Would you buy from someone with no feedback?

I understand that everyone has to start out somewhere and therefore that would not deter me from purchasing from someone with little or no feedback. I would however recommend to get personal references from close firends or relatives that can vouch for your reliability - that is one way I can think of on building up a "GREAT" feedback.

 

Everyone has to start somewhere!

Buying from someone with no feedback, I'd want to be sure they actually had the items- take your own photos of whatever you're selling, with a sticky note with your screenname on it or something. Link to company photos if you'd like, but make sure buyers can see you actually have it. Also give the best pictures you can- close-ups, so we can see details.

Keep the buyer informed at every step in pm's- that you've received their payment, shipping info, when you've mailed it, etcetera. Sellers who take a long time to reply to things can make buyers nervous.

I can't think of anything else at the moment! But I'm sure other members will think of things I haven't.

 

^ This stuff, right here.

We all do have to start somewhere, and I think OVERdoing it on the 'transaction security' front (verifying possession of the item, the best possible pictures, pointing out ALL details of the item -- especially any 'flaws', real or perceived -- and stellar communication) is the best way to put buyers at their ease. I know I'd feel a lot more comfortable buying from the zero-feedback seller whose thread is overly wordy because they wrote down absolutely everything than the one who says 'lol I haz this wig buy plz' and that's about it.

 

Ebay gives some protection, I could buy a small item from an ebay seller with no feedback. On DoA I wouldn't. Maybe buy a few items from others first? You would get some feedback.

 

No. Never have, never will.

If a seller is new on DoA and doesn't have (good) feedback on eBay, lj, or other forums AS A SELLER, I walk way.

ETA: What I'd recommend is building a reputation in the community by getting some buyer feedback first. And when you begin selling, start small, but I wouldn't advice starting trying to sell a limited doll for example!


Hope that helps and that it's not confusing. If it is, blame it on the fact I haven't slept more than 5 hours total in 2 days -_-

 

I have bought from a seller with virtually no feedback to provide. It caused me some anxiety since it wasn't exactly a cheap item coming from europe, and the tracking number was incorrect. The item got delayed in transit a bit, but it ended up there was no reason for me to worry. Even with feedback I am still tryingt o be careful about who I deal with and consider other factors. Like how committed and serious they seem to be about the hobby/forum/honesty.

Because even members with a lotta good feedback can suddenly be scammers too.
And some sellers that SEEM ok are actually unbalanced and/or sometimes dishonest, and they maintain mostly good feedback by being conniving/bullies. This includes an admin and a mod, and some other members, at other dolly forums. I was shocked to see one such seller have an article in the last FDQ magazine.

 

I won't buy high-ticket items (dolls, very expensive outfits, etc) from sellers without good feedback on DOA. If it's a $20-30 item that's low enough of a price for me to take a chance on a seller with no/little DOA feedback, but I'm not comfortable giving $100+ to someone without a track record. I think it's best as a seller to get some feedback selling inexpensive items before you start selling big things, so people know you're reliable.

 

I personally would not because I'm too scared.
That's why I'm so, so thankful for my first buyer (I still "waaahh~" whenever I read her posts >_<)
The first thing I sold was a doll body. I was so worried that no one would want to buy from me because not only that I didn't have any feedback on DoA, it was my first time selling something.
I would sell to people with no feedback because the worst thing that can happen is not being able to sell to that person. But buying? It's a whole different story.
I don't buy often, but whenever I buy, I look for the seller's feedback thread.

 

Well, everyone had to start from some where.

I started as a buyer, so I can get some feedback. Also at that time, I just started collecting so did not have anything to sell

By the time I was ready to sell, I have feedback as a buyer.

 

Well, that depends on who. For me, i never ever check out my buyers or sellers. i guess when i found the right item(s), i go for it. Though i must say i met some bad transactions along the way. Just be honest and try for it.
Good luck.

 

I'm pretty cautious, but I've had pretty good transactions for the most part in my doll-ing. When I started out I built up my own feedback as a buyer before offering any items as a seller to gain more experience.

 

I've had more problems with buying from people with perfect feedback and turning out to be scammers. I don't have a problem with buying from people with no feedback, but I do my research first (i.e. how long they've been a member, how active they are in the community, etc.)

 

When I first started selling on ebay, I bought first, and built up feedback that way before selling. Then, when I started selling, I sold low priced items, followed up with e-mails all along the way, thanks for your purchase, your purchase shipped, your purchase arrived (if you use priority mail you will know when it arrives), giving great customer service.

I would buy from someone with no feedback, but I would hesitate to spend ALOT with someone with no feedback. If you start with wigs or outfits, you can build up your feedback for the bigger sales!

 

Mmm I agree with what many of the people have already said.
Build your base as a buyer first. Though if you don't want to go that route you might just try selling anyways. I would hold off on selling expensive things (>100$) for the first little while. Potential buyers may be aprehensive.
One thing I did was keep the buyers informed of EVERYTHING!!!!! Every step of the way I'd inform them. Most often it was a matter of whether they wanted to know or not. :P
I'd buy from a person with no feedback but I'd want a picture of the receipt for the Post Office package, Insurance and a tracking number (the latter two I'd happily pay for).

 

As others have already said--everybody has to start out somewhere. For myself, whether or not I would buy w/o feedback would depend on what the item was. If it was a small less expensive item, then I'd probably go ahead. However, when it comes to more expensive outfits and dolls themselves, I'd be much more leery about it. Getting some feedback as a buyer first and starting off selling smaller less expensive items would be a way to start building up positive feedback.

 

For me, as a buyer I wouldn't purchase a high-ticket item like a full doll from someone with absolutely no feedback.

I have bought lower-priced items (like a wig or pair of eyes) from sellers with very little to no feedback if the sales post was clearly worded and well-presented, with owner photos of the items. But something large like a doll seems like too much of a risk for me.

I agree that getting some buyer feedback first is a great way to start building up trust. That's how I got started... the first page or so of my feedback thread is almost entirely buyer feedback for small items. Once you get some positive feedback as a buyer, people are more likely to trust you as a seller.

 

Like so many other people have said I would possibly buy something small from a seller with no feedback but I would not purchase a high ticket item, unless said seller lived somewhere near me and I could meet them someplace public to exchange money for the item in question. I have passed up things because a seller has low feedback.

I think how much I would be willing to spend on an item from someone with no feedback would be proportional to how far away the person lived from me, because even if it is erroneous, I would feel like I could travel more easily to that person's home area to file a police report should the items not arrive.

I started out first as a buyer on eBay, and soon after helped found a doll community (of OT dolls for this community) and ended up sending out many many packages for another mod as it was cheaper to just ship everything to me. I've since sold quite a bit here, on eBay, through LJ, and through my own website.

I do think as a seller with low/no feedback you might get less money than someone with higher feedback. It's true on eBay too to a certain extent.

 

As others have said, I would definitely look for good photographs and good-quality proof of ownership photos. You may want to start small, with items such as wigs or eyes, as some people might be unwilling to send large amounts of money for a doll the like to someone with an unestablished feedback record, and then work up to the larger sales.

Definitely start yourself a feedback thread if you haven't already, even if it is blank. Make sure to link to it in your profile so that those you do business with will be more likely to leave you feedback once you start your sales. I always hesitate to leave feedback if I have to go searching for someone's thread because they can't be bothered to link it in their profile. Or if I have to start one for somebody myself. If it looks like they can't be bothered, it makes me wonder how seriously they really do treat their transactions.

One thing that will also help you is establishing feedback as a buyer. Even if you haven't sold anything, buying off the marketplace will earn you feedback, as will GO participation (I hope your order gets sorted out). Even if it is only 1 or 2 purchases, you will have an established positive feedback record, and that will make people less nervous about buying from you.

 

You know what's difficult ... and kind of disheartening/confusing?

I've done exactly what several of you have suggested and completed buyer-end transactions before trying to sell anything ... and still don't have any feedback. This is even with all my transactions being successful, smooth, and pleasant under my belt with both parties entirely satisfied ... and yet I have received no feedback - not even neutral or negative, though I don't know how I would have possibly garnered that, haha. :'D

I have asked my sellers and GO leaders to leave me feedback as I have done for them ((only after not receiving any on my first couple go-arounds)) ... but nothing. :'D

Needless to say, it's been difficult to sell anything. Oh me~! :'D

 

I think that's the major problem for those who are new and have little feedback - most likely they will HAVE done small transactions but have nothing to show for it - I know I've done a few, left feedback and they haven't done the same.

Myself? I would. Like any buyer, I'd check how much information they've put in, as well as seller pictures and close up of any flaws. Even people with lots of feedback don't do this sort of thing, so it's the sales post that sells me.

However, because someone has lots of feedback buying eyes or wigs doesn't magically make them secure in selling dolls; it just informs you that they can be reliable, not that they ARE reliable.

And yep, like everyone else said, scammers can be people with lots of good feedback, not just the people with no feedback.

 

Maybe you can buy something from other Doa member frist?

And I'll suggest you sell something not too expensive at the beginning.

If the seller sell the right item for me,I'll consider to buy from a no feedback seller.Of course I won't buy a very expensive thing.

 

I have bought items (including a doll head) from people with no feedback before on DOA, and while it is risky there are certain things I look for. Firstly clear pictures and clear proof of ownership. Secondly, I pay close attention to what their communication is like and if they do things when they say they are going to do it, like posting additional pictures, getting a shipping qoute, etc. I wouldn't buy something really big from a new member though, the person I'd bought the doll head from had been a member since 2005 and had been around the forum for a long while before actually trying to sell something. I agree with what everyone said about building up your reputation by buying items from other members first to gain feedback as a buyer, then moving on to sell small things like wigs and eyes before trying to sell larger, more expensive items like dolls or doll heads

 

If they have feedback as a buyer but not a seller, yes I would.
No feedback what-so-ever, no I would not.

Basically, if they have proved they are not just a fake account made to scam people, I could trust them ^-^. Strangely, I feel safer buying from out MP then from Ebay or other places!

 

i admit i wouldnt buy a really expensive item from someone with no feedback at all,age is sometimes a factor too,i would buy little things,say under $100 from someone with no feedback,like clothes or a head,i did buy a full doll from someone who only had about 4 feedback,but i tool the risk and it was all good,
good communication is always a good thing,and yes everyone has got to start somewhere,maybe it might be useful to buy some small items first to get some feedback,then work your way up from there,

 

For me it depends on how much I should pay, if the things I want to buy are above 200 dollars, I definately won't buy from a new seller.

As far as I know, there're some new companies entering the doll markets every year, I think they may have some promotions, to make their products cheaper at first to build the reputation and attract customers, then they can raise the price a little bit higher.

 

For those that say they aren't receiving feedback for their transactions, have you tried PMing the seller with a friendly reminder afterward? When I first got started, if a seller didn't leave feedback I'd PM them with something along the lines of:

"Hi! I recently purchased ____ from you and I have left feedback on your thread. If you could do the same, it would be greatly appreciated, since I'm just getting started buying and selling on DoA. My feedback thread can be located here: *insert URL to feedback thread here*. Thank you very much!"

Most people don't mind taking a moment to leave some feedback, but sometimes it just takes a little prodding. And sometimes people can just plain forget, especially if they're selling multiple items. By including a direct link to the feedback thread, it makes it extra easy for them.