posted on October 5, 2000 01:31:06 AM new
Well, some of you may remember the thread I started about the 0 feedback seller I purchased several items from who wanted to send the items overnight UPS at a cost of over $100.
I bid on another auction from a brand new seller, a huge set of pottery. Terms say Check, money order or Paypal. I checked and he is an unverified Paypal user. Now, with shipping this is going to run me over $200. I have no protection through Paypal because he is not verified, and a check would be just as bad. What would be the best way to pay him, and have a little leverage, if things go bad? I am very nervous sending a new person this kind of money, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Heather
posted on October 5, 2000 01:56:39 AM new
I would pay with a personal check. That way, at least you will get the cancelled check back from the bank as proof that the payee cashed it should you never get your stuff.
How awful to find a nice item to buy and then have to worry if you're actually going to get it.
posted on October 5, 2000 01:58:26 AM new
good morning hcross. I am not saying you shouldn't be worried, but, it was not that long ago the threads here were about the paypal verification. If you recall many veteran sellers refused to get the verification because they did not want to give paypal access to their bank account. That's all verification really is. I personally would trust a new seller before I would some of the ones who have posted here. They have more to lose.
posted on October 5, 2000 02:18:09 AM new
How about I-Escrow? It won't cost you much more, and you'll get to inspect the merchandise before the seller gets paid.
posted on October 5, 2000 02:40:12 AM new
I'm not familiar with your internal postal regs, but do you have the option of your seller sending the items to you on a cash on delivery basis?
posted on October 5, 2000 03:29:10 AM new
Personally, I never care if someone is verified or not, it is only this case which bothers me. If he was verified and had 0 feedback there would be no problem at all paying him by Paypal. I think I am out in the cold as far as a personal check? Do I have a way of recovering my money if something tragic happened if I sent a USPS Postal Money Order? I emailed and asked if he was going to get verified, was very nice about it. I am closing in on 500 feedback on this account, and do not want to appear pushy or for him to believe that since I have a lot of feedback that I am trying to order him around. It is obvious he worked hard on his auction, and the pics of the items are excellent, I am just very scared of this. Since he is new, if I started throwing things around like COD and I-Escrow, would he think I was trying to scam him? I would be using my bank debit card for this, so I don't think a chargeback would be an option? Heather
posted on October 5, 2000 04:05:38 AM new
I'd try something like this...
Dear Seller,
Would you consider sending the items I won COD? I will send you a money order for the amount you would be out if your items were refused by me (I fully intend to purchase them, but this way you don't have to worry about being out money for shipping if I did refuse them). I know this may sound like I am being overly cautious, but $200 is a lot of money and since you are just beginning to sell on eBay I have no way of checking your selling history. I hope you don't view my apprehension as me thinking you are dishonest, but in the internet world of today, we have to watch out for ourselves. I know we all began with 0 feedback so please accept this as me just being a cautious buyer. I definitely intend to purchase the items and do look forward to receiving them. Thanks for your understanding.... End of email
When I sold my first items, I would not have had a problem with someone being apprehensive about buying from me and would not have been insulted by anyone asking me to send COD if they offered to send the shipping amount plus COD charges if the item was refused. A couple years ago, I wanted to purchase some items from a guy on a board. The guy said he had five of them. They came to a little over a hundred dollars with shipping. I asked him if he would accept COD. He refused, so I declined. Within a week his name was all over that board for scamming a number of people and the local police had become involved.
