posted on July 26, 2001 07:09:26 PM new
How do I handle this one?
Auction ends, I send out my usual EOA mail. First thing I hear from the bidder in an extremely unfriendly tone is: how can I think it is okay with her, that she has to send the money before receiving the goods! (This is all about a $5 item)
She goes on and on and points me to her wonderful feedback-rating.
She has 9 (!) two of them rather cryptic– I have over 600 (all positive-though only 160 count, because most of my buyers are repeat)- most of them raving about great emails, wonderful widgets, fast shipping and reliable service.
Of course this pxxxxx me off and I wrote her back that she might want to tone down a little. In eBay terms 9 is next to nothing and a little courtesy would be in order. I advised her to read the TOS before bidding. You don’t like it – don’t bid.
Didn’t hear from her again, but she paid fast and I sent her the widget the same day. About a week later (today) she writes again, same attitude, and starts threatening me with negative feedback if I don’t give her positive FB NOW.
Furthermore she “accused” me that I must have sent her widget extra fast.
I had planned not to give her any at all and when I read her email, my first impulse was to give her the mother of all negs. Instead I wrote her back that if she reads eBay regulations, she will find out that FB is not mandatory and that a lot of sellers see it as a “special thank you” for a deal gone well.
I have worked very hard for my excellent reputation and even though most of my buyers are regulars and won’t pay much attention to her I would hate to have that bxxxx screw it up.
The only thing I would hate more is to back down and give her a positive.
posted on July 26, 2001 07:33:28 PM new
If she is threatening you with a neg because you won't leave her a positive, then isn't that feedback extortion? I believe that ebay has rules against that. I would send a copy of her email to safeharbor.
posted on July 26, 2001 07:55:34 PM new
Hi.
They just had a warning about 2 weeks ago on the eBay announcemnt board not to send items until the payment cleared. I had the same problem once for a $4.00 item, the buyer wanted it send overnight for no extra shipping cost to. I never got paid and I did not send the item. And they gave me a negative. They had zero points to start with. I don't care how many points they have I don't send anything without payment. I hate it when people try to intimidate you with all their points.
posted on July 26, 2001 08:01:23 PM new
I would absolutely NOT leave her any FB unless and untill she leaves it for you - then you will know how to respond.
"Furthermore she “accused” me that I must have sent her widget extra fast."
And I think maybe I should slow down on my shipping....
posted on July 26, 2001 10:34:43 PM new
Funny, I thought about that one, too!
I wrote her back not to take it too personal (she seems to have a problem with that anyway; taking an EOA notice personally, for Christ's sake) I want all my customers to be happy and take fast shipping very seriously. It is my part of sticking up to the deal.
I know I read a thread about FB and the comments you can make. Now that I need it I can't find it anywhere. So who got the last word?
Or maybe I just stall her and neg her at the last moment! Hihihi
Certainly would be fun.
Funny how you have so many satisfied customers that love the way you handle business and just one twit unsettles you that much. Can't believe it!
posted on July 26, 2001 11:26:15 PM new
i don't know why someone would thank you will send them item befor payment next time i would point out how if they was shoping anywhere online or off NO store would very
give them the item befor they pay!
good luck
posted on July 26, 2001 11:43:24 PM new
jmcnew99:
excellent point!
On the other hand - at a store she has the goodies in hand and pays and gets outta there.
But what makes her believe that I would jeopardize my FB to take her for her $5?
She also accused me of "controlling" my customers ??
I did tell her my EOA was a form letter, which she obviously misunderstood (or wanted to?)into my first response to her.
Gee, this really helps. The more I hear from you guys the more I feel like an elephant that iss being peed upon by an ant.
Want to know the funny thing about that auction? I decided to take a gamble and start it at $1 NR. Had the same item fetch more at a higher starting price with a very happy bidder.
$1 - NEVER AGAIN. Seems to attract the loonies.
Maybe $ 1.10?
The buyer must be crazy to think that you would ship before payment...That would throw up red flags for me.
Is there such a thing as shipping too fast?
Only 9 feedback? Did you know you can't even use BUY IT NOW when you sell until you have 10+ feedback or you pay Ebay a fee to get an equaling status?
I am thinking of adding to my TOS that anyone with a feedback under 20 (with no negatives) needs to use paypal and payment must be received within 24hrs of auction close....too many deadbeat bidders....
posted on July 27, 2001 12:08:49 AM new
I feel so guilty. I withheld a substantial piece of information. I am selling in Germany.
The way the system works here: you transfer the money and there is virtually no way to get it back, wether the Seller is a crook or not. You are responsible for your own actions (how scary)
Anyway: I stated the terms, she bid. Somehow managed to drag me into a pXXXXXX- contest and now I deeply regret I ever answered her (though I did never threaten or intimidate her)
She seem to have accepted the conditions throughout her extensive (9 FB) eBay history.
WHY IS SHE PICKING ON ME ?
posted on July 27, 2001 02:36:20 AM new
I'm sure your intentions are good, but you're adding fuel to the fire when you tell an unreasonable customer to lighten up. Instead of trying to educate her, why not just leave appropriate feedback?
You said you read her feedback, all positives. Surprising, isn't it? I'm willing to bet that you WON'T leave appropriate feedback because you're afraid of getting your first negative. That's probably why loony bidders have perfect feedback records and sellers have pristine feedback they don't deserve.
Rather than cajoling the bidder, leave appropriate feedback, take your retaliatory neg, and move on.
