posted on October 11, 2000 04:56:54 PM
Hi, everyone! I need some advice. I haven't been selling too long on eBay (by the looks of the "Feedback Ration" thread here, I would be the resident "newbie."
I have run into my first case of bidders not responding or paying. It has been a little over two weeks since the auctions end, and I want to send them a reminder email stating basically - pay within 7 days, or I'll be filing for my final fees.
How do you guys (or gals) word this?? I'm trying not to sound mean. I won't be negging anyone-I can't afford any retaliatory negs this early and my dutch auctions went better than expected. I just want to either be paid or be able to relist what's left.
Thanks for your help - I've learned a great deal since I first started reading all the threads here!
monster
[ edited by idlemonster on Oct 11, 2000 04:57 PM ]
posted on October 11, 2000 05:01:43 PM
At first I send an email simply stating which day the acution ended, that I haven't received payment yet, and "I'm sure it's an oversight". At least 50% of the deadbeats respond to that (in many cases is was an oversight, or maybe they're just happy to be able to "pretend" it was and save face).
From that email, 7 days is plenty of time to get the payment to me, and if they don't, it's FVF and neg time.
Don't worry about getting a retaliatory neg. You probably won't get one. If you do (and I've never, ever gotten one) you can write a response to it. Just say "didn't honor bid and leaves me a neg" or something like that. Most people are far more understanding and literate than we sometimes give them credit for. Your reputation will be fine. Don't sweat it.
posted on October 11, 2000 05:05:34 PM
I send a second notice about 4 days after the auction ends, if the first gets no response. This is sent from the "Email this auction..." link on the listing page and one of my ISP accounts (my Ebay addy is Hotmail). It is a copy of the original EOA with this paragraph at the beginning "SECOND NOTICE--WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO OUR WINNING BID NOTICE. PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN 3 DAYS, SO THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU RECEIVED THIS EMAIL. A SECOND COPY WILL BE SENT FROM ANOTHER EMAIL SERVER, JUST IN CASE THERE WAS A PROBLEM RECEIVING OUR EMAILS DUE TO EMAIL FILTERS". I've gotten a response to every one of these so far. The only NPB I've filed was for a bidder who gave an enthusiastic initial response, failed to pay, but continued to bid on other auctions and apparently pay for them. Her FVF request is due tomorrow, and I'm working on screwing up my courage to leave my first negative. I hate to risk my perfect record, but I've gotta do my civic duty.
Really, the NPB letter that Ebay sends out is a gentle reminder to pay your seller, and if they do pay, then they don't get any nasty ones.
posted on October 11, 2000 05:09:49 PM
And I should point out, the more confrontational your emails are, the less productive they are. There is no need for threats, implied or overt. You are more likely to get what you want i.e. payment, if you word it pleasantly. Ultimately if this fails, neg the %$#!er!
posted on October 11, 2000 05:11:28 PM
Well, first let's get the time frame straight: After you file the NPB Alert, you are required to wait an additional 10 days before filing for your FVF credit.
That having been said, I always send a 'reminder' email prior to filing the NPB Alert (usually about 2 weeks after the end of auction). I merely say something like "We have not received payment for this auction which ended x/xx, and thought you should know in case your payment has been lost in the mail". I don't threaten, or give them a deadline before I take 'punitive' action. If I am certain they are receiving my emails, and I don't hear from them in a few days, and payment still isn't received, then I go ahead and file my NPB alert. If that doesn't get a response in the required 10 days, then I file for my FVF credit.
Others probably have other ways of pursuing a non-pay.
posted on October 11, 2000 05:44:13 PM
The thing that I want to ask you is if you gave your customer a firm date in your EOAB by which payment had to be received. If you did not, have fun trying to collect!
I give 14 days. I just filed a NPB Alert since today is the 14th day and payment was not received. I would be very careful if I were you in wording that letter, since it can easily be construed that you are making a threat of some sort - that would put the ball in their court.
I have given up on begging letters. I make it clear in my EOAB when payment is expected by. After 7 days and no payment has been received, I send them a gentle nudge via e-mail. At 14 days and no payment has ben received, I go file the NPB alert. I don't feel a bit sorry for the customer either if their payment arrives the day after I place the NPB alert as customers who fail to contact me after they send payment can't expect me to be a mind-reader.
At any rate, filing the NPB alert cuts to the chase. At that point, you'll learn if the customer is a deadbeat of not, because they will get eBay's notice. If you don't hear from them again after 10 days have passed since you filed the NPB alert, file for your FVF and leave a negative feedback. Besure that you simply state the facts; e.g. "No Contact, Item Not Paid For" instead of "DEADBEAT! LIAR! BAD! DON'T SELL TO!! DEADBEAT!" as that's sure to get you a retalitory neg.
