posted on September 5, 2000 06:11:11 AM new
Auction closed about 1 Aug. Sent email 23 Aug, that I have not received payment, please check. Receive email that ooops, must have gotten lost in the mail will resend. Send out email Saturday Sep 2nd stating that still have not received payment, and that if I do not receive it by the 6th, will relist and leave appropriate feedback. Receive an email Monday 5th, must have gotten lost have sent CASH on 1 Sept, please wait until Friday, the 8th. I sent another email back stating that I did not feel comfortable with cash being sent through the mail because there could be a possibility that it doesn't reach its destination.
O.K. I am not going to go hungry if I wait another few days and I would like to get rid of my inventory, not stack it with the rest of my "non-paying" bidder packages. However, being older (a realtive term) and wiser here's what I see when I do not receive the payment this week and I send her another email. she: "I sent the payment in cash and you have taken it without sending my item". It goes down hill from there.
Perhaps I am being paranoid, but I have heard every excuse (albeit some may be true) for not sending payment, being victim twice of the old switcheroo (learned a lot from these two experiences), and gotten my first neg because, even though I went into minute detail in my description and had 4 or 5 pictures, it wasn't what the buyer pictured in her mind!! (oh yes, it was a $5 item)
I believe that people are intrinsically good, but once in a while one comes along that gives me a slap in the face and a dose of disappointment. I guess I am just venting this morning, possibly looking into something that isn't there, but we (hasty generalization) have all been there and done that.
posted on September 5, 2000 06:58:10 AM new
I would have filed for an FVF credit by now.
Once a payment is past 14 days, the chances of receiving it drop like a rock. I query on day 10 or so and file an NPB alert if I don't hear something. Once 10 days after the NPB passes I file for credit if them money isn't there.
I'd file an NPB and let them know you are doing it as standard procedure and not to bug them. If your payment shows, no problemo, if not oh well.
posted on September 5, 2000 07:08:29 AM new
We've heard all the horror stories about how stuff really does get lost in the mail. I'd really like to know how many times this excuse is valid and how many times it's not. A poster on another thread seemed to have counted up his totals and gave a ratio of about 100 to 1. Your buyer gave you a deadline she seems willing to observe. If you don't have payment by the 8th, proceed with the usual NPB protocol. Let her know that's your plan, and that you can't take responsibility that she chose to send cash by a non-traceable method.
Unfortunately, you're probably right that she's setting you up for a "I sent cash, and they took my money but didn't ship" claim. The worst you'll get out of it is an undeserved negative, which I realize is very traumatic to some people. The buyer doesn't have a lot of ground to stand on in a fraud claim, since she obviously isn't going to have any proof of mailing, let alone proof of payment. At least you can feel good about the fact that your negative will warn other sellers about her practices and your NPB alert will help get her suspended.
posted on September 5, 2000 07:13:22 AM new
As a seller, this is the type of buyer that could ruin your day many times over!! If you ever do receive her money, I certainly wouldn't "run" to the post office to send her item off.
I ran into a few of these "types" a month back, and now I make sure I always stay on top of my bidders feedback while the auction is current.
I've even cancelled a bid (not very often though) when the person had awful feedback. I'd rather it not sell, then relist it, instead of dealing with a possible neg from a deadbeat bidder.
posted on September 5, 2000 07:28:17 AM new
After reading some of these "cash" stories I might add the line in my EOA email stating something like
"If you want to send cash, please send so a signature is required, otherwise I can not be responsible for it. "
But that might make some think you are dishonest? And I have a feeling a lot of people send cash because it is easier than getting a MO and having to go to the PO for a signature required tag would defeat their purpose.
posted on September 5, 2000 07:47:58 AM new
I would e-mail her back and say something like:
If your payment is not received by 5pm on Friday, September 8th, this transaction will become null and void. If your payment reaches me after that date, I will return it to you unopened.
Go ahead and file the NPB which might cause her to really put the payment in the mail. If this all results in a neg, simply reply that the buyer said she sent cash for payment. Most people would overlook something like that when checking feedback.
posted on September 5, 2000 07:48:15 AM newbarrelracer That is an excellent suggestion. And if worded properly, it would not make it look improper.
Unfortunately, if dealing with a potential NPB, if they cannot send a check or M.O, they are NOT going to spend the extra money and take that extra trip to the Post Offcie to request a return receipt...
Still a good suggestion, though, and a safety net for those who are not trying to deceive and of course, for the seller. I have received cash only once... from Japan...and did not know payment would be in cash! But client did send it Registered, or whatever means is used in Japan...What a surprise it was!
******************** Shosh http://www.oldandsold.com/cgi-bin/auction.cgi?justdisp&Rifkah
posted on September 5, 2000 08:27:02 AM new
I know I'm in the minority here, but...
I would say cut the buyer some slack. This may be a perfectly good buyer. Do you want the repeat business or not? I've had lots of customers send me cash, certainly not a preferred method of payment, but no one has ever accused me of keeping the cash & not sending the item. If the person doesn't have a checking account & the dollar amount is small, the money order fees can be as much as the amount needed.
I would go with the buyers deadline, and if the payment wasn't there when they said, I would send them another email, then NPB in about 2-3 days if I haven't heard from them.
posted on September 5, 2000 08:27:09 AM new
I'm curious about the 'cash' part of it! Do you request that your sellers send cash or did they come up on their own?
posted on September 5, 2000 12:11:51 PM new
I forgot to add that I did file a NPB alert already. Sometimes I believe it is just the little nudge some people need. I can file for a FVF any time now as ten days was yesterday.
Guyuellas. She came up with the cash idea on her own. I accept almost anything (no chickens, cows, or eggs please) and do accept cash, but do not feel comfortable. I am for the most part honest to a fault and it would bother me a lot if this scenario plays out the way I think it might.
I had been in contact with her many times (a total of 8 emails- so far) and there is always an excuse. I just wish people would be honest. If she forgot, or doesn't have the money to pay until XX day, it can be worked out. It's the constant cat and mouse game I hate. If I make a mistake, I email my customer and say it. I don't mix words, because all I would do is trip over them later on.
I have a hallway full of boxes that were wrapped, waiting to go, but were not paid for. I do not want to add this package to them. ummm maybe I'll just give them for Christmas presents. That would save a lot of time shopping.
I am going to think positive and will find her payment in the mail this week. Needless to say, she is mailing from the far far North and mail may not be as fast.
