So what are these entities? Why do they exist to torment us?
My name is Meg, one of the operators of Beauty Box and I am here to share our experience with Bogus Buyers.
I actually went as far as researching this behavior to try to understand how they come about. And I found out that it is a psychological condition called "Impulse Buying Tendency". Here's the passage that explains the behavior of a person with an 'Impulse Buying Tendency" an article by Dr. Ian Zimmerman from www.psychologytoday.com:
"Some people possess a personality trait called an impulse buying tendency, which as you may have guessed means they have a habit of making impulsive purchases. That might sound innocent, but there are a number of behaviors that go along with this trait that reflect its detrimental influence. First, impulse buyers are more social, status-conscious, and image-concerned. The impulse buyer may therefore buy as a way to look good in the eyes of others. Second, impulse buyers tend to experience more anxiety and difficulty controlling their emotions, which may make it harder to resist emotional urges to impulsively spend money. Third, impulse buyers tend to experience lesshappiness, and so may buy as a way to improve their mood. Last, impulse buyers are less likely to consider the consequences of their spending; they just want to have it." - Ian Zimmerman, Ph.D.
But it doesn't end there. It still doesn't explain how a person actually becomes a Bogus Buyer. You see, it's quite all right for a person to have 'impulse buying tendencies', IF he or she ACTUALLY PAYS FOR THE PURCHASE(s).
But NO! A Bogus Buyer doesn't. He or she may want to, but doesn't, all for the simple fact that they don't have the money to pay for it.
So a person with an 'impulse buying tendency' and is 'broke' makes a Bogus Buyer period!
Now I know I sound a bit mad... I kind of am actually. The prevalence of the Bogus Buyer specie is starting to get to me!
About a month ago, we had a customer named Yvonne. She ordered 3 sets of brushes that amounted to almost 4000 Php. She said that she will pick it up 3 days after our conversation. She seemed ok to talk to (most of them are!). She sounded so sure as well so despite our rule, 'no reservations, first come first serve basis', I reserved the items for her. Foolish me! 3 days later she just stopped replying to our text messages.
We also had another customer named Emma. She asked about a certain bronzer and even went as far as haggling over it. AND! Stupid me, I agreed to negotiate and we ended up pricing it at 230 instead of 260. She also ordered other items and said that she will pay for it on the following Monday, about 2 days after the conversation. Monday came and Emma just vanished! lol.
Now these women aren't the worst of the Bogus Buyers we encountered. Meet Gaile! Gaile was quite an interested buyer, she conversed with us for 5 consecutive days. She had so many questions and so many requests, she even wanted to be freinds with me on facebook! And I fell into her elaborate 'bogus trap' and did as she requested. In the end her bill totalled to 1,260... I know just 1,260! ...But why am I fuming mad? After all that I did for her, being nice to her and all, being patient with her! She ended up not paying for the measly amount of 1,260!!! Here's the screenshot of the conversation. Note that we blurred the name and picture. Public shaming is just not our thing. If I lose you somewhere... I'll understand, it was a long or rather draaaaaaggging conversation. lol
Because of Gaile, Emma, Yvonne, and all the others we have created the BOGUS BUYER GUIDELINES in Beauty Box.
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Definition:
1. An individual who sends a text / private message to order an item, schedule a pickup date, but DOES NOT SHOW UP on the agreed schedule without prior notice.
2. An individual who does not show up on agreed pickup schedule (without prior notice) and subsequently IGNORES FOLLOW UP TEXTS / MESSAGES
3. An individual who sends a text message / private message to order an item, but DOES NOT SEND THE PAYMENT on **agreed date.
**When items are ordered, it is expected that the payment is sent as soon as the availability is confirmed. If not, a payment date should be set and agreed upon by the buyer and seller.
4. An individual who floods the inbox with so many questions and multiple orders but when payment / pickup date comes --is nowhere to be found!
HOW NOT TO BE A BOGUS BUYER
Seeing the items in your newsfeed is incredibly tempting! And more so, when the items are sold at super low prices. SO.. before you even think of sending a text / PM to order, make sure that you're buying the items out of your EXTRA cash! If you buy the items out of the only money you have, chances are, you'll be cancelling your order when an emergency need comes up.
IT HELPS IF YOU LET US KNOW
IF YOU WANT TO CANCEL, let us know right away. If the items are on hand, we will not have any problems, but if items are pre-ordered --then it's another story! BUT, please STILL let us know if you cannot pay for it.
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Some may think I'm being too affective, when this is all just business. But I'd like everyone to know this -- if you have invested your time, effort and money over it, it makes it a bit personal.
Let's face it, the world would be a much better place if Bogus Buyers didn't exist!
Have you encountered Bogus Buyers before? How did you remedy the situation? Share it with us, we'd love to hear it.
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