Doing business online means that you really don't have that much interaction with the odd or rude customers that you have to deal with in real life retail, but every once in a while you get someone that just manages to irritate you and leave you wishing that the 'contact this seller' button on etsy came with some ground rules. Rules like: please don't ask this seller to do something that you wouldn't ask the cashier at walmart to do. (or maybe they would ask the cashier at walmart because some people apparently have no shame)
Okay, today I get an email from another etsy seller who just loves my stuff but is unemployed right now so could I either give them a discount if they bought a few things or maybe trade my things for something in their shop since they are unemployed and live in Michigan where the economy is so bad right now? Well, first off, I only give discounts for large orders and am not even going to do that anymore so that I can keep my prices affordable, and secondly, I just plain old do not trade, and thirdly, how do you know that I am not unemployed and living in an area with a bad economy too? So, I politely emailed this person back saying I'm sorry, but I'm not able to give discounts or trade, but thanks for your interest in my shop. And I thought that would be the end of that inquiry.
Nope
She emails me back saying 'oh that's to-her spelling not mine-bad. But it looks like you are not hurting for sales, so why bother. And, do you make what you have in your shop?'
Seriously? Why bother giving you a discount because it looks like I am not hurting for sales? So, if I were hurting for sales I would be so desperate for one that I would give you a discount? Really?
So, I emailed her back (after typing up and deleting the angry stuff first) and said that while it may look like I am 'not hurting for sales' I've been on etsy for over 2 1/2 years and have built up my business one sale at a time. My business has dropped by about 50% the past few months in this troubling economy. I offer free shipping, reasonable prices, and free gift boxes, I'm sorry but I just can't offer discounts. And, yes, I make everything in my shop by myself in my home.
Seriously.
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5 comments:
What a butthead. People like that just make me mad!!!
Amazing what some people will say and do. I don't give discounts or trade either so I understand your feelings.
You have a big present on my blog! Stop by and pick it up!
Many Blessings
Janet
PS I've met people like that. I understand how you feel. It's uncomfortable and I find it a little offensive & insulting.
She didn't! I must admit I do bug people about trades. But try to make a point not to HARASS them if they aren't down with it.
Gah! Some people just don't know how to do math. I swear!
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