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| | | Author: | RubyGirl  | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 16:16 | | Subject: | Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 177 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
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| | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 16:27 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 43 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
Use e-mails.
BrickLink messages may not be received, and you can't make nice editing/quoting,
add pictures, etc.
Apart for NSS/NPB or such ultra important text you absolutely need to be associated
with the order. In this case I send an e-mail THEN a message, but it's rare.
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| | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 16:45 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I hear you, but I never know in advance which relationships are going to fall
apart, and it can be very surprising, for example one buyer had four orders with
me and then suddenly became unreasonable
.
I've been told that BL does not count emails, I suppose because they can
be edited
In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
Use e-mails.
BrickLink messages may not be received, and you can't make nice editing/quoting,
add pictures, etc.
Apart for NSS/NPB or such ultra important text you absolutely need to be associated
with the order. In this case I send an e-mail THEN a message, but it's rare.
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| | | | | Author: | iprice | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 16:36 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
TBH, I generally only ever reply to emails. I can't always respond via BL
Message service (eg if I'm at work, I can't access BL at all), but I
can see and respond to emails. You can also add images and attachments to emails,
which you can't to BL Messages, so there's also that benefit. It's
just far easier and convenient, for me, to use email.
I get that you would like to have a proper "paper trail" of all communications
in the event of a problem, but you can forward/copy those emails anyway if needed,
it's just that they are not attached to BL.
I wouldn't worry too much about it - the evidence is there (if they respond)
and it's required, wherever there may be.
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| | | | | Author: | zorbanj | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 16:43 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 31 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Tell the buyer that you cannot respond to messages outside of the BL system if
you are emailed directly. I knew a buyer who had auto-replies sent from his Bricklink
email saying the email box was not monitored and to please reach out through
Bricklink. He did in fact monitor the email box and would respond if needed.
My own experiences with problem transactions is that the result would have been
the same whether I communicated inside BL or directly through email.
In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
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| | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 16:53 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 31 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I do tell them, but they sometimes persist. I used to copy their email into
a BL message and reply that way, but this gives the buyer no reason to stop emailing
and it takes extra time. Now I am trying sending a message to say "thank
you for your email, how can I help?" but I think that will annoy them. Lately
I seem to be using defensive stoplisting all the time.
I had some bad feedback that was removed immediately by BL, and I think it was
because they could se the record right in front of them of what had happened.
Sebdubg a whole lot of emails as "evidence" is very time-consuming and
my income per hour spent is continually dropping anyway.
In Selling, zorbanj writes:
| | Tell the buyer that you cannot respond to messages outside of the BL system if
you are emailed directly. I knew a buyer who had auto-replies sent from his Bricklink
email saying the email box was not monitored and to please reach out through
Bricklink. He did in fact monitor the email box and would respond if needed.
My own experiences with problem transactions is that the result would have been
the same whether I communicated inside BL or directly through email.
In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
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| | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 17:00 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message. I didn't
respond to the emails at all, just the messages, but it was toxic. So far, it's
always been males, no offense intended, but someone said to me that it could
be because I am female. They suggested I pose as a male, but I said the way males
and females write is different. I didn't like being addressed as a male by
the one friendly customer who did get it wrong.
In Selling, zorbanj writes:
| | Tell the buyer that you cannot respond to messages outside of the BL system if
you are emailed directly. I knew a buyer who had auto-replies sent from his Bricklink
email saying the email box was not monitored and to please reach out through
Bricklink. He did in fact monitor the email box and would respond if needed.
My own experiences with problem transactions is that the result would have been
the same whether I communicated inside BL or directly through email.
In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | qwertyboy | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 17:10 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 31 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message.
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To keep a record of these messages, reply using the BL system and copy/paste
their message in your reply. It is not perfect, but at least that way their correspondence
gets attached to the order in question (or at least to their account).
Niek.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 17:19 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 29 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Thank you Niek, that is what I can do for now.
In Selling, qwertyboy writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message.
|
To keep a record of these messages, reply using the BL system and copy/paste
their message in your reply. It is not perfect, but at least that way their correspondence
gets attached to the order in question (or at least to their account).
Niek.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 20:28 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 28 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, qwertyboy writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message.
|
To keep a record of these messages, reply using the BL system and copy/paste
their message in your reply. It is not perfect, but at least that way their correspondence
gets attached to the order in question (or at least to their account).
Niek.
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I do this as well. It's important to have all communication attached to the
order itself.
~Jen
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Ziegelmeister | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 21:31 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, qwertyboy writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message.
|
To keep a record of these messages, reply using the BL system and copy/paste
their message in your reply. It is not perfect, but at least that way their correspondence
gets attached to the order in question (or at least to their account).
|
+1
I had an instance once where I had 10 4x6 black plates but somehow my inventory
numbers said I had 4,137. A buyer had 40 of them on their order with about 100
other lots. I reached out explaining I had no idea how the number was so far
off, if they wanted an exchange, a refund, or to wait a few days until I could
pick up more stock. I messaged every day for three days and finally just refunded
them and shipped it. But I included the (one way) conversation and highlighted
the messages and time stamps and then printed out the messages and highlighted
the "not read" part.
Never heard back from them but did surprisingly get positive feedback for "great
communication". 
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | SylvainLS | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 17:33 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message. I didn't
respond to the emails at all, just the messages, but it was toxic.
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Report him anyway. BL (says they) can’t use e-mails as proofs for transaction
problems but toxic is toxic.
| | So far, it's
always been males, no offense intended, but someone said to me that it could
be because I am female.
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Wouldn’t surprise me if it were the case. *Grumbl and redacted expletives*
| | They suggested I pose as a male, but I said the way males
and females write is different. I didn't like being addressed as a male by
the one friendly customer who did get it wrong.
|
With ‘RubyGirl’ as a username? Maybe they thought they were being ‘neutral.’
Native english speaker? Translating politeness / language levels isn’t always
easy.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 17:45 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 29 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Haha yes I forgot about the RubyGirl. He was trying to help. A few males seem
to think if you deliberately talk like a man, you will be respected and responded
to reasonably and it just is not so but you can't prove it. I think racism
works the same way.
Thank you for the moral support there
In Selling, SylvainLS writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message. I didn't
respond to the emails at all, just the messages, but it was toxic.
|
Report him anyway. BL (says they) can’t use e-mails as proofs for transaction
problems but toxic is toxic.
| | So far, it's
always been males, no offense intended, but someone said to me that it could
be because I am female.
|
Wouldn’t surprise me if it were the case. *Grumbl and redacted expletives*
| | They suggested I pose as a male, but I said the way males
and females write is different. I didn't like being addressed as a male by
the one friendly customer who did get it wrong.
|
With ‘RubyGirl’ as a username? Maybe they thought they were being ‘neutral.’
Native english speaker? Translating politeness / language levels isn’t always
easy.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 19:09 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message. I didn't
respond to the emails at all, just the messages, but it was toxic. So far, it's
always been males, no offense intended, but someone said to me that it could
be because I am female.
|
I confirm it could be the case 
It may be difficult to write as a woman and make sure you're respected by
men.
I'd say be polite, very pro, business oriented - a bit strict(er) maybe,
like "I'm fine keeping my distances" 
Bon courage !
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 20:13 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 31 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Thank you, I agree with what you have said here and am changing my ways now.
I thought I was being quite strict and distant but I see I was still too friendly
I think I had better treatment while my gender was more ambiguous.
In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | PS Thank you for the autoreply idea.
I had one buyer, I told him about the BL message thing, so he started abusing
me by email, and appearing "reasonable" by BL message. I didn't
respond to the emails at all, just the messages, but it was toxic. So far, it's
always been males, no offense intended, but someone said to me that it could
be because I am female.
|
I confirm it could be the case
It may be difficult to write as a woman and make sure you're respected by
men.
I'd say be polite, very pro, business oriented - a bit strict(er) maybe,
like "I'm fine keeping my distances"
Bon courage !
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| | | | | Author: | wildchicken13 | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 20:30 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
If you have a strong preference for communicating by BrickLink message, then
you may want to put that in your store terms and conditions somewhere. For example:
Please do not email me. If you need to contact me, please use the BrickLink
message system.
It may not prevent buyers from trying to reach you by email, but at least it
gives you a valid reason to ignore emails and only respond to BrickLink messages.
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| | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 20:31 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 31 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Thank you so much, I like this advice.
In Selling, wildchicken13 writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
If you have a strong preference for communicating by BrickLink message, then
you may want to put that in your store terms and conditions somewhere. For example:
Please do not email me. If you need to contact me, please use the BrickLink
message system.
It may not prevent buyers from trying to reach you by email, but at least it
gives you a valid reason to ignore emails and only respond to BrickLink messages.
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| | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 20:55 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, wildchicken13 writes:
| | Please do not email me. If you need to contact me, please use the BrickLink
message system.
|
I don't like this idea, as:
* 99% of Buyers don't read anything, especially Terms - or Banner, or whatever
(I've discounts written anywhere, but sill people ask me "do you have
discounts?" )
* you may need to use e-mail like for receiving pics (ex: damaged part) or send
them, and using wetransfer, Imgur or such is a pain.
RubyGirl could also use a "disposable" e-mail, like ry1445@whatever.com,
and if it becomes really toxic, simply open a new ry2689@whatever.com (and put
the old one in auto-reply or destroy it - after having transfered emails maybe),
etc
In any case, in case of any personal pressure DO report the member to BrickLink,
at least!
Provide PDF's of e-mails for example.
You never know, they may already been reported, so if you're a couple or
more it'll have a huge weight IMO.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 21:41 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I know buyers don't read terms or anything else, but I think the idea of
having it in there is still valid because if there is a dispute, the buyer cannot
force you to go against the terms you have written. It doesn't matter that
they have not read them.
I agree that you can't change much in advance.
In 9 years I have actually needed to use email for a buyer not one time.
I don't need to report that particular buyer because he slipped up and gave
me abusive feedback which has now been deleted, so they know all they need to
know already.
Thanks again for the support
In Selling, 1001bricks writes:
| | In Selling, wildchicken13 writes:
| | Please do not email me. If you need to contact me, please use the BrickLink
message system.
|
I don't like this idea, as:
* 99% of Buyers don't read anything, especially Terms - or Banner, or whatever
(I've discounts written anywhere, but sill people ask me "do you have
discounts?" )
* you may need to use e-mail like for receiving pics (ex: damaged part) or send
them, and using wetransfer, Imgur or such is a pain.
RubyGirl could also use a "disposable" e-mail, like ry1445@whatever.com,
and if it becomes really toxic, simply open a new ry2689@whatever.com (and put
the old one in auto-reply or destroy it - after having transfered emails maybe),
etc
In any case, in case of any personal pressure DO report the member to BrickLink,
at least!
Provide PDF's of e-mails for example.
You never know, they may already been reported, so if you're a couple or
more it'll have a huge weight IMO.
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| | | | | Author: | Ziegelmeister | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 21:07 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
I thought it was just me... This past week barely anyone has been "reading"
their messages in BL. I don't know if they're getting a copy to their
email either. The bottom one was finally read today.
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| | | | | | | Author: | RubyGirl | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2024 21:43 | | Subject: | Re: Using BL messages when buyers won't | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| That is alarming. I went a week or two without getting order emails but it cleared
up as the others promised it would.
In Selling, Ziegelmeister writes:
| | In Selling, RubyGirl writes:
| | Hi I have had a few problems lately with buyers and have finally seen the sense
of using BL messages for all communications so there is a readable record, but
cannot get my buyers to cooperate or, seemingly, withhold my email address. How
does everyone handle this?
|
I thought it was just me... This past week barely anyone has been "reading"
their messages in BL. I don't know if they're getting a copy to their
email either. The bottom one was finally read today.
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New Zealand, Wellington
France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
United Kingdom, England
USA, New Jersey
Canada, Alberta
