Online companies and their idea of customer care

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the more questions a customer asks the less likely they are to buy

And “I’m not a time waster.” Just give up.

I have just had a customer complain about USA custom charges! What does he expect me to do?

I always answer sensible questions - not the ones who ask the price when it is clearly there - because I believe in communication. Tends to be the bigger the company the less likely they are to communicate properly and it is getting worse.

Also car dealerships, unless you are in the running for a new car or straight forward servicing. I was promised call backs about a question, by two dealerships. Nothing, therefore local garage it is for the future

Experienced Ebay sellers know that the more questions a customer asks the less likely they are to buy.

As a buyer on ebay. I have often not bought something, without asking questions because the seller has simply not given enough information to be able to make a decision. If I ask a question, the answer will decide whether I buy or not.

As for the problems with selling on ebay, I have never really had any. Stuff sells - or ot doesn't.

Totally agree Judy perfectly reasonable questions.
I hope you have been able to find some great alternatives.

I have asked ordinary questions too Judy and had stupid (or no) reply.
Very irritating.

Hello NotAGran55 that's vey kind of you but the information is specific to the websites. For example I wanted to buy some pot pourri sizes given were small, medium and large bags without content weight so I was unsure which size would be right. Then I looked at some hand made chocolates and asked what the shelf life was and how they should be stored. Not unreasonable questions when I am spending money on gifts that I want to get right for the recipients.

What sort of information are you trying to find?
Perhaps you could get some help on here if it’s not specific to the websites but more about the items.

As someone who trades in vintage online (including Ebay) I have a different take on this.

Sometimes I swear prospective customers just want to waste their time and mine. People will ask for information that is clearly available in the description or the photographs. Some of my listings contain as many as 15 photos but they will still ask for more.

Experienced Ebay sellers know that the more questions a customer asks the less likely they are to buy. In the past I have taken the trouble to do custom photos despite being disabled. In those cases not only did the prospective customer not buy they did not even have the courtesy to reply.

Now I block people who ask too many questions.
I block people who whinge about shipping cost.
I block people who try to bargain me down even after I offered a discount.

If they are akward before they even get the product they may well turn into customers from hell once it arrives.

Don’t buy from them. If it’s information about the product, I try Googling it elsewhere. If it’s information about delivery or returns relating to the firm and they don’t reply, it’s a a sign of poor service.
Cotton Traders is the worst, when they say, any problems, just ring this number. The call can cost as much as the P&P because it isn’t free and there’s the waiting time that seems to be prevalent on all calls.

It isn't just online shops. This week it took us nearly two hours to add my mobile phone number to my credit card so that I can get those magic numbers to shop online.

However, I have dealt with 2 companies this week that were a joy to deal with. One is the energy company Octopus and the other is women's clothing company called Dancing Leopard, both responded to emails within 24 hours and were positive and resolved slightly off-piste queries quivkly and constructively.

If they can't be bothered then don't buy from them.