rampaged
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posted on October 12, 2000 07:49:06 AM
I sold an item at auction for $20.50. With shipping the total came to $25.90. The customer paid with Paypal and the merchandise went into the mail this morning.
When I return home I had the following email: Just noticed that on your web site you sell this same item for $15 !! Very unhappy that I did not see that first. Any chance you will honor that price?
She also indicated that she is interested in other items on my web site, but did not ask to purchase any of the other items.
She is a seller as well as a buyer with a feedback total of 25 and showing 23 with one negative that I consider unjustified by reading the response she left to the negative. I have left positive feedback for her. She has not left feedback for she has not received the item yet.
I hate to say I won't honor the $15.00 price for I would loose $5.50, but then again I may loose a repeat customer.
There were two bidders in this auction. The other one bid $20.00. The starting price was $12.99 which I would have been happy with, but then again it is an auction, and if I agree to the $15.00 price I have not done the right thing by the other bidder.
Should I agree to the $15.00 and email the other bidder and offer them the same item for $15.00 also, or would that be against eBay rules.
All comments appreciated.
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debbielennon
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posted on October 12, 2000 07:54:05 AM
You could try and email her & say that you will give her a $5.50 credit towards a purchase from your website so as not to be unfair to the underbidder...
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RB
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posted on October 12, 2000 07:56:18 AM
Arghh! You have created a tiered pricing system - some customers get the good price and others don't.
Bad, bad marketing I'd say ...
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yisgood
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posted on October 12, 2000 07:56:54 AM
It is precisely for this reason that I put in my auctions "item is sold to the first person who bid $x." Occasionally I get someone who bids even higher and then I have the satisfaction of telling them, "though you bid $30, you must have missed where I said the item is sold at $25, so all I am asking is $25." It has brought me great feedback and lots of repeat business and referrals.
http://www.ygoodman.com
[email protected]
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rampaged
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posted on October 12, 2000 08:17:04 AM
What about the offer to the underbidder?
Would that be a no, no by eBay rules as the auction is over and they did place a bid on the item.
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Glenda
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posted on October 12, 2000 08:19:44 AM
I would not give it to her for the lower price - this is an auction, and she didn't do any homework before she bid.
But, you could tell her you'll give her a discount of X% on her first two purchases from your website.
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soldbyj
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posted on October 12, 2000 08:20:40 AM
I have always honored the price on my site, but only when the person was smart enough to go to my site and look. My site has a direct link on all my auctions.
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debbielennon
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posted on October 12, 2000 08:20:42 AM
Email the underbidder with a link to your website and let them know that although they did not win your auction, the item is available for purchase on your website should they still be interested. I believe this is permissible since the auction is over. (Just be sure you let them know that you were the seller in the auction so they don't think you are one of those dreaded bottomfeeders. )
typo!
[ edited by debbielennon on Oct 12, 2000 08:22 AM ]
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pickersangel
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posted on October 12, 2000 08:21:49 AM
I believe that could be construed as "fee avoidance", even though your motives are pure. I like the suggestion of informing the customer that you'll be extending a $5.50 credit toward any purchase off your website, since she's expressed an interest.
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bhouses
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posted on October 12, 2000 08:51:53 AM
Ebay is an auction site, she bid on the auction, she should pay what she bid. People should be held responsible for their actions. Give her a discount at your web site if you are selling stuff there.
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capotasto
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posted on October 12, 2000 09:02:02 AM
The fairest way to handle these kinds of sales (I assume you have plenty available since you sell them on your web site) is to post a dutch auction with a huge quantity priced just under your web site price (ebay rule). That way everyone will get one at the same price, and you'll be surprised how many you will sell -- over and over...
In this present situation I would offer it to the winner and the underbidder for your web site price.
Vinnie
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HartCottageQuilts
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posted on October 12, 2000 10:07:52 AM
What pickersangel said, only in bold italics.
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rampaged
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posted on October 12, 2000 01:29:27 PM
I want to think everyone for their input. As always it is appreciated.
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Shoshanah
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posted on October 12, 2000 02:29:01 PM
A Seller should know that Auction terms are different from Store terms. S/He BID on an auction. S/he should have surfed your Websire first (I assume it is mentioned in your listings) ; then s/he would have known...Sounds like s/he was hoping to get it cheaper BECAUSE it was an auction... Goes to prove, like that man sings in Porgy and Bess: "It ain't necessarily so..."
I definitely would NOT sell at Website price, but would offer a discount when s/he purchases from Webpage.
********************
Shosh
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
[ edited by Shoshanah on Oct 12, 2000 02:32 PM ]
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lotsafuzz
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posted on October 12, 2000 02:55:11 PM
Personally, I really like the idea of offering some kind of discount on her next perchase from your website.
There is something about 'discounts' that get people to spend, spend, spend.
I would email back stating that since this was an auction she was bound by her high bid (seems she was happy enough to pay that price before she found it cheaper). (you could even state that the second bidder bid 20.00 and it would be unfair that she got the item for less than the second bidder). Then move on to say that you would love to have her as a repeat buyer and that you will offer her a discount.
Good Luck!
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cassiescloset
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posted on October 12, 2000 03:18:30 PM
I like debbielennon suggestion to offer a credit off next purchase.
No one held a gun to the bidder's head to make that bid, and it was her responsibility to check her prices before bidding.
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beatnikangel
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posted on October 13, 2000 02:55:28 PM
How did the buyer know about your website? It's against eBay's rules to provide a link in an auction listing to a site where the same merchandise being auctioned is available for the same or a lesser price.
Here is their rule:
Your About Me page may not include the following:....
2. links to sites offering merchandise identical to items you have listed on eBay for the same or lower price (than the initial bid set in the eBay auction).
( The link to the entire section is http://pages.ebay.com/help/rulesandsafety/42060004.html )
I sell books on my website, but take books being currently offered on auction off the site when the auction begins.
The other option is just not to provide a link to your site.
Denise
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danilynn71
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posted on October 13, 2000 03:14:04 PM
The original poster said that her opening bid was $12.99. That is below the $15.00 price on her website. So, I believe eBay does allow this. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong...
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