What can we do about unserious buyers?
Post 1 of 18
It is known that we can report the fraud sellers or buyers to Alibaba but what can we do concerning the unserious buyers and how can we judge whether the buyer or the seller serious or not serious? and suppose that a buyer didnot buy after long negotiations for unknown reasons ,is there a reaction against him or her?
09 Jun 2007 15:34
Post 2 of 18
The most important thing is to note firstly is that what could be the reason for a buyer to be not serious. We should try to evaluate ourselves first. Does our offering meet the buyers requirements. Are all the requirements of the buyers included in our offer. Did you respond in time or was it to late.
Buyers are always buyers. They can ask for quotes and it has to be responded in time and thinking it could generated into a business.
This is competitive and serious business. People who do not take it seriously may come across such difficulties.
Buyers are always buyers. They can ask for quotes and it has to be responded in time and thinking it could generated into a business.
This is competitive and serious business. People who do not take it seriously may come across such difficulties.
11 Jun 2007 11:53
Post 3 of 18
Replying to [darkfox133]:
Common interest is one of the bases for serious cooperation. In most cases, all of us are willing to do business with the partners that we trust. If there is no trust, there is no long term cooperation. Leave the unserious buyers or sellers alone because we have something more important to do.
Common interest is one of the bases for serious cooperation. In most cases, all of us are willing to do business with the partners that we trust. If there is no trust, there is no long term cooperation. Leave the unserious buyers or sellers alone because we have something more important to do.
11 Jun 2007 19:11
Post 4 of 18
Replying to [darkfox133]:
I won't waste my time replying to the first part of your question. In regards to 'unserious buyers' for most people they would not be able to tell if the buyer was serious or not.
The first step to ascertaining any buyers intentions is through open, honest dialogue. "Mr./Mrs. Buyer, what is your time frame for making your buying decision? How many companies will you be talking with? How/What/When will you inform us of your buying decision? Will you need a sample(s) of our product? What is the weight of your buying decision? Have you ever bought this 'widget' before, and if you have, from what supplier(s)? Why are you looking to buy now? Can you provide me your full company details so I can perform due diligence?
That is just a small sample of questions and approaches you can take when dealing with prospective buyers. Most buyers contact you because they want to do business with you. It's been my experience that most (especially) trading companies lose the potential business due to:
1. Poor communication skills - Doesn't get back to prospective buyer in a timely manner with the information they requested.
2. Poor product knowledge - Sales reps don't know the product well enough to sell it to the prospective buyer who knows and understands the product and market.
3. Over promise and under delivers - They sell the sizzle and not the steak, and when the steak is ordered it has no sizzle, or doesn't come at all.
4. Thinks every inquiry is a sale - If the business were that easy, most people wouldn't be in it. Most sales reps don't understand that this is by nature a very competive industry. Most don't want to compete and think your inquiry is an entitlement to sale.
When having any or all of the 4 traits above you would think that you're dealing with unserious buyers when the reality is it's probably your business practice and/or process that needs improving to be globally competitve.
regards,
James
WDC Intl Inc
I won't waste my time replying to the first part of your question. In regards to 'unserious buyers' for most people they would not be able to tell if the buyer was serious or not.
The first step to ascertaining any buyers intentions is through open, honest dialogue. "Mr./Mrs. Buyer, what is your time frame for making your buying decision? How many companies will you be talking with? How/What/When will you inform us of your buying decision? Will you need a sample(s) of our product? What is the weight of your buying decision? Have you ever bought this 'widget' before, and if you have, from what supplier(s)? Why are you looking to buy now? Can you provide me your full company details so I can perform due diligence?
That is just a small sample of questions and approaches you can take when dealing with prospective buyers. Most buyers contact you because they want to do business with you. It's been my experience that most (especially) trading companies lose the potential business due to:
1. Poor communication skills - Doesn't get back to prospective buyer in a timely manner with the information they requested.
2. Poor product knowledge - Sales reps don't know the product well enough to sell it to the prospective buyer who knows and understands the product and market.
3. Over promise and under delivers - They sell the sizzle and not the steak, and when the steak is ordered it has no sizzle, or doesn't come at all.
4. Thinks every inquiry is a sale - If the business were that easy, most people wouldn't be in it. Most sales reps don't understand that this is by nature a very competive industry. Most don't want to compete and think your inquiry is an entitlement to sale.
When having any or all of the 4 traits above you would think that you're dealing with unserious buyers when the reality is it's probably your business practice and/or process that needs improving to be globally competitve.
regards,
James
WDC Intl Inc
12 Jun 2007 01:20
Post 5 of 18
Replying to [Obiwill]:
There is something important for sales repsentatives too,it is to love their job and I think alot of businessmen lose sometimes good business because of lack of some information .The reason for my topic is that there was a buyer who asked for a free sample but I didnot agree to send him a free sample.I can send a free sample when I see any evidence of seriousness.when for example u offer to pay for shipping and I pay for the sample at least .
There is something important for sales repsentatives too,it is to love their job and I think alot of businessmen lose sometimes good business because of lack of some information .The reason for my topic is that there was a buyer who asked for a free sample but I didnot agree to send him a free sample.I can send a free sample when I see any evidence of seriousness.when for example u offer to pay for shipping and I pay for the sample at least .
12 Jun 2007 02:09
Post 6 of 18
Replying to [darkfox133]:
Sending samples and figuring out whether a buyer is serious or not is two differerent things. There's a good possibility if they are not willing to at least pay for the sample shipping, they are not a serious buyer. It all has to be taken once case at a time.
regards,
James
WDC Intl Inc
Sending samples and figuring out whether a buyer is serious or not is two differerent things. There's a good possibility if they are not willing to at least pay for the sample shipping, they are not a serious buyer. It all has to be taken once case at a time.
regards,
James
WDC Intl Inc
12 Jun 2007 04:33
Post 7 of 18
Unfortunately the Asian community will have to understand that US and European buyers DONT deal with Western Unions and Moneygram and will only deal with SERIOUS method of payments such as LC
Being a Goldmember is not ma proof whatsoever
Being a Goldmember is not ma proof whatsoever
12 Jun 2007 16:29
Post 8 of 18
Replying to [ALVIN]:You should take note that using paypal on chinese company will give you a chance to be the one who will scam them, Do you know that using paypal you can cancel the payment once the shipment is delivered, Paypal wont even contact the seller before confirming buyers action. Thats why it is NIGERIAN VS. CHINA. Because Nigerian take advantage of Chinese Company that accept Paypal. or sometimes Escrow.
13 Jun 2007 00:37
Post 9 of 18
Replying to [darkfox133]: I THINK ALIBABA ADMIN SHOULD QUALIFY THE BUYING LEADS PECIALLY COMMING FROM EAST AFRICA LIKE NIGERIA, KENYA, ETC. AS THEY ARE FRADULANT.
18 Jun 2007 22:02
Post 10 of 18
Replying to [darkfox133]:Hi this is a very serious question posed by you to the alibaba community. There are loads and loads of unserious people wasting time of serious businessmen. i suggest Alibaba should have a kind of forum where such people should be highlighted and ultimately blacklisted from trading thru Alibaba. There can be some kind of procedure to report such people. Its a very serious problem. These guys ultimately make this beautifull medium a place to be scared off. i am sure we all can come up with constructive ideas to discourage such unserious people.
Renu
Renu
19 Jun 2007 08:31
Post 11 of 18
Replying to [darkfox133]: accept a more secure method of payment such as mastercard or visa even if you have to charge an extra 5% your sales will increase. Many buyers really want to buy but the payment method turns them away!
20 Jun 2007 19:08