posted on March 26, 2001 06:56:48 AM
Okay, I once again I humbly request your experienced advice! After 1200 transactions, I think I'm losing my touch. Can you advise???
This auction ended on 3-23, for a whopping $20. This is the response I received to my EOA stating that payment is due within 7 days.
From the high bidder (registered 1-01, FB 6 W/1neg for non-payment):
i was wondering if april 2nd is acceptable for payment of this auction. That is my payday and it is not all that far from now. if not then i will not send payment at all. please respond to this so i will know whether or not to buy the money order on april 2nd.
My concern is the "if not then i will not send payment at all".
What's up with that? The inferred attitude has gotten my feathers ruffled ~ I would appreciate your "calm cool & collected" input as my "CC&C" responses are no where to be found at this point!
why are they bidding if they can not pay???
TIA!
edited for typos ~ ruffled feathers got stuck in the keys?!?
[ edited by chepistar on Mar 26, 2001 06:58 AM ]
posted on March 26, 2001 07:05:54 AM
eMail them and kindly state that payment is actually DUE at the time of the auctions end... and that you really expect to receive it within approx. 7 days....
Don't argue with them.... if payment does not arrive, leave the appropriate feedback regarding your encounter with this "deadbeat wanna-be" and begin the NonPaying Bidder sequence by filing for Final Value Fees Credit.
If sellers don't do this... bidders will continue developing these types of bad trading habits!
posted on March 26, 2001 07:10:27 AM
dubyasdaman: I think this sellers Terms were not the issue, rather what the seller should do about a winning bidder that is disregarding the sellers terms.
Whether we agree with the time frame set by this seller for payment or not really doesn't matter. WE didn't bid on and win this auction. The WINNING BIDDER did thoygh... and so the winning bidder needs to be aware that SELLERS do still set the terms for their own auctions and those terms really should be respected.
(bidders always have the option of NOT BIDDING if they don't like the terms or can't follow through)
posted on March 26, 2001 07:10:58 AM
If it's ok with you that the buyer pays on April 2, just ignore the part about not paying. Some people just write really poorly - they don't realize how abrupt something on paper/screen can be.
Of course you make the rules in your TOS, and your buyers should abide by them. So, if April 2 is too long a wait for you, start the appropriate NPBA/FVF, tell the buyer it's unacceptable, and relist.
If you decide that April 2 is ok, "cc&c" might be: "Thank you for alerting me to your difficulty in paying within the time frame outlined in this auction. I appreciate being kept in the loop. Per your email, I'll assume that payment is being sent to me on April 2. If I don't have payment by April X, this transaction will be void, and I will relist the item."
The other thing I've done in this situation is to alert the bidder that on April 3 (for eg.), I'll file a NPBA and that this DOES NOT effect (affect?) their standing on eBay, but that I have to do this in a timely manner in order to recoup my fees from eBay in the unlikely event that this transaction is not completed.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:14:08 AM
Well, 7 business days from the 23rd would bring you to April 3rd. If they can buy a MO and mail it on the 2nd, you could have it by the 4th or 5th, and most likely by the 7th. That would still be fairly prompt in many sellers eyes.
Yes, I agree that bidders shouldn't bid unless they have the money to pay right away. You would be within your rights to demand payment in the 7 day time frame if this is what you say in your auctions. But, 7 days, especially just regular days and not business days is a tad fast to demand payment. I've had payments take that long just working through the mail system.
Whatever you decide to do, a carefully worded email is in order for this buyer. By their feedback, it seems that they are very new and need some polite advice before they continue with buying on eBay.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:15:13 AM
I'm with dugyasdaman. Have a little charity -- doesn't cost a thing. Sure, he could've been more graceful in asking, but at least he asked -- instead of just assuming. If you can avoid the NPB hassle just by waiting a few extra days, why not? Plus, I think I'd be flattered that someone whose money is tight bid on one of my auctions for *a whopping $20.*
I also think he may have meant something like that if you refuse his request and strictly enforce your terms, there's no POINT in paying at all because he would've missed the opportunity. Is that clear? I mean, what's the alternative? Either you accept, or you don't. If you don't, you wouldn't accept his payment late, so why send it?
Of course chepistar has the right to set the TOS and the bidder accepted the terms by bidding. I never suggested otherwise. But chepistar asked for advice (see the title of this thread). I gave it.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:17:09 AM
dottie:
If sellers don't do this... bidders will continue developing these types of bad trading habits!
My point, exactly! I'm trying to see if this is a DB wannabe that needs to be weeded out or just a newbie who doesn't realize their choice of words leaves something to be desired!
PERFECT, sadie! Thank you!
dubya:
I kid you not.
I start filing at 14 days.
Cant pay for it within two weeks? Don't bid.
JMHO, works for me.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:19:16 AM
"eMail them and kindly state that payment is actually DUE at the time of the auctions end... and"
then fire up your transmutational receiver so you can get it in your hands right away.
I think people need to be more realistic in their expectation of payment receipt. But I would have a problem too with the "if not then i will not send payment at all" statement.
I'd say just wait and see what happens. April 2 is only a few days away.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:19:46 AM
Who makes the rules? You do.
Now, since you make the rules, you also have the luxury of deciding when to bend them.
IF you don't mind the wait for payment (and there's no guarantee even after you allow them extra time that they will pay), go ahead & tell them that your TOS state payment in 7 days but in this one instance, you will allow them additional time.
You might also want to take this opportunity to let this person know that MOST sellers wouldn't allow this (kind of a BIG hint to not try this on everyone) but you're willing to allow it this one time.
IF you do mind the wait, then tell them, "I'm sorry but my payment deadlines were listed in the auction and I must have a payment by the stated date or I will have to relist this item."
BTW, no sense going into threat at this point of how you are going to file NPB, FVF, etc...that only serves to get people's backs up.
I agree w/not encouraging this type of behavior but if this person makes a regular practice of asking people to wait, they'll find out soon enough this is not proper protocol.
Sooo, it's up to you do decide which you want to do. Given them a bit more time or hold to your TOS & prepare to go through the NPB process.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:23:39 AM
MEYA:
My count is with yours ~ it was the "this is the way it's going to be done and if you don't like it eat crow" that I "heard" that concerned me (as to whether or not I wanted to transact with this person). I think I may need new Q-tips! thanks!
CLEVERGIRL:
Very appropriate handle!
I think your perspective is probably right on the mark ~ my interpretation never would have made it so far on a Monday! Thanks for shining the light for me!
UNKNOWN:
IMO, if a bidder can't pay for an auction and they bid on it anyway, why would that be a "well deserved neg" for me? Gotta disagree with you on that.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:24:01 AM
I think my response to the buyer would depend on how much bidding they are doing or have done in the recent past.
If they can't afford to pay until April 2 for this auction and they have won a number of other auctions or continue to bid on auctions at this time then I might want to just void the deal rather than risk their payment being caught up in a bigger juggling act.
If they exhibit some discipline in their bidding then I think I would accept payment by some later date than my auction stipulation. With an email hint that this is notthe best way to go about establishing one's eBay reputation.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:30:42 AM
EVENTER:
thank you!
Actually, I bend the rules enough to take quite a bit of heat on it, however, like you, I make it clear that (1) I appreciate their honesty (2)not all sellers will change their TOS (3) I am making an exception because of their prompt communication.
My auctions also state that I do not take personal checks ~ I do ~ at my discretion.
BTW ~ why do you never seem to get "tainted"?
I love and appreciate your input! Thanks again!
chepi*
posted on March 26, 2001 07:33:47 AM
I always figure, the only reason I'm doing this is because I want the money. I always prefer, when possible, to let the buyer save face and send me the MONEY...
Seems to me, in your situation, you'd be better off to be pleasant and generous with your winner. Think of all the hassle relisting and waiting for payment will be, if you send your current buyer away...not to mention the bad feelings. Why not be the "good guy"?
Some of my very best feedback has come from buyers for whom I've gone the extra distance. Sometimes being "right" just doesn't seem worth it. Or even practical.
posted on March 26, 2001 07:40:10 AM
It is so hard sometimes to read between the lines ~ it seems that the general consensus is that this is not a DeadBeat in the making. I think I agree that this is actually a fine new bidder, and one that I should Welcome into the eBay community with respect for their prompt communication and honesty.
Thank you ALL for your input. Isn't it amazing how we need each other to try to decipher the difference between a DeadBeat and an exemplory bidder? Thank you for helping me with this one!
Just hoping I made the right decision ~ for all of our sakes!
new bidder I'll let you know if the MO shows ~ my $$ says it will!
posted on March 26, 2001 07:48:11 AM
Outcome:
I bent in a friendly, professional manner.
Immediately she responded:
great, i'll send the money order on april 2nd then when i get paid. thanks! sandi
one more from me:
Thank you, Sandi, for your bids, your honesty, and your EXCELLENT communication!
I'll e-mail you when payment arrives and ship priority mail on the next postal business day! Have a Super Week!
Best Regards,
Thanks all, for helping me make a "team" decision on how to proceed!
smooooch!
chepi*
edited to add:
TOKE: don't you know yet that I can't be the "good guy"? my voice of reason thanks, toke!
[ edited by chepistar on Mar 26, 2001 07:50 AM ]
posted on March 26, 2001 07:58:00 AM
I guess you can see I'm a bit emotional today, so, just as a side note, from a "seize the day" standpoint ~
I am so happy to have all of you!!!
Please know that no matter what you do today, where you go, whatever you have to deal with, {{{you are appreciated and respected}}}. I'm sending out the biggest cyber hug to all of you!!!
Sorry to be such a cornball ~ you guys are the Best!!!
posted on March 26, 2001 10:49:07 AM
Chepistar, I'm glad to see that you have already resolved this problem, but I'm wondering if you have your 7-day rule in your auction TOS or just in your EOA notice? This bidder is rather a newbie, and he may have run into "casual" sellers in the past who have been more lenient. If it WAS in your auction, then I think the bidder is somewhat out of line, and were very nice to bend over backwards. (If the 7-day rule ISN'T in your auction, consider putting it in to warn bidders up front!) At least the bidder DID communicate with you, and NOT to tell you have they have small wrists and 34D ears!!
posted on March 26, 2001 12:57:34 PM
McB:
Actually, usually My TOS are stated in the auction with a reference to my ME page as well. Since I recently stopped using AW to launch my auctions, I am trying to work through SA to have my terms in my listings. Right now, some do and some dont .
BTW, I'm still waiting on the anatomy issue...no reference to ear size yet...I think this one may have been Normal!!!
a normal new bidder yippee!!
They really are out there!! I have proof!! (well, almost!)
chepi*
[ edited by chepistar on Mar 26, 2001 12:58 PM ]
posted on March 26, 2001 01:42:05 PM
I must say, this forum has saved me on more than one occasion as I stuck my toe into the selling pond this winter. There've been times when I was so depressed because one bidder in a batch of auctions was late, or not responding. I would come to this site and vent. But wiser heads prevailed and urged me to give it a little time and to bend just a little.
And I've had only one true NPB in all this time; it was true as they told me that there are many reasons people don't work on our time schedule--emergencies, etc.
Not saying this guy shouldn't have heeded your rules, just saying that, just as it is with kids, sometimes you have to bend the rules.
I personally would rather wait a bit than try to resell the item and risk not getting as much the second time around! ~Adele
posted on March 26, 2001 02:10:18 PM
Ever since I removed the deadline from my TOS and EOA, people pay me faster. I just state that I appreciate prompt payment because it lets me get them their stuff faster. A WIN/WIN situation.
new bidder 
my voice of reason