Dear Resellers: Your Customers Aren’t the Enemy
Let me say something that might ruffle a few feathers…
As a reseller, I spend way more time talking to other resellers than I do actual buyers.
Why?
Because it’s easy.
It’s educational.
It’s a built-in support group.
And let’s be honest… sometimes it’s just a really convenient place to vent.
But here’s the problem 👇
There’s no such thing as an “ecommerce buyers group.”
Because… everyone is a buyer.
This isn’t some niche anymore. This is commerce.
The Perspective Shift Most Resellers Miss
Before I was deep in resale life, I spent years running and managing customer service teams.
So I look at things a little differently.
Maybe I’m more tolerant.
Maybe I’m less jaded.
Or maybe, I’ll admit it , I’m the one who’s off base.
But I don’t think so.
“Too Many Questions” Isn’t Always a Red Flag
There’s this ongoing theme in reseller spaces:
“If a buyer asks too many questions… 🚩 block them.”
And look, I get it. Sometimes that’s valid.
We’ve all seen the wild ones.
Like:
“How soft is this cashmere sweater?”
I mean… what do you want me to say?
Soft like a kitten?
Soft like an angel’s butt?
Soft like your favorite blanket from 1997?
At some point… yeah, that’s a little ridiculous.
But Here’s the Part You’re Missing
Not every question is a problem.
Some buyers ask questions because they’re trying to figure out:
- Are you responsive?
- Are you paying attention?
- Will you actually ship this thing quickly?
- If something goes wrong… will you help?
They’re not being annoying.
They’re qualifying you.
Read That Again: They’re Qualifying YOU
We spend so much time evaluating buyers…
We forget they’re doing the exact same thing to us.
And in a world where:
- Shipping delays happen
- Listings aren’t always perfect
- Customer service is wildly inconsistent
…can you really blame them?
So What’s the Move?
This is where some honest self-reflection comes in.
Ask yourself:
- Is my frustration actually about the question… or my bandwidth?
- Am I burned out?
- Am I trying to do too much myself?
Because if every question feels like a personal attack…
👉 It might be time to adjust your system, not your customers.
Options:
- Tighten your listings so fewer questions are needed
- Set response time expectations
- Or outsource customer service if it’s draining you
And hey, if you want to ignore questions and lose those sales?
That’s a valid strategy too.
Just own it.
Final Thought (A Little Tough Love)
The reseller world can get really negative, really fast.
It’s easy to fall into the mindset of:
“All buyers are difficult.”
But that’s not reality.
That’s just the echo chamber.
And if you’re not careful, it’ll cost you money.
My Take?
Not every question is a red flag.
Sometimes…
…it’s just a buyer deciding if you’re worth their money.