posted on January 16, 2001 06:28:52 AM new
So for a month now I have been sitting on an unidentifiable Money Order. The amount does not match any of my outstanding auctions, the name and address are illegible, no mention of the auction number or what it was for, no eBay handle identified, etc etc. No one has come forward to say "hey I paid you where's my stuff". I send payment reminders on all outstanding auctions after 10 days and, if unresponsive, file NPB's at 15 days. SO>I'm sitting on someone $50 bucks...anyone been there (teehee)? what does one do?thanks
posted on January 16, 2001 06:39:01 AM new
I have not had one this hard to figure out, but I feel your pain!
I too have had money orders and even CASH arrive in the mail with absolutely no indication what auction it's for, the buyer's name, address, etc.
Perhaps because I don't run dozens of auctions at a time, I have been able to fiqure out who it was from, but some were VERY hard to fiqure out. For someone in the business with perhaps a hundred auctions and dozens of pending payments... this can be a nightmare.
Do these buyers actually believe that we have sold just ONE item, to them and are avaiting that one payment so there is no need to identify themselfs!!
posted on January 16, 2001 06:47:09 AM new
Thanks for the response I usually run about 40-50 auctions a week so I can figure it out pretty easily when this happens. The weather caused such a delay in the mail and I had a MAJOR influx of deadbeats since Thanksgiving so my anal retentive organizational skills went a bit kaflooey. I thought by now it would resolve itself. I'm starting to feel really horrible about sitting on someone's money ~ if it were $5 or $10, that's one thing but doesn't this bidder want their $50? The only thing I can figure out is that the bidder won two auctions and confused the pmt's. So call me a private investigator but I even went so far as to check out the other winning auctions of my non-paying high bidders! I have spent WAAAY too much time on this already but I can't in good conscience just let it go. what to do, what to do.....
posted on January 16, 2001 06:53:12 AM new
Thanks ! Had I not gotten my first neg this week () I would agree. Aren't I setting myself up for a "you got my money and never shipped" if I cash it?
posted on January 16, 2001 07:27:48 AM new
If money orders get "stale" like old checks, I would cash it now and wait to hear from the buyer. If they can be held indefinitely and still cashed or redeemed, then I'd hold on to it. Most buyers would find $50 worth trying to track down...I know I would! Eventually this person will wake up and realize that he or she is out the money and has no product. In the meantime, try to put this out of your mind and not spend anymore time on it. I know it's hard, being an anal-retentive type myself, but as you say, you've already spent far too much energy on this one transaction. Time for the buyer to do a little detective work.
posted on January 16, 2001 07:34:05 AM new
chepistar: "Aren't I setting myself up for a "you got my money and never shipped" if I cash it?" - Just remind the genius that if he/she had included the appropriate information, they WOULD have gotten it.
posted on January 16, 2001 07:39:39 AM new
Thanks Sonsie ~ so glad to know I'm not the only Anal seller ! True Confessions: I had the money order hidden in box, totally out of view for the last four weeks, so I could wait for the forgetful bidder to realize their loss ~ it just started to eat at me again over the weekend. Probably started to bug me again because of that first neg (it was pretty ugly and totally unwaranted ~ just retaliatory!). I don't think I can cash the MO and wait it out. You must know me pretty well! You're probably right, it needs to go back into it's box of hibernation so I can get it off my mind. MO's don't go stale for a while ~ I appreciate your input ~ and your insightfulness! Unless someone can give me a better way to sleep at night, into the box it goes! :} thanks again!
posted on January 16, 2001 07:44:08 AM new
I have had that happen, and I know it is alot of work to go threw your records, so what I did was make a form letter and emailed everyone who I have not received payment from, telling them that I received a mo payment of $$ with no means of telling which item was purchased, if you are the one that sent it please let me know what item it was for and your complete mailing information.
I had shipped two items to my buyer and she said one of the items was missing from the package, I know I shipped it but now she made me think, did I put it in her package? or did I by mistake put it in someone elses?
I had shipped 30 packages that day.
What I did was make up a form letter and emailed everyone I shipped to asking them to check there package real good because I was missing this item. Well, if I tell you everyone was so nice and so understanding and was praying that I would find the missing item, it took up a lot of time because I needed to respond to the emails that I received.
After two days the original buyer emailed me and said How sorry she was, because the item was at the bottom of the box.
Well, need I tell you I was real happy, and by this happening I found out how Ebay people come threw when you have a problem,
They were all GREAT and I will never forget that experience....
posted on January 16, 2001 07:46:35 AM new
RebelGuns ~ I'm a blonde so be careful (teehee). I can't say that as a bidder I wouldn't space out and do the same thing on a money order ~ there was a post it attached to it that I believe translates to "don't know invoice #, sorry" (hard to decipher handwriting). Maybe a bit of an airhead but seems like it's from a pretty nice bidder! I use PayPal because it suits my overly excessive thorough nature ~ if I sent a MO it's possible that I might do the same genius move. BUT I would not expect a seller to play "I Spy" to figure it out ~ my mistake, my loss. I really am torn on this one ~ too much to relate to on the buyer side! thanks for your input
I too would worry that if you hold that money order too long without cashing, it could "expire".
Perhaps you should deposit it, but make a full photocopy of the front and back for your records should the seller come forward. If they demand a refund, you just send them another money order or check.
The only risk in this whole thing is the hope that the buyer takes the time to write you about the item not shipping and just doesn't slap a "NEVER SHIPPED MY ITEM" negative on your feedback.
But, I guess they could do that if you cashed the money order or not.
posted on January 16, 2001 07:51:16 AM new
It sure is nice to have all of you stress out with me on this. Guess that's why I'm an eBay addict! You've really given me some experienced insight ~ "have I told you lately that I love you?" oops ~ wrong thread!
posted on January 16, 2001 09:04:11 AM new
I got one of those about 2 weeks ago. It was less than $20 but more than $10. No return address, no paper inside to conceal the money with, nothing. Opened the envelope and there was the money. I deposited it and went on my way. Someone will email me eventually and tell me they sent their money and have not gotten their item. And if I get a negative out of it all I will do is respond that cash payment had no identification. I'm not SuperSleuth
posted on January 16, 2001 09:19:41 AM newDo you know what I do?
When some lamebrain sends me a payment without much--or any--identification, even after I figure out who it is, I send a generic e-mail to the person asking if this is their payment, and I also state that I am sending this "to all recent auction winners in an attempt to identify the payer".
My hope is that they'll be embarrassed into using their head next time.
It's absolutely remarkable how many people are able to use a computer and navigate the internet, yet haven't the most basic common sense.
P.S. These are the same people who eventually decide to sell on Ebay and use no punctuation in their descriptions--if they opt to describe an item at all. I really thought the average person was a lot brighter than they really are.
posted on January 16, 2001 09:40:13 AM new
I had a payment like this and I did nothing !
I am tired of playing detective, so I just make note of the "mystery" payment and move on.
I usually get a "where is my item" email within 2-3 weeks or so and then I send the item.
What horrifies me is when the mysterious buyer shows their face and I check their feedback it is like 500+ or even 1000+ !!
I cannot believe people with such high feedback are doing this.
You would think that if someone was on ebay for 2 years or more they would have a grip on this by now.
I have never gotten a neg for this as I make it a point to embarrass these buyers.
One time I even sent a letter via snail mail to buyer who sent me a mystery payment, it went something like this :
Hello,
Thank you for your prompy payment, I appreciate it.
I would also like you to know that had you sent me an item number, email address, or a brief description, you would be holding your item right now rather than this letter.
I need either your email address, an item number, or even just a brief description of the item you won. I have exhausted all attempts to find out what this payment is for short of mental telepathy, so please contact me on this.
Thanks.
I also include my phone number, email address, and ebay ID.
Love your snail mail idea! I will use it.. Although, I do have one from Japan with no return address on it! I will bet these are some of the people calling the FEDs saying they paid and never get there items! These people need to get re-educated!
posted on January 16, 2001 02:47:15 PM new
I got one kinda like this but the buyer was from Singapore. No name, no item, no item number, no return address etc. I just stuck it in my "to stupid to worry about" file.
Eventually the guy emailed me "Where are my golf clubs?". I asked him who he was and he went ballistic. His amount didn't match anything because he failed to include overseas postage.
Finally I just told him "I could send it to ' the guy in Singapore that ordered golf clubs', but I didn't think he would get them."I need a NAME and ADDRESS!!"
posted on January 16, 2001 05:49:19 PM new
I, being a seller and buyer, have run into this many times also! BUT
Would you consider this just as bad as the SELLER not including a receipt or something in with the shipment? I have at times order 20-30 of the same identical thing. Now I know some of you will say "Check the return address". Well what if they do not place one on the package because they are paranoid of anyone knowing where they live??
posted on January 16, 2001 08:35:05 PM new
I state in my EOA email that I must receive the name and address of the buyer within 72 hours. If I don't, I send emails up until eBay's three business day deadline. By then I have received the information.
When I've received a money order or cash in an envelope with no return name or address and no reference to the auction, I can do a search in my email software on the information contained in the postmark on the envelope. I never delete customer email. Thus that little task only takes me a minute or less and generally flags up the response to the EOA email with the customer's name, address and auction number/title.
So I've had the same scenario happen to me but was able to match funds to auction with minimal time expenditure on my part.
posted on January 16, 2001 08:48:12 PM new
Usually when this happens I send a postcard to the person (provided there is a return address) explaining that I'll kinda need to know which item they paid for if I'm to send it to them. The last time this happened, I had a brainstorm and wrote ebay an email asking them to pair up the name of the person with my name and they gave me the correct transaction number.
posted on January 17, 2001 06:04:28 AM new
As a seller, at the conclusion of a successful auction have you ever received an email like this "I am the bidder. Where do I send money?" No name or address and often nothing to identify which item they bid on. It's the same lack of civility and the poor communication skills as the situation in which we get paid but can't tell to whom and where to send an item. After I have had a winning bidder I send an email of congratulations and giving payment information - my name, address and total cost of item. I hate it when before I can send my email I get one like the one I quoted above. It tempts me to reply "Dear Anonymous, please identify yourself so that we can transact business in an intelligent and orderly fashion." Also, I always enclose a receipt when I ship an item. It has my name, address, email address, eBay user ID, the item number and auction title and a thank you. I wish that when I buy an item, the seller would include a receipt for me. Thanks for reading this. Smith*petrie on eBay.
posted on January 17, 2001 06:15:02 AM new
Great idea, Darcy! Some sellers are so smart Do you know that after over 1000 trans it never crossed my mind that if I kept after bidders to respond to my EOA that I wouldn't run into this as much? What a help you are! About 90% supply me with the requested info (where is that "Dont bidders read" thread!) but I should be more proactive with getiing what I need ~ will save lots of time in the long run!
posted on January 17, 2001 06:18:01 AM new
LOL, klee! I've been tempted with the same thoughts! Now I will giggle every time I get one of those wonderful mindless e-mails! You're the best
posted on January 17, 2001 08:55:53 AM new
Got one of those just yesterday - only for $3 but I have 2 outstanding buyers that I'm expecting 3 $ from... fortunately one of the buyers had a collect .edu address for the state that the payment came from.. pulling their Ebay contact information matched the name on the money order, so I was able to get their item up and ready to go...
posted on January 17, 2001 02:21:35 PM new
I hound my bidders to email me their address. Maybe they get annoyed but I haven't had a mystery payment yet. I get cash payments--imagine what would happen then if I couldn't match the item to the amount?
posted on January 17, 2001 02:59:59 PM new
I have 4 of these right now-address labels made out, waiting for them to email asking where their item is!
I sent a form letter out to every single unpaid auction, with a list of the names, and asking them to contact me if their name was on the list-as soon as I knew what they had bought, I'd mail it.
Still have the four-I don't know if they were abducted by aliens before they could contact me, or if they just don't care!
posted on January 18, 2001 07:13:14 AM new
Never got mystery money, because like some others, I request their address and get package ready prior to money arriving. I did, however, receive a mystery package! The return label and name was unknown to me, the cool glass bottle full of water (?) was never something I would have bought, and I received no reply to the letter I sent them! So I have a really neatly designed glass bottle from out of the blue. Very weird.
