posted on October 20, 2001 10:01:12 AM
I have a auction for a Halloween costume that went off on Oct 8th. I wrote a couple of emails before I got a responce.The bidder had 0 reviews.
A gentleman responded by saying he was checking this email for his son. He was called to war to fight for our country and could not respond to my emails himself. He did not know anything about ebay. He would check with his son's wife to see if they are for her.
I returned a letter explaining that it was a Halloween costume that he had bid on and I needed to know if they wanted it or if I should go to the second highest bidder or relist.I was on a time limit being Halloween.
I also informed him that I checked the bidders buying information and someone is still bidding on auctions. They are buying more costumes and jewlery.I thought he would like to know that someone is useing this account.
(Now there are 4 positive reviews and they are still bidding and buying. Someone is paying for this stuff.)
He responded back to me with sarcasumn saying "Ma'am may I ask you something why are you so nosey and checking on other peoples belongings...I have been doing my best to open this paypal account and pay for this auction a gentleman is defending our country so people like YOU have a safe place to live all you can do is be rude and obnoxious in reguards to some Halloween Costume..If you must relist then do so." WOW
I wrote back apologizing to him saying that I too have family at war and I am sorry if he misunderstood what I said. I told him that sellers on ebay are like a big family and that we are watching out for each others best interest. I figured if his son was out of the country and someone was useing his name to bid on stuff someone would want to know.
Now this really has me wondering if he is on the up and up with all of this. Why can someone still be bidding on stuff and getting positive reviews? It must be someone is paying for this stuff but he can't figure out how to pay me with paypal? Why is he answering his son's emails if his son has a wife? I sent him a paypal invoice but have not heard back.
I have almost 300 positive reviews and 0 negs.. I am a very honest seller.I have bent over backwards with buyers to make them happy before but now I feel like I am really being taken for a ride. And to use a excuse (if this is a excuse) that his son is at war really upsets me...I pulled their information and I have their phone number but I am afraid that if I call what may be said. I hate to leave a neg if he is telling the truth.. I think this would probally be my first neg back. What would you do the auction ended 12 days ago with no payment?
posted on October 20, 2001 10:08:02 AM
Well, if the bidding & buying had abruptly ended, then I might be inclined to have believed him.
BUT, since "someone" is still bidding & buying & the response was sarcastic when nicely confronted w/the evidence, I'd have to weigh in on the side of this being an excuse to get out of paying.
posted on October 20, 2001 10:08:59 AM
My standard procedure is to send a reminder notice at 2 weeks after the auction closed. Then I give another week and do the NPBA. If things have gotten to that point, most likely I'll never see payment.
You've already communicated with these people enough times. Sounds like you're being given a story here. If someone can keep bidding, but not pay...go for the NPBA next.
posted on October 20, 2001 10:16:08 AM
Sounds like a load of b.s. that they are feeding you. Just sit back and wait the proper time limit, then file for your fees back.
File for the npb now, then relist. Do not waste anymore of your time with this deadbeat.
Put this "winner" on your bidder's block so that you do not have to put up with this loser in the future.
posted on October 20, 2001 06:27:53 PM
You wouldn't believe the stories people tell to get out of auctions. I once had someone back out of some auctions by saying they were items she had purchased for her daughter, who had died in a car accident the day after the auctions closed. A year or so later, someone brought her up on a thread, and we counted the number of times this child had died. At least a dozen.
posted on October 20, 2001 11:00:38 PM
You might check the 'feedback left' to see if they are also active on that front.
Of course he knows you didn't check the auction activity because you were concerned, and that you were confronting him with evidence of his lying. You checked because you wondered if the story was true. When people lie, they often then become angry with the person who presents evidence. He's mad 'cause you caught him.
I'd file a NPB, FVF credit in 10 days. I wouldn't neg, because he'll obviously retaliate. He might threaten to neg you when he gets the NPB filing, esp. if he's on his way to 'three strikes, your NARU'd.'
posted on October 21, 2001 12:03:35 PMYou wouldn't believe the stories people tell to get out of auctions. I once had someone back out of some auctions by saying they were items she had purchased for her daughter, who had died in a car accident the day after the auctions closed. A year or so later, someone brought her up on a thread, and we counted the number of times this child had died. At least a dozen.
BAAAADDDD Karma!!! I cannot believe someone would actually say that!!!! I hope they really don't have a daughter because this would just be sick!
It sounds like the jerk is LYING!! This is really sad that someone would use the current tragedy to get out of paying for an auction. People are just unbelievable!
Normally I would suggest that you wait the required amount of time, file for fees and relist but since you are selling a Halloween costume and if your don't list it ASAP you are either going to get very little money if Halloween is past or you will have to wait until next halloween.
I would certainly leave appropiate feedback stating that the guy won't pay for this auction because he claims to "be at war" but somehow is still bidding and paying for other auctions.
