posted on March 26, 2001 03:39:51 AM new
I had a recent bidder for a book who did not tell me he was in Canada. My auction notice said that I would ship to addresses in the U.S.. When I got payment I realized that he was in Canada, emailed him and asked for the balance of postage to ship there. Because I was unaware and his email didn't indicate country I assumed he was in the U.S. Several weeks have passed and I've heard nothing further. I emailed a day ago and have yet to hear anything. What should I do if he fails to respond? Post negative feedback? Keep the money, send it back? What?
posted on March 26, 2001 05:11:07 AM new
To keep the money would be dishonest. First, check the shipping rates. Sometimes it is the same as shipping in the US.
If it is more, send back the money, with a note that you would be happy to send the item once you receive the appropriate payment.
If it has been several weeks, it may be too late to file the NPB alert.
posted on March 26, 2001 05:33:29 AM new
My 2c ('cuz I'm hyper this morning):
Keep the payment but don't cash it.
Send email saying something like: Thank you for your payment of $x. Unfortunately, that payment doesn't cover the cost to ship to your country. As soon as I receive the balance due of $x, I'll be happy to ship your book ASAP.
Send the email with a receipt so that you know when the buyer has opened it.
If no response, mail payment back to buyer.
If it's too late to file NPBA/FVF's in the normal way, I think there's a link at eBay. If not, contact customer service, tell them your story, and ask them to forward to billing for the appropriate credit.
posted on March 26, 2001 06:52:51 AM new
You have until 45 days from auction end to initiate an NPB alert. Reason, buyer does not conform to your TOS.
If you fell really nasty, ship it with a declared value of $100.00. He'll have to pay sales taxes on $150 CDN and an added fee of $5.00. If he want it back, he'll have to file a request at revenue canada and wait 30-60 days.
posted on March 26, 2001 09:17:38 AM new
Reddeer is so correct on this one and it isn't the first time he has said this. Always get their address before giving out your address! This eliminates all of the "surprises" later. I have done this since I started selling and it makes it so much easier.
Also by doing it this way you can have the package already addressed and ready to mail when the payment arrives and there is no problem trying to decipher squiggly writing. We just give a quick check to make sure that the address on the package matches what is on their envelope or check.
Almost everyone is forthcoming with their address at the beginning of the transaction but there is the odd one where I have to e-mail several times in order to get it. I just tell them that I need it before I can quote the exact shipping rate and as soon as they send it I will get back to them right away with instructions where to send payment.
posted on March 26, 2001 09:20:59 AM new
reddeer & shaani,
Great advice but not for those using instant purchase w/BillPoint. In those instances, we input a shipping amount.
The few times I've had buyers use instant purchase & be an international customer, I've just explained the shipping was for domestic only & sent them an invoice for the difference. So far, not a complaint.
posted on March 26, 2001 09:22:36 AM new
Hi Shaani
I use a fixed shipping price on all of my sales in NA, and also supply my name & addy in my initial email, BUT, I also ask for the high bidder to email me their full name & shipping info in their response.
99% of all my high bidders have no problem with that request, and are very good at sending their contact info in their initial response to my EOA email.
Once in awhile I have to remind the high bidder that I ask for that info to help speed up the processing & shipping of their item.
That's one of the original reasons I never used Instant Purchase, it used to be that the International bidders couldn't proceed beyond the first page.
Also, when using Billpoint I like to have complete control as to who can use it, and who can't. If the high bidder turns out to be a {0} or {-0} feedbacker from a third world country I won't allow them to pay me via a CC [unless they use BidPay]. I mention that "small" detail in my payment TOS.
posted on March 26, 2001 09:38:26 AM new
Hi Eventer,
I haven't used instant purchase so didn't think of that.
Sorry, Reddeer--I didn't realize that you gave your address in your initial EOA. I did that a couple of times and the bidders just seemed to drop out of sight and I felt that I had lost control.
This seems to happen mainly in the giftware items that I sell so it must be a different kind of buyer. This is the category with the most deadbeats for me also. With our antiques and collectibles they usually always send their addresses first and have always been the best buyers in the world.
Yes, as always it depends what you sell & the categories you sell in. Once in a while when I venture out of the antique & collectible categories I get a smack of reality as to how many screw ball buyers there are in some categories.
I just find it odd that "some" sellers haven't figured this out yet, and allow the customer to control the transaction.
