posted on May 19, 2003 06:01:01 PM
I had an auction go off today, while at work. When I get home and see it. It is a bidder from the Netherlands. Item clearly states USA Only. He will not respond to my emails, so what do I do? I am not comfortable sending the widget to Netherlands, can be construed as something that should not be sent in the mail. ANY help would be gratefully appreciated.
posted on May 19, 2003 06:22:46 PM
Absolutely. If it's something that you say you're not comfortable mailing, and you state in your auction USA only, then go ahead and cancel the bid. Block the bidder. Send the bidder 1 last e-mail saying you cancelled the bid because as your auction states it is USA only.
posted on May 19, 2003 06:55:03 PM
He purchased on Buy It Now....and no I can not cancel his bid....grrrrrrrrrr. I am not sure with mail restrictions I could send it if I wanted toooooo. WHY can people not read...
posted on May 19, 2003 07:03:11 PM
I am probably going to get my booty kicked, but why not make an exception, just make sure you charge him enough for shipping.
I click US only when I list, but I have a blurb about international bidders. I know, hallmark of amateur hour, but so far, so good. Happy feedback, and ample coverage for shipping costs.
J
posted on May 19, 2003 07:13:02 PM
Japerton, I am not being difficult, have sold International before, but this item should not be sold outside the USA due to mail restrictions. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here asking for suggestions...I would sell it.
posted on May 19, 2003 07:13:38 PM
Just what is the item that makes you think that it can not be shipped there? As far as the auction goes, if you feel that you do not want to complete this deal due to your U.S.A. only tos just void the sale.
Contact ebay and let them know so you should be able to get your fees back....buyer did not follow you tos etc. As far as why do bidders not read? Well, Most never do, no matter where they are from.
posted on May 19, 2003 08:15:28 PM
[i]Contact ebay and let them know so you should be able to get your fees back....buyer did not follow you tos etc. As far as why do bidders not read? Well, Most never do, no matter where they are from.
[/i]
There should be a three strikes rule for international bidders winning auctions that have the USA only selected. That's the only way ebay can stop these repeat offenders. It's about time that ebay started to care about the sellers and not the bidders.
posted on May 19, 2003 08:34:29 PM
Sorry.......it wasn't totally clear this was an ended auction. Anyway, if you're not comfortable mailing it, e-mail the bidder and tell them that your auction is USA only, as stated. Tell the bidder you will not, as stated, ship Internationally. Be nice, but firm, absolute, and clear from the start(I've found that this is the best way to deal with bidders from the Netherlands...generally), so as to avoid an uncalled for negative. If it's enough money involved for you to bother, you can file for a FVF credit.
posted on May 19, 2003 09:11:00 PM
Send him an EOA notice and ask him to provide you with an address in the U.S. to ship it to. Explain that you cannot ship outside the U.S., and point him to your TOS. You never can tell, he just might have a stateside address to ship to. I've had this happen to me a couple of times. Your final option is to void the sale and file for FVF using the "failed to follow TOS" reason. I also agree, there needs to be a two or three strike rule to deal with international bidders who do this. I personally restrict 95% of my auctions to U.S. bidders. However, I have never failed to give permission to bid on an auction when the bidder emailed me first asking for permission to bid. As a matter of fact, when a person is that considerate, I actually root for them to be the winning bidder.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on May 19, 2003 09:21:30 PM
Thanks Sparkz, looks like I will have to wait 7 days for NPB with "did not follow tos" and then FVC 10 days later. I had already tried everything I could think of and came here for help...Thank you again.
PS: What may be okay in the USA could be considered a weapon in International eyes and minds...I did not want to go there.....or I would have sold it to the Netherlands.
posted on May 19, 2003 09:31:35 PM
I know exactly what you are talking about. I have sold certain types of communications equipment that could get a person shot in some countries if they got caught possessing it, not to mention the problems for myself for violating export restrictions.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on May 19, 2003 09:54:24 PM
Am I the only one that remembers that when Mac first came out with the G4 that due to it's processing speed it was technically classified as a weapon?
They even based the initial ads on that with the G4 tower sitting alone on a warehouse floor. As the details off the new release and its classification scrolled across the bottom the camera slowly panned out from above until eventually the picture was of the tower encircled by tanks. The final line of the commericial was "Don't worry, your PC is harmless."
posted on May 20, 2003 12:44:16 AM
Dumb question, I know, but is there a way to "void the sale" (when it's over) without going through the whole NPB process??? I've never had to do that but would like to, tonight, with one of my !@$$%&$@ buyers in Italy. . . .
posted on May 20, 2003 05:11:06 AM
In the past week I sold 3 items to winning bidders in Italy. All paid well, and fast. (One sent cash, it got to me in three days!)
I love foreign winners - but since I send the items mostly by air letter post, which cannot be insured, I tell them up from it's their risk of loss.
posted on May 20, 2003 07:49:01 AM
I have had several international bidders even tho my auction states USA only. I usually ask them if they have a friend or relative in the USA...if so I will mail to them and they can take it from there. Seems to work OK
