savon1
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:17:56 PM new
Hi everyone, I have never posted here before but I read this board frequently and I know you guys will understand my frustration here. Two days ago my computer got infected with that virus. It wrecked my PC but I had 20 auctions ending. OK, so I got on my daughter's computer, got myself a Hotmail address and emailed all my winning bidders. I told them that due to computer problems, I could not be reached at my usual email address so SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE but would they please contact me at my Hotmail address. Today I got a neutral. The bidder in question has not even sent payment yet but they wrote the comment "Need to correct actual email address". This person has a feedback of 2, mine is 504 (no negs). If any of you think that this FB was justified, please let me know. I appreciate all of your opinions.
|
peiklk
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:20:17 PM new
No, it wasn't justified. But what can you do? She probably is one of those "batch" people and forgot the deal wasn't complete.
Anyway -- just neutral her as well and the deal is done.
|
capotasto
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:21:09 PM new
A few newbies are idiots.
After the transaction (after you have your money), give him a neutral too.
|
mrlatenite
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:35:12 PM new
Well, not that it would have helped the person leaving you a neg--- but some people are afraid to deal with an email address other than the one registered with eBay.
In this case I would have at least added to the email:
"Please send mail to this address and cc: my regular email address.. My computer died and I don't have access to the regular address".
This way if you were a bottom feeder (what's the correct term .. "auction stealer"?) then they wouldn't feel uncomfortable since the actual address would be getting all the mail as well.
(but then again most people probably don't think twice about this possible fraud... but just giving hints)
|
veebee
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:36:45 PM new
I Have 700 pos and 2 neutrals..both from bidders with 10 or less feedback.
Instead of contacting me with a problem they will run right up and give you a poor feedback.
Everybody makes mistakes..I sent a figurine to a guy that had it's head glued back on.I did'nt see it..simple refund and everybody is happy.
my 2 neutrals was for smoke smell and a record that skipped..both could have been handled if they would have contacted me.
also have handed out 17 negs and so far haven't received one back.
|
jfpnatl
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:52:23 PM new
Count your blessing on the 17 negatives given and no retalitation. I got my first for neg'ing a non payer !! I was so Pi==ed. This person had 17 negatives with 107 positives, all were for no shipment / no refunds, non payment, ect. I just hope people will investigate after it gets buried in the heap!
[ edited by jfpnatl on Jul 25, 2001 02:53 PM ]
|
WeRuleWithTechnology
|
posted on July 25, 2001 02:57:37 PM new
I would have been wary had I been a winning bidder also. I wouldn't feel comfortable sending my money to someone that said they were the seller but their other e-mail was no good. I feel for you, with the problems and all, but many buyers might be a little hesitant.
Still, you didn't deserve a neutral from her.
Also, couldn't you have set up your e-mail account on your daughter's computer so that you could get your eBay e-mail? If you could have, then you could have e-mailed your winning bidders with your eBay e-mail address.
|
mikeylou
|
posted on July 25, 2001 03:01:47 PM new
Actually, if your email is through a POP3 server, you could use a yahoo email address to download your email to. I'm having to do that now, until I get around to fixing Eudora.
-------------------
Time is an illusion perpetrated by the manufacturers of space.
|
savon1
|
posted on July 25, 2001 03:40:22 PM new
Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it! I am happy to say that I have calmed down a bit, and I can see the bidder's point of view (sort of!). However, when I sent emails to my winning bidders I did include my regular address and the reason why I had a different address than usual. I even explained that it was because I didn't want to infect anyone with the virus! I also admit that I am computer illiterate and my options (as far as I could see) were limited. Anyhow, thanks again, you have helped me to think twice. I REALLY wanted to leave a nasty neg but I'm going to sleep on it 
|
ExecutiveGirl
|
posted on July 25, 2001 03:49:15 PM new
Savon: No, I don't think the neutral was deserved, but I do understand why buyers would be leary of dealing with someone with a different address than what is registered with ebay.
If that happens again, just go in to ebay and change your registered email address to your temporary address, that way there won't be any confusion. Then, when you get your normal email address back you can just go in and change the email address back to normal. No one would have even known you changed it.
|
Microbes
|
posted on July 25, 2001 04:00:35 PM new
I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, but those of us that make our money selling on the internet can't afford to be computer illiterate.
Our computers are the single most importaint tool we have and use.
We should know how to avoid computer viruses, worms, etc. We should know how to protect our selves from hackers. We should know preform preventive maintance on our computers, including, but not limited to defraging, managing files, cleaning dust out of the inside of the machine, etc.
If one has to spend a few dollars on a couple of good books, and spend time studying about the computer, it is time and money well spent.
It's no different than knowing how to change a flat tire, check oil, and add water to a radiator.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
|
dadofstickboy
|
posted on July 25, 2001 05:10:37 PM new
In the future! If you need to use someone else's computer, log onto www.webmail.com and you can get and send e-mail under your normal address! I did it when mine was down and had to use my neighbor's computer. Works great when your also just away from home!
|
sulyn1950
|
posted on July 25, 2001 05:11:29 PM new
I have been where you are, only I lucked out and got no neutral or neg FB. I use Yahoo as my backup mail addy. I sent my EOA FROM Yahoo with an explaintation and cc to my regular email address and I advised everyone I was only touching base since I didn't want them thinking I had overlooked their win. I invited them to wait until my regular mail was back up to complete the transaction if they preferred, but requested they respond to my email and let me know what their preference was. I let them know that if they did want to go ahead and complete the transaction I would then send them the necessary information to do that. I did not include any of the usual "final price with shipping" or "make payment" info that usually goes in to the EOA. I waited for them to respond to my original email.
I closed the email with BOTH my addy's. I also have both emails registered with PP.
All but 3 went ahead and completed the transaction. The other 3 chose to wait and I did have to send a second email (copy of the first) to about 4 people before I got a response as to their choice.
Sorry, you got a neutral, but you can respond with an apology and comment about your regular email being temporarily down.
|
whizzo
|
posted on July 25, 2001 05:50:11 PM new
Microbes...Normally I just lurk here.but you pushed the Wrong button!
"Those of us who make our money selling on the internet can't afford to be computer illiterate."
For the first 3 years I sold on ebay using WEBTV.I had just come out of a bad marriage and could not Afford a computer.Some people are computer illiterate because they are just getting enough money to buy one!
I find your statement offensive to those of us who are intelligent,hard working souls,doing everything in our power to make a decent living.
I think that people who are "computer illiterate" should be applauded. To me it shows that they may be new to the computer world... but at least they are trying their best.
'Nuff said...
|
savon1
|
posted on July 25, 2001 06:45:05 PM new
Well, my 'puter is going to be out of commission until the end of the week so I went to ebay and changed my address. I didn't realize until it was too late that I'd have to wear those nice sunglasses for a while!!!!!Or that my entire id would change to my new email address!!!! I guess I asked for it, I still feel a bit stupid for opening the ******* attachment in the first place
|
ExecutiveGirl
|
posted on July 25, 2001 06:57:10 PM new
I've changed my ebay email address several times in the past 4 years, I've never had the sunglasses next to my name just for changing my email address. I only get the sunglasses if I change my ID name.
|
Microbes
|
posted on July 25, 2001 07:13:37 PM new
whizzo
If I offended, I truely appoligize. I wasn't trying to be a smart aleck at all.
I tryed to prefaced what I said by hoping no one would take it the wrong way.
A problem like the original poster mentioned is a major, time consuming problem. It leads to other problems, like what he had with his bidder. It could probably been prevented by few pecautions.
I (and a lot of other people) have had the same nasty computer virus emailed to us lately, and most of us where able to delete it, and carry on about our business. We even talked about how we got rid of it (and protected our selfs) in another thread.
I was trying to give good advice... learn all you can about your computer (or your webtv), and your digital camera etc. They are the tools you work with. Learn to take care of them, they will take care of you.
I stand by my advice.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
|
mballai
|
posted on July 26, 2001 06:05:25 AM new
I recommend using Yahoo or Hotmail as your contact email account. This way, when a machine problem strikes, you just use another computer and get on with it. I wish Yahoo would fix their smtp server so I can send from my email client, but I suppose that's a bit much to ask from a big company who refuses to do such a basic task.
|
mark090
|
posted on July 26, 2001 06:08:56 AM new
Why didn't you set up your mail account on your daughter's computer????? I can collect and send email through my email account from any ISP on any computer in the world, except those proprietary services like AOL and the others. That's why, especially for email accounts, they should be avoided like the plague.
Even Hotmail, Juno and the other email only services can be accessed from ANY computer.
|
prominsky
|
posted on July 26, 2001 06:35:14 AM new
Actually, AOL users can recieve and send email from any computer, anywhere. We can go to www.aol.com and log in to read and send mail.
|
margaret5
|
posted on July 26, 2001 07:00:34 AM new
You can also set up hotmail to receive mail from a regular isp's e-mail server. There is a place to put in the ISP's mail server name. You can get a copy of your mail but you can't send mail from your regular address.
The best option for you would have been to set up another e-mail client such as Eudora on your backup (sister's) computer. Point it at your ISP's mail server and you are back in action. You might also want to check the option to 'leave messages on server' That way the secondary computer will only pull down a copy and when you get your other one back on it's feet, you can pull down and delete the messages left on the server.
Please note that most ISP's will allow you to retrieve your mail from their mail server from an outside domain but will not allow you to send mail thru their server from there. So for the above to work, you need to actually dial into your ISP on your sisters computer. Just add another entry into her dial up networking folder.
Hope this helps.
Sorry you got the neutral..just respond to it that your machine was down and forgetaboutit. I recently let a neg get me all fired up and then I realized it just wasn't worth it.
|
llama_lady
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:12:49 AM new
It sounds like you need a better virus protector. I use Mcafee on line. It updates your protector while on line and you are always (99 3/4%) protected from the lastest virus. It only cost $29.99 a year. It is worth every penny and more. I don't work for Mcafee, but this is my third year of using it and my computer has not caught a virus since then. (I used to buy and install virus protector programs) You won't have to worry about updating your "store-bought" protector and the peace of mind is great.
www.mcafee.com
|
Microbes
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:17:46 AM new
I use Mcafee on line.
That's the same service I use, and it checks for updates daily. No virus software is 100%, because they are always playing "catch up" with the jerks who write the viruses, but daily updates is about as good as you can get.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
|
toke
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:39:35 AM new
dadofstickboy...
Could you explain a little more about www.webmail.com? Sounds like a great idea, but I was concerned that they explained nothing about the service on their home page. I was reluctant to give them the password to my regular email account...just to get info. Seems risky...
Can you tell me how it works?
|
dadofstickboy
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:05:38 AM new
TOKE:
I haven't been to they're site in a while,but I am registered. This enables me to receive & send my e-mail under my normal address from any computer anywhere in the world. You have to give them your user I.D. and passwork so they can go to your ISP and retrieve your email for you. Just like you give AW your auction I.D. so they can access your acct's. I have never been spamed by them or any one from them, as a matter of fact I would not know I even have an Acct. with them if it were not for the fact that when I go there it works. About two years ago my system crashed and it was nearly two weeks before it was fixed. During that time I used my neighbors computer every night to carry on Buss. and every thing went the same as if I were using my own computer,no delay's & no different address. If you travel and want to check or send e-mail just log onto webmail. and you receive just like you were sitting home in front of your own machine,this can be done from any machine anywhere.It's certainly worth having. Just in case.
|
mrlatenite
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:16:52 AM new
Posted by: mballai
>Iwish Yahoo would fix their smtp server so I can send from my email client
Actualy, it's NOT Yahoo!'s problem.
If you have chosen to be part of their once a month spam mail you can both POP and SMTP your email (but you probably know this)
The PROBLEM lies with many ISPs that now BLOCK any outgoing SMTP protocol traffic to any SMTP address OTHER than their own.
This is, again, caused by the dang spammers. The ISPs keep getting rattled by others ISPs when their users revolt and find out that the spam was allowed to be sent from such-and-such an ISP.
For a while I was on a local ISP. I could both POP and SMTP my mail from outlook express from and to my Yahoo account.
I switched to MSN for that $60 a year deal thru AccessMicro last winter.
MSN is so anal that they prevent you from doing SMTP to any server other than smtp.mail.msn.com (or whatever theirs is). Therefore when you try smtp.mail.yahoo.com it doesn't go out. Many other ISPs do the same thing.
The best option for you to do is set up a new hotmail account. Then set that up for use in Outlook Express. THEN set the From: and Reply-TO: addresses in the property sheet for this account to say it's from "[email protected]". Then when you send, choose the Hotmail account entry in the drop down on the To: line and then click send.
The message will be sent thru HTTP: to Hotmail and then out to the recipient. The header however will show that you sent it from Yahoo.com.
Note: There is still the correct !X-Path statements that prove it came from Hotmail (but your account isn't divulged, only a message ID)... SO while this is technically forging, it also doesn't forge the path to be fake. To anyone else, you sent it from your Yahoo mail.
However, if someone runs a spam filter to block anything with "hotmail.com" in an Xpath, then your mail will never be received, but that's not too common...
PS: This will work on ANY ISP even if they block SMTP since emailing with outlook express to hotmail uses an HTTP: protocol, and your ISP definitely can't block that one!
Hope this helps!
|
toke
|
posted on July 26, 2001 10:34:57 AM new
dadofstickboy...
Thanks!
|
BJGrolle
|
posted on July 26, 2001 01:54:05 PM new
I think the bidder jumped the gun on the neutral.
I'd switched to a Hotmail address and was very pleased with it for about 3 weeks. Then they were down for over 24 hrs. twice in 1 month. So I switched back to my ISP email address. I don't know if Hotmail still has those extended outages or not, since I rarely have to use it.
But when I've had to use a different email address than what I had on my eBay account, I simply CC'd a copy to my registered eBay email address and noted in the email that I was doing so and why. That way the buyer knows they're dealing with the actual seller. No way would a fraud send the email to the actual seller.
Can't take credit for this either. I read it here on these board.
http://bjgrolle.freehomepage.com
|
savon1
|
posted on July 26, 2001 04:27:00 PM new
BJGrolle, this is exactly what I did. I gave my winning bidders every bit of info that I could think of and still this person gave me a neutral. I can only assume that he is one of these new buyers that don't really understand feedback. I really want to email this guy with an explanation but I thought I already had! I might be banging my head against a brick wall
|
