ravensrealm
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:32:14 PM
I just had a winning bidder on 5 items. This bidder has purchased from me before in the recent (last two weeks) past, and paid promptly and everything was smooth.
Today after sending out the WBN, I got this in reply:
"I regret to say that due to the increasing cases of Anthrax, I will not be
accepting any packages in the mail for a little while. If this causes any
inconvenience, I apologize. Thanks for your understanding."
WHAT??? What would you say?
|
dman3
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:35:28 PM
I would say Read a few of the threads right here in ebayoutlook at the panic that sellers are createing them selfs with there what if threads 
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
|
retailguy
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:41:18 PM
I wouldn't say anything. You cannot protect people from their own stupidity. It is unfortunate that you lost your listing fees, I feel for you. Just wait, file the NPB and NARU this idiot. One day one of us will NARU someone that would've F'ed you in the future.
I NEVER miss an NPB and recovery of the FVF.
retailguy
PS. Whatever you do, PLEASE don't listen to all the I'm sorry's and the excuses when they find out they are NARU. These people never learn.
|
paperfan
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:41:47 PM
This is what I would say...
Hi there,
So sorry that you feel that way especially since we've done business before. After receiving your payment, I will certainly be happy to hold your purchase until you feel comfortable receiving packages again.
Thanks,
Understanding Seller
|
kiara
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:43:44 PM
Something else to add to our TOS now.
We have no Anthrax on our items or our packaging.
|
petertdavis
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:45:09 PM
I'm sending all of my packages "certified Anthrax-free" for the next couple of months. Maybe I'll add that to my auctions too.
|
jeanyu
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:46:25 PM
ravensrealm, it was bound to happen due to media and real life. Don't get too bent out of shape over this. Remember, these are new extraordinary times we are now living in. Wait the seven days, file the NPBA on these five auctions and move on. What else can you do? We as sellers cannot allieve a buyers paranoia. It is real and we just have to move on and continue. Hopefully successfully. Best of Luck.
|
grantje
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:55:41 PM
Paperfan, I would send an email similar to what you indicated, but I would also be sure to add that payment was still expected in the same form and time limit as stated in my TOS and that if it wasn't received, I would file NPB, etc and relist.
Yahoo ID: grantje
|
daleeric
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:56:19 PM
Tell him to buy one of the gas masks on E-Bay to open the package. Hopefully you are not located in St. Petersburg.
I don't know how I would respond to that one. Will all mailorder businesses be hurt from this?
|
daleeric
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:58:08 PM
Hey, I just thought of this. Tell him/her to prepay and you will be happy to hold the items for them since they are such a valued client.
|
ravensrealm
|
posted on October 12, 2001 07:59:57 PM
Thanks for all the advice so far!
I'm in Florida, but NO WHERE near St. Pete - I'm in the panhandle about 70 miles west of Alabama.
|
jrome
|
posted on October 12, 2001 08:51:38 PM
I like the idea of having the winner pay, and holding the merchandise for delivery. The crazy part is, if you wanted to send Anthrax, why would you need to send it in a package? I'd avoid logic, just give the 3 alternatives: 1) Pay and ship, 2) Pay and hold, 3) NBP. It's his choice.
|
fishbowl
|
posted on October 12, 2001 09:28:58 PM
Sounds like one of my recent winning bidders who claimed she could not proceed with the sale because of the current economic crisis!
Looks like another current event excuse for those who have buyers remorse.
|
misscandle
|
posted on October 12, 2001 09:43:14 PM
I won an auction today and was really happy until I received the EOA notice from the seller. He's in Boca Raton, Florida. I'll admit it gave me pause, as I was watching the news at the time. Still, I will complete the deal as agreed and not let this stop me from shopping online.
|
wranglers
|
posted on October 12, 2001 10:05:09 PM
I would email them and say.
Are you taking the same precautions with all your mail or just with me? Do you plan not opening your utility, credit card, mortgage bills...? I don't understand we have done business before and there has never been a problem, do you believe me to be a terrorist now?
If a terrorist wanted to use this means of deployment for anthrax they would be better off sending it in a mass mailing in a large city with a nickel that you can see or feel through the envelope. Everyone would tear into the thing to get the nickel and the anthrax.
It's sad that people can't or don't use the brains they have, a person on ebay selling for the last 4 years to build up a reputation so that they could one day send anthrax to all their customers with a return address on the box.
Incidentally, if you pay attention now all packages are to be round dated even if the postage is run through the computer and they stick postage printed from the computer, all packages are to have a return address or they are to be pulled at the hubs for further investigation. All people entering the back of the post office have to present a photo ID, they took a copy of mine and have it on file. Seem like little things but they are much more weary than I have seen them in the last 4 years.
you know as dumb as all this is, all it will take now is one person saying in the media that they contracted anthrax, flesh eating bacteria, small pox, etc. from a ebay transaction and ebays numbers will drop so fast meg and the rest will have a nose bleed. I just hope I get one of the jobs I've applied for because we all could be left twisting in the wind from just one nut case.
eBay fees are like being slowly pecked to death by chickens!!!
|
wbbell
|
posted on October 12, 2001 10:10:33 PM
Bite your tongue, wranglers. And cross your fingers that it doesn't come true. Goodness only knows what I will do with a garage full of inventory!
|
wranglers
|
posted on October 12, 2001 10:29:36 PM
I don't want it to happen any more than the next person, i have a garage, barn, and 2400 sqft warehouse...........
eBay fees are like being slowly pecked to death by chickens!!!
|
immykidsmom
|
posted on October 12, 2001 11:03:39 PM
hmmmmm, how's this?
"Hi Customer Nut Case, I am surprised but do understand your concern. As you entered a binding contract when placing your bid on my items I know you'll want to pay to complete this transaction. Just let me know which charity you favor and I'll drop your packages off and scan you a receipt. I hope that this solution is convenient and clean enough, please take care, stop in again when your fears subside, XXXXXXX Seller
|
lifesablur
|
posted on October 12, 2001 11:07:54 PM
"I regret to say that due to the increasing cases of stupidity in this country, I will not be accepting any more bids from stupid people. If this causes any inconvenience, I apologize. Thanks for your understanding."
|
gravid
|
posted on October 13, 2001 01:40:49 AM
Ship in a plastic pail submerged in bleach.
|
timetravelers
|
posted on October 13, 2001 01:48:46 AM
And I used to think on antiques "this item from a non-smoking home" was crazy (how many homes had it been in over the years?..ghessh
I think they are using this as a convenient excuse to not pay you,Christmas coming,found another one cheaper,, etc..it's shameful...I would definitely check out their other bids.
gee aren't we all lucky to be in the mailing biz right now?it's hard enough..
If enough people drop out of selling if something gets in the news we die-hards should have a good holiday season with the normal Americans that won't let them control us..
good luck everyone...this one takes the cake
|
litlux
|
posted on October 13, 2001 06:31:45 AM
I agree that it is probably a convenient excuse to dodge payment, and would check to see if they are still bidding. If not, then perhaps they are a paranoid fool. And they bought from you before? In that case, their treating you like a terrorist is insulting and inexcusable.
I suppose there is a chance that they really believe their own fears about you sending them anthrax with the item. In which case they are their own worst enemy.
|
Meya
|
posted on October 13, 2001 06:58:24 AM
There are people who are so frightened by the current events that they are totally flipping out. As a seller, I would file the appropriate NPB forms etc.
It is sad that people can be so paranoid, but not that unusual. A customer at the salon I work at is terrified and rarely leaving her home since 9/11. She is afraid to drink the water, go to a mall or office building, and now I'm sure she'll be afraid to open her mail.
|
abacaxi
|
posted on October 13, 2001 10:55:38 AM
Tell them to pay for the items as usual and that you will ship them as soon as the buyer lets you know that they feel less paranoid about the mails. If they aren't willing to do at, proceed with the NPB and FVF requests as usual.
THIS IS THE OBJECTIVE OF SENDING THE DAMNED STUFF!! DISRUPTING NORMAL LIFE. KILLING PEOPLE IS NOT THE OBJECTIVE: SPERADING FEAR IS.
|
lifesablur
|
posted on October 13, 2001 11:00:32 AM
I have a line in all my auctions: "From a non-smoking home."
I guess I have to add: "From a non-terrorist home."
"No thugs in our house, are there dear? We made that clear. We made little Graham promise us he'd be a good boy." - XTC
|
Eventer
|
posted on October 13, 2001 11:11:30 AM
lifesablur,
LMAO!
ravensrealm,
I know I "can't" respond like this, but boy can I dream about:
Dear Customer,
If you don't pay for this item, you DON'T have to worry about anthrax but DO prepare for feedback bombing.
|
dotteeb
|
posted on October 13, 2001 11:50:55 AM
Just wanted to say Thank You All for all the valuable info that I do get, as I am a "bystander" but visit this board for going on 2 years now and it is amazing over the course of this period how much I have learned from here. As I am a small time seller for nearly 3 years, and this Board is sorts addicting But thanks all and have a happy week end. Mrs Santa's Elf.
|
