dubyasdaman
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posted on April 4, 2001 01:26:31 PM
I have always received a lot of "mystery payments" (payments with no ebaY ID, item #, or email address). They drive me crazy and it seems to be even worse so far this year. SO I decide to try a little experiment.
I added an extra line to my payment address. It now reads something like this:
My Name
IN-9876
123 Anystreet
Anytown, Anystate 12345
The IN stands for item number. The 9876 is the last 4 digits of the ebaY item # for the auction being paid for.
I have received 3 mystery payments since I started doing this. All 3 were EASY to identify. I just looked up the auctions that ended in those 4 numbers and matched up the payments in seconds instead of hours or days (or never).
Of course with Dutch auctions there is still a little more work to do. But having the item number to go by makes it easy.
Does anyone else do anything like this? If so, what? And does it seem to work?
[ edited by dubyasdaman on Apr 4, 2001 01:27 PM ]
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southernone
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posted on April 4, 2001 01:30:40 PM
I like that idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good thinking!!!!!!!!
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capriole
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posted on April 4, 2001 01:33:54 PM
Well son-of-a-gun.
Not so shabilicious.
Mind if I "borrow" it?
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deby0
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posted on April 4, 2001 01:34:14 PM
That is a great idea and I think I will start using that system too. I also get several mystery payments each week and it just drives me crazy....
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dubyasdaman
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posted on April 4, 2001 01:39:02 PM
capriole:
I can't really take credit for the idea. I stole it myself from the regular mailorder companies. They ALWAYS use some kind of a code to tell which ad or which issue of a magazine (or whatever) the order came from. I figured that since it obviously works for them, it should work for me as well. And it does.
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Microbes
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posted on April 4, 2001 05:43:08 PM
That is one MIGHTY FINE idea!
I think I'll do it like this:
My Name
Dept. #9876
123 Anystreet
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Thanks!! You probably just saved me 2 or 3 hours a week!!
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on April 4, 2001 05:46:48 PM
Dubya: THANK YOU! What a great idea! I get those "mystery payments" CONSTANTLY and it drives me crazy!! I will be trying out this new idea!
Now I can  when I get those payments instead of  !
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dubyasdaman
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posted on April 4, 2001 06:27:31 PM
I'm glad you folks like this idea, but don't thank me. It really isn't mine. I stole it from the large mail-order companies. But I CAN tell you that so far it has been VERY effective for me!
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unknown
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posted on April 4, 2001 07:12:36 PM
Yes I've had great sucess with a similar thing.
I prefer to use my own invoice numbers rather than Ebay Numbers (Helpfull in Dutch Auctions)
And I call it a dept number.
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stamper3
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posted on April 4, 2001 07:19:36 PM
Thanks! Great idea! Even if it is not yours originally, your posting it just probably saved what is left of my hair!
Anne
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mzalez
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posted on April 4, 2001 11:47:01 PM
This is a great idea! Thanks dubyasdaman!
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immykidsmom
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posted on April 5, 2001 12:04:38 AM
Wow! that's the greatest idea! I get those mystery payments about once or twice a month, makes me insane! Unfortunately I can't use your solution, my zip code isn't 12345, but I'm glad it worked out for you.
I'm not willing my children my money, I'm spending it. Let them earn their own. Mom
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mballai
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posted on April 5, 2001 04:08:49 AM
I''ve never had a mystery payment problem, but I can definitely understand how one might happen when sellers do not get their bidders shipping info or people rely on a manual tracking system.
Your idea is superb nonetheless. Two thumbs up!
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jwpc
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posted on April 5, 2001 06:42:47 AM
Well Praise the Lord and Pass the Mash Potatoes - this is something business' have done forever, and I can't believe we are only thinking about it - I'm off to do that now - I am forever getting these insane "mystery" payments. I have one now with no name, no signature on the MO, no address, no anything but a blank MO!
THANKS FOR THE GREAT IDEA!
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preacher4u
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posted on April 5, 2001 10:18:39 AM
Great idea, just one thing: The postman is going to go postal trying to find department #E2387 on that small, one story house.
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nefish
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posted on April 5, 2001 11:44:13 AM
Thanks for sharing this! Love this idea.
[ edited by nefish on Apr 5, 2001 11:44 AM ]
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taz8057
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posted on April 11, 2001 08:23:46 PM
WOW!!!
I love this idea! dubyasdaman, you are my new ebay hero!
-Trey
***********************************
"If your mind can conceive it, and you believe it, then you probably can achieve it."
http://www.CondomDeals.com
***********************************
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mikeselis
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posted on April 11, 2001 08:40:44 PM
It works quite well because if you take a look at any mail order ad you will find a department number on it. Another idea is to require all bidder to WRITE the ebay number on the check. I can take the 5 seconds to do it because I know that time is money.
To make it even better for the seller, I look up the 9 digit zip code because it will arrive to them as much as a day or two sooner because using the nine digit code results in their post office being able to sort it quicker. In urban areas and rural areas I have found it quite helpful to the seller.
So don't forget to include your 9 digit zip code.
Of course if you really want to save your self some time, rent a p.o. box because since you have to go to town anyways you might as well save yourself a days time or two while they deliver it. You can keep a binder or a laptop with the auction data and mark off people that have paid. Plus you can always be sure that you can get your mail in the morning so you can deposit the checks and get and extra day for them to clear.
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katiyana
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posted on April 14, 2001 07:35:31 AM
I haven't yet had any Mystery Payments of my own (small enough volume and enough odd $ amounts that if they do come in without enough info, a couple quick emails usually produces the info for me).
But that is a really terrific idea!
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tradersjones
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posted on April 14, 2001 07:53:11 AM
dubyasdamansdaman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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gboy
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posted on April 14, 2001 03:06:53 PM
mikeselis wrote:
"Another idea is to require all bidders to WRITE the ebay number on the check."
I think you're missing the point. This thread was started because some bidders DON'T include the auction number, even though sellers make it perfectly clear that they need to.
I'd say only about 75% of bidders will write the number on the check if you ask them. But, 99.99% (I'd guess) will write the code in the address.
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captian23
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posted on July 27, 2001 08:55:21 PM
Just brought it to the top for all to see. I jst wonder how to do it with automated WBN.
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