Personal Contacts
Some sellers try to have as little contact as possible with buyers, before, during, and after an auction. In their view, their listing, photographs, and posted sales policy should be sufficient to answer almost any questions. The better sellers, however, welcome and respond to e-mail inquiries about their merchandise. Some of them also welcome telephone calls when there are questions about listings, shipping methods, payment methods, or returns.
Things can get a bit more complicated if you start meeting a few buyers in person. Some of them may start pumping you for information on your next auctions. They may ask to see your stockpiled merchandise and try to buy some of your items on the spot. If you become friends with some of your buyers, you may be tempted to make them some “special deals” that will end up costing you money and leave other bidders out in the cold.
If you don't want buyers coming to your house or storage and shipping site, don't list auction items that are too big to ship. If you sell items that must be picked up, have at least one friend, relative, or employee present with you, for safety, at the site.
Keep relatives away from your treasures, too. Otherwise, they may ask you to give them certain items, or they may want to buy the items at “cost.” You don't want to risk stirring up a big family feud over a Brazilian butterfly tray. One possible compromise: If they see something in your listings that they really want, encourage them to bid on it, and if they win, you can save them the shipping costs by delivering it personally.
