posted on October 25, 2000 10:28:39 AM
I need some advice as I am sure this must have happened to someone before.
I had an auction end, sent out EOA, no response, finally 2 weeks later I get a respose that the high bidder has had an emergency and will send out payment immediately. 3 weeks go by and no payment arrives. So off to the second highest bidder I go and offer and of second bidder accepts. 3 days later 1 st payment arrives and so does second payment.
Now what?
I really don't see how to be fair to either.
I only have one of the item.
Should I have waited longer to make the offer to the second bidder?
Who do I send the item to and who do I refund?
Oh this is crazy.
Thanks for all input
Angel
posted on October 25, 2000 10:32:50 AM
Sell it to the second bidder. You only should allow only so long to the first one. They didn't meet the rules. I've done this more than once.
You snooze you lose. Mercy needs to be coupled with firmness.
posted on October 25, 2000 10:32:53 AM
If the high bidder had sent the payment out right away after he contacted you regarding the emergency--you wouldn't have this problem. Check the postage cancelation mark---and then let him know that his delay caused you to sell it to the second bidder
posted on October 25, 2000 10:33:12 AM
I'd go with the second person.
The high bidder took 5 weeks to pay, which to me makes the sale null and void. The second person did exactly what they said they'd do.
I'd return the high bidders payment with a nice note. Something like: Sorry, I sold this item. Since it had been five weeks, I thought you'd changed your mind.
posted on October 25, 2000 10:38:18 AM
Selling to the first bidder protects you from negative feedback.
From a fairness viewpoint, I'd sell to the second if the prospect of a negative FB doesn't bother you. It is unreasonable to expect a seller to wait 5 weeks for payment, esp. after promising "immediate" payment unless arrangements are made in advance.
Generally, I tend to give deadlines to people, so that I can automatically offer to the second bidder without guilt - "if i don't receive payment in 7 days, I will offer...".
Sorry this had to happen to you. Frankly, its amazing that you got a payment from someone with an "emergency"...most of these "emergencies" are "no money to pay you with" type of emergencies...
posted on October 25, 2000 10:39:48 AM
I believe you were more than fair in your effort to accomodate your first buyer. I'd supply the product to your second bidder and would return payment to your original high bidder along with the note explaining the situation. There should be no harn done, since your intentions were good and you did the right thing.
posted on October 25, 2000 10:49:19 AM
ok First of all, you waited TWO weeks for a response from the first bidder?? Then you get notice that this person had an emergency and will send out pmt. immediately? Then you wait a full three weeks? why?? Did you send another notice within a week? Sorry for all the questions. People REALLY do have emergencies. (Oh and, BTW, I am a seller). As a seller, I would have emailed this buyer within a week giving them a reminder before I would have gone to the second high bidder. JMHO. Janet
posted on October 25, 2000 12:27:46 PM
Well I don't want to sound like a total B , but here goes. I don't babysit bidders but then I don't get a whole lot of deadbeats either.
I send out 1 reminder after 2 weeks of non payment
After 4 weeks I either cut my losses and relist or I go to the second bidder.
I understand Emergencies I have 2 in the past yr myself.
I make arrangements with people who have "problems"
I try to be fair and think that my system is a bit more fair than payment expected within 7 days or else.
I don't file FVF's or NPB's either.
I think I will go with the second bidder otherwise it would be like holding a bone on a string above a dogs head.
I will send the first payment back with a note and a buck to cover the stamp and cost of the money order.
Thanks all for the advice!
I hate that this happend and hope I am not risking a neg but if I get one it'll be my first.
posted on October 25, 2000 01:12:33 PM
Something to consider in the future....if you have this type of situation again, make sure you give the first bidder a 'drop dead' date, "If payment isn't here by xxx, then the item will be relisted/sold to second bidder/whatever."
posted on October 26, 2000 07:40:50 AM
second bidder should get item. as for the first bidder, unexpected emergencies do happen, but on ebay it seems to becomes an excuse for some buyers that don't have the money right away or are having 2nd thoughts about their bid. Not to say 1st bidder wasn't telling the truth, but how are you supposed to know. All you know, is they aren't contacting you when only a few days ago they were capable of placing a bid. Check their bid history and see if they were placing bids during this "emergency time"
I have received a neg. from a NPB in the past I waited 60 DAYS before giving him his neg. (way more than fair and i missed out on my FVF) He had 5 different excuses over those 60 days and each one was better than the next. The neg doesn't bother me because it is easily explained with a follow up. Give them the neg. they deserve. File for a FVF credit with ebay.
