Why a high volume of messages is a problem?
the time commitment: Manually answering the same questions about an item’s condition, dimensions, and pickup location for 20 different people is a massive waste of time.
the risk of burnout: The constant notifications and the need to be “on” all the time can lead to seller burnout, making you less enthusiastic and less effective.
the potential for missed sales: When you’re spending all your time on a buyer who isn’t serious, you might miss a message from a buyer who is ready to buy right now.
Proven strategies for managing Marketplace inquiries:
1. Create canned responses for common questions:
the strategy: Create a list of pre-written answers for your most common questions and save them somewhere you can easily access them (e.g., in a notes app on your phone, a Google Doc, or even the built-in keyboard shortcuts on your phone).
example:
question: “is this still available?”
canned response: “yes, it is! i am available for pickup today after 5 pm or tomorrow after 12 pm. let me know what works for you.”
question: “what are the dimensions?”
canned response: “the dimensions are 12″ x 18″ x 6″. all the details are in the product description. let me know if you have any other questions.”
2. Set clear expectations in the listing:
the strategy: In your product description, include every detail a buyer might ask for. This includes dimensions, brand, condition, and your preferred payment method.
the script: Add a clear line at the end of your description, like: “price is firm, pickup only in [your neighborhood], cash or zelle only.” this instantly filters out people who can’t meet your terms.
3. Batch your responses:
the strategy: Allocate 15-20 minutes in the morning and another 15-20 minutes in the evening to respond to all new inquiries.
the benefit: This allows you to focus on other tasks without constant interruption. It also prevents you from getting into long, drawn-out conversations with buyers who are unlikely to commit.
Turning inquiries into sales:
1. Prioritize serious buyers:
the strategy: Give priority to buyers who ask specific questions about the product, confirm availability, or offer to pay your asking price. Deprioritize buyers who only ask “is this still available?” without any other information or those who send a lowball offer immediately.
the script: i teach my clients to use a simple “are you still interested?” message to get a quick response and identify who is serious about the purchase.
2. Simple script for closing the deal:
the strategy: The goal is to move the conversation from “are you interested?” to “when can you pick it up?”
the script: “great! what day and time works best for you to pick up?” once you’ve agreed on a time, you can follow up with your address and payment info.
3. How to handle multiple offers?
the strategy: Don’t get flustered. Simply tell the buyers the truth.
the script: “i have a few people interested, so i’ll sell it to the first person who can pay and pick it up. i’ll let you know if the sale falls through.” this creates a sense of urgency and encourages buyers to act quickly.
