posted on December 6, 2001 07:34:43 PM
First time I have had a problem buyer. I listed an inexpensive item, inclued "free ship" in title. The FIRST line of my auction description, in capitol letters, says Free Ship with Buy it now. Ok, so this buyer writes and accuses me of false advertising and is going to "pass" on this item after she admits she did not read the item description. Yeah, right! My bin price was only the opening bid plus shipping, not a pennymore. She is obviously a newbie buyer (feedback of 13, all +). I politely suggested to her that she consider this a learning experience. Also told her I would not leave her positive feedback. She fired back a very nasty response. Now what to do. I wasn't making much on this item as it was. I am not paying shipping. Do I give her a neg? From her tone, I'm sure she will neg me back. What would you do?<br />
[ edited by ohiotreasurehunter on Dec 6, 2001 07:35 PM ]
posted on December 6, 2001 10:52:49 PM
Your first mistake was saying Free shipping, that brings the losers in droves to your auction, and that doesn't mean high bidding since they only raise their bids by .25¢.
The second mistake was assuming buyers can comprehend basic English. Most can't or refuse to read. Major headache when you say "Free ship with Buy Now."
Ok, now onto your question. The only chance you have of getting this buyer to pay is if you discreetly threaten leaving a negative, and reporting them to ebay. Say, "since bids are binding, I am required to report non-payers to ebay, and that may get you suspended, and I don't want that to happen." Very effective for taking the heat off yourself.
A few people care, most don't, so it's a long shot. Will she leave you a retributive negative? Probably not. Here's how to avoid getting a negative in return: Don't send a nasty email, and don't explain anything. If she sends you a nasty email, professionally respond that you can't respond to her because she's rude. That's all. You'll have defused her anger, and you can leave a negative without worry. Note: doesn't work too well with very high feedback (500+) people.
posted on December 7, 2001 05:00:37 AM
ok, thanks for the advice. Although i have successfully used this method in the past (and searching, lots of other sellers use it too) I will move on. I still think I did nothing wrong. The fact that the buyer didn't bother to read is out of my control. I wiil,however, think twice about using this approach again.
posted on December 7, 2001 05:43:21 PM
I wouldn't ship, but I would not neg either. I would file a NPB, that way, if this bidder does this again 2 more times, they are gone. Chances are they won't neg you, because you can just tell them they are off the hook, and you are getting your fees back. Does not make sense to get into a neg feedback war as a seller, you have nothing to gain. On my buying account, I could care less if someone gave me a neg (They haven't of course, but I would not really care)
posted on December 7, 2001 06:26:34 PM
I'm going to post a really unpopular view. I just now saw where someone had a clock on auction, and the title said free s/h. It got my interest, and I did read the rest (there was lots to read), which said only buy it nows got the free s/h..and of course the BIN fee included the price of shipping. I personally don't consider that free shipping, and I'm surprised that eBay with all their rules ok's that. I thought the title was misleading.
This same person also offered to sell to you directly, so you didn't have the hassle of bidding..so I suspect she'll be a goner shortly anyway.
posted on December 8, 2001 10:16:30 AM
I did a BIN with free shipping, yes free, no hidden costs and the buyer sent me shipping fee. I immediately wrote back told them the shipping was free so please don't send it. I still made money and they got a good deal. I usually use free shipping on my items that I have had problems selling which I make only a buck or two. ebay gets their share and the buyer gets a pretty good item. Then I don't have to donate item to the overpriced goodwill.
