posted on December 3, 2000 10:08:19 PM new
Again, a reminder to all that I am a small time seller, practically microscopic. My feedback is less than 100 and a great many of those are as a buyer.
What I'm worried about is that it seems that my customers' friends and families seem to all be dying (thus making it impossible to make payment on their winning bids). I've been at this for about three months and already have had six deaths on my hands. And who knows about the ones that never write me to tell me that they are in mourning. I don't want this bloodshed to continue, but I just don't know what to do.
I just wanted to warn all of you of this to protect you and your loved ones.
Disclaimer: Yes, I know people really do die, and it really is difficult to cope with the loss, and I feel for the people that honestly feel this pain.
BUT! You still pay for your groceries when you're sad, don't you!?!
posted on December 3, 2000 10:22:28 PM new
Sadly, online auctions are now the nation's number one killer, topping out AIDS and heart disease. Merely by placing a winning bid can kill you or a loved one, as is reported by countless deadbeats. While not all deaths can be attributed to you or someone you love that participates in bidding at an online auction, certainly this nation-wide disaster rate can not be ignored much longer by the media . . .
posted on December 3, 2000 10:34:55 PM new
Like jenniphant, I too am a small time seller and I also get this excuse. I used to think it was pathetic--especially when you see that the bereaved is still bidding--and has even bid on, won, paid for and gotten feedback for auctions that started after the won they owe me for. But now days it really burns me up--because I really did lose my
Dad in August--and it is a despicable lie to tell. I just don't understand why someone would be so cavalier about something so tragic.
cybercat
Edited to add, yes--you DO still buy and pay for groceries when you're grieving--but sometimes you freak out the cashier when you burst into tears when they tell you to have a nice day--because you can't imagine having anymore nice days.
[ edited by cybercat on Dec 3, 2000 10:38 PM ]
posted on December 3, 2000 10:47:19 PM new
I had an interesting email last week....no one died, but a lady had won two of my auctions about 3 weeks ago. I emailed her at end of auction, she emailed back that she would get payment out. Then I get an email from her that she's been in the hospital for the last 2 weeks and hadn't been able to get all payments mailed. She is working on it as fast as she can. She also says that she was able to continue bidding while she was in the hospital. She had a friend who was helping her get her payments out, but that some of them were over looked, and she will be sending payment as soon as possible. Then she ends the letter saying if your records don't indicate that I still owe you, then I probably don't.
Still no payment from her, and when checking today, found she has now been NARU'd.
posted on December 3, 2000 11:11:47 PM new
Thank you for your kind words, cajunatpassmore. Christmas is a tough one this year.
I'm sorry to have even mentioned my loss--but I needed to vent about how angry it makes me to have that particular lie told to me by a non-paying bidder. The fact that they are not paying me doesn't bother me as much as the lie. Of course they have no way of knowing they are hitting a raw nerve when they choose that excuse with me--and you never know if someone might really be able to think about eBay while dealing with the death of a loved one--so I haven't called anyone on it--yet.
I know I couldn't do eBay when my father became ill last May. I had some auctions that had just ended and I wrapped up the items and mailed them out before getting paid and I certainly didn't feel like shopping. The only time I went online was to order in pet food to be delivered because I didn't want to have to go out and buy it and waste time I could be spending with my Dad.
99.999% of the buyers and sellers on eBay are terrific people but sometimes you run into ones that really make you wonder.
posted on December 3, 2000 11:14:20 PM new
I'm rather pissed off at the hubby right now and widowhood is looking rosier and rosier----would I be charged with murder if I bid on one of your auctions with his demise being the intent of my win????
posted on December 3, 2000 11:38:22 PM new
Just so you know death isn't limited to eBay....
My Mom owns a video store in a very small town. She had a customer come in and return a tape that was several days late.
The man who rented it came in to return it telling her he was sorry it was late but his son died.
Two days later his wife comes into the store and my Mom tells her she is sorry to hear about the son. "What about my son?" she asks. Mom said, "about his death".
"Who told you he died?", she asked. Mom told her it was her husband. Wife says, "There's nothing wrong with my son. He didn't die. I'm gonna kill my f*@^%*#
husband!"
Guess someone died after all .... at least I'll bet she brutalized him!
posted on December 4, 2000 04:52:50 AM new
Zazzie - I'd be careful -- there's no proof that you can target the results of a winning bid -- you might kill some poor innocent 3rd cousin instead of your husband!
(tongue in cheek, of course)
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on December 4, 2000 05:13:37 AM newcybercat, I also lost my Dad this past August. He spent the last 8 days of his life at the Cleveland Clinic, and my sister, my mom and myself were there the whole time. I had an auction end the day before he went there. I actually remembered to take an envelope and stamp with me so I could get payment to the seller.
Perhaps I'm weird in thinking of details like that during such a stressful time, but I was not going to email the seller and use my Dad's illness as an excuse. He taught me better than that.
People who will lie about such a thing must have a hard time looking in the mirror. If they don't they should.
I'm sorry to hear about the lose of your dad...the holidays will be strange this year that is for sure.
posted on December 4, 2000 05:45:58 AM new
I am sorry for your loss, I totally understand I lost my Dad many years ago around Thanksgiving, and it definitely made for many sad holiday times.
ON THE OTHER HAND, this is a priceless thread - I have really gotten some laughs out of it, although I don't get too many excuses of death or illness. This is priceless and should go in the On Line Sales Hall of Flame!
posted on December 4, 2000 07:03:13 AM new
In Oct. I auctioned off a bunch of Halloween costumes. One of the winners told me her husband died.
At first I felt really bad, and wrote her a note of condolance.
I checked the other auctions she bid on and she had bid on another of a similar item, different color. Plus all sorts of other Halloween stuff, and was paying for it.
posted on December 4, 2000 09:15:11 AM newcybercat..So sorry!
People should never use excuses like that; bad Karma!
On a lighter note, jenniphant and borillar made some cute comments...
Some bidder use an more general, umbrella-type excuse: family emergency...Probably sprained finger while key-ing ALL those EBAY BIDS ....
********************
Gosh Shosh!
posted on December 4, 2000 09:19:51 AM new
I get this excuse alot too and frankly I am tired of it.
When I get the "death in the family letter" I instantly send NPBA and file FVF.
It is outright disgusting that people do this. I have lost several family members and I do not use my loss as an excuse for anything ! People die ! Thats life.
Now I do not believe anyone who tells me this crap ! They all get negatives from me and a letter that says, "So you think just because you had a family member die this relinquishes you from your responsabilities ? Well it doesn't ! And I don't buy it ! You are banned from bidding on my auctions from now on !"
posted on December 4, 2000 09:26:51 AM new
I just consulted with a respected physician concerning the loss of loved ones by ebay winners. He surmised that when the lucky bidder tells their loved one of the great deal that they received on ebay, the shock is so great that the person immediately goes into cardiac arrest.
He will be escalating this issue to the sugeon general who is expected to then rule that ebay is hazardous to your health. Be prepared to add the sugeon generals warning to all of your auctions...
