I have a bidder who has asked me to hold his item and we agreed upon a set date for payment to get to me. He claims he has a disability. He has received a number of negatives and is still bidding.
I'm thinking of emailing and telling him I understand his situation, but is it really wise to continue to bid when he's obviously having problems paying?
What do you think? Would you send that email and neg or just tell ebay you've mutually agreed to not complete the sale?
Thanx!
edited by flynn to take out identifying item.
[ edited by flynn on Apr 3, 2001 06:49 AM ]
edited again to take out more identifying remarks.
[ edited by flynn on Apr 3, 2001 04:23 PM ]
posted on April 3, 2001 07:07:12 AM
I had a guy who took longer to pay because of a disability. If he doesn't come through by the deadline, tell him you can't hold it any longer and file for credit right after the deadline. Some people pay when their monthly check shows up--something that Internet sellers may not be able to verify.
posted on April 3, 2001 07:14:33 AM
I understand this gentleman's (possible) situation, but really, they should ask that question BEFORE they bid on an item. Or, not bid on an item if the TOS specify pymnt within 7/10 days, or whatever.
Most government checks (social security, medicare, medicaide, childsupport, etc) are mailed out near the 1st of the month, just as a reference point.
posted on April 3, 2001 07:19:47 AM
I understand this gentleman's (possible) situation, and am very sympathetic towards it. You might want to suggest to him, in order to avoid negative feedback, ask the buyer if they are willing to wait a few extra days for their payment, or something like that, BEFORE they bid on the auction.
It's unfortunate that there are so many 'storytellers' out there. When someone really has a problem paying, we dont' know who to believe.
Most government checks (social security, medicare, medicaide, Veteran's pension, childsupport, etc) are mailed out near the 1st of the month, just as a reference point.
posted on April 3, 2001 07:21:03 AM
Also, be sure to keep in mind the time limit for filing FVF! I'm hoping the buyer isn't trying to string you along until your time runs out for filing against him/her.
posted on April 3, 2001 07:22:21 AM
Well when he originally won the auction he immediately asked for the extended payment terms and we told him fine, he fully agreed to a "payment plan" and BEGGED us not to get rid of the item as he "wanted it bad". He's already past the first "installment" so it looks bad already from my point of view. Plus, if he's having problems paying, he really shouldn't be bidding on more items.
I hesitate to be "mean" and neg him because my own mother is disabled and I know what it's like, but sheesh, I'm thinking that milk and bread should be bit higher on the list of priorities. Maybe I'm wrong, but this doesn't seem right at all. Kind of sad really.
edited to take out any identifying remarks.
[ edited by flynn on Apr 3, 2001 04:26 PM ]
posted on April 3, 2001 07:24:07 AM
Sounds like a B.S. story to me. Send a NPB request, then file for the FVF.
As far as negging, that's your call .......
posted on April 3, 2001 08:54:26 AM
flynn; I looked at this future NARU posterboy's winning bids. YIKES! for someone on disability he sure is getting the high bids. Maybe he has carpultunnel from clicking his mouse on eBay.
I'd file NPB and FVF ASAP.
Tim
posted on April 3, 2001 01:23:27 PM
Bottom line: if you're not too sick to bid, you're not too sick to pay.
My one and only deadbeat bidder was somebody who claimed that she had a chronic illness. She said that being able to "add to her collection of vintage widgets" was the only thing that brought happiness into her sad, sick life.
So she racked up thousands of dollars worth of bids and sent out lots of bad checks. When she was NARUd, she made up another ID and went back to bidding. She did this a number of times, but a group of her former victims were always able to figure out her new ID and get her kicked off again.
I was initially sympathetic to her plight because a good friend of mine has the same chronic condition that she claimed to have -- except that my friend is hyper-responsible, puts in ten-hour work days, and would never bid on something she couldn't pay for.
posted on April 3, 2001 01:41:06 PM
he should have asked you before bidding, but ok, i'd probably let that slide. but the fact that he's *still* bidding, and is 6 days past the 10 days he pleaded and begged for ... red flag.
is his story true? no way to know. regardless, he's behaving irresponsibly and is likely to continue that (i.e., string you along more, pay late if at all). i'd cut him loose. probably leave him a neutral because i can be a soft touch and in case his story's true ...
posted on April 3, 2001 03:57:10 PM
What address should I forward his response to my email, indicating that he is ill and this is all he has to do and sometimes he gets carried away. I really think eBay should take a look at this individual.
Thanx!
Angela
[ edited by flynn on Apr 3, 2001 04:29 PM ]
