posted on August 24, 2001 02:15:40 PM
Just curious how you would handle this transaction. I sold item $24.99 + $7.50 shipping noted on auction page. Bidder paypals me $31.49. 8/18 (Saturday)
I Sent the following email 8/20 (Monday Morning)
Greetings XXX:
I was just processing payments and getting ready to package items. I show a discrepancy between what you paid and total cost of auction. Let me know if this is not correct $24.99 + $7.50 = $32.49. I will get your item packed and will ship as soon as you can send the additional $1.00. Thanks again for bidding and if you have any questions please email me.
Regards,
XXXXXX
He then sent this email 8/24
I am willing to send your one dollar but not via Paypal. I am in error on
my math and I apologize for that. However, Ron, the effort spent here is
not worth it and I would personally rather cancel the transaction. If you
had sent the items with a note regarding the buck, this would not have
become such an issue. Send me your mailing address and I will enclose one
almighty dollar. We can find closure in our transactions and rest assured
we will have no more. Respectfully XXX
I sent this reply because in the past I have been burned. I know it is only a dollar but I won't bet burned again.
Greetings XXX:
I am sorry that you find this an unreasonable request. I have done as you suggested in the past and have been burned. I did communicate to you very early regarding the issue and your quick response would not have delayed this transaction. Since you originally paid via paypal I assumed that sending the additional $1.00 would be the fastest way to complete our deal. For your convenience I will provide my mailing address if you find this a faster means to complete this transaction.
posted on August 24, 2001 02:27:14 PM
Did the buyer pay off of an EOA notice you sent with the bid + S/H stated but not the total due? I always just provide the total $ due to prevent math errors by buyers (doesn't prevent math errors on MY part of course). For $1, I probably just would have let it slide - depending on what the item in question is, I might have found a way to ship for $6.50 instead of the $7.50 stated...
I probably wouldn't have stated that you'd hold shipment until the $1 was paid - that might be the comment that got the buyer's dander up. I probably would have just said that I'll be shipping your widget tomorrow, although I note that you underpaid me by $1.00. If you could Paypal me that $1.00, it'd be much appreciated - but I wouldn't have stopped shipment because of it..
posted on August 24, 2001 02:36:59 PM
I'd have shipped it, and emailed him about the shortage. If he was a big enough person to mail you a dollar, fine, if not, that's fine to, but if he bought something else, the dollar would get tacked on his bill.
Spending to much time arguing over a dollar is counter productive.
I hate to bring up the dreaded WalMart example but would WalMart let you out w/o paying the exact amount?
Why should selling on ebay be any different? Ron's letter was quite polite in explaining the situation and asking for his additional money. I found the buyer to be a bit out of line in making Ron feel guilty for having requested the money HE WAS DUE.
Yep, it's ONLY A BUCK (now WHERE have I heard that before) but at what $$$ figure does it not become counterproductive?
posted on August 24, 2001 03:02:16 PM
Lots of stores have the Penny container where if you are a few cents short, they'll cover it out of there...
Walmart is very different from an Ebay transaction for so many reasons, I don't think its really fair to compare..
One big difference is Goodwill between the parties - I think a buck is worth not ruffling feathers and risk losing a sale and negative feedback (but them I'm one who goes WAY out of the way to try to make buyers happy and that's just part of my marketing strategy). I have one buyer that always sends a SASE with no S/H when she mails me her payment - I know this and have no problem with it - if she's happy, I'm happy...
LIke I said, one alternative would be to cut back on the shipping/handling fees - maybe use a recycled box instead of a new box, or use plastic recycled grocery bags instead of paid for packing peanuts, etc... to bring the S/H cost down $1 to compensate...
posted on August 24, 2001 03:11:28 PMWalmart is very different from an Ebay transaction for so many reasons, I don't think its really fair to compare..
Business is business whether you are small or a giant. WalMart started out as a small local store. It didn't grow into the giant it is today by letting people short it.
Now, if you WANT to ignore it for the sake of Goodwill, then that's lovely. But I don't think you HAVE to eat it for the sake of Goodwill or any other reason.
posted on August 24, 2001 03:14:39 PM
I've done that before, katiyana.
My auctions generally state a certain shipping cost for Priority. But, I also note in my auctions that I am willing to ship in almost any manner that the buyer wants.
So, the few times I have been underpaid, I just email the person and say, "...The amount that you sent for shipping will only cover Parcel Post. Would you like me to ship it this way or wait for your additional payment for Priority?" That puts the ball back in the buyer's court and makes me look flexible and friendly.
But, what is done is done in ski's case. Although hindsight is 20/20 and we can think of lots of tactful things that ski could have said, right now ski has to deal with this guy. Ski, there was NO cause for this guy to be rude to you. You were not rude to him. And his attitude makes me think that he would not have paid up the $1.00 if you sent the item first.
A $1.00 here and there over the course of a year from people who short payments can REALLY add up and no other retailer, B&M or online, would ship without full payment.
posted on August 24, 2001 03:37:26 PM
I always include the shipping price in my
TOS, unless the item is very heavy, in which
case I add a section stating that postage
will be determined after auction (based on
weight and destination zip code).
I always send an EOA e-mail listing the total including shipping.
Also, when people have sent too little via
PayPal, I ask them to cancel the payment and
resend the correct amount.
If they have already sent a second PayPal
to cover it, I eat the extra fee (something
is better than nothing).
If paying my check/M.O./Cashier's Check/Cash
then I request the balance before mailing
the item. Good luck!
Z
---
"Cannot say. Saying, I would know. Do not
know, so cannot say". -- Zathras (Babylon 5)
posted on August 24, 2001 03:48:45 PMI luv ya but we have to disagree over this one.
No problem.
I agree, it isn't right for a buyer to "short change" a seller. But I have a pragmatic outlook on things. If you don't ship, and he doesn't send the $1, then what? Place his payment in an envelope and pay for a 34 cent stamp to send it back? Paypal it back? Exchange a half a dozen emails with the clown? My time is worth something, and if I have to spend 40 minutes of it to collect a dollar, I'm on the losing end of it. (and perhaps that's what he's counting on)
If you ship, and trust him to mail the dollar, you find out a whole lot about his ethics very cheaply. (he trusted you with a lot more money than that.) Don't get the dollar in the mail, block him from bidding on your auctions in the future.
I'd even go so far as to say, withhold feedback till you see if you get the dollar in the mail.
As far as what the buyer said in the email, yes it was rude. Not called for, and could have been worded in such a way as not to offend. At this point, I don't know what else ski can do except wait and see. (I would imagine the $1 will show up, after all, he has $31.49 of the buyers money already.)
I feel that you did the right thing. Interesting, I have had a smiliar thing happen to me approx. three times in the past month, yet have not had it occur at all previously, and my shipping prices have been the same. I have a very reasonable fixed shipping charge on all my items, whether they are heavy or light. This is stated clearly in my TOS. I had one person who decided they only wanted to pay a portion of that, and told me so, along with Pay Pal-ing the amount plus "their" shipping price.
I politely thanked them for their partial payment, referred them to my terms stated clearly on the auction page, and told them I would be happy to send them their item when they completed the transaction by submitting the additional shipping amount due. (This was around $1, like your situation). After a couple days, I received it and then sent them the item. Simple as that. You pay in full, you receive the item, if you don't I hold the item until I receive the full payment.
May sound harsh to some but my shipping is clearly stated, I pull no sucker punches and sock people with high shippiing after auction is over, and many times, I lose money due to this fixed cost. I never hear those people say, I owe you 2 bucks for paying higher shipping! As was mentioned previously, every dollar or so that you let slide, and say, awww, its OK, is money you ain't getting! It adds up over time. Sounds cheap? Perhaps, but I don't think so. I'm not here for charity. I want my business to grow and flourish, and letting go of one dollar here and there will add up over time.
[ edited by dch366 on Aug 24, 2001 04:15 PM ]
posted on August 24, 2001 05:57:45 PM
Regarding shipping this item the last one cost me over $7.50 This is a very large windchime and for future auctions I will change shipping to more like $8.75.
Ron
I looked it up and with DC it was $8.10 just so you know I am not artificially charging to much on shipping.
[ edited by ski2387 on Aug 24, 2001 06:07 PM ]
posted on August 24, 2001 07:08:10 PM
I use the term Full Payment. This usually eliminates the type of bidder who tries to short me. I simply don't ship until I have the specific amount; if they want to play a game I issue an NPB alert and file for credit if the full amount has not been sent in the 10 days of sending of the alert.
There are times when the amount doesn't really matter, but those who aren't clear on the concept learn differently. I once held a sale up for almost two weeks until the bidder sent an additional quarter.
posted on August 24, 2001 07:25:20 PM
'There are times when the amount doesn't really matter, but those who aren't clear on the concept learn differently. I once held a sale up for almost two weeks until the bidder sent an additional quarter'
MBallai WOW! Absolutely incredible to me! Whatever happened to just a little bit of trust and human kindness??? Bet that person won't be a repeat bidder on your auctions!!!
posted on August 24, 2001 07:28:29 PM
Ron is right, buyer wrong. She made a mistake & should have apologized. What a rude email when completely in the wrong.
As for "rest assured no more transactions" who needs or wants a buyer with an attitude like that.
When you get your dollar I would send them an email & tell them you blocked them from bidding on your auctions just in case they bid by mistake.
Just kidding.
edited for spelling
[ edited by mcjane on Aug 24, 2001 07:30 PM ]
posted on August 24, 2001 07:30:49 PM
I have a situation where I mailed the package and it was returned to me. I emailed the buyer and explained what happened and the address I mailed it too. SHe said that it's the right address, maybe the postman didn't want ot leave a note (it's an apt). Try this one (her work address). No offer made to cover the second shipping fees.
The first package was shipped priority and insured. This one, I'm shipping first class. No priority, no insurance. That way, I only lose a buck, (actually, 80 cents) not 4.60.
posted on August 24, 2001 08:02:56 PM
Yep, this happens to me ALL the time! So frustrating! Those dollars do add up! Unfortunately, b.c of paypal's "per-transaction" fee, you really get burned even if they do paypal the extra dollar! I usually find this happens more often with money orders.
What I am doing now when I get shortchanged, is when I send my 'shipped' email, to write "Since you sent $__ in postage instead of $___, your item was sent today by first class mail instead of priority... Thank you!"
That way, I actually end up making a bigger profit since first class only costs a buck or 2, as opposed to priority. And what can they do? Nothin.
posted on August 24, 2001 09:35:00 PM
Eventer - business is business - but there are many differences between a B&M in person transaction and a mail-order business where the parties are not in the same room, or even the same state, or even the same country.
Is Walmart going to give me my items if I short change them $1? No - but I'm right there in the store for them to say, "Uhm, excuse me you are $1 short" and I can say "OOps sorry" and hand over the money then the situation simply doesn't exist in a Walmart situation.. that's why I don't htink the comparison can be made regarding this situation - because its not a situation that would happen in a Walmart.
posted on August 24, 2001 10:46:45 PM
I probably also would have shipped and asked for the dollar. Something like:
Dear Buyer,
Thank you for your payment for xxx! I shipped your item on (date or today).
Just a quick note to tell you that you inadvertently underpaid the total by $1.00. I didn't want to delay your receipt of the item, so I went ahead and shipped. If you could take a moment to PayPal me the dollar, I'd appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Seller
People mostly don't like it pointed out that they've erred. In this instance, while pointing out the error, you also would show that you assumed (even if you don't really) that the person is honest and is going to do the right thing.
Of course, I could get a response like in the "No good deed goes unpunished thread," i.e. "Tough."
posted on August 24, 2001 11:08:59 PM
All depends on;
WHO the buyer is;
HOW much is due;
HOW much the auction was for;
The lower the dollar amount, the more I would demand payment first, since that DOLLAR makes up a greater percentage of a lesser total.
Also, regarding someone's comment about that penny container in the stores: I don't believe that even the BIGGEST store would let you dig 100 pennies out of THAT.
posted on August 24, 2001 11:21:09 PM
Goodness! My time is worth more than back-and-forth emails arguing about a lousy dollar. Hey, you win some and lose some. If I'm lucky enough to make a $35 sale on Ebay, nine times out of ten I'll inform the bidder, and ultimately just eat the dollar loss. I don't really care if he responds or not.
posted on August 26, 2001 09:12:05 AM
Check this out. Bidder sends only bid via paypal (of $9.) Doesn't send shipping ($4.00) Sent 3 emails notifying them.
Got in a email from them several days ago, did I send the package yet? LMAOTF! Well, no, told them why & to check their other emails! Supposedly, they had a problem with their email was the next reply. I sent another invoice (3rd one) for the shipping, which they have YET to pay.
posted on August 26, 2001 10:18:54 AM
What I've done in the past is mail the item, then drop the buyer a note saying:
Hello! Your payment arrived her today just fine -- however it was a bit short. You had sent X.xx, while your bid was Y.yy plus postage of Z.zz. Please send the balance to me at: (inserted address). Thanks so much. I'll let you know when it arrives, by leaving your feedback at that time.
In every instance thus far this sort of note has worked well. The bidder gets their product in a timely manner, and I get ALL the funds too. I guess it's that I feel the bidder has already trusted me with their money, and it's the least I can do to trust them to send the rest. Maybe my specialties (books and stitching stuff) just get more honorable bidders.....
posted on August 26, 2001 10:28:29 AM
This has happened a few times to me, too. Haggling over a dollar sure does seem like more trouble than it's worth. But a dollar here, a dollar over time adds up, no argument there. I would send the item, and enclose an addressed envelope (not stamped) with a nicely worded note asking buyer to send, etc. If the payment was completely missing shipping charge, then I would hold out for the $$. I have had some sucess with this approach.
posted on August 26, 2001 07:51:56 PM
No dice, folks. Some people are dishonest and do it on purpose. Then, want to turn around and say they never got it, but you got their $. Had a hussy in England do this, I paid the extra postage to get it to her. Never again.
posted on August 26, 2001 08:00:47 PM
I am totally with Microbes...Don't sweat the small stuff! Eventually, you get it back: when customers bid again, you nicely remind them to please mail EXACT AMOUNT as stated in EOA...If they are good people (most are), they will remember, and add that missing money from the previous time. If not, ask yourself this: Did I suffer from the loss of a dollar? Did my family go hungry? Did my phone get cut off? Of course not...
Of course, we all react differently...
