Just a gentle reminder that the vast, vast majority of buyers have good intentions
and are acting in good faith. They may have no knowledge of buying etiquette.
They may make mistakes because they have very little knowledge of Lego parts.
They may sometimes act aggressively or rudely when they're confused, upset,
or impatient. But communicating in a polite, patient, and generous way makes
a world of difference.
A few days ago, a buyer left me neutral feedback for sending "fake Lego parts."
They had bought a few 3068a Light Gray Tile 2x2 without Groove when -- as
best as I can figure from our communication -- they meant to order a few
3068b Light Bluish Gray Tile 2x2 with Groove. They had also ordered another Light
Bluish Gray part. Between the different shades of gray, the lack of a groove,
and the lack of the Lego logo on the underside of the part (since these were
1960s/1970s parts, though fully verified), they assumed the tiles were fake.
I reached out and calmly explained why the vintage pieces were genuine and where
the confusion might be, and offered to send replacements for free. They understood,
but there was more confusion -- they complained about other parts they'd
actually ordered from a different seller and didn't remove the feedback.
It took a few more messages to clear things up, and I remained patient and polite.
An hour ago they finally removed the feedback, and we ended our communication
respectfully with mutual thanks.
This type of thing has happened maybe 9 or 10 times over the 2 years I've
been running my parts store. (For example, one buyer left a negative and called
me a scammer because they accidentally ordered an empty box instead of the set
they wanted. Another accidentally sent the order to an old address. Another dropped
a part on the ground when they were unpacking the order.) But if I'd responded
antagonistically or impatiently, or if I hadn't messaged them to clear things
up, I'd still have multiple unfair neutrals and negatives. Instead, I treated
them with respect every step of the way, so we left things on great terms.
As a buyer, I've stoplisted at least a dozen sellers over the years because
their response to being politely messaged about an error was to respond antagonistically
and unapologetically, and at least another dozen because they never responded
at all. Don't be like them. Just a gentle reminder to be polite, patient,
generous, and kind, even when you're being aggressively confronted and you
didn't do anything wrong.
I like what you said and I get what you are saying but they are still rude even
when you are being nice. I noticed most buyers don't say thank you anymore
in messages and too busy to even leave feedback or mark as completed. Doesn't
make bricklink very enjoyable either as a seller. And these are just basically
kids toys which is not that important in life.
I like what you said and I get what you are saying but they are still rude even
when you are being nice. I noticed most buyers don't say thank you anymore
in messages and too busy to even leave feedback or mark as completed. Doesn't
make bricklink very enjoyable either as a seller. And these are just basically
kids toys which is not that important in life.
you should try moving to Canada its not a rare thing for buyers to leave
a thankyou message when placing the order
I like what you said and I get what you are saying but they are still rude even
when you are being nice. I noticed most buyers don't say thank you anymore
in messages and too busy to even leave feedback or mark as completed. Doesn't
make bricklink very enjoyable either as a seller. And these are just basically
kids toys which is not that important in life.
you should try moving to Canada its not a rare thing for buyers to leave
a thankyou message when placing the order
Canadians are freakishly nice…. Like, all of them…. 😳
I like what you said and I get what you are saying but they are still rude even
when you are being nice. I noticed most buyers don't say thank you anymore
in messages and too busy to even leave feedback or mark as completed. Doesn't
make bricklink very enjoyable either as a seller. And these are just basically
kids toys which is not that important in life.
you should try moving to Canada its not a rare thing for buyers to leave
a thankyou message when placing the order
Canadians are freakishly nice…. Like, all of them…. 😳
I like what you said and I get what you are saying but they are still rude even
when you are being nice. I noticed most buyers don't say thank you anymore
in messages and too busy to even leave feedback or mark as completed. Doesn't
make bricklink very enjoyable either as a seller. And these are just basically
kids toys which is not that important in life.
I understand that it feels unfair, but I've never regretted responding to
rudeness with politeness and generosity, in real life or or on the internet.
(Though I've often regretted the times I haven't.) And in the majority
of circumstances, the other party has changed their tune or apologized because
of how I responded.
Many things that people get upset or antagonistic about aren't that important
in life. I know. My wife came very, very close to dying in January. That was
important. But a gentle reminder that you don't get to decide what's
important to others, regardless of how silly it seems to you. Being polite and
validating others' feelings is very, very rarely the wrong decision.
As a buyer, I've stoplisted at least a dozen sellers over the years because
their response to being politely messaged about an error was to respond antagonistically
and unapologetically,
yah its always annoying when that happens. I've had it happen a few times
in a row in the past and it put me off from buying much for several months since
i didn't want to deal with any sellers like that again. to this day i avoid
going to their stores at all costs even if they are the only seller who has what
i need at that time.
USA, Colorado
Canada, Ontario
