After the Auction: Dealing With Deadbeat Bidders continued ...
Don't Believe It
Some folks will reply to your end-of-auction notice in ways you wouldn't imagine. Take, for instance, the would-be buyers who say their check or money order is in the mail and ask you to go ahead and send the item. Don't do it. Some people have the nerve not only to ask you to send your item before payment arrives, but also inform you that they will be unreachable for several weeks! Obviously, this is plain old common sense, but don't compromise your payment policies to cut someone a break if you don't really know them.
Closing the No-Deal
If 30 days have passed and you haven't tried to contact the deadbeat repeatedly, here's how to get some closure. Send in your final value fee credit request online. Then relist the item (which is free the first time at most auction sites), and send your deadbeat bidder a note, informing him or her that you have voided the transaction (also include the original auction number for reference). Most importantly, tell the deadbeat bidder you are barring him or her from your auctions and you will retract any future bids. With that in mind, keep a list of all the deadbeats you encounter so that you can refer to it during future auctions. Finally, forward your email to the auction site's customer service department and request that they keep the information on file.
The Neutral and Negative
Now comes the hard part--do you leave neutral or negative feedback for a deadbeat bidder? You'll be more helpful to the community at large if you leave a negative, but this does expose you to a possible retaliatory negative. One rule of thumb is to give a neutral to people who don't acknowledge your notification from the get-go, and a negative to those who ask you to send the merchandise before payment arrives or string you along for several emails. If a deadbeat bidder's behavior wastes time or even borders on fraud, then he or she deserves a negative.
Credit My Account
If the second-highest bidder does not want to pay the high bid, or if you are not interested in relisting the item, be sure to request a credit for your final value fee and listing fee. Typically, this can be submitted online. Although it might take a while for the money to be credited to your account, it's easy to do. Unfortunately, most sites do not refund the money spent on featured auction plugs or listing enhancements.