posted on February 21, 2001 03:40:22 PM
Hello all. Here's a general example I use on most auctions. I have another similar version that I use on actual shipping auctions. Someone here said (on a Paypal thread) that I should take "We do not take Paypal" out of the TOS because, like it or not, it is still advertising them. I haven't taken it out yet because I really don't want people sending me payment this way, and hopefully this helps? Another poster said somewhere else to take out the time limits for sending payment. I only started using the 14 day limit after someone's suggestion (to remain unamed, but her initials are HartCottageQuilts). The limit doesn't help much--I still get slow/no payers on occasion--got a couple of them right now.
Anyway, here's a copy of what I generally use. Please feel free to suggest improvements if you have any. Thanks.
[i]No reserve. 48 hour inspection/return policy. Payment expected within 14 days of auction
ending. After that time item may be re-listed. You can get immediate shipping by paying for your order
via Yahoo! PayDirect or Achex, which are both free services! We do not take Paypal. Money order or
personal check is fine! Buyer to pay either 3.90 Priority or 1.40 First Class shipping, both of which include .40 cents for U-pic insurance.[/i]
posted on February 21, 2001 03:48:51 PM
Your TOS is concise & to the point. I say "payment is appreciated within 10 days of end of auction" because it sounds nicer. (And if someone is going to drag their feet about paying, they will do so whether you say "expected" or not.) No need to change, though--your TOS is informative & still pretty non-threatening.
posted on February 21, 2001 04:52:57 PM
I would change the we do not take paypal to the end.
In a quick glance it may be read as we do not take paypal checks or money orders.
List the things you do take first. I accept Paydirect, Achex, checks and money orders. We do not take paypal.
Just my $.02
But it seems to read fine.
14 Days seems like more then enoughh time I allow 10 days and file NPB after 14 days
JB
posted on February 21, 2001 07:56:24 PM
It's still too long.
Fact is you can state it til you're blue in the face, but a written time limit does nothing more than alienate the good buyers (who will send in 1-2 days anyway) and is ignored by the deadbeats. If you want a "policy" to refer to on this, simply refer to eBay's non paying bidder policy, that gives 17 days to pay before credit can be requested back. Also their policies state contact must be made within 3 days, otherwise the buyer relinquishes the guarentee to the item, it *can* be offered for resale.
Why complicate things, alienate, etc.. when you can point out eBay's rules IF AND WHEN something occurs. Spend the space on what is unique to YOU.
Here is how I would state your terms, shorter and more pleasant:
- No reserve. 48 hour inspection/return policy.
- Immediate shipping when paid via Yahoo! PayDirect or Achex (Both are free services!)
- Money order or personal check also accepted.
- Buyer pays either $3.90 Priority or $1.40 First Class shipping (both include 40 cent non-optional U-pic insurance coverage)
[ edited by mrlatenite on Feb 21, 2001 08:01 PM ]
posted on February 21, 2001 08:12:23 PM
I agree with jrb3 that you should not say - I take this -I don't take PayPal - and I also take this.
You are breaking up your thought make it linear = I take this/I don't take that
And the last thing said is remembered best.
I do like the way mrlatenite put it in seperate lines. The eye goes back and can reexaimine each idea easier tham picking it out of a block paragraph. I am going to redo my paste ins for assembling auctions in that format.
posted on February 21, 2001 08:46:44 PM
It would be wise to add after the sentence: Payment expected within14 days of auction[i]
end[/i]ing, unless prior arrangements are made.
That way you don't sound so inflexible as to not give the bidder a few more days to pay if he/she requests so, for whatever reason it may be.
posted on February 21, 2001 09:48:28 PM
I have to agree with mrlatenite, I've never had a time restriction for payment on my auctions, for just the reasons he's stated.
In 1000+ sales I can still count my deadbeats on both hands, with a few fingers left over.
Those buyers wouldn't have paid no matter what my TOS stated, & it could possibly be a turn off to some of my potential bidders.
As far as PayPal, I don't use it, and have never mentioned it on my auctions. So far only 2 high bidders, and one potential bidder has asked about using PayPal.
posted on February 21, 2001 11:52:22 PM
Hi, LC. How are you?
Someone has already mentioned a couple of points...the "appreciated within xx days" (and by the way, a time limit is for the seller's protection, not to hurry the buyer).
Why have "no reserve" in your terms? I usually put "NR" in my title if I can - or sometimes in the body of the description ('This is a no reserve auction for...'), but if nothing in my auction says reserve, then it ain't.
Also, it's really no one else's business what you do with the item if not paid within xx days, whether you relist it, throw it out or give it to your MIL.
I always put my shipping prices in the body of my description, rather than in my terms, but mine vary from auction to auction.
- Buyer pays 3.90 Priority or $1.40 First Class shipping (includes non-optional insurance)
- Payment expected (or appreciated) within xx, unless prior arrangements are made.
- Shipped immediately for Yahoo! PayDirect or Achex (Both are free services!)
- Shipped same or next business day for money order, or within 10 business days for personal check
- 48 hour inspection/return policy.
- Sorry - we no longer accept Paypal.
posted on February 22, 2001 12:44:08 AM
mrlatenite has a great point and his terms are awesome. If only mine wern't so damn long! I have a very long terms page that only about 2 people have probably read (me and my wife). I do want to cut down but I have always been afraid to go back to the simpler terms for some strange reason. Anyway, from my experience though, mrlatenite is right and your terms should be as simple as possible.
posted on February 22, 2001 02:07:57 AM
Payment expected within 14 days; after that item may be relisted.
Seems to me you're kind of sitting on the fence here. Specifically, what happens if the buyer doesn't pay within 14 days. Item may be relisted, or it may not. What happens to the buyer then? You don't mention any penalty if payment is not received. Specifically, will you leave negative feedback? It's kind of "up in the air."
There are terms of service, and then there are terms of service. If you're going to appreciate, prefer or request payment within a certain time frame, that's not a term. It's a preference. Save it for your invoice. On the other hand, if this is your policy, say so: "Payment due within 14 days." (Though I'm not sure if there is any real advantage to setting such a term.) You don't have to threaten, because after 14 days the winning deadbeat gets a reminder from eBay which lets them know where they stand.
My terms are very short and they work for me: "Winner add $4 shipping and handling, CA sales tax if applicable." The payment terms are already listed at the top of the page by eBay (checks and money orders). I recently added the following: "Serious bids only, please." Hopefully it will give deadbeats a moment to pause and reconsider before bidding. (Yes, I know it's a preference. D'oh! ) GratefulDad
posted on February 22, 2001 09:44:14 AM
I'd ditch the 14 days altogether. 14 days means I can take my sweet time. I tried that, then 10, then 7. Doesn't light a fire. It's nice to be specific, but most people just don't get it.
I use the word prompt, but I don't start beating the drum until 10 days out when I email them and plan on escalating it to an NPB if they don't get with the program.
Whether you relist or not doesn't matter at all to a non or slow payer. I'd skip it.
The problem with terms is that people just don't follow them. I just tell them what I need: shipping information and full payment--and why I need it: so I can get their stuff out quickly. The simpler you make it, the better it will be in the long run.
posted on February 22, 2001 10:01:12 AM
Below are the TOS I include in my latest auction. I try to list only those things that are really important to me and forget about the minor inconviences I can live with. For example, I don't really care if payment is sent within XX number of days as long as there is good communication, but with this particular auction I am absolutely, positively NOT sending it outside the U.S. You will, of course, have to decide for yourself what is important to you.
----
PAYMENT: Money orders or cashier's checks are preferred, but I'll also take personal checks. Personal checks will be held until they clear unless the bidder has at least 10 feedback. No credit cards (and yes, this means no PayPal).
INTERNATIONAL SALES: This auction is available to U.S. Bidders only. Sorry about that, but I am simply NOT going to ship these watches out of the country.
GUARANTEES: I guarantee all the watches to be as described. I have tried to mention any and all flaws, but please ask questions if you're not sure about something.
SHIPPING FEES: Winning bidder to pay actual cost for Priority Mail shipping and insurance, to be calculated based on final sale price.
----
Regards,
Barry
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The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
posted on February 22, 2001 10:48:05 AM
Barry ...... Don't look now, but I'm pretty sure that (0) bidder that registered on Sunday, Feb 18, 2001, and that's been running up your auction, is from Overseas. He's using a US ISP to throw you off the scent.
Be VERY careful!
edited to add: VERY
[ edited by reddeer on Feb 22, 2001 10:48 AM ]
posted on February 22, 2001 11:48:40 AM
gc2
I'd like to "borrow" some of your TOS ideas, if that's ok. It won't be exact, but I've written and re-written my TOS more times than I can count. Mostly because of this board. Yours is concise, which is something mine lacks try as I may.
`·. >(((º>`·.¸.¸>
ahwahneeliz
>(((º>¸¸.·.>((º>··.¸><((((ºcJ
posted on February 22, 2001 12:31:50 PMreddeer: The funny thing is that if I were the current high bidder I'd be really suspicious that the underbidder was just the seller trying to shill his own auction.
What makes you think the guy is from overseas? And aren't you glad I use my eBay username here so you can check up on my auctions?
Barry
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The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
