posted on February 25, 2001 06:21:47 PM new
I just started auctioning at the beginning of February. I posted 30 auctions within 3 days and of course had 30 auctions close within 3 days. Of those 30, 5 high bidders have failed to respond to any contacts regarding the auction that they won. Is this normal? Is there always a percentage of people who "blow off" their obligations? One high bidder requested a service from me that I did not offer, nor was I planning to offer. This was clearly stated in my auction. I emailed her back and told her that I was not going to sign up for this service, just because she wanted me to. She continued to send me enrollments for this program over the next week. I quit responding to her and told her I was going to file unfavorable feedback. A week later she tells me that she can't find my address to send my payment. The auction ended on the 18th of February and it is now the 25. How much longer should I let this go on? Every time I've ever purchased anything on eBay, the payment goes out within 24 hours of winning. How long should I wait for high bidders that don't respond? I'd appreciate any words of wisdom that experienced sellers have to offer on this subject. Thanks.
posted on February 28, 2001 10:54:51 AM new
Hi Tina!
I think the percentage of deadbeats on each batch of auctions has something to do with the amount of the transaction, the items you're selling and the phases of the moon. LOL!!! Anyway, long story short, I have gotten to the point where I pretty much expect at least one deadbeat bidder per 20 auctions. I sell on the low end and I sell clothing items.
As far as the person who "doesn't have your address", send her your address & ask her to drop you a line when she mails the payment. In about three days (provided they are all days when the mail is running), if you haven't heard anything, file a "non-paying bidder alert" with eBay. You might send her a personal e-mail just letting her know that this is "your policy" and will in no way affect her standing with eBay unless she fails to complete the transaction.
Then, if she still doesn't pay and doesn't communicate with you, file for "final value fees" 10 days after you file for the "non-paying bidder alert". Hope this helps you!
posted on February 28, 2001 02:25:23 PM new
To all you sellers out there who are getting frustrated and abused by:
· Non-paying bidders
· paypal charge backs
· Bounced checks
· Fraud problems
· Negative feedback for no good reason (retaliation)
I found out the hard way that safe harbor and FBI don’t do a thing about it, and I signed up for a sitesentury.com, a security company that will do REAL auction investigations. Check out their site, I signed up for their service and I put their log on all my auctions and the bad guys will think twice before they mess with me!!!!!!! It is like having a security guard by my side protecting me!!! Which car do you thing the thieves like to break-in: one with alarm-on or one without??? That is what the log will do for you.
The investigator already got me some of the money I lost on bounced checks and the bank fee too!!!!!!
Do yourself a favor and check out sitesentry.com
