If it sounds
too good to be true…
So there it is: the deal you have been waiting for. You always knew
that this web-shop would take off like a rocket eventually!
OK. Breathe. Breathe again.
You got a big order in?
Ask yourself these questions when you receive a big order:
| Question |
yes
|
no
|
| Do
I know this customer? Is he/she a returning customer? |
30
|
-10
|
| Did
the customer contact you before placing this order? |
5
|
-10
|
| Did
the customer ask for a discount / wholesale prices before ordering? |
10
|
-10
|
| Did
the customer submit a shipping address right away? |
5
|
-10
|
| Does
the customer have and email address at a free service (e.g. hotmail,
yahoo…) |
-10
|
10
|
| Is
the email / order written in good business English? |
5
|
-5
|
| Does
the email make a reference to his/her web page? |
10
|
-5
|
| Did
the customer ask, how much the shipping of the goods is? |
10
|
-20
|
| Did
the customer offer any other payment methods besides Credit Card? |
10
|
-10
|
| Did
the customer submit his credit card details in the 1st email? |
-20
|
5
|
| Did
the customer suggest to use a well known Escrow Service? |
30
|
0
|
| Did
the customer suggest to use an unknown Escrow Service? |
-30
|
0
|
| Is
this order an "urgent order"? (Did the customer use
terms like "please reply ASAP", "urgent"…)
Or did the customer ask for overnight shipment? |
-20
|
5
|
| Does
the customer have any references? (E.g. Ebay feedback, Paypal
number of Verified Buyers) CAUTION: see reference-lookup!!! |
15
|
-5
|
Add
or subtract the points and check below!
Scores:
Score more than
10 points:
Most likely OK, which should not lead you to believe, that a big deal
is ever risk free. The only real save deal is, if you got the cash
in your hand, and the customer has his goods. It is always good to
be careful on the way there.
Score between
1 and 10 points:
Take some extra caution here. This could be, but does not have to
be a bad deal. Talk to your customer and ask, if different payment
methods would be possible. Suggest an advance payment or an Escrow
service of YOUR choice.
Score less than
or equal to 0:
This stinks! Personally I would only deliver to this customer, if
I had the CASH in my hand and the bills checked by my bank.