posted on January 15, 2001 12:22:08 PM
I had a potential bidder ask me questions about some items I am selling. She has asked questions before, but never bid. No problem. That is what I am here for, to answer questions, right?
Anyhow, she bid on 3 items, and then retracted on one saying she thought I took paypal. (She knew I don't since that was one of the questions I answered).
I sent her an e-mail saying that since she retracted on one, she might want to retract on ALL since I don't take paypal at all. I also told her that the retraction was fine by me, but that she retract all because of the paypal thing.
She wrote back that I was rude, and she did not want to do business with me. Fine by me, but the kicker is that she left her bids INTACT and changed her user ID.
I smelled a rat who wanted to be high bidder to leave neg feedback. So I cancelled her bids and cc'd safeharbor.
posted on January 15, 2001 01:31:22 PM
No, you're not too paranoid. Given the facts as you have described, you probably just saved yourself many headaches. The buyer said she didn't want to do business with you anymore. Why would she keep her bids intact & change her ID? Not logical.
Good for you....for having the guts to stand up to people like this.
posted on January 15, 2001 02:00:54 PM
I think you did absolutely the right thing. But I don't get it, I've been selling on ebay for a couple of years and I've never encountered weirdo's like this. Don't these people have anything better to do with their time, then to mess with someone's auctions?? I've read a number of posts recently regarding similiar buyers and similiar tactics. Is this some sort of way people work out their aggression?? I just don't understand what she hoped to accomplish. Ultimate goal in life,"giving someone a neg". That's grand.
posted on January 15, 2001 02:18:43 PM
There seems to be a fair amount of "wierd stuff" going on with auctions these days. Some of it seems to be associated with stuff that's been posted on the message boards (somebody dumped a MAJOR load of hormones over there); some of it just seems to be psychos getting their jollies. I hope Eby gets a handle on it soon and makes it stop.
posted on January 15, 2001 08:06:31 PM
I think you are TOO paranoid by not taking paypal, it looks like you lost three sales! Why would you not want people to pay you online? You don't need the money? I was hesitant to take paypal in the beginning but I am glad I take it now- over 60 percent of my customers want to use this service. I give my customers what they want because they are going to give me their business. I may loose a few bucks to the service but I make so much more in the long run. It sounds to me that you may be more interested in making a point than making the money. She may have misunderstood about the paypal answer. I am never rude with a customer no matter how rude they are too me. If I let myself become unprofessional with one person what will prevent me from establishing a pattern. Where you failed, is that you took her retraction personally. You should have thanked her anyway for taking the time to look at your merchandise. Chance are most people want to resolve the situation. She could have potentially become a very good customer for you if you had been more flexible. Instead, you almost screwed yourself up. People are vindictive, don't be naive. Don't make yourself a target by stirring them up. Don't be so right you are wrong. Personally, I think if your priority was selling you would have sold her, instead you blew it. I won't pat you on the back for ruining a sale.
[ edited by Davidx on Jan 15, 2001 08:13 PM ]
posted on January 15, 2001 09:32:44 PM
Uh oh it's the Paypal debate
Well whoever uses Paypal, that is their choice. A lot of us HATE Paypal (raising my hand) because of bad experiences. But this is irrelevant, because it is up to the seller whether or not s/he wants to use it, and kidsfeet has chosen not to, and told the bidder this. So as I see it, whether or not kidsfeet uses Paylpal is not the issue here. The situation sounded like this bidder was a problem, and I think kidsfeet did the right thing. This one smelled like trouble. Better to avoid the hassles in my opinion.
Rocker
Actually, I am not too paranoid to take paypal. I have no need for it. I take credit cards through my merchant account, and do not need the risk of third party services.
And, it seemed to me that she was making excuses by doing an invalid retraction, THEN changing her ID to make it appear she was someone else.
Rocker