posted on January 2, 2001 11:21:18 PM
I just sent a payment reminder to one of my customers. The auction ended 12/20/00. Therefore, in conjuction with my TOA, payment is due within 10 days. I allowed a few days due to the Holidays for the mail to come through. What's bizarre is, this customer is up the coast from me (I'm in Calif, she in Oregon). She said she was wondering where her package was. She sent in a m.o. before Christmas. Well, now what? I've been doing this for less than a year without any problems. What are your suggestions at this point? I will not ship until payment is received.
posted on January 2, 2001 11:29:48 PM
What day, exactly, does she claim to have sent it?
Since Christmas is over, you'd think that the PO had gotten it together a bit more, but maybe not. She might be telling the truth. Before and immediately after Christmas, I had bidders left and right freaking out because I hadn't received their payments yet, some had been mailed out 10 days prior. One came from Arizona to Texas and took 12 days! A shirt I bought on eBay, was sent PRIORITY mail and took 11 days!! Absurd stuff, never happened to me before the Christmas season.
So, while I'm one to stick to the TOS and all, I have cut my bidders some slack on the auctions that ended right around Christmas time, so if she can give you and exact date and it seems reasonable, I'd give her some more time to see if the payment shows up. Otherwise, she might have to put a trace on the money order.
Just my $.02.
Sheri
[email protected]
[ edited by BlackCoffeeBlues on Jan 2, 2001 11:31 PM ]
posted on January 3, 2001 04:22:07 AM
There seems to be a lot of lost mail floating around out there! Just yesterday I got a payment that was mailed on December 13. Took from December 13 to January 2 to come from Colorado to North Carolina.
posted on January 3, 2001 04:36:42 AM
Well I'm relieved to have some company in this situation! I have 3 buyers that claim to have mailed their payments before Christmas (one on Dec. 6th) I've only been doing this for 5 months, but this is the first time payments haven't reached me. Some have been taking up to 10 days to get here. Also good to know that some mail still arrives after 3 weeks, I thought if I didn't see it in 3 weeks, I never would.
Avmom- You are absolutely right not to mail the item until payment is received. I have just advised the buyers that the mail has been slow, and let's hang on another week. Also can't they get a refund on a money order if they have the receipt and it hasn't been cashed?
This hasn't happened directly to me, but I've read about those confused or dishonest buyers that just SWEAR they've sent the payment and haven't. I may have even had a couple of those, because they were so quick to resend a money order, and another backed out of the auction altogether. Maybe they get embarrassed when they realize they didn't actually mail the payment.
posted on January 3, 2001 04:54:15 AM
If she sent a MO, she should have the receipt (stub or carbon copy). If she can scan this or fax you a copy, then I'd suggest waiting to see if the payment shows up. If it hasn't in another week or so, then the two of you are going to have to work something out regarding cancelling that MO and issuing another, or just cancelling the entire transaction.
posted on January 3, 2001 07:52:59 AM
Here's something for all of you to keep in the back of your mind.
Yesterday I got an email from a buyer in NY.
It seems the package I mailed to him Last January and considered lost and replaced, just arrived.
So there was a package that was missing for a year.
Nothing is impossible with the post office.
Also, keep in mind that just because bad weather hasn't hit your part of the country, that it only takes one major airport to close or have delays and that will back up the whole system.
posted on January 3, 2001 09:02:09 AM
Okay, I'll contact the buyer and ask about a receipt. Does it cost them anything to check to see if the MO has cleared? Last I heard to trace a MO, it costs $8 or something. I've worked hard to have a perfect FB. I just hope this transaction doesn't cost me.
Now to think of something "professional" to come back with. Also with the weather delays on the west coast hasn't been a problem. I know Oregon snows, but it's not bad as the storm that went over the MidWest/Eastern area.
Wow, I cannot believe some of these nightmare postal stories. Thanks!
