posted on September 1, 2001 09:30:58 PM new
Just a quick question about shipping charges. I listed an auction and stated in it that I would pay shipping if BIN was used - it wasn't. Now the auction has closed and I received payment from the high bidder for the bid amount only via Billpoint. I invoiced the buyer for the shipping $$ but have had absolutely no response. Should I just let it go? Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
posted on September 2, 2001 05:13:01 AM new
I have this happen to me as well. I use free shipping if BIN is used. Sometimes they read the TOS sometimes they don't.
My items are small and can ship in a kraft envelope for .80 cents. Don't know how big your items are or how you ship but what I usually do. I send an email (like you did) wait for some type of response, and then ship anyway with a printed invoice showing the auction price, the shipping and the total due, and circle the shipping charge. I add a note that says something like "please mail shipping charge" or something like that. I've been about 98% successful in getting the shipping charges.
posted on September 2, 2001 05:51:40 AM new
Depends on whether you are willing to eat the shipping. I won't ship until I am paid in full--there are people who spend more time looking to get something for nothing on eBay than anywhere else I have ever seen. If they want to waste their time, that's sad but too bad. Don't let them waste your time, you'll just end up mad.
posted on September 2, 2001 06:37:54 AM new
That's one of the pitfalls to making special offers like that - your terms start to veer from the Keep It Simple rule.
If the postage was more than a couple of bucks, I'd request that they send it. This happened to me once, so I told the person that I would go ahead and ship the package but requested that they send the postage (about $4). They were so happy that I shipped the package (it was for a birthday present) that they sent me $10 to cover the shipping and as a "thank you." Lesson learned: not every bidder who doesn't pay postage is trying to cheat you.
posted on September 2, 2001 10:27:28 AM new
If your TOS stated that shipping is free with BIN and they didn't win it via BIN then they need to rectify that and send you the money.
They need to pay you what they owe you before it ships. That's what they agreed to when they entered into their legal binding contract by bidding.
If you feel the need to pursue then by all means send them a nice email and advise them that you will ship upon receipt of the remaining balance owed.
