posted on December 16, 2001 09:36:09 AM
I'm a veteran seller (since July 1997). I received 2 money orders this week issued in error. One was a duplicate payment and the other was payment for an item from a NPB whom I had already negged, relisted the item and have since sold it. Both money orders are made out to me. Do I cash them and reissue new ones? That would include money order fees and additional mailing costs. In the second case I'll want proof of receipt. I'm also concerned that in the second case that by cashing the money order that that may be seen as acceptance of payment. Or can I do the logical, simple thing of just sending them back? (too logical so I KNOW that can't be right, right?) Can the remitter have the original cancelled?
(Just as a side note in the second case--her postmarked date and time was an HOUR after I had negged her and relisted the item. I had never received any e-mail from the very low feedback buyer in over 15 working days.)
Either way I'm entitled to the money but don't want to shell out $5 or more for their errors. I know its a small amount but uuugggh!
posted on December 16, 2001 10:01:59 AM
If you are going to refund I would do it with a personal check. If they cash it you have a record of it and also if they don't you can keep track of it. I do that if I am refunding. When I am going to send my check I email the person and tell them I am refunding their money but it will be with my personal check only. Then they have a chance to say if they want it or not. I have had no refusuals and they did cash them.
Makes the bookwork easier.
posted on December 16, 2001 10:20:24 AM
the best is to send them back,i would not cash it and send personal checks back to them,unless you want to play this float game.
of course you will have to spend 68 cents plus 2 clean envelopes.
if they are lost ,they know how to track it through the issuer.
posted on December 16, 2001 10:50:30 AM
Toybuyer, I had this happen to me on an item that had a reserve. The reserve wasn't met and I relisted the item. Approx. 5 days later I received a money order from the highest bidder. He just didn't understand that I did not have to sell the item if the reserve was not met. I returned the money order and he was able to cancel it. I have found both banks and the post office quite willing to cancel a money order. The buyer doesn't get their fee back but that is better than losing all the money. Hope this helps.
posted on December 16, 2001 11:11:45 AM
Libra63, Stopwhining, & Capolady: Thanks for all your opinions, comments, and experiences. This is one of the few that I really haven't had to address over the years although I've had some doozies! I have common sense but its just nice to have that reinforced or see how someone else looks at it. I had written an e-mail the 1st buyer indicating a double payment but he never answered me back, so I'll send the m.o. back with a letter of explaination. The second one will get hers back with a polite, business-like but stern letter advising her that as a new buyer she needs to respond to e-mail. I know some buyers don't respond to e-mail and but I've had them send timely payments. I'm really not that impatient. I have no "10-day payment or else" policy but I guess I have my limits.
Thanks again for your help. I've seen you all post responses to others in the past. I still like what's left of auctionwatch!
toybuyer
