posted on May 10, 2001 07:45:13 AM
Bidder wins my auction for a fairly high-ticket item (just under $200). Feedback over 100, all pos. But those were all low ticket items and spaced over a long period of time. Now, all of a sudden, bidder has won several auctions on high ticket items (ie: several thousand $ in a 3 day period) plus numerous other (under $100) auctions sprinkled in the mix. These larger amounts range from $500 to over $2000 per.
Now, I may just be paranoid from losing a $100 sale several months ago to a stolen credit card, so pls don't chastise me yet...I'm trying to give the benefit of the doubt but feel uneasy nonetheless.
Bidder pays by Billpoint. U.S. customer, no request for shipping to a diff address. In fact, no contact at all, but pmt arrived within a day of end of auction...
posted on May 10, 2001 08:04:43 AM
I thought about that, like maybe they won in the lottery or something. I'm trying real hard to feel comfortable with it. I don't really know how much "protection" Billpoint affords, but I can just imagine....
posted on May 10, 2001 08:16:38 AM
Havent received a billpoint payment so here's my question: Does Billpoint send you a certified shipping address?
I have seen a few posts about Billpoint and they offer the seller little to no protection. I wonder how long it would take buyers to discover that certain services allow you to charge dozens of items and then charge them back later with the silliest of excuses. A woman bought several collectors dolls, paid with billpoint and then her husband charged them all back saying he didn't authorize the charges. She got to keep the dolls and the money. Billpoint did nothing for the sellers. Your buyer might have heard about this and decided to have a ball.
My next question to sellers is why do you choose to accept a payment "service" that 1) charges you money and 2) takes the other side in the event of a dispute. Since YOU are the "customer" who pays the service, they should at least work for your side.
posted on May 10, 2001 08:18:04 AM
The bidder most likely came into some money or maybe they are buying for someone else.
I recently purchased an old 1800's diving suit $12000 for a friend.
The Seller had similiar feelings.
Just be sure to use delivery confimation insurance etc.
Joe B
posted on May 10, 2001 08:25:30 AMyisgood: Yes, Billpoint gives the address (although I'm not sure how "verified" it is!) with the payment notification. And the buyer, in his remarks, reiterated that same address.
It just feels weird that this bidder won several items totalling over $5,000 in 3 days and over the period of a week or so much more than that...
Joe: WOW! $12,000? That's a chunk of change!
[ edited by sharkbaby on May 10, 2001 08:26 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 08:32:26 AM
Have you considered using USPS Return Receipt For Merchandise with restricted delivery? At least, then only the person the package is addressed to can sign for it.
posted on May 10, 2001 08:39:39 AMsandvet: No, I haven't. I've never used that particular form. Does the postal carrier (according to theory, anyway..) ask to see a driver's license or ID from the recipient? Sounds like a viable option. At least that would cover the possible credit card theft angle.
posted on May 10, 2001 09:02:49 AM
Hmmm... I really don't know about that. It is a very good question though. Since we are dealing with the USPS, I suspect it comes with a variety of answers too.
As far as the return receipt for merchandise goes... It's kind of like sending a letter certified mail with return receipt. Use the exact same green ticket you use for return receipt on first class mail. This is the one you receive back in the mail with a signature after the item has been delivered. In addition, there is a brown ticket called return receipt for merchandise that is scanned and trackable online. If you check the restricted delivery box, only the person that the package is addressed to can sign for it...or can they?
Anyone know the answer? I can't get my local PO on the phone. Just rings off the hook here.
Edited to add an s to retricted!
[ edited by sandvet on May 10, 2001 09:07 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 10:02:15 AM
I think what you're talking about is a
combination of several services --
Most important is probably Restricted Delivery, which permits a mailer to direct delivery only to the addressee or addressee’s authorized agent. The addressee must be an individual specified by name. May be combined with Delivery Confirmation, parcel airlift (PAL), return receipt, Signature Confirmation, or special handling. Available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail that is sent certified mail, COD, mail insured for more than $50, or registered mail.
So here's how it works - I went to the postal calculator, choose a 2 lb Priority Mail package, and choose to send it with Signature Confirmation and Insured it for $300. Then the calculator took me to another page where I could choose to restrict delivery and have a receipt sent to me - here's the cost breakdown:
Itemized Service Summary
Service Item Price
Priority Mail $3.95 (2lb)
Insured Mail (Insured for $300.00) $4.00
Restricted Delivery $3.20
Return Receipt $1.50
Signature Confirmation (Retail) $1.75
TOTAL CHARGES $14.40
I think if you did all this it would be
hard for the person to deny they got the item ... but have you considered escrow?
posted on May 10, 2001 10:05:26 AMYes, Billpoint gives the address (although I'm not sure how "verified" it is!) with the payment notification.
BillPoint only provides the shipping address the buyer enters, it does not supply the billing address or indicate if the shipping address is different from the billing address.
posted on May 10, 2001 10:15:40 AM
I agree with the "coming into money" idea. Many people are getting their tax money back right about now. The other day my friend got hers and it was just over $8000 (must be nice huh?). She has kids and got the whole earned income credit thing. Now she's going on a spending spree. Guess it pays to just sit around on your but and have babies....
posted on May 10, 2001 10:16:42 AM
Restricted Delivery can only be signed for by the person that the item is addressed to. And they DO have to show a picture ID before they are allowed to sign for the package. This is the most secure way to send a package or letter.
posted on May 10, 2001 11:03:16 AM
You know, I can't find Return Receipt for Merchadise as an option when calculating postage online at USPS. But it is available and only cost 2.35. This provides a signature and is trackable online to confirm delivery.
If you look on the green Domestic Return Receipt, 3. Service Type, Return Receipt for Merchandise is listed there. Block 4. Restricted Delivery? (Extra Fee). The extra fee is 3.20 for restricted delivery. The Return Receipt For Merchadise slip is brown and looks like the blue insurance or green delivery confirmation slips. It reads Return Receipt For Merchadise across the top. I have several right here in front of me. It accompanies the green Return Receipt on the package.
Edited for yet another typo in restricted!
[ edited by sandvet on May 10, 2001 11:10 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 02:11:10 PMThanks, everybody! I'll continue to look into the best way to ship from a security standpoint and hope that the "coming into some money" theory is good.
I guess it doesn't hurt to be careful! Especially when you've been burned before.
Ya never know!