posted on January 10, 2001 07:42:54 PM new
I read that same thread execgirl and thought well here's one more thing not to do. You shouldn't have your terms in you "About Me" page. If your TOS is longer than your description then they wont bid. If you keep your TOS short then whats the point it doesn't have what you need in it. Even if you put what you need in it, they either don't read or don't care because they do what they want.
What's a girl to do?
posted on January 10, 2001 07:45:04 PM new
I have the same stuff on my auctions as I do on my ABOUT ME page...just more detail. And I used to keep mine short and to the point, too. But...I ran into some major problems with folks not paying attention (worse than now), so I put them back on my descriptions again. I cant say it has hurt my sales any, because I still get bids and I have my regular customers too. My name on ebay is the same here...go take a gander if you like
posted on January 10, 2001 07:53:37 PM new
Why don't you see how quickly they notice that instead of billing them for their winning bid that you double that amount. Hey if they don't notice it then it works for the better!
posted on January 10, 2001 08:27:27 PM new
Bidders just don't read ~ sure that is the point ~ I take Paypal ~ I have the Paypal logo in all my auctions ~ and I state I take Paypal and all the info they need in my EOA email ~ do you know the main question I get after I send that EOA email ~ you guessed it ~ "Do you take Paypal?"
posted on January 10, 2001 08:47:40 PM new
What about something along this line. "I do not accept payment on items in the form of personal checks or paypal. If money is sent this way, it will be used as a contribution towards my account of bidders who have screwed me over in the past, or to cover listing fees and expenses. We thank you for your support and your generous contribution. After contributing to our cause, if you would still like to purchase your item please send a CASHIERS CHECK OR MONEY ORDER" Thank you and have a pleasant day
posted on January 10, 2001 08:58:43 PM newExecutiveGirl It is a frustrating part of doing business online. I've had the same interferences, No Internationals, and still get bids. I've learned to live with some of it and simply advise them if they are bidding, they will pay all charges to destination, then force them to use Pay Pal or Bid Pay only. No checks or International Money Orders, and only ship Air. Sorry, if you're out of the paramaters of "my auction" then please play by my rules or go back to your own sandbox, this one is mine. Checks are wishes in the wind, and the shame of it is that we as sellers turn away good customers that should'nt be punished. I think 90% of the crimes are by 1 percent of slightly more of the same criminals. For your own sake, and fostering good will, maybe work with some, testing the water again. We charge a 45 $ fee for returned checks, and get it. I don't mess around, as our time is worth something. I've called one before who took me for $300.00 in the military and threatend him with calling his commander who would likely frown upon a military person shafting the public out here for $300.00. I got my merchandise overnighted back to me, and the $45.00 for the bad check fee. Mean, yes! But, I'm not a person to go back on my word, please don't play games. I wish you luck with your decision and hope you think it out to beneficially work out to your advantage and the benefit of fostering good will in the trailblazing ways of doing business online. Best of luck.
posted on January 10, 2001 09:08:36 PM new
Okay Exec Girl, I have read this entire thread thoroughly, and I am a little confused... my one question is this...
posted on January 11, 2001 03:00:03 AM newROCKER: You're killing me!!!! LOL LOL! I just woke up, thought I'd check out the threads, I'm reading all of them seriously and then I get to yours... I shoulda known!!!! LOL!!
posted on January 11, 2001 03:07:16 AM newBarrelracer:
I don't get too many checks - I get a lot more Paypal payments. But when I *do* get a check, I email the bidder and tell them that I received their check but I tell them I'm sorry, I don't accept checks. I ask them to please pay with one of the methods accepted in my auction and I will return their voided check back to them with their item.
All but one person has been fine with that. One lady was a real.. well, I can't say.. and refused to send another payment. She said I'm out of my mind not to take checks, blah blah blah. I told her she was aware of my policy before she bid and she was going against my policy. She was real rude, called me names, etc. She then insisted I send her check back to her and then she would send a money order. I told her if she wants her check back first to send me a self addressed stamped envelope and I'll mail her check back with her item. She finally did send a self addressed stamped envelope and I sent her check back to her (with proof of mailing so I had proof I had mailed it). After she got it she said to cancel the transaction and she wasn't going to pay for it again. I had a feeling she would do this, which is why I had her send the self addressed stamped envelope in the first place.
Other than that most of the people realize that they made the mistake and immediately send out a MO or pay with an online method and I just mail their check back to them with their item.
posted on January 11, 2001 07:01:24 AM new
I've toyed with this idea several times: When a bidder has obviously not read the description and is demanding something that is just not there, to take on an insane handling fee. When they say they didnt see the fee in the listing, I can then respond "and what you're asking for isn't there either, so if you can change the terms after the fact, so can I."
What about bidders who do read but don't seem to get it?
I run auctions for monitors. The auction was for a 17 inch .27 monitor. In the text I wrote "$15 shipping within 1000 miles of NY. For exact shipping to your area, email with your zip code. Add $15 for a .25"
The winner emailed me that she expected the .25 for her bid and the $15 shipping even though she lived in Texas. When I pointed out that these were not the terms, she became downright nasty and told me her daughter worked for the auction site and would get me suspended. I wrote to the auction site myself and they explained to her that it was her problem.
Later I thought that I just should have agreed with her but add a $30 handling fee.
posted on January 11, 2001 07:15:41 AM new
I have seen auctions where sellers put, sometimes in caps, that they do not accept personal checks and they hate to do it but it has come down to if they receive a personal check, they will mail it back and leave the bidder negative feedback.
I think some folks ask if you accept Paypal if it's not in your TOS because I know a few times I have won an auction or two where it is not listed in TOS that they accept Paypal so I prepare to pay by what forms they do accept. But when they send you their EOA notice with all their information, they mention how you can pay with Paypal. Perhaps folks just figure if they ask, maybe you do but don't have it listed. That is unless you say that you absolutely do not accept Paypal in your listing. Then I would say that they are definitely not reading your listing
10 bounced checks in one month. YIKES! My credit union charges $27 per bounced check. The thought terrifies me! Still, I do accept checks and Paypal. Keeping my fingers crossed tightly!
posted on January 11, 2001 10:01:53 AM newWhen they say they didnt see the fee in the listing, I can then respond "and what you're asking for isn't there either, so if you can change the terms after the fact, so can I."
I can see my bidders sending that to Safe Harbor and Ebay NARU'ing me for changing terms after the sale. But, of course, it's ok for buyers to do that.
[ edited by ExecutiveGirl on Jan 11, 2001 11:54 AM ]
posted on January 11, 2001 10:26:00 AM new
The way to avoid the reading problem of bidders is to not have TOS. Seriously, I really believe it depends on what you are selling. We sell higher end antiques and collectibles. We do not state any terms other than the following: shipping (stated as a fixed amount for the given item), that sales tax will be added on in state sales without a resale tax number, and that satisfaction is guaranteed - no questions asked.
We use the ebay checkoff boxes for checks and money orders and have a small paypal logo on our auction.
History is over 5000 transactions with only 3 bad checks, all under $50, and all but one made good. No reason to hassle buyers when problems are that minimal.
As to the guarantee, it has never been abused. We have had several returns, promptly issued refunds, and went on our way.
Again, it really seems to depend on category. What kinds of items are you selling that checks are such a problem?
posted on January 11, 2001 11:31:01 AM new
Well, to make you feel a bit better, how about the payment I got last month ~ With "No Personal Checks" all over the place (never thought of the subliminal though) I get (of course) a personal check in the mail. It was UNsigned. Yes, I think bidders should have a reading comprehension test upon registering with eBay. Another new addition: WINNING101: How to actually Pay for what you bid on! thanks for the humor ~
[ edited by chepistar on Jan 11, 2001 11:31 AM ]
posted on January 11, 2001 11:56:24 AM new
ExecutiveGirl --
Are you actually *receiving* PayPal payments, or did you close your PayPal account and are simply getting offers of payment (which are cancelable).
I closed my PayPal account, and did have to explain (in as few words as possible) why I cant accept PayPal anymore (theft/cost/constant tos changes/etc...). Everyone then sent a MO or check as stated in the TOS and EOA notice.
If you don't actually have a paypal account active, then simply reply to the email and in big letters at the top write:
I DO NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL AND DO NOT HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT. PLEASE REFER TO THE END OF AUCTION NOTICE FOR THE 9 PAYMENT OPTIONS I CAN ACCEPT. THANK YOU.
See if that works... Less stress on your part, just copy-n-paste!
If you still have a PP account..close it now, save yourself the troubles.
posted on January 11, 2001 12:12:01 PM newmrlatenite: What I did was change my email address on my Paypal account to a whole other email address. The email address my customers email their paypal payments to is NOT a valid address. I get the "sign up to claim your payment" emails. Which also means the customers are notified on their end that they are sending payment to someone who does NOT have a Paypal account. I do tell them to cancel their payments to me and use one of the other 9 methods.
I've had one person say "well I already sent you payment so Paypal it back to me". I was like "I can't - I don't HAVE a paypal account. You have to cancel the payment from your end" and she kept arguing that I had to send it back to her. She finally did end up cancelling it.. but geesh, took her forever!
posted on January 11, 2001 12:46:03 PM new
It is obvious that the customer is never right! Have you read the PayPal ads?? Pay any one...So, blame the poor soul who is not on-line auction wise. Most people never read instructions for anything, why should the payment method be any different. You can just quite using the internet and go back to the old, slow methods that cost and do not produce the instant results of the on-line auctions. Business use to supply service, but after reading the posted comments, I doubt that few have service in mind.
That is the way I feel. I am a buyer not a seller and get tired of all the verbal written 'NO's stupid stuff!
posted on January 11, 2001 12:46:10 PM new
It is obvious that the customer is never right! Have you read the PayPal ads?? Pay any one...So, blame the poor soul who is not on-line auction wise. Most people never read instructions for anything, why should the payment method be any different. You can just quite using the internet and go back to the old, slow methods that cost and do not produce the instant results of the on-line auctions. Business use to supply service, but after reading the posted comments, I doubt that few have service in mind.
That is the way I feel. I am a buyer not a seller and get tired of all the verbal written 'NO's stupid stuff!
posted on January 11, 2001 12:51:48 PM new
Charge 'em for Priority Mail and send the item first class. I bet you'll see an immediate improvement in TOS comprehension.
posted on January 11, 2001 01:08:18 PM new
This is the saga I have gone thru the past few days, with this bidder being late in payment, presumably with a lost check:
<< is it possible to pay you for this by pay pal if so i can do that and you can just return the check to me when you do receive it thanks >>
Me:Im sorry. But I dont take paypal, as it states in all my auctions. I dont belong to them, and I dont want to join them. This is stated clearly in my descriptions and also in the emails I sent you when the sale ended.
<< I UNDERSTAND THE POSITION THIS PUTS YOU IN PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANOTHER FORM OF PAYMENT THAT CAN BE SENT AUTOMATICALLY AND YOU CAN THEN JUST RETURN THE CHECK.
>>
Me:There isnt any other way to do it, except mail. If you could just send a money order out in todays mail, it should be here by saturday, or monday at the latest
Me: As of todays mail, still no payment from the first time. Did you send a replacement off today?
<< I WILL GO AHEAD RIGHT NOW AND PAY WITH PAYPAL. WHEN YOU GET THE CHECK PLEASE VOID OUT AND RETURN SORRY FOR SO MUCH TROUBLE
THANKS >>
Me:Again, I DONT TAKE PAYPAL.
posted on January 11, 2001 01:13:10 PM new
My last word was:I have told you over and over that I dont take paypal. I have asked and asked for you to send a replacement check and still, you have not done so. Im weary of this. So, I will relist it and you go your way and I will go mine. This transaction is over.
And just now, I got THIS:
CAN I PAY THIS TODAY WITH BILL POINT OR WHAT OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT DO YOU REQUIRE? PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO THAT THIS CAN BE RESOLVED TODAY.
THANKS
posted on January 11, 2001 01:16:57 PM newMaui: But it's the seller's fault, right??? UGH!! Boy do I sympathize with you. Reading that was like reading a "worst case scenario" that someone made up to prove a point. Un-friggin-believable!
posted on January 11, 2001 01:22:57 PM new
I just cant get it thru this persons head. What I put up there is a copy and paste of the emails sent back and forth...and not all of them either! I just sent another email and said NO! NO MORE! I hate doing that...but what else am I to do? None of it was made up either, lol. What you see is what I GOT!
posted on January 11, 2001 01:25:34 PM newMaui: I have to ask - is this a newbie bidder? Not that that's really any excuse but at least it might explain a *little*!
posted on January 11, 2001 01:32:06 PM new
Yes, new bidder. Still, what part cant this person understand? Watch me get a neg now, for refusing to take paypal. Im debating on whether to neg this person, just so folks know what a runaround they will do to other sellers. Should I?
I just checked the feedback on this person. Seems Im not alone after all.
posted on January 11, 2001 01:38:44 PM new
This person just got a neg from someone else for not paying. I honestly dont know if this person just flat out doesnt have a clue, or does it deliberately. Whattcha think? Should I neg? Give a neutral? Do nothing? Debating here...need a shove one way or the other.
posted on January 11, 2001 01:42:57 PM newMaui: I would say once you file for your NPB and FVF's that you should neg him to warn other sellers about his paying habits. I NEG every deadbeat (over 150+ so far!)
posted on January 11, 2001 01:55:03 PM new
Thanks for the input. Im still debating. Probably will neg. Will get retalitory one too, but cant be helped. I tried the best I could and bidder flat out doesnt get it.
posted on January 11, 2001 01:58:55 PM new
PREPARE TO BE ENLIGHTENED
I do not care what you write in your TOS or how long it took you to word it just right or what you write in your EOA or however long it took you to think of a polite way to word it.
I do not care how BOLD you make your type or how many colors it flash or even if your entire description is , "I DO NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL AND I DO NOT TAKE CHECKS !!!"
Your thread title says it all :
BIDDERS JUST DON'T READ !!!!!!!!!
No matter what you do, you will still have this problem.
I have 2 solutions for you which will work.
1 - Do away with all TOS and "I accept this and I accept that" in your EOA's.
After every auction ends pull every high bidders contact info and write down all of their phone numbers and call each one individually and say, " Hello, you won my auction for the XXXXXXX. Please send payment to this address XXXXXXX. Thank you very much for your purchase. Oh, and one more thing (hold the phone in front of your mouth and sceam) I DO NOT TAKE CHECKS OR PAYPAL !!!!!". You will not get AS MANY checks or Paypal payments this way. NOTE : NOT AS MANY
2 - Stop selling on the net
These 2 options are the only 2 options that will take care of this problem.
Rocker
