posted on January 22, 2001 08:00:24 AM new
Hi
My Auction Ended on Jan. 20th, buyer emailed me on Jan. 22nd and said, "check in the mail, could you ship my item NOW, I need it by Fri. for a gift" then he said "check my Feedback"
I did check his FB 34 positives,
total with shipping is 17.05 I have never shipped items before I at least received payment. I always do honor buyers requests, like, not holding there check for clearence if they are in a hurry for the item. I have never had a problem.
But, I feel in this case, when the buyer answered my EOA email on Jan. 20th he never mentioned he needed the item by Fri. But now he saids on Jan 22nd, he needs it by Fri??? FOR A GIFT...
Any Ideas, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
posted on January 22, 2001 08:03:31 AM new
NO WAY, Jose. If he needs it by Friday, he can pay by credit card (assuming you take them). If not, he should have gone to the local store and purchased a gift.
You can also tell him he can send extra money and you'd be happy to send it express assuming payment arrives in time.
posted on January 22, 2001 08:07:26 AM new
I sure wouldn't!!! Even though it's not much money I would not feel comfortable doing that unless I knew the customer, and even then (being the paranoid person that I am!) I don't know. I had a buyer who purchased a $250 item from me and paid right away and everything was wonderful, then he bid on and won another item over $200 and never paid. In fact he disappeared totally. So you never know!
If they needed it so soon, it seems to me, that they would have thought of that up front. Who in their right mind would expect you to ship before receiving payment??
Plus, if they needed it that soon, why didn't they use an online service that would have the payment to you IMMEDIATELY after the auction ended?
posted on January 22, 2001 08:11:52 AM new
tonimar1:
This is indeed a difficult choice. While it would be nice for you to help out your bidder, you are definately running the risk of loosing your money. A 34 feedback rating just isn't high enough to secure total confidence. Fortunately, the amount in question is a relatively small sum. I have done this exact thing for sums this small before, and it has always worked out. However, you must ask yourself this question: Are you willing to lose $17.05? If not, don't send the item. If you are willing to risk the money, send the item out and you are more than likely to get a gleaming positive and possibly gain a good repeat customer. Whatever your response to your bidder is, make sure that it is courteous and professional. And, as kidsfeet suggested, you could offer to send it express if he sent more money. Good luck!
posted on January 22, 2001 08:17:58 AM new
kidsfeet
sharkbaby
What you both said, is how I feel.
I received his email this morning and I didn't ans. it yet, mainly because I don't want to say something that might start a email war. I personally accept credit cards
but only if you Fax the card number or email it to me in two seperate emails. half the number in one and the other half of the number in the other.
I don't accept on line payments any longer,I had too many problems with paypal so I cancelled.
Should I tell him to pay with a credit card?
Plus, the earliest I can get to the post office would be Tues. I can not go today.
I need to ans. his email, any ideas as what I should say, I want to keep this peacefull.
posted on January 22, 2001 08:20:17 AM new
Just tell him the truth on your end. "Sorry, wish I could, but I cant" and leave it at that. No other explanation is necessary, nor needed on your end.
posted on January 22, 2001 08:21:38 AM new
I have been in your situation myself. Sometimes I CANT do that anyway, because the item in question is not mine, and I sold it on commission for someone else and THEY want their money first (hint hint).
posted on January 22, 2001 08:25:47 AM new
Tell him you got burnt before buy someone with a hire feedback rating than him and promised yourself you would never do that again.
His bad planning is not your problem.
"IF YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND, YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE"
[ edited by surfsworth on Jan 22, 2001 08:28 AM ]
posted on January 22, 2001 08:48:41 AM new
Also, I usually hold checks for 7 days, even though people are saying you still don't know if the funds a going to clear until 30 days later. But accepting checks is a risk, but so are money orders.
Would you send his item out upon receipt of his check?
Or should I email him asking for a credit card?
The reason I can not decide what to do is because I don't want to cause a problem,
On my listing it states, Checks will be held for 10 days, so now he puts me on the line holding the bag, thats not fair why should I have to make the decission when he bid knowing what was expected. This is giveing me a big headache.
posted on January 22, 2001 08:54:10 AM new
It seems to me that he knew what the deal was going in! It was clearly posted on your auction. Now he's trying to bully you. At which point, I'm saying to myself, it's not a matter of trying to help him out. It's a matter of him trying to jerk you around. But that's just my opinion as the basically nontrusting person that I am.
I HAVE had people with more feedback than he has burn me.
posted on January 22, 2001 09:00:40 AM new
Try going to the store and telling them you want an item and you'll mail them a check when you get home. Let me know if it works.
posted on January 22, 2001 09:06:59 AM new
If you can take credit cards on your own
(without having to go through PayPal,
PayDirect, etc.), check out 123pix.com's FREE secure homepage services. Have used it myself for several months now, and it's been a HUGE help, especially when dealing with international customers (they don't get stuck with a $5.00 BidPay fee).
posted on January 22, 2001 09:10:18 AM new
I once shipped an item before I received payment. The bidder had good, though low feedback. She stated she needed the item for her daughter's birthday present which was only a few days away. It was $10 including shipping, and she said she had already mailed $10 in cash.
I was uncomfortable that she sent cash, but decided to take a chance and help her out and went ahead and shipped the item. The $ never arrived. Shortly after, she started racking up negs for talking sellers into shipping before payment was received. I was one of at least 4 sellers who fell for this! None of us ever got paid. Her user ID was suspended. Shortly after she started another user ID and that one was suspended also for non-payment.
Her feedback up to that point was pristine.
I'm just grateful that my lesson only cost me $10.
I understand that you would like to accommodate this person, but in my experience sound business practices dictate not to.
I would e-mail back something along the lines of "I would very much like to accommodate you in this instance but unfortunately my established business practices dictate that I cannot ship items until payment has been received" and leave it at that. You could additionally offer them the alternative of sending CC info to expedite things.
posted on January 22, 2001 09:32:14 AM new
janusaries
Thank you for the site, I will go and check it out it sounds like something I could really use.
heartsong
What you said sounds good to me, Sorry about your problem, but I guess thats what we all are afaird of but we always are hoping for the best. Sometimes being understanding and kind works and sometimes it does't.
I think I will try your wording in my email because it seems like it sounds good.
So also, do you think I should ship upon receiving of his check, or do like I always do hold his check for 7 days?
posted on January 22, 2001 09:55:29 AM new
Always remember the three greatest lies:
1. The check is in the mail
2. Of course I'll respect you in the morning
3. I'm from the government and i'm here to help you
edited for speling misteaks
[ edited by mark090 on Jan 22, 2001 09:56 AM ]
posted on January 22, 2001 09:55:58 AM new
If it was me I'd likely go ahead and ship upon receipt of his check.
I look for things like: is the check number fairly high? (noting this isn't absolute but it helps), does the name and address imprinted match the one you are shipping to? ... that sort of thing.
Also sometimes a check will have a toll free phone number that you can call as a merchant to verify funds. On a high dollar check I sometimes go as far as to look up the bank phone number online if one isn't on the check and give them a quick phone call to verify funds before I ship.
If I feel uneasy I wait 3 days and then call to see if it has cleared.
Waiting on my bank to notify me isn't reliable, once they took 30 days to notify me of a returned check.
All in all, taking feedback and the other things into consideration outlined above, I usually ship upon receipt of payment.
posted on January 22, 2001 10:06:12 AM new
janusaries
I regestered for 123pix.com it sounds real good. I am stuck as to what do I put in the box...Business name....because I don't use my business name on ebay.
Also in the box....business email...do I put the email address that they say which is
[email protected].....
Under business name could I put my name?
Maybe you have time to tell me...
posted on January 22, 2001 10:17:18 AM new
Thank you very much, I new that I would receive soom very good advice as usuall.
What I did was email him with the following email, " I would very much like to accommodate you in this instance but unfortunately my established business practices dictate that I cannot ship items until payment has been received
If you would like, I do accept credit cards, this will help to expedite your purchase.
Thank you "heartsong" I used your reply
Now I will wait and see what reply I receive in return.....
posted on January 22, 2001 10:21:09 AM new
When eBay was a small, tight community you could almost guarantee a successful completion to your auction. Not so now. In the past I have both sent items before the money arrived and had items sent before I mailed the money. Since eBay has grown to the size it has, I had to change my business procedures. What I write in the conditions and terms are not subject to change. When I had the same question asked of me after a person won the auction, I told her if it was as important as she said it was, then wire me the money to send it overnight. She did and then left me praise for offering her that option. Otherwise, the conditions were as I originally placed them. Business is business and must be run as such if you are going to have long term success. That is how I feel but it is something you ultimately must decide.
posted on January 22, 2001 10:32:25 AM new
Easy answer.... BILLPOINT. Then send his check back when it arrives. Or have him pay for express service with his check.
posted on January 22, 2001 10:36:07 AM new
I received a reply to my email......
He said, if he would have known he would have used a cc. but the money order is already out.
My reply was.....
If you would like, I could return the money order , and we could still do the charge, then I would ship tomorrow ..priority mail
and you should receive it by Fri.
posted on January 22, 2001 10:44:29 AM new
Just say no.
I've made extra special efforts numerous times for bidders, but ALWAYS payment was received first.
The only 2 times I ever shipped before payment was for multiple repeat customers I had dealt with before & knew I could trust, then when the auction ended, I e-mailed & said, send your payment for $x, your item is already on its way to you. That helped build their continuing business with me.
posted on January 22, 2001 11:03:35 AM new
I received an email from him saying....
"Lets do it, so I gave him my phone number so he could call me with his cc number.
Thank you to all with such good advice....
You helped me to work out my problem in a nice way, so as to not cause any problem with my bidder, I really appriciate it very much, that's why I love coming hear,
I come to the threads and learn lots of ways to do the same thing, but better ways reading these threads to me is like reading the news paper, I never let a day go by without being here as a reader, helper, or with a problem.
I just received his phone call and he will be chargeing his purchase, so I guess I am off to the post office tomorrow morning.
THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH I AM OFF TO A NICE START WITH MY BIDDER..
posted on January 22, 2001 12:21:27 PM new
I've heard that "check is in the mail" so many times, and half the time two weeks later I'm still waiting for it. This is what they meant when they said "nice guys finish last," nice guys get taken advantage of. Don't send it until payment arrives.
posted on January 23, 2001 09:41:54 AM new
No, No, No! I would NEVER ship before payment was received. I would've e-mailed him right back and told him if he needs item shipped immediately, he can pay via PayPal, then when you receive his check, you'll send it back to him.
posted on January 23, 2001 10:48:11 AM new
It never ceases to amaze the "hutzpah" of some of these buyers. I have over 500 all positive feedbacks and I am not a shy person,however, never in my wildest dreams would I ask or expect someone to ship to me before receiving payment. I've also had this happen on a $350 widget and the buyer said check my feedbacks all positive, yup all 34 were positive. Another buyer wanted me to ship as soon as his check arrived, my auction and EOA notice all state MO & cashier's check ship within 24 hours, personal check up to 10 days to clear. The reason, he had 150 positive feedbacks and wasn't that what good feedback meant, that I shouldn't hold up shipment? I don't think so, if he had questioned me before bidding I would have told him the same thing.
Zilvy...Business is business and unless we have built a special rapport don't expect favors!!
.
if he had questioned me before bidding I would have told him the same thing.