posted on July 18, 2001 11:44:44 AM new
I have been selling on Ebay for about 4 years and this is a first and I am looking for some alternatives/advice on what to do. I want to be fair with the buyer. The situation is this: I had a 45 rpm record auction that was won by a foreign bidder (from UK). In my after the sale email I put "if you live in the US, please send a total of $13.50 to (my address). If you live outside the US, please give me your address so that I can obtain an accurate shipping charge for you". Well this guy, issues me a Bidpay for $13.50 (I dont even take Bidpay, but I guess I do now) and on the address to ship to, it lists an address in the UK. I email him back and explain that I didnt realize that he lived outside the US and this amount won't cover the shipping to the UK, and the bid amount, and either he needs to send me another $10 or cancel the bidpay and I relist in another auction or go to the backup bidder- no hard feelings. I never hear from him and now have received the check from Bidpay and have emailed him back again, but dont get any replies.
Either I can cash the check and send him the cash back to his address in England or I can return the check to Bidpay and explain to them the deal did not consumate. Any other suggestions? I do want to be fair but don't really go to any extra expense (other than the cost of sending it to England) and I sure dont want to send the records out and take a loss. Any suggestions of other ways of handling this would be appreciated.
posted on July 18, 2001 11:59:26 AM new
I think I would return the check to BidPay, and let him work it out with them - it is HIS problem. You might try to get some idea from BidPay customer service how best to return it, and if it should be sent Registered Mail, etc. I like BidPay, but their customer service, from my experience, leaves a lot to be desired.
This does not address your basic problem, but asking him to send ten dollars for shipping seems a bit high? (Of course, he should have inquired about the total before paying.)
posted on July 18, 2001 12:02:11 PM new
thanks for the reply....the $10 is actually the amount needed to ship this package over and pay for the bid amount. I will look on the Bidpay website to see if I can contact them or a phone number. That's one reason I like Paypal...you can always talk to someone there if you need to. thanks again.
posted on July 18, 2001 12:28:29 PM new
If it was me, I would cash the BidPay MO, and email the high bidder letting them know you will ship the item as soon as you are paid the amount still owing. UK buyers mail me cash all the time, so it's certainly no biggie for the buyer to get his hands on some American cash.
posted on July 18, 2001 12:37:11 PM new
I guess the fact that I have not heard from this guy in the last 3 weeks is the reason I would want to let him off the hook. I hate these things that "hang on" and get some closure to the deal. I could cash the check and hold on the money and keep the records but for how long? At what point do you just relist it? This way I know that I have been clean with him giving him the money back. When you think of the time you spend doing all of this, the $10 bid amount is not really worth it.
posted on July 18, 2001 12:45:18 PM new
The problem as I see it is that no matter what you do [unless you cash the MO] you are going to be out extra time & money. The only safe way to return the money is though registered mail, and who's going to pay for that? That's right, you are.
I imagine you'll be hearing from this person as soon as they realize you didn't fall for their scam.
If it was an honest mistake on their part, then they'll do the right thing & send the amount owing. If it was NOT an honest mistake, they'll do the same because they'll know you now have the money AND the goods.
posted on July 18, 2001 07:57:43 PM new
You should be able to send that 45 to UK for no more than $5.00 by air letter post.
So how much of what he sent you already was for shipping?
posted on July 18, 2001 09:59:36 PM new
This happens to me all the time on amazon. Even though I have in big huge letters to email me first, they will still go ahead and use amazon's automated process and pay their auction and use the USA rate of $3.00. (vs. $9.00 global.)
I always send them an "invoice" to pay the additional money. In over 10 different cases, I have never heard back from them - not to pay, not to ask me where their item is - or anything. I guess they just forgot about the auction and their money entirely!
In the few cases where I experienced your problem (that is, they sent a letter with a check or money order), I told them they had to send the extra money or they would not get their item. Yes, it is only a dollar or two more but it is the principle. I have in my EOA in very clear and concise terms, to email me back before sending any money.
posted on July 18, 2001 10:58:13 PM new
According to USPS, a 1 pound package can go to UK for $3.80 (surface mail), so I think the $10 might be a little much to ask...however, the buyer STILL should have followed your TOS...send the check back, and re-list..
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on July 18, 2001 10:59:39 PM new
Is this a single 45 record? If you package the thing well enough to survive a nuclear war, it *might* get to weigh as much as 1 pound (what a wrapping job *that* would be! ) I just took a look at the USPS site...for one pound Economy Letter-Post would be $3.80 to the UK (4-6 weeks) and $8.70 for Air Letter-Post (4-7 days). Twelve ounces would be $3.80/$7.55. Eight ounces would be $3.80/$6.40.
The price to ship it (at 8, 12, & 16 ounces) from coast to coast in the US is $3.50 Priority and $1.33 Media Rate.
If I were you I just eat the 30 cents & send the record by Economy Letter Post or tell him to send you the $5.20, $4.05, or $2.90 (depending on the heft of your packaging)over $3.50 that it would cost to send it Airmail Letter-Post.
posted on July 19, 2001 12:57:41 AM new
Hello dld2900,
This has happened to me twice and the first time I made the huge mistake of taking the person's word they'd send the remaining shipping amount and I sent the item out. Like you, I hate to have lose ends with my auctions. I just can't stand clutter and want the items out. The funny thing is that the person actually had the nerve to not only "forget" to send the remaining $7.00, but complained that they were charged a customs fee of $10.00 because I marked the customs form as merchandise instead of gift.
The second time, I cashed the money order, told the person they didn't send the right amount, and held the item until they paid. I had to send 2 more notices but they finally paid after 3 weeks.
I have come to the conclusion that the people that do this are doing so intentionally hoping you don't notice that they paid the wrong amount.
posted on July 19, 2001 06:10:34 AM new
thanks to all who have answered my plight. let me get something straight though on these shipping costs (you guys seem to be focusing in on this and perhaps i wasnt clear). This is for a box of 65 records and I assure you the $13.50 shipping to England is an accurate charge- it isnt one record- it's a box of 65! the bid amount was $10, the total should be $23.50- he has sent me $13.50. I have not or ever will overcharge for shipping- its a pet peeve of mine as a buyer so I will not do it as a seller.
) I just took a look at the USPS site...for one pound Economy Letter-Post would be $3.80 to the UK (4-6 weeks) and $8.70 for Air Letter-Post (4-7 days). Twelve ounces would be $3.80/$7.55. Eight ounces would be $3.80/$6.40.