Selling tech without becoming the tech-support guy?
May 5, 2013 2:18 PM Subscribe
I sell and buy stuff like clothing or household goods on eBay without any problems, but whenever I try to sell computer-related gear I end up having a miserable time of it. Numerous apparently tech-illiterate shoppers and browsers message me repeatedly with basic tech-support questions that could be answered with a quick web search, and sometimes they then buy an item only to kick up a huge fuss and demand to return it, with me paying shipping both ways, when it doesn't work as they expect or isn't "compatible" with their setup (often seemingly due to buyer incompetence). Are there seller strategies for ameliorating this problem?
I've read a lot of very useful past AskMes about eBay selling, and especially got a lot out of this one, but I'd like to know more about the computer and technology-specific side, because I keep finding it a much bigger, more frustrating, and more expensive hassle to sell tech than anything else.
And just to pre-empt the obvious: sure, maybe "don't sell that kind of stuff on eBay" is the right answer. And for high-demand things like computers and iPads that's certainly been my hassle-minimizing approach recently. But then what do you do with a random scanner or USB peripheral or whatever that won't necessarily find a local buyer on Craigslist? How do you suggest either looking for an alternative place to sell, or minimizing the hassle and financial risks of selling those things on eBay?
I've read a lot of very useful past AskMes about eBay selling, and especially got a lot out of this one, but I'd like to know more about the computer and technology-specific side, because I keep finding it a much bigger, more frustrating, and more expensive hassle to sell tech than anything else.
And just to pre-empt the obvious: sure, maybe "don't sell that kind of stuff on eBay" is the right answer. And for high-demand things like computers and iPads that's certainly been my hassle-minimizing approach recently. But then what do you do with a random scanner or USB peripheral or whatever that won't necessarily find a local buyer on Craigslist? How do you suggest either looking for an alternative place to sell, or minimizing the hassle and financial risks of selling those things on eBay?
Best answer: When selling stuff, mark it as-is. You may get less for the item, but at least you specified the purchase parameter up-front.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:12 PM on May 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:12 PM on May 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Sounds like a better disclaimer in the listing could cut down on the after-sale tech support requests and returns; something along the lines of, "Item has been tested as good, is sold as-is and comes with no post-sale technical support. Buyer is responsible for researching item's compatibility with their hardware and a post-sale discovery of incompatibility is not grounds for return." You may also want to look at some of the other large computer part sellers on Ebay and see what kind of disclaimer they use, as it's unlikely you're the first to have this problem.
Personally I only sell expensive computer gear on ebay (ie. large gigabit switches, servers, etc) where the buyers are more likely to know exactly what they're getting and less likely to leave negative feedback if they screwed up and bought the wrong thing. The little stuff (RAM, video cards, mice, etc) just goes on craigslist or eventually to the local thrift shop if it doesn't sell in a month or so, as beyond that it really isn't worth my time for the potential $10-15 in profit.
posted by bizwank at 3:24 PM on May 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Personally I only sell expensive computer gear on ebay (ie. large gigabit switches, servers, etc) where the buyers are more likely to know exactly what they're getting and less likely to leave negative feedback if they screwed up and bought the wrong thing. The little stuff (RAM, video cards, mice, etc) just goes on craigslist or eventually to the local thrift shop if it doesn't sell in a month or so, as beyond that it really isn't worth my time for the potential $10-15 in profit.
posted by bizwank at 3:24 PM on May 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best answer: In your listing:
"I am selling my late relative's [item for auction]. I know nothing about how it works. This is an "as is" and "no returns accepted" listing.
posted by imjustsaying at 5:43 PM on May 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
"I am selling my late relative's [item for auction]. I know nothing about how it works. This is an "as is" and "no returns accepted" listing.
posted by imjustsaying at 5:43 PM on May 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Well, if I (a tech-savvy buyer) read this:
"I am selling my late relative's [item for auction]. I know nothing about how it works. This is an "as is" and "no returns accepted" listing.
I would not buy it for fear that it doesn't work. bizwank's answer, on the other hand, would not scare me off.
posted by vegartanipla at 3:39 PM on May 6, 2013
"I am selling my late relative's [item for auction]. I know nothing about how it works. This is an "as is" and "no returns accepted" listing.
I would not buy it for fear that it doesn't work. bizwank's answer, on the other hand, would not scare me off.
posted by vegartanipla at 3:39 PM on May 6, 2013
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Freecycle or recycle.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:22 PM on May 5, 2013