posted on September 30, 2001 07:21:17 AM
A couple of months ago, I sold a set of books on eBay, but after 6 weeks, no payment, no replies, so I re-listed them last week. I got a bid, but the bidder had -2 feedback. I didn't want to go all through the same thing again, so I cancelled the bid. He had no positives at all. Well, I had a message from him asking why I would cancel his bid, I had no idea why he had two negatives, it was overkill on my part! I wrote and explained my position. I understand that sometimes people quite genuinely get negs, but 2 on the first 2 auctions! Would you have done the same thing, or should I have given him a chance? Also, can anyone tell me how to find the place where you register unwanted bidders?
posted on September 30, 2001 08:17:49 AM
Hi Amber;
I would also have zero problems with the removal of his/her bids. If a bidder shows an excessive amount of negs, kill their bids and place a bidders block on them. If more sellers would take this type of action, it would start to send a clear message to the deadbeats.
posted on September 30, 2001 08:23:04 AM
Playing Devil's Advocate here: did you look to see what the negatives were about? Not all negatives are equal, if you know what I mean.
posted on September 30, 2001 08:25:42 AM
It was a good idea to cancel the bid. In the future, you might include a message to bidders that people with negative overall feedback numbers will have their bids cancelled. Or they must email you prior to bidding or they will be cancelled.
"In pioneer days they used oxenfor heavy pulling, and when one ox couldn't budge a log, they didn't try to grow a larger ox. We shouldn't be trying for bigger computers, but for more systems of computers." - Grace Hopper
posted on September 30, 2001 10:41:14 AMamber: We must have had the same bidder! I had a bidder with -2 feedback with no positives. I canceled his bid and explained that I was cancelling because of excessive negative feedback. I also placed him on my blocked bidder list.
His bid was on a low-end item and he was from Germany. It just didn't seem to me to be worth the implied risk. I have had many wonderful German bidders, but none with what I considered excessive negative feedback. It was a gut feeling and I followed it.
posted on September 30, 2001 03:00:22 PM
Thanks for the responses. Yes, I did check his feedbacks, both were saying he had not replied to any messages. Maybe he had computer problems, but I find most sellers allow plenty of time if that is the case. I get enough deadbeats and late payers, I really don't need to ask for any more!
