posted on January 11, 2001 09:24:11 PM
I've had about 400 ebay transactions since May, and this is a first for me.
Auction ends January 4. Winning bidder has zero feedback, sunglasses and just registered on Januray 1. I email on 4th and again on 7th - No response until today:
Hi!
I'm sorry but I made a mistake. I was so certain that
I was outbidded that I bet on the same issues from
another seller.
The only issue you are selling that the other seller
wasn't is the May/June 1986 issue and I think that
paying over 25 US$ for a single issue is far too much.
Sory for the inconvenient
Andree
I checked their bid history. They have won 7 auctions since the 4th, and while they all are similar items, they are in fact not the same as mine, so I know the bidder is lying about the second auction.
After calming down, I emailed them a copy of the bidding policy from ebay's User Agreement. I added that I would be filing a NPB alert and a FVF to receive credit from ebay.
I did not ask for any kind of response from them. I realize from their email that there is no sense in even trying to complete the deal with them.
So, do I wait a couple days to see what happens or do I start the ball rolling and file the NPB alert now? What would you have done differently? I've had some slow pokes and a couple out-right deadbeats, but never a winning bidder who emails me a stupid excuse!
[ edited by mapledr1216 on Jan 11, 2001 09:24 PM ]
posted on January 11, 2001 09:43:41 PM
If you don't have a backup bidder wanting the item, start the relist process and move on. Your top bidder has told you she won't pay.
You will encounter a couple of oddball types a year, perhaps more. Enjoy the story for the entertainment value but don't lose any sleep over it.
Be sure to tell her not to bid on any of your auctions so that you have the right to cancel any future bids from her if necessary.
posted on January 11, 2001 10:18:27 PM
Start the NPB ball rolling and move on. I hate these deadbeats.I had one last sping that bid on everyhting in sight, claimed later that his business had been shut down due to a gasline rupture, and was bidding and B.S.ing other sellers along the way for at least a month. Never paid certain sellers that he apparently decided he was not going to pay, and bid up a storm with others. The incredible thing is that this guy appealed to ebay and IS STILL OUT THERE. I have a policy of checking bidder feedback now, and cancelled two bids the past two weeks.
posted on January 12, 2001 06:53:25 AM
Since ebay is down still, I haven't had a chance to file the NPB, and this is the email I received from my winning bidder this morning:
Hi,
There is really no need to hit me with all the legal
stuff, I'm just beginning bidding on e-Bay, and I made
an honest mistake. I didn't want to cause you any
trouble.
I'm sorry about the 1.35$.
Andree
So, do I still go ahead with the NPB and FVF, or do I give them a break?
posted on January 12, 2001 07:05:42 AM
Maybe they did make an honest mistake, but you have already said you know they didn't bid on another auction with the same item as yours. And by the way, how can you think you were outbid if you weren't. Either they flat did not pay attention, found the item cheaper elsewhere, or have decided not to take your item. Either way you are out listing fees and final fees. And they are new and need to learn the way things work. So I say file for your NPB then go with the FVF, and yes go ahead and leave them a neg. You've already told them you were going to and they came back saying they didn't need to hear the legalities. Oh Please!
Besides all that the NPB alert letter maybe enough to let them know they can't go "opps, I made a mistake."
posted on January 12, 2001 07:26:15 AM
Nip this problem in the bud and ensure that this buyer will learn that ebaY transactions are not some joke that you can walk away from
File NPB, FVF and neg them for backing out. Giving them a break will only tell them that they can do this freely with no consequences.
If it was a buyer with decent feedback who asked nicely if they could void the transaction for a legit reason, I would have no problem with that. This cavalier attitude of, Oops (giggle, giggle) I made a mistake, so I won't be buying from you... has got to go. This is someone's livelihood in a lot of cases and newbies need to learn that.
Anyone who uses the word "bidded" or "outbidded" deserves a neg anyway. It's like chalk on a blackboard to my eyes.
posted on January 12, 2001 07:26:42 AM
Maybe I am feeling generous this morning, (ha ha ) but since they are new and do you really want a hassle for the FVF, I would file for the FVF by saying both seller and buyer agree not to complete the transaction.
You get your fees back and move on.
I guess I give newbies more of the benefit of the doubt. It is the bidders with a lot of great feedback that never respond or don't pay I fume about.
You can leave a neutral feedback to warn others too.
That way, if this does become their pattern it will be easier to see.
posted on January 12, 2001 07:39:46 AM
If this non paying bidder is sincere then I would ask them to make payment of the listing fees and the final value fee.
Even though eBay will credit the FVF it still does not (to my knowledge) credit the listing fee for an auction that was won but not completed.
A seller is thus at a loss in terms of money and time as a result of a deadbeat. It is only right that the deadbeat make up for this loss.
posted on January 12, 2001 07:51:33 AM
The buyer is either lying, not too bright, or doesn't really give a damn. Regardless of which, they need to learn some responsibility. Neg 'em and file for FVF.
I remember the first auction I bid on. I got caught up in the excitement of trying to find out what the seller's reserve was. I wound up bidding $50 more than I had any intention of paying. When that realization hit me, I canceled my bid. I learned to be a little more responsible in my bidding. I also learned that the time to get out of an auction is BEFORE it ends, not after you become the winning bidder.
posted on January 12, 2001 08:00:18 AM
If your statements are correct this is NOT a new bidder. You stated sunglasses and doesn't that mean they have changed their user name. I am leary of sunglasses after a name, as you can't see their bidding history I think they are trying to hide something. I would go ahead and file your necessary papers and see what happens. All I can think of is beware of people their sunglasses
posted on January 12, 2001 08:52:11 AM
I too tend toward leniency with new bidders but will always neg the old pros who know better. But I now have a guy who failed to send the check for a piece of jewelry. You know,the brother is terminal story and check is in the mail. But I hate not to neg because I notice he isnow bidding on other very expensive jewelry and I would hate for others to be taken in by him.
posted on January 12, 2001 09:34:11 AM
The winning bid amount should not matter. This person is not fulfilling their obligation to purchase the item they bid on.
The seller now has to jump through hoops, filing and waiting and relisting through no fault of their own. It's okay to trash ebaY for saying, "It's only a dollar" but a bidder can say, "It's only a dollar thirty five" and that's okay? Maybe some sellers can shrug off a sale of $10. Is there a set amount that justifies asking the person to honor their bid?
I used to look at eBay as a big garage sale in which all sellers were making fun money. Nothing serious. Boy, was I wrong. I learned from reading this board that people depend on their eBay income to live. That's why I think no matter what the amount, if you bid, you should pay. A newbie bidder should learn right from the beginning that if you bid, you buy. Letting it slide only gives them license to flake out after the auction.
posted on January 12, 2001 09:44:16 AM
I agree, too. After the fiasco with my buyer I think buyers need to realize that there are consequences for their actions. If not, they will continue - until someone teaches them.
The email tells you she just doesn't give a darn - Neg and FVF. She is probably doing this alot.
When I was a newbie I bid on an item and paid too much. Guess what? I ate the loss. After all, I placed the bid, didn't I?
$35 for a poorly handmade dress for a Kissy Doll? I think not! I thought I was bidding on the doll - boy did I learn quick!
posted on January 12, 2001 09:59:32 AM
Yes, there should be consequences - but those consequences should hurt the buyer not the seller.
If a buyer reneges over $1.35, don't waste valuable time! Leave a negative if you wish (that takes less than a minute). Go through the process of obtaining a fee refund if you wish (5 minutes?). Relist the item. THEN MOVE ON.
Don't waste time writing the buyer a long e-mail and then responding to their response. Don't spend time complaining about the problem on a message board, etc.
There is a rule a thumb in business I heard long ago and have never forgotten:
Most businesses spend 80% of their time on activities which produce 20% of their profit.
posted on January 12, 2001 11:01:23 AM
No, the winning bid was not $1.35, it was $22.00. The $1.35 comes from my reply to her email. I said that her mistake was more than an inconvenience as the auction had cost me $1.35 in listing and final value fees.
If she would have offered to pay the $1.35 in fees, I probably would have let the matter drop. But I found it very arrogant to just say "sorry" about my losing the money because of her mistake.
I also don't feel very generous, even though she is a newbie, because of her lie that she bid on the same items already because she thought she was "outbidded".
posted on January 12, 2001 12:12:16 PM
Is she a newbie? In the posters first post it says she has suglasses behind her name, beware she probably had some really bad feedback and she changed her ID. If there are sun glasses that means she has been here before. Right?
posted on January 12, 2001 12:23:09 PM
no no no...you get sunglasses when you first register, or if you have changed your user ID, or if you have changed your email. Sunglasses stay for 30 days. So yes if you are a newbie who has been on less than 30 days you will have sunglasses and it has nothing to do with hiding anything.
I stand by my earlier post on filing for your credit and neg them.
I was under the impression that Mapledr1216 came here to this board for help, not to complain. Thats what the boards are for. Correct?
And, I agree with Zazzie. They are new, so leaving a neg feedback for them like she said might help them to understand and let other sellers know that it could have been an honest mistake, but to use caution.
posted on January 12, 2001 12:54:00 PM
File the NPB, then file the FVF, then file the feedback (neg or neutral, your choice).
This person wants to play on eBay, and enjoy all that eBay has to offer, then this person must also learn the rules. Your sense of leniency can be exercised in the feedback (whether neg or neutral).
What gave me a chuckle was this person's nonchalance at the $1.35 their irresponsibility was costing you. I bet if it was taken from their pocket the tune would be a little different.
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
