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 TnErnie
 
posted on February 25, 2006 07:30:39 AM new
Long story...

In my auctions I say US only. Two days ago I had someone email and ask if I would ship to Canada. I checked the shipping costs and told them yes, it would cost $XX.XX for Airmail Parcel Post. I wasn't thinking when I answered so didn't check their feedback first. After he bid I saw he had 0 feedback, but I didn't think much about it. A lot of my buyers are newbies and I never have a problem.

This morning I received this email from another potential bidder:

I'd really like to bid on this piece; it's perfect for my project, but I don't want to bid against the current leader (who has a 50% feedback rating). Is there anything you can do? Thanks!

I checked and sure enough my high bidder has 4 positives and 4 negatives. Granted...they aren't recent, but they are all for non-payment. (Even one of the positives says something about slow payment.)

Here's my quandry:

I gave this bidder permission to bid, so I really wouldn't feel right about cancelling it now, BUT I don't feel comfortable with him possibly winning this auction.

Of course the email I received just aggravated me. While I appreciate being given a 'heads up', I don't like someone 'tattling' in an attempt to eliminate the bidding competition. (I haven't responded to this email yet.)

The auction ends tonight. It's sitting at $40.00 with 16 watchers and if it runs true to form, I will have last minute snipers and it could go upwards of $100. Also, if I cancelled his bid right now the price would stay the same.

What would you do?


[ edited by TnErnie on Feb 25, 2006 07:32 AM ]
 
 mamachia
 
posted on February 25, 2006 07:37:52 AM new
Cancel his bid then block his name

 
 davidsmom
 
posted on February 25, 2006 07:55:57 AM new
I agree with mamachia!

 
 fluffythewondercat
 
posted on February 25, 2006 07:58:55 AM new
Dueling scumbags. Hmmm.

It's probably too late now, but I'd end the auction early and start over.

I'd also be asking myself why I have "ship to U.S. only" in my auctions if I didn't really mean it.

fLufF
--

 
 paloma91
 
posted on February 25, 2006 08:02:26 AM new
I agree with Fluffy. If you state in your auction description that you only sell to bidders inside the US, use the blocking features of ebay and stand by it.
 
 hwahwa
 
posted on February 25, 2006 08:11:36 AM new
it is really none of his business who bidded on your auction.
/ lets all stop whining !! /
 
 TnErnie
 
posted on February 25, 2006 08:45:19 AM new
Dueling Scumbags I like that! Pretty well sums them both up.

It is too late to end the auction early and I've kicked myself all morning for being so damn wishy-washy and getting in this position to begin with. I will not make this mistake again. From now on USA only means USA only.

I now have my preferences set to block international bidders (thought I had done this before). So will that prevent the Canadian from bidding again if he gets outbid?

hwahwa- I agree. The "cut your nose off to spite your face" side of me does not want to give the email-tattletale the satisfaction of cancelling that bid.

At this point, I'm really tempted to just let it ride and hope the Canadian gets sniped. If not, consider it lesson learned then follow my TOS of payment due in 10 days to the letter.


 
 DrArcane
 
posted on February 25, 2006 09:07:32 AM new
At this point, I would just let it ride and see what happens.

1) The winner might actually pay you, which means everything could work out fine.

2) You were at least considering cancelling the whole thing, so a non-paying bidder isn't going to be any more of a waste of time or fees.

3) If the bidder is a NPB, you can always use the "second chance" thing for the next guy.

4) If the bidder is an NPB, re-list and tell the tattler that it's back on. He can either bid or not.


Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets
http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?

 
 sparkz
 
posted on February 25, 2006 10:42:44 AM new
Cancel the bid immediately. There are 4 fellow sellers who have risked retaliatory feedback to warn you and other sellers against this deadbeat. Then block him and the tattler both. There are enough good bidders to deal with on Ebay. You don't have to cater to deadbeats and scheamers.




If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
 
 mikes4x4andtruckrepair
 
posted on February 25, 2006 11:05:33 AM new



Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein
 
 mcjane
 
posted on February 25, 2006 11:45:16 AM new
I don't want to bid against the current leader (who has a 50% feedback rating)

Then don't bid.

None of his business & nothing to do with him except he's looking for a way to entice you to knock out the high bidder.

I would cancel the Canadian & then block the snitch.

Tell your Canadian you spoke before reading his FB.



 
 TnErnie
 
posted on February 25, 2006 01:05:03 PM new
Well so far so good.

The Canadian has been outbid and both he and the snitch have been blocked. So in the long run, I elevated my blood pressure and aggravated you fine people for nothing.

I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts, advice and help...especially knowing I wasn't alone in thinking the tattler was just as bad as the deadbeat.

As always, you guys are great and I Thank You!

[ edited by TnErnie on Feb 25, 2006 01:06 PM ]
 
 fluffythewondercat
 
posted on February 25, 2006 01:22:03 PM new
Don't forget to check your Buyer Requirements Activity Log to see if the tattletale tries to bid.

fLufF
--

 
 sthoemke
 
posted on February 25, 2006 03:10:27 PM new
I wouldn't worry. With 16 watchers, they should both get outbid by experienced bidders.


 
 roadsmith
 
posted on February 25, 2006 04:48:30 PM new
Hey, is this the same TNErnie who just won two cookbooks from me?! Thought your user name looked familiar.
______________________________
 
 TnErnie
 
posted on February 25, 2006 05:53:00 PM new
Guilty
Leave it to me to win a "ghost auction". LOL
My better half collects cookbooks and I think she's gonna love these two.

 
 
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