posted on September 27, 2001 12:34:13 PM new
Ok, first let me say I really like new bidders. Face it I sell clothing and one person can only wear so much. I have a lot of newbies bid on my items. I have one right now that is OUT OF CONTROL. This bidder registered on 9/24. Currently has almost $800 in bids out there, almost $300 on my stuff.
My concern is that he is driving others away with his high bids and is going to be a deadbeat. I maybe wrong but I have never sold $300 worth to one person at one time. Over time yes, but at once no.
This bidder bids daily. Everytime he is out bid within minutes he is back with a higher bid.
This bidder and another newbie have been in wars over several items that do not even close til next week!
One thing I often wondered is if seasoned bidders think I bid up my own items because I often get a newbie that bids on many items. It looks like shilling in many cases. But I really am not concerned about that right now.
Is there something I can do beside pray? Should/Can I ask him to pay immediately for the items that closed on 9/25?
What can I or should I or would you do if anything?
posted on September 27, 2001 12:46:28 PM new
I don't know - why not ask the newbie to submit a credit app and last year's tax return before letting newbie bid further.
Are all sellers this paranoid? $300 is not a lot of money to some buyers. They might make that much an hour.
posted on September 27, 2001 12:50:40 PM new
Hi Richierich--seems like you have been around here for awhile, like me. As to your predicament--let it ride and send your EOA email. Really--that is all you can do. Feeling like these newbie/s are going to stiff you? Join the club and go through the motions of NPBA and FVF. I have a batch from mid August that I am dealing with now. Just one hazard of selling online. There is always relist. And a neg if you wish to "dong"" these bidders on the head with it, Me--just do the administrative NPBA and FVF. Until the eBay feedback is restructured that non paying bidders can NOT leave negative feedback, will not leave negative feedback for deadbeats. It's my name, not eBay's that takes the heat.
posted on September 27, 2001 01:13:21 PM new
Well, I will say this. At least the bidder just sent me his info. - NO not for the credit app! But deadbeats usually do not email their ship to info.
I just do not want to wait 20-30 days to have to relist and hope the bidders are still there.
Personally I am loving every minute of it. I have had the BEST two weeks I've had in a long time.
So for now I am just saying, keep it coming, baby...keep it coming. And don't forget the payment!
posted on September 27, 2001 01:30:42 PM new
I've seen cases like this. I had a (0) newbie once bid on $450 worth of my stuff, with over $10,000 worth of winning bids in his first week. I smelled "deadbeat" all over it, but was paid very quickly, and when I went to leave feedback, the "newbie" had gotten over 100 positives in less than a week.
But most of the time it doesn't work out like that
posted on September 27, 2001 01:31:04 PM new"Should/Can I ask him to pay immediately for the items that closed on 9/25?"
Have you made contact with him on the auction that closed 9/25? With Newbies (I get a lot too) I usually send an EOA right after the close and mention that I notice they are new to eBay and if I can answer any questions about how things work, to be sure and let me know. I also ask them to let me know they had received my notice.
If I haven't had a response to my email by day 3, I send it again. Same message only I add that apparently my first email didn't get through so could they be sure and send me notice that they had gotten the second one. I also include my backup Web-based email address and tell them they can contact me either way. I cc the EOA to the back-up addy so they will know it is legit. Newbies can be leary.
My suggestion is, even if you have already sent the first one, and they responded to it, you could email again and say something along the lines since they were new, you wanted to let them know you combine purchases up to $XXX amount OR auctions closing within XXXX days of each other and ask if they would like any information on any of the online payment service and how they work. That will let them know you are probably expecting payment on at least the first items pretty soon and you won't be letting them drag out all their auctions over an extended period of time. It will allow you to limit his number of purchases "per shipment" or "per payment" which might save you some problems IF he is in over his head.
If he's not, he'll just think your the sweetest, kindest seller in the world!
posted on September 27, 2001 01:31:18 PM new
Hey Richierich, not to burst your bubble. But those deadbeats from mid august I am dealing with? Most sent their name and address post haste after auctions end.
And the sad sad stories have ensued. Such tragedy my bidders must deal with. Alas and Alack! And none were associated with our National Tragedy or I would have taken those seriously.
Oh well, off to FVF and relist! Hope springs eternal.
