posted on September 30, 2000 09:59:07 AM new
I am currently having a problem getting in touch with 2 of my high bidders. I have emailed them both several times and nothing. I know they both might be on vacation or whatever, but I am getting anxious. It has been six days on one and seven on the other since auction close. One especially is for a considerable amount and the buyer has a sunglasses icon next to their user name. So there is no feedback posted. I have requested and rec'd their info (names and phone numbers) and they presumably got the same notice with all my info, so they know I am hot on their trail.
So should I call them? The unknown (new name) bidder has an "edu" tag. I am now even more concerned after reading some of the messages posted here addressing suspicions about glasses logos and edu tags.
So what do you all think? How long should I wait to call? Or should I try emailing AGAIN?
posted on September 30, 2000 10:06:42 AM new
The first thing I would try is to email them through a different email addresss or through "mail this auction to a friend". Sometimes the problem is that your email is not getting through. I would also make it very clear in your email that you expect a reply by email. Many buyers will just send payment and not realize they should email also.
posted on September 30, 2000 10:10:16 AM new
THANKS! I do have another mailbox and I'll try that. However, none of my emails came back via "MAIL DEMON". Usually I'm notified.
posted on September 30, 2000 10:19:24 AM new
One other thing to consider is what you are putting in the subject line. I've deleted more than one ebay related email because the seller used just "Congratulations" or "You are a winner!!" as the title and I dumped it by accident with the other 18 spam.
I usually put "Wooden Widget, ebay auction #12345678" or something similar in the subject line when I contact a high bidder.
posted on September 30, 2000 10:34:33 AM new
YEP, me too. Been there, done that. Also, since I have sent at least 3 emails to each buyer with the same subject, ie 44005633, item description etc. and gotten no response, I don't know what to think. If they read their mail regularly then they have seen my emails.
posted on September 30, 2000 12:15:58 PM new
File an NPB alert after seven days of non-response. If you don't hear from someone, that should get their attention--if not then file for FVF credit and/or move on to bidder number two.
It takes less than a minute to reply to an email. I don't, for a moment, believe most of the excuses I hear. Don't waste time on people who are intent on wasting yours. If they want to get NARU'd, that's not your problem.
posted on September 30, 2000 02:24:21 PM new
I have to agree with mballi...time for the NPB. That is what I do after several attempts to get a response from the winning bidder. I don't usually call, as the items I sell are not high priced...when I do call it is because the bidder has good feedback, or are totally new, and I want to give them a chance.
I have found that the NPB that eBay sends usually gets a response from the bidder. Some are legitimate excuses and some are not. And of those who do finally respond, most pay up. After they respond that they are sending payment, I wait the 10 days eBay allows for payment and if it doesn't arrive, I then send an "auction canceled" notice to the bidder...I wait one more day to see if they tell me payment has been sent, and if no response, I then cancel and file for FVF, and move on.
Many times they are having computer or email problems, only have access from work place, or have been called away unexpectedly. And many of the ".edu" are legitimate, but they have limited access to a pc.
posted on September 30, 2000 11:37:20 PM new
I just checked this bidder's other auction activity. He bid on about 8 diamond auctions and 2 highly expensive motorcycles. Lucky me, he won mine. Well, he either has bucks or was just playing. He still has a day to get back to me. I really need this bidder to come through! Dang!
posted on September 30, 2000 11:53:18 PM new
It's only been 6 or 7 days- I'd chill out for another week or so. Some folks send payment, but just don't return the email. It's the payment that counts.
Then do the NPB thing and see what shakes loose.
I get lots of payments after 10+ days, no sense getting an ulcer about it after 6 days, ya know? Time's better spent listing more stuff, or being with the family.
