posted on December 6, 2000 07:20:21 AM new
Gotta vent, or I am going to lose it in email...
I only run approx 50 (a little more now cause of the holidays) auctions per month. On average, my auctions end at $100-$200.
In the last two weeks, I have had 8 deadbeats (with one more in the making). Deadbeats either because they didn't read the description carefully, or deadbeats because something "unexpected" came up and they can't follow through. I am floored by this. One of these who "didn't read the description carefully" is a repeat customer with nearly 600 feedbacks.
I don't remember ebay being so deadbeat-ladden last Christmas. What is going on?
Btw, this is not an anti-buyer thread. I LOVE my buyers...the one's who actually PAY and communicate. It's the after-the-fact-non-buyers I am sick of.
posted on December 6, 2000 07:30:45 AM new
Julesy,
My sales at eBay have been down all year.We also have a retail store and are having our worst year.Most retailers and sales reps I talk to say the same thing.I guess its time to think about next year...this one is in the dumper for sure.
PS.
I have a friend who is a big importer and he is having an awesome year...go figure.
Acyberguy Country Outlet, Inc. Visit
posted on December 6, 2000 07:34:12 AM new
I've had a couple of deadbeats, mostly real small ticket items, so it's just a minor annoyance...But as I email/ship/feedback it just doesn't seem the same as eBay Christmases Past...There used to be tons of holiday spirit floating around, now it just seems to have vanished....[sad]
posted on December 6, 2000 07:36:22 AM new
acyberguy ... do you think internet sales have hurt your retail operation? I know many people who prefer to shop on line, especially at this time of the year when the crowds in the malls and lack of parking spaces can be a real turn off.
julesy ... it hurts even more when you list only one item per month month and get a deadbeat bidder - happened to me twice in a row!
posted on December 6, 2000 07:51:38 AM new
RB,
We have a 15,000 sq ft funiture/gift store and being a smaller mom/pop operation I think we have less to worry about from the internet.A large part of our sales is furniture and people like to see and touch that product plus shipping to a residental is expensive.There are people who do it though.
After saying that I must say I buy more and more of the internet.Its easy fast and mostly hassle free...so far.My last purchase was a lap top from Gateway and I never spoke to a human, recieved it in 7 days.I was shocked.I do believe there will always be brick and mortar stores but the internet will just keep growing and growing.The average person has a chance to reach the world and no one knows if he is working out of his basement or a big business.
I think of the internet as the Old West...theres gold in them thar hills,we need to mine it !!!!!
PS
I havent found my vein of gold yet.
Ray aka AcyberguyPresident Country Outlet, Inc.My Place
posted on December 6, 2000 09:05:03 AM new
Hi Lori! Good to see you, too!
Thanks for all the responses, everyone.
I used to have maybe one deadbeat per month, and it was the kind who never responded. That was pretty cut and dry, and easier to deal with for some reason. This kind, where they make excuses and lame apologies just piss me off.
And my sales are good, when they actually go through, so I can't complain about bids...I guess it just isn't the right folks who are running up the bids. Plus, it is a PITA to keep tabs on when to file the NPB and then ask for FVF refunds, when you have so many going at once. Then you worry about negging 'em all for fear of retaliation...(can I #*!@ much more??)
posted on December 6, 2000 12:26:11 PM new
I have not had a deadbeat in 2 months. I primarily sell on Yahoo and it seems the cc verification has solved the problem to a large extent. No more discardable reputation.
posted on December 6, 2000 07:21:24 PM new
In approximately the last week, I have had:
14 NPBs filed for deadbeats
4 people who emailed right after the auction and said they "made a mistake" and wouldn't be buying the item after all. (And no underbidders were willing to buy the item when I emailed them.)
1 person who did 4 bid retractions on the last day because she had "overextended" herself.
It's getting so I feel like this is a normal part of doing business. Makes me appreciate the people who pay fast!
posted on December 6, 2000 07:24:17 PM new
P.S. My rate of NPBs is WAY up. 14 would have seemed totally outrageous just 6 months ago. Now it's getting to be ho-hum.
posted on December 7, 2000 10:16:51 AM new
Not many NPBs, but tons of VSP (Very Slow Payers). I run so darn many auctions it doesn't heavily impact my cash flow, but there's necessarily some time wasted in keeping after these folks. The worst are the people who buy multiple items. When I see a bidder has won four or more things, I can depend on there being a problem with payment.
Good to see you, too!
