eBay Boiler #3 - I'm an a-hole, and so are you

So apologize damn it!

This must happen to every eBay seller, but I think what I will describe happens more to record sellers. We are in a business with a customer base that has an atypically low b.s. threshold.

Sometimes when I send a payment reminder for a purchase that has sat for many days, even a week sometimes, I get a message back that would fit in with the tropes of say . . . a North Korean press release spitting venom at the United States. I, of course, am the United States in this metaphor. I am evil . . . rude . . . stupid, according to my customer, for reminding him that he has a purchase from me that he has not paid for.

I have found after receiving this kind of message, that the following is a very effective response. This message has resulted a few times in an apology from the customer.

Feel free to adapt for your own needs:


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Hi,

I am sorry to be so aggressive. I mean't nothing personal by it. It's just that sometimes buyers seem to drop of the face of the earth, so I've found if I nudge a bit, I don't get lost in the rush of people's busy lives. Again, I do appreciate your business, and know you are a great buyer.

Thanks,

[signature]

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More on why this boiler plate works on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata.