Monday, October 20, 2008
On Online Transactions
I have recently taken a huge interest in online transactions, much to the dismay of my wallet. And at the time when I need moolah more than ever too! So I have finally tried my hand at auctioning some of my (numerous!) stuff. The experience really raised my blood pressure.
I do not know how Yahoo! Auction worked before it was closed down, but apparently another seller told me that Singaporean buyers are stuck in that mentality. They simply treat Ebay like a flea market! My first buyer wanted to have a price lower than my starting bid amount. At that time, I was so pleased at having someone wanting to purchase my stuff that I went all out to make the transaction a success, despite knowing that it is illegal by Ebay policy. After all, my Mum told me that the first transaction (she meant for the day, actually, but I took it further to mean that first ever transaction) should be made, otherwise you will have no business for the rest of the day.
Subsequently, another buyer asked for my handphone number and proceeded to do the same. Soon, others followed. Some wanted a better price because they were "buying more than one of my items". Others tried to get me to waive off the shipping charges. Soon, my temper frayed and I was a bit brusque in my response to some of them. I simply had to put my foot down somewhere along the line.
Some of my items happened to generate quite a lot of interest and I simply cannot bear buyers who attempted to get the best deal and not follow the procedures I set up for purchasing it. This may sound calculating, but why should I sell to someone who is attempting to use the back door route when there are people who are willing to follow the procedures and pay a higher price? Contrary to what many may think, this is not an online flea market! At least not for sellers like me. I guess bidding is not in the Singaporean mentality and I should probably either think of utilising the Buy It Now option or learn to not let them get on my nerves.
I also intend to sell internationally in the near future. This may bring with it a whole different set of challenges, but I figure out that this is probably a better way to make some money in this gloomy economy.
I do not know how Yahoo! Auction worked before it was closed down, but apparently another seller told me that Singaporean buyers are stuck in that mentality. They simply treat Ebay like a flea market! My first buyer wanted to have a price lower than my starting bid amount. At that time, I was so pleased at having someone wanting to purchase my stuff that I went all out to make the transaction a success, despite knowing that it is illegal by Ebay policy. After all, my Mum told me that the first transaction (she meant for the day, actually, but I took it further to mean that first ever transaction) should be made, otherwise you will have no business for the rest of the day.
Subsequently, another buyer asked for my handphone number and proceeded to do the same. Soon, others followed. Some wanted a better price because they were "buying more than one of my items". Others tried to get me to waive off the shipping charges. Soon, my temper frayed and I was a bit brusque in my response to some of them. I simply had to put my foot down somewhere along the line.
Some of my items happened to generate quite a lot of interest and I simply cannot bear buyers who attempted to get the best deal and not follow the procedures I set up for purchasing it. This may sound calculating, but why should I sell to someone who is attempting to use the back door route when there are people who are willing to follow the procedures and pay a higher price? Contrary to what many may think, this is not an online flea market! At least not for sellers like me. I guess bidding is not in the Singaporean mentality and I should probably either think of utilising the Buy It Now option or learn to not let them get on my nerves.
I also intend to sell internationally in the near future. This may bring with it a whole different set of challenges, but I figure out that this is probably a better way to make some money in this gloomy economy.
Labels: Ebay, Saya Affairs
Friday, October 03, 2008
Money No Enough 2
It is getting more and more difficult to update my blog, what with work and personal life clamouring for my attention. The new department is not too hectic and the crap level definitely loses out to the previous pit-hole. I basically like everyone here as well. But there is just something missing. I'm pretty sure I hope to get out of working on this limited topic by next year. But where to go? What to do? I am at a loss as to how to fulfil my destiny in this fleeting life.
Watched "Money No Enough 2" DVD on the Aidil Fitri holiday (look Singaporeans, it should technically not be called Hari Raya, because the phrase literally means "day of celebration"). I know I ought to take more pride in local productions, but it is a continuing struggle to do so. But! I found myself intensely touched by the movie, especially the portrayal of the treatment of senior citizens.
Why is it that Singaporeans find it so difficult to care for the elders who, for most part, have loved and taken pains to raise them? In Indonesia, believe it or not, a country where many aspects of its being have been reaped with nothing but criticisms, this is not a problem. Many young married couples do not mind staying with the parents or in-laws. It is a common sight to see three-generations of families thronging the malls together or having meals. Is it the non-existent social welfare in the Archipelago that prompts them to do that? My parents claim that Western values have flooded Singaporean mindset so much that individuality has taken over collectivism or socialism. Is that the core issue?
I am also often dismayed to find how contemporary parents treat their children. Sure, I believe in loving children and giving them the best we can, but to put them on the pedestal is simply wrong. Children do not need more tuitions, piano lessons etc to cope with the 21st century changes. I believe they need to be taught to love and have respect for others and learn the values of working hard and independence and responsibility for their own actions. Tall order, of course. But kudos to Jack Neo for highlighting so many social issues through the movie.
Watched "Money No Enough 2" DVD on the Aidil Fitri holiday (look Singaporeans, it should technically not be called Hari Raya, because the phrase literally means "day of celebration"). I know I ought to take more pride in local productions, but it is a continuing struggle to do so. But! I found myself intensely touched by the movie, especially the portrayal of the treatment of senior citizens.
Why is it that Singaporeans find it so difficult to care for the elders who, for most part, have loved and taken pains to raise them? In Indonesia, believe it or not, a country where many aspects of its being have been reaped with nothing but criticisms, this is not a problem. Many young married couples do not mind staying with the parents or in-laws. It is a common sight to see three-generations of families thronging the malls together or having meals. Is it the non-existent social welfare in the Archipelago that prompts them to do that? My parents claim that Western values have flooded Singaporean mindset so much that individuality has taken over collectivism or socialism. Is that the core issue?
I am also often dismayed to find how contemporary parents treat their children. Sure, I believe in loving children and giving them the best we can, but to put them on the pedestal is simply wrong. Children do not need more tuitions, piano lessons etc to cope with the 21st century changes. I believe they need to be taught to love and have respect for others and learn the values of working hard and independence and responsibility for their own actions. Tall order, of course. But kudos to Jack Neo for highlighting so many social issues through the movie.
Labels: Saya Affairs, Se-lat-por Affairs
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]