posted on May 7, 2001 09:02:10 AM
I've had my first deal gone bad. My auction completed on April 15. I e-mailed high bidder. She emailed me back that she would send a personal check. I waited two weeks and never received the check. I email her stating I had never receive check. Didn't hear from her, I emailed her stating I needed to hear from her by Sunday or I would relist. I heard from her on Sunday but she sent me this weird email stating she didn't drive and it was hard for her to get out of the house -- Would I accept cash?
She obviously didn't send a check. It's now been three weeks since the auction closed. I don't trust this buyer. I would like to end this transaction. Can I do that without harming my feedback rating. My auction terms state that I must receive the money in 10 days. What should I do?
posted on May 7, 2001 09:12:44 AM
I wouldn't say that I'd accept cash from someone I had doubts about. You say yes, then she claims to have mailed it, you never get it, now its a big problem, either because she is flaky and thought she sent it (and didn't), or is just plain trying to scam you.
Suggest that she look into one of the online payment methods that you like (paypal, etc), or that she have a friend mail you a check.
Or suggest you and she call it off.
Since no one else is jumping in, I'll add more thoughts...
Depending on your current feedback amount (probably low in your case, i'm guessing), the damage from a negative, even if unwarranted, is probably fairly high, so i'd avoid that if possible. Unless you have a huge reason to have that payment in 10 days (like your mortgage payment depends on it...), you may want to consider waiting a few more days. I like to err on the side of the customer whenever possible.
[ edited by captainkirk on May 7, 2001 09:29 AM ]
posted on May 7, 2001 09:36:19 AM
File a NPB, this frees up the item to be relisted. At the end of NPB states because of the time passed seller is not obligated to hold the item for you. Also check this out:
http://www.auctionwatch.com/awdaily/features/neg/index.html
[ edited by msykes on May 7, 2001 10:12 AM ]
posted on May 7, 2001 10:38:40 AM
On or shortly after the deadline date, you should file an NPB alert. Most people like to play nice with bidders, but non-paying bidders just don't get it and it's not worth bothering with them. If you have a ten day deadline and do an alert on day 10 or 11, you will either have your money or can get the FVF credit back in another ten days. Alerts put a fire under the bidder's feet. If they don't properly resolve the matter with prompt payment, that's it.
There is absolutely no reason why a bidder cannot pay up within 10-20 days of the end of an auction. Do not waste any time with deadbeats, you will live to regret it.
posted on May 7, 2001 10:50:48 AM
"There is absolutely no reason why a bidder cannot pay up within 10-20 days of the end of an auction. Do not waste any time with deadbeats, you will live to regret it."
The seller will regret it even more if they become a "-1 feedback" seller.
Unfortuantely, until you have built up a bank of positives, you have to pamper customers. Its just too bad you "hit the jackpot" this early.
Like I said, unless there is a desperate need to sell this item quickly, let it ride for awhile and hope things settle. Losing 15 days of cash flow/interest is a lot less painful than getting a negative.
But I do agree with the idea of not spending a lot of time & energy on this person. Don't let them make you jump through hoops if you do decide to give them some slack - but an occasional email doesn't really take too much of your time.
Once you get a positive reputation, then you can get "into a groove" of running auctions and doing NPB on a business-like manner.
