is exactly what you should do if someone is hem hawing around about giving you that information.

Honestly, have you ever ran across an honest seller that was not more than willing to give you that information? That more times than not, that honest seller gave you that information without you even asking for it?

Exactly.
Now, for the most part, if a seller responds to me without a name, things go no further - I don't even bother asking. If there is at least a first name, I will usually ask once.
I'm getting close to the point of not responding to customer inquiries that don't include a name right up front...but I'm not quite there yet.

*and who doesn't like typing out a lengthy response to an inquiry, responding fully to each of the questions, only to have it bounce back as undeliverable.

My initial correspondence with anyone when it is business related, be it as a buyer inquiring about something or a seller responding to inquiries, always ends with me typing:

Thanks,

Sammy Gregg
info@sammygreggreptiles.com
317-908-7595

I honestly dont understand not providing that information right up front.

I do the same, Sammy - minus the phone number, because I leave my phone turned off 98% of the time (its a schedule & sleep thing, mostly). If a customer wants to talk on the phone, and some people prefer to do that at least once, I'm more than willing to call them.

In my experience--people are generally bad communicators. I don't even think most of them realize that they aren't signing their names. It is frustrating--its like talking to the computer!

It not just some of the sellers...but it's even worse with the consumers.
I will get email inquiries about animals and not have a clue who is sending them, and I have had people get rude because I asked who they are
before I answer their questions.

I have got to the point, that if some is going to take the time to write/send me a email and not take the time to at least sign their name....I will usually, not respond.

It's like calling someones house.... getting the answering machine and then not leaving a message. If you take the time to call ....take the time to leave a message.

It's not real hard to have your signature automatically placed on each of your out going emails.
I have learned NOT to put my Phone Number on my website, as some people have no respect and have called as late 10:00 - 11:00 at night.

Originally Posted by hhmoore

*and who doesn't like typing out a lengthy response to an inquiry, responding fully to each of the questions, only to have it bounce back as undeliverable.

You should see the number of bouncebacks I get from emails of that nature. Whenever I see one, I invariably think "well there's another genius trying to sell animals and can't figure out how helpful it might be to have a valid email address for people to contact them or get a notice that someone replied to their ad..."

If I had the time, I would simply lock out everyone who causes a bounceback email because of an invalid email address. Seems like a bunch of people will use hotmail or yahoo simply to register, and then just allow the email address to expire. Some are just forgetful, but some could be intentionally bogus with ill intent as well. If someone doesn't have valid contact info readily offered then NO WAY I would send them any of my money.

Yeah, I COULD require full contact info in ads placed in the classifieds, but then someone would have to enforce that rule. Ain't going to be me. I've got enough to do.....

Originally Posted by hhmoore

I've pretty much gotten used to the anonymous one-liner responses to ads:
"How much is shipping to XXXXX?"
"I'll take it for $YYY shipped"

Then there are the ones that go for continued dialogue, following up with requests for pictures, shipping questions, husbandry questions, weird offers, and even telling me in advance the multiple background reasons why they aren't going to buy...all without a name, or, at best, only first name.

But WTF is with people refusing to give even their name when they are trying to sell or trade? Or responding as if they are truly offended when somebody asks for contact info (name, address, phone)? Do people really send out large sums of money to nameless sellers, to a set of initials, or unverified paypal accounts?

This has always been an internet pet peeve of mine. Do people who propose a business deal really expect you to take them seriously, if they won't even tell you who they are? Come on, you ain't gotta be Einstein to figger that one out.

The fact that they act like you owe it to them is what trips my trigger.

Originally Posted by Bill Stonegate

The fact that they act like you owe it to them is what trips my trigger.