posted on August 7, 2001 04:25:17 PM new
You won't find many bidders who pay faster than I do, whether by mail, or online. When I start seeing overly strict terms in an auction I back out, because I figure the seller has had a problem with past bidders and is looking for a punching bag to take it out on. I see that same anger in some of the seller's posts here. I am both a buyer and a seller. 10 days I can live with in an auction (depending on other terms), anything less I tend to avoid. I just don't need some impatient seller jumping down my throat due to a misrouted payment or postal delays.
As a seller I'm happy under 2 weeks, and can live with up to a month. A month is my cut off without a good reason. I just don't understand sellers wanting to drive away good bidders. It's been my experience that streict terms tend to drive away good bidders, and do little to stop the bad ones.
posted on August 7, 2001 04:37:20 PM new
I think communication is the key. If I don't hear from a winning bidder within 3 business days, I send a reminder email. I ask them to tell me how they plan to pay so I know where I should be watching for it (and how long it should take to arrive). After a reasonable amount of time has elapsed (depending on payment method), I email again and warn them that if I don't receive payment by a certain date (I give them several days to respond in case they don't check email daily), that I will file an NPB. They can't say they weren't warned! I wouldn't allow more than 30 days to elapse without sending that last email. But my response and waiting time also depend on the type of communication I receive from the buyer. If they are good about responding to my emails, and letting me know what they plan to do re payment, etc., then I am more willing to wait for my money.
But I won't throw negs and NPB's around without making sure the customer knows what's going to happen.
posted on August 7, 2001 08:09:37 PM new
Heres another way of looking at it:
It doesnt take me 10 days to ship once payment arrives. Why should I have to wait 10 days for them to mail the funds? I wait 10 days, if payment isnt here, I file a NPB. I may or may not sell it to the second highest bidder. I may or may not give them more time. Depends on the circumstances. Too many times I have heard "Its in the mail; I dropped it on the floorboard and didnt notice til today; the dog chewed up the envelope; my mother is sick and I was at the hospital with her; my dog died; I lost my job; My husband died; Im sick; the neighbor was sick; I lost your mailing address and email and name and item number". Shall I go on?
posted on August 8, 2001 05:15:48 AM new
Here's a couple of prime examples: auction ended 7/17, as of 8/6 payment still had not arrived, buyer kept telling me payment had been mailed on 7/20. When I finally get the payment on 8/7 the check was dated 7/20 and the envelope was postmarked 8/1. Don't lie to me!
Another example: bidder wins on 7/29. I need their address to figure the shipping. Never reply to any of my emails. My policy is if I don't hear from you in 5 days with your address so I can figure shipping on magazine I figure the shipping by Priority Mail which is the only rate I can use without zip code. Still don't hear a peep from her. I send a didn't get your payment notice and she replies this morning that she's been on vacation. Now she's going to have to pay the Priority Rate because she bid on a bunch of auctions and then went on vacation without letting the sellers know.
When I bid on and win something the check is in the mail the next business day. That way I don't have to wonder about it and I guess I expect my buyers to be as courteous.
posted on August 8, 2001 02:12:56 PM newbuyer kept telling me payment had been mailed on 7/20. When I finally get the payment on 8/7 the check was dated 7/20 and the envelope was postmarked 8/1. Don't lie to me!
paintpower,
i had a similar situation, but i believed the buyer. auction ended late june. buyer send she'd send payment in reply to eoa notice. 10 or so days later, no payment. emailed buyer, who said she had copy of check. apologized, no idea what could have happened. sends me money order, with copy of check and an envelope for me to return check, should it ever show up. july 27th, check shows up here! postmark was july 24th! all addresses were correct, so was postage. so it's possible your buyer wasn't lying, and the post office goofed.
