Question
I know that many e-mail programs have this feature. Do you think it is a good idea or not? Does it annoy a buyer/seller or show that you are a thorough?
I know that one of you (can’t remember who) said they always do this so now I am curious about the rest of you.
Thanks for your input ... AGAIN!
Answer
I tried it for awhile a couple of years ago, but seldom got the receipts back. I still do it if it is something real important and if I can remember to do it at the time. I also use to get a lot of emails that were sent to me that way but very few anymore.
Answer
I think it's a bad idea.
By the way, what would you do if you didn't receive a read receipt back - keep e-mailing the same person until you get one? If you do, it might be considered harassment.
If you don't receive payment on a timely basis, sending a payment reminder is the way to go.
Answer
Irene, I thought it might be beneficial for sellers but that is a good point. My understanding is that even if your e-mail offers this feature, the person on the other end might not support it ... so then you sit around wondering!
Answer
I do use it. I've had so many email problems with buyers not getting my emails, that if they do return it-I at least know they got it-and will wait a longer time to do a follow-up if I don't hear from them. If I don't get a receipt and no response or payment within 3-4 days, then I figure it isn't getting through and don't waste my time trying to email them again. I go through the ebay invoice.
My main concern is that they think I'm ignoring them. At times it has gotten so bad, that I consider giving up eoa emails and just using ebay nvoices
ymmv
Answer
As an eBay and website seller, I'd like to think I'm too busy to track when each buyer received my e-mails.
I have OE set to never return receipts. I think they aren't reliable and consistent enough to be useful.
gw4m
Answer
I set Outlook to request receipts on all emails. I rarely get any back. Many servers are set to ignore and not process them.
However, when I do get a receipt back from a buyer and haven't gotten an email, I file and keep the receipt along with all my emails. The point is that the correspondence helps document seller communication attempts, their opening of the message, and the lack of a reply documents their failure to communicate with the seller.
If a problem develops, all the emails are proof for eBay and PayPal. If the receipts aren't returned, oh well. But if some are, great. I presume sellers know to keep all emails for proof? I guess if they don't, they will learn with the first disputed charge.
Answer
If a problem develops, all the emails are proof for eBay and PayPal.
I'm curious - what kind of proof do the e-mails represent that would be of any interest to eBay or PayPal? The e-mail receipt doesn't represent proof of payment or proof of delivery an auction item.
Answer
Well,
When the buyer tells eBay and PayPal that the seller never tried to contact them, never replied to their emails, and never sent the goods...now the smart seller has some recourse. The emails and read receipts are proof of seller attempting proper contact. The seller who kept copies of their emails to the buyer and the read receipts can say to eBay and PayPal, this buyer is lying. Here is proof - these copies of my emails to the buyer. I tried repeatedly. The buyer got these emails and chose not to reply; see their read receipts? And here is my proof of delivery - the tracking number for the delivery confirmation, which when viewed online shows a package was delivered. When all those are added together, they make the rare dishonest buyer who plays games like this look exactly like what they are.
Answer
It all depends on who and why.