Anyone ever sold anything through Ffordes?

woof woof said:
It'll be a couple of weeks as my pc has a little fault on it (the microphone isn't working) and it's being collected for repair tomorrow with turnaround time being about two weeks so I wont be able to process or post any pictures until its back and set up as they're bound to wipe it.

I hate having to load everything back onto pc's and set them up again :mad:
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Been there done that Alan- I feel your pain buddy :)
 
I've sold a fair number of items on ebay, never any real issues but a few tips.
I only use Buy it Now and start with a highish price. If you get watchers you can always send an offer or if needs be drop the price latter.
Only deal with people via ebay. I have listed items for £2-3K and had a string of messages about buying for a relative, going to vist them overseas etc. They all end eventually with Western Union, just don't. You can also so look at feedback if they only created the account today, avoid, if it's an old account that has been dormant for a while, avoid (it's been hijacked). I've only had these issues on big ticket items and they are easy to spot.
Good photos and lots of them are worth the effort, if it has a serial number I like to include it in images so there is no question if someone wants to return something.
If people say "what's your best price?" I tend to ask them why they feel the asking price is unreasonable, sometimes I'll move on price especially if they have bought from me before.
Be professional. I am a private seller but some people think I am a business because I behave in a business like way. I reply to questions swiftly, I offer a 14 day return on goods over £100 (i think that is fair if someone is spending that kind of money and I have confidence I have been honest about the listing). I have comprehensive descriptions and clear indicators of any issues, none of this "sold as seen", "unable to test" BS
I leave positive feedback for buyer when I send the goods out. I feel all one can ask of a buyer is to place an order and pay proptly, I thinks it's a bit shady to withhold feedback in case they want to send it back or whatever. DO your job and you will get good feedback and no issues. Behave like a shady character with weasel words, withheld feedback, no returns etc and you will reap what you sow.
 
I suppose one thing in my mind is that an ex GF of mine was a big time ebay and other platforms seller and the stories she came out with were just staggering. She took it all in her stride and laughed it off as I suppose just all part of doing business but she also suffered no fools and gave both barrels when she thought necessary.

More lately my nephew and his partner dabbled on ebay and it was very profitable for them but they also had some stories to tell of chancers and liars.

I just want to avoid the possibility of coming across the sort of people they came across from time to time :D
 
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I've bought a few medium format lenses from Ffordes when I was working up in that area of Scotland. I found them very professional and courteous. The gent I dealt with took the time to discuss, and let me get hands on with the lenses, so I think them fondly. I wasn't dropping thousands of pounds either, the lenses were for my Mamiya, but I was treated like I was a big spender, so top marks from me.
 
I've bought a few things from Ffordes and have been generally happy with only one gripe which was the only time I had an issue. It was eventually if grudgingly resolved by them and that does eat at the back of my mind... the fact that the only time I had an issue they only grudgingly resolved it and made me feel as if they were doing me a favour. They certainly didn't go any extra mile to make me think I was getting over and above good customer service.
 
We moved house last year. Prior to that move I wanted to move on stuff that I did not use any more. I contacted a branch of LCE [I know them well], Clifton, Parkes, Mifsud and MPB. None of them wanted anything apart from one offer, quite low for an old small Olympus film camera. I remembered somebody telling me about Ffordes. I rang them. They took it all - instead of 100 I ended up with 300.- it was not quick but it was worth the wait. I am on the third round of this and heard today that an old Canon 50 f1.8 had sold. Once,. when I was a tad impatient [house moving made me do it!] I emailed to ask if they would buy the items remaining and was told that one had just gone out on approval. They could have decided not to tell me but they did. I send them some more stuff and half of that has gone. Honest, reliable and fair.
 
Thanks all. I'm on a tablet at the mo and hating it but may look to sell some stuff when I get my pc back.
 
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