posted on February 21, 2001 06:44:51 PM new
Wonder what I should do here.I have a problem buyer who claims they sent me cash in payment. My TOS call for check or MO only. I accidentally lost the payment envelope, never opened it, going out the door to mail a shiment at the PO. I told this person I had lost the envelope, asked them to stop payment and send me another check. They scream back that they sent cash and for me to send their item or else. Should I take the hit here? My inclination is to doubt this person's word.
posted on February 21, 2001 06:51:53 PM new
Hmmmm. I think you should send the item. Hate to say that, but - since you did get the payment (whatever it was), and lost it, I think it is the only thing to do. How much money are you talking about? How big a problem will it be to just send it?
The buyer may be saying, "He says he got the envelope but lost it without opening it - yeah, right!"
posted on February 21, 2001 06:55:46 PM new
I'd ship. Here's why:
He didn't send you an empty envelope (the reasons for this are obvious, I think!-- he couldn't have known you'd loose it!).
So he either sent you a check, or cash.
If he sent cash-- he sent it in good faith, even though it was a technical violation of your TOS. You lost it, not him.
If he sent you a check, then he's lying after he found out you lost it, trying to scam you. But I think that scenario is unlikely-- why send a check if his intent is to scam you?
Unless you're talking about a huge amount that's gonna break you, I'd take the hit and ship in the interest of customer satisfaction, recognizing that you lost the envelope.
posted on February 21, 2001 06:59:03 PM new
I think I am going to have to agree with kudzurose... However, what makes you say that this is a "problem bidder"?
You have no way of knowing if they are telling the truth, but technically, you did lose the payment.... (And a little off-the-subject, but if they did write a check, a stop payment usually costs at least $10.00, would you have been willing to pay that?). It would help to know the amount of the sale.
If it were me , I would bite bite the bullet and send the item.
posted on February 21, 2001 07:25:43 PM new
My bank charges 20.00 to stop payment on a check. To stop payment on a check because you lost it is not something you can ask your buyer to do. I kind of doubt cash was sent, but nothing can be proved now. I agree you should mail. You are to be commended for your honesty in this situation as it would be so easy to tell your buyer you never received payment.
posted on February 21, 2001 07:39:26 PM new
Well so far you are 1/2 honest - you admitted you recieved the payment. It was in your control and it is not the customer's fault you lost it. I agree it is silly to think they sent you an empty envelope. Even if there is a check in there now someone else could possibly cash it. I get cash all the time even though I tell people not to send it. They don't care if someone stuck a pistol in your face as you went to the car and took it. If you have loses it is your business to cover them or insure against them. I would cover it even if it was against your terms to send cash because your reputation is too valuable to mess up for one sale unless it is breaking you.
posted on February 21, 2001 08:48:50 PM new
I will go ahead and ship and take the loss. This person and I have "had words" earlier in my correspondence, to get them just to pay. They live nearby, told me they wanted to come by and pick the item up. Fine I say, I leave messages on their answering machine saying for them to contact me and lets set up a time. I get rude email back, foot dragging on payment. I ask them to send check. I expect there will be a nasty exchange of feedback, unless it's a Mexican standoff. I don't like to neg., but this person has sorely tried my patience. I have grown to loathe this person over the last month and a half.
