As you have found out the hard way, sellers and eBay do not take non-paying bidders lightly. If you bid on an auction you are morally (and in eBay terms legally) obligated to complete the transaction. In all fairness to Valerie, there is a strong possiblilty that she reacted the way she did to this situation after reading your feedback profile. I must say that it is not a very appealing one. Even one neg is a red flag, roughly 50% negs is terrible.
I do feel that everyone deserves a second chance however. And if you get yours by being re-instated by eBay, please take the time to think about what you're doing when you place a bid and what that bid means to a seller who in many cases (as in Valerie's) put food on the table with their eBay business.
That having been said, this bidder's past performance and feedback record, while quite alarming (I would have cancelled her bid), is in itself not a justification for rudeness. The bidder sent payment quickly, not once, but twice after realizing the error. She then made a 2nd error by shorting the second payment by $.27. Evidently she isn't studying to be a math teacher. But if I received an email similar to the one she received from the seller, I would be rather put off as well. Mistakes happen. I make one every now and then, just as I'm sure a few others posting here do as well. When I do, I don't expect to be lectured and talked down to. I expect for the mistake to be brought to my attention in a businesslike, civil manner. IMO that didn't happen in this situation.
Bottom line:
The bidder's basic math skills and eBay ethic need work, as does the seller's concept of customer service.
posted on October 31, 2000 04:59:58 AM
yep thats retail. they are all nuts. I have a brick and mortar store and its much worse. But with Ebay some people forget to send shipping. If its a decent auction I usually send the item anyway and request them to send me the shortage. In 3 times I never got it.(the customer is always right). I just forget about it and go on. Its nice however to see that all the lunatics are not just buying from me. Brick and Morter store... Ha thats a different story. I had someone once put a gun (as in loaded) to my head because he got the wrong color daybed. Or the ones who told me if I do nor refund thier money that they will drive thier truck through the window. Little things like that. Thank god its just a on line business and you do not have to see them. Could you imagine what this woman or man looks like who wanted to cancel the auction after she/he screwed you out of 28 cents. How dare you ask for the correct amount! She probably looks like a .... Uh oh don't want to get censored for a personal attack bt auction watch. Good luck Ebay Soldiers. Welcome to the battlefield!
posted on October 31, 2000 05:42:21 AM
i can't believe this thread is still going on over a quarter. hell, i'll dig under the couch and send you a dollar for her. don't be so f#$%'in greedy....sheesh!
posted on October 31, 2000 05:57:48 AM
I HOPE THE .52 WAS WORTH ALL THE TIME, TROUBLE, AND AGGRIVATION IT HAS CAUSED YOU.COME ON NOW .52 ISNT GOING TO BREAK YOU.SHE PROBABLY MADE AN HONEST MISTAKE, AND NOW SHE SEES YOU LIKE A MONEY GRABBING SELLER. YOU COULD OF PUT A NICE NOTE IN HER PACKAGE, AND YOU MIGHT OF HAD A REPEAT CUSTOMER..NOW YOU HAVE NOTHING..
posted on October 31, 2000 06:30:48 AM
Oh I don't know, now that JoanJoy has joined the conversation, it is just getting interesting. We need a "Buy A Clue" message board.
posted on October 31, 2000 07:48:50 AMabingdoncomputers: ... this bidder's past performance and feedback record, while quite alarming ... is in itself not a justification for rudeness...
The account that was used to win the auction is in quite good standing - 29 positives, 1 neg. (The alarming one - brought up in her own thread - is an earlier account.)
Thanks for the clarification. The moral of this entire story is that a little mutual respect goes a long way toward a successful transaction. Nothing more, nothing less.
posted on October 31, 2000 09:13:57 AM
Interestingly, same person?
Could this be the same customer you were talking about that Valerie could have had as a Good Repeat Customer?
posted on October 31, 2000 09:29:40 AMPsalms139: Possibly it is, but it wouldn't be the first time here that somebody has registered as somebody else.
But as I said, the account that bid on and won Valerie47's item had good feedback and there was no indication that she wouldn't be a good or good repeat customer until 2 days after the auction closed. That account was [email protected]
