posted on August 11, 2004 09:25:16 PM
after reading a couple posts on feedback in last few days, is this my neg waiting to happen?
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here is what happened.....
auction stated bidder to pay s/h/i fee of $7.00...bidder paid auction $10.50 plus $3.50 via paypal...paid before i could send invoice...actually just few minutes after close..
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[my email/invoice to bidder]
HELLO : thank you for your winning bid on the Bachmann N gauge set .. the following explains mailing/shipping...the auction amount: = $10.50 + S/H/I fee = $ 7.00 .. .THE TOTAL TO REMIT: $$17.50 ...Should you desire insurance, please add $1.30 to the total please confirm receipt of this email...
as per my auction terms, i do not accept unconfirmed paypal remittances..
I have refunded your initial payment of $13.50. my s/h/i terms are stated in the auction; the fee as stated in the auction, is $7.00 on this item..
my mailing address is: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
thank you again, sam,myoldtoy
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[receiving no answer after 4 days, i sent this email:]
-------------------2ND REQUEST--------
hello:
Refer to my email-invoice to you of aug 3..copied below...as of today, 8/07, i have not received remittance.
I would appreciate the courtesy of an answer to this email - please advise me if you have forwarded payment.
thank you, sam, myoldtoy
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bidder paid via paypal on 8/07...correct amount this time...with a note included on paypal invoice.
"i consider this an exorbitant charge, but i will pay it."....ANNNNNNND, i replied that just so happened it was packed and ready to be mailed; and that the postage affixed totalled $7.40...please count 'em!
[i mailed on 8/07 and notified him...]
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HIS EMAIL OF 8/10
Dear myoldtoy, i have not received the above. had you mailed it, i should have received by now.
[HIS SECOND EMAIL TO ME, 8/10:]
Dear myoldtoy,
I received the E-bay auction item listed above from you. When I see that you have left a positive feedback for me, I will leave a positive feedback for you. (my E-bay ID is xxxxxl)
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[i answered as follows]
hi Mr...:
of my four negatives, i have two from bidders who were misleading in their emails to me...so, as a policy i dont post any f/back until the bidder does so....
your positive feedback is what brings the transaction to a complete/successful ending..... having said that, the very fact that you would email me is appreciated... and i if i am correct, you are telling me that you are happy with the transaction - that the item met your expectations? ????
thanks, sam, myoldtoy
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posted on August 11, 2004 09:44:46 PM
I would have just ignored the last email and NOT leave any feedback. (unless they left it)
Telling them why you won't just makes them mad.
posted on August 11, 2004 09:52:29 PM
Never leave feedback first. If they leave you a negative or neutral first, respond accordingly with the truth. Block this bidder from future transaction. Please let us know the name so we may block them as well.
posted on August 11, 2004 10:05:57 PM
They are, in effect, trying to blackmail you. I hate it when people try to demand or force FB, either buyers or sellers.
In your place, I would simply not leave a FB for them. So what if they don't leave you one because of that? One FB isn'tgoing tomake all that much difference to you.
If they leave a neutral or a neg because you did not leave them FB, you can respond to that with the truth.
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
posted on August 11, 2004 10:11:21 PM
There's not many things that can infuriate a seller more than a bidder who tries to negotiate shipping after the auction ends when shipping is spelled out in the description, or worse yet, sets his own price on what he wants to pay. I congratulate you on keeping a cool and professional attitude during this transaction. Block and ignore him and move on. If he decides to leave feedback later, respond in kind. There is nothing to be gained at this point in entering a continuing dialog with him.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
In the future, why don't you be more specific? Rather than saying that S&H is $7 as a flat statement, say, for example:
S&H is $7 for prompt delivery via Priority Mail with a delivery confirmation. Via Priority Mail, this N scale train set should be delivered in 2 to 3 days to any address in the continental US. Postage to Alaska and Hawaii may be higher, and delivery may take a bit longer.
Or ... S&H is $7 for delivery via UPS, which includes a tracking number and insurance.
When I first looked at eBay in 2002, one of the things that bugged me was ads that didn't say *how* something was going to be delivered. I live in an apartment building that doesn't have a doorman. If I miss a Priority Mail delivery, it's not a problem to walk down to the local PO. UPS is a big problem - long trip from here, and I don't have a car. Plus, UPS can deliver any time between 9 AM and 7 PM.
I always allow for UPS, though, in my ads because here and there, I get someone who's adamant about wanting everything delivered via UPS, even though it's more expensive and slower.
I've always done exact cost of shipping. Initially, when I was first doing the beer cans, my mother kept questioning why I was going to the extra trouble of packing, weighing, and emailing people with their exact cost for the different methods. She kept saying: "Why don't you just say $5 S&H? That's what the big businesses do." My reply was: "Because this is not big business. This is eBay. If you charge $5, but the postage on the box is $4.30 or $4.50, sooner or later, you're going to hit someone who wants to make a capital case out of 50 or 70 cents."
So, I've always felt that it's a little more time and trouble on the front end, but it prevents problems later.
PS, I wouldn't leave feedback for this guy, either, unless he leaves you a pos first.
posted on August 12, 2004 09:57:26 AM
I would never tell them I don't trust them about leaving feedback - If I got a message after a troubled transaction to leave feedback, it just gets ignored. If they were to press the issue, I might say I have it set up to return feedback via a computer program after it is left. No other explanation.
Friends don't let Friends say stupid things like Friends don't let friends vote Republican!
posted on August 12, 2004 10:36:24 AM
Hi
I have been leaving feeback first for over a year now and I leave it right after I email them that there item was shipped and give them the tracking number.
I do this because I find it easy to do because after doing the lables & postage for 30 or more packages each week I know that its all taken care of.(all emails are sent and all feedback is done)
I also feel that if there is any problem it will be because of the post office not because of my items they are receiving.
I have found that people appreciate when you keep them informed and when you leave feedback first, but I guess one day it could blow up in my face but honestly.........I DON'T REALLY CARE ANYMORE ABOUT NEG, FEEDBACK when I know there is always going to be one that is not happy.
I know most of you will not agree with the way I do business, this has been mentioned so many times about leaving feedback after the buyer does. But after selling for 7 years now (under two IDs) I feel just be honest about your item and always keep the buyer informed every step of the way, that will make for a friendly transaction, and it has been working out just fine ........for now anyway.......lol
Ps: Just give a set price for your shipping, I don't feel you need to say anything about your handling or your supplies, its just a known fact ......supplies and time cost money......But, just be reasonable in the amount you feel you need to cover handling and supplies or your fees.
