posted on October 24, 2000 10:41:20 PM new
cozmo, mystery payments make me BONKERS!
I have in my EOA that I send out "ITEM NUMBER and shipping address MUST be included with payment." I recently added the caps, and they are the only capitolized words in my email because I don't like shouting, but it has drawn attention for ppl who just breeze through the notification emails sellers send and ignore whatever... still there is the occasional yokel who sends the ol' blank m.o. in an envelope with no item number. If it's a not-too-much of a pain in the arse search, I will hunt the item down by skimming saved emails, going by ebay id or email addy if they've put that in there somewhere (usually not) and if I can't find it in a reasonable amount of time I simply put a note in an envelope addressed to the return address with the following: "Hi, I'm hoping you can help solve a mystery for me. I received a payment of $X from this address but there was no item number, ebay id, descriptions, email address, or anything else to help me figure out what the payment goes with, despite my best efforts and time searching. Please email me ASAP at blahblahblah.com and include the item number this payment is for." Do NOT include the check. If you're holding their payment hostage they will respond sooner, usually with a humbling "I'm so sorry", although there is still the occasional newbie who doesn't understand why out of 300 auctions that ran this month I don't know what he got...I'm not Miss Cleo! ...to which I reply nice as pie and all is well.
posted on October 24, 2000 11:20:13 PM new
I just had a buyer email and ask, "When should I expect to get my xxx?"
I replied with... You will receive your item when I receive payment. Payment terms were outlined in the end of auction notice sent to you 8 days ago. This notice stated that you were to email me within 3 business days and today's message is the first I have heard from you. To date I have not received payment through PayPal or mail. I am including the end of auction message sent to you last week in case you misplaced it.
posted on October 25, 2000 04:31:18 AM new
"I've been using the AW format WBN I think its called- where it gives them notification of auction ending and a link to go to fill out all info re: thier transaction. "
Several problems with the on-line management services:
1. Many people do not trust their personal data to them. The "privacy" agreement at Andale, for example, says a LOT about the seller's protection, but has no mention of what they might or might not do with the buyer's information.
I do not enter my info in any third-party databases, and do not bid on auctions where I am certain it will happen ... those Andale auctions make me hit the back button FAST.
2. At least one of them sends email in a manner that results in a BLANK MESSAGE for the recipient with certain email readers. (we do NOT all use a browser or MSOutlook to read out mail).
3. At least one other sends their messages in bad HTML with no plain text alternative ... and in my email program I am left looking at the raw HTML coding trying to figure out what the heck it says.
posted on October 25, 2000 05:40:39 AM new
The only thing I ask from my bidders is to email me their shipping address when I send the EOA notice. For some bidders this is like performing dentistry on a T-Rex. Are there some bidders who think their package is sent as an email attachment?
posted on October 26, 2000 09:25:25 PM new
Hello All I sure got alot of chat going about selelrs and buyers etc. whew!I must say its very helpful to see so many viewpoints! I think I truly hadn't realized... that so many folks were so adament re: 3rd party invoices online etc. I think I will go back to my old method of my own cut and paste etc. For EOA info re: buyer sending me info.
Thanks to ALL who gave me so much food for thought! oceanamoon
...to which I reply nice as pie and all is well.