posted on February 20, 2005 08:31:23 PM new
Never had this happen before and don't know the acceptable way to handle it. I ship to US only as it clearly says in the auction. Low and behold, it ends with a bidder from Belgium. I had another bidder close behind on it from US. What can I do? Can I offer it to the back up bidder? Thanks for any help
posted on February 20, 2005 08:49:06 PM new
I'm sure Belgium money is just fine. I've been feeling like I don't want to get into international shipping after having tried to accomodate a buyer some time ago who wanted me to call it a gift for customs purposes and I refused to do that. We mutually agreed to forget the transaction. That stuff just doesn't set well with me and I vowed I wouldn't do it again.
posted on February 20, 2005 08:53:06 PM new
Technically, yes you can file for your FVF and get an immediate refund if your shipping is restricted to U.S. only, and immediately make a second chance offer to the runnerup bidder. However, you could be setting yourself up for a neg if you go this route. I would complete this transaction with him, and then set your preferences to block bidders from countries you don't ship to so you don't run into this problem again.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on February 20, 2005 09:04:19 PM new
Thanks so much. I didn't realize that was possible to do. I only knew you could block individuals. I've taken care of blocking the countries now. I swear, you people are the greatest source of help anyone could hope for. Thanks again.
posted on February 21, 2005 06:50:17 AM new
I dont think you can block countries.
you can cancel their bids before auction ends,but some bidders want you to ship to US address.
-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
posted on February 21, 2005 07:41:13 AM new
Following sparkz direction, I was able to block the countries I don't ship to. Go to My eBay page, look down the left side to the My Account section. Under that to the eBay preferences. When that's clicked it brings up all sorts of goodies. Under Seller Preferences it's the very last of those options, called Buyer Requirements. Hit change over on the right of that and you'll see where to make your change. Be sure to click Submit at the bottom after you do though.
WOW....I'm in awe of ME. I actually answered a question on this board. I'm usually the one asking the dumbest of dumb. I'm having another cup of coffee to celebrate this one!!!!
posted on February 21, 2005 08:31:16 AM new
good to know,thanks.
i hope you are drinking decaf!
-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
posted on February 21, 2005 11:28:55 AM new
Romantiques,
I had a couple of non-US bidders who violated my "US only" TOS - in the past, before it became possible to block non-US bidders from bidding.
The advice I always got from the "live chat" reps was that if your ad says "will ship to the US only," you don't even have to acknowledge the non-US winning bidder. You can just go right ahead and make the second chance offer to the underbidder in the US. But I always did send an email to the non-US bidder explaining that it wasn't anything personal, it was just that I was a small-time seller and not prepared to deal with international - in very simple, plain English. Some were quite nice; others cussed me out in bad English. Yes, you risk a neg because they can leave feedback, but none of them did, probably because they were afraid that I'd report them to eBay for "unwelcome bidding" or "auction interference," which you can threaten them with, if they get nasty with you.
But importantly, as far as eBay is concerned, you don't have to wait at all to make that second chance offer. And you want to strike while the iron is still hot, before your underbidder finds another auction.
posted on February 21, 2005 04:58:09 PM new
Thanks rozrr. Well, this has been a challenge. I did send the nice email and got one back and in so many words saying she won this and is not under any circumstances taking no for an answer. After a couple more back and forths she now says she'll have someone here in US pay for it and send it to her when that person receives it. I hope that all comes to fruition and then I'll be done with it. My blocks are now in place for the future.
After dealing with the attitude of this person in correspondence, I'm glad I didn't make that 2nd chance offer. I'd have gotten a neg out of this without a doubt! One that would sting real bad since I did nothing wrong.
posted on February 21, 2005 06:24:00 PM new
Romantiques -
Whoa. Be careful about shipping to third parties. I've had some non-US bidders argue that I could ship to a "friend" in the US. One of the arguments I've used against that is that I would lose my seller protection by sending to a third party.
If it's an expensive widget and they're paying via PayPal, shipping to a third party is a good way to get burnt.
Is the buyer's feedback good? Is this an inexpensive item, or is it worth some real money?
One of the things that was always helpful in terms of warding off neg's from some of these unwelcome foreign bidders - I would discuss it with the "live chat" reps and send the transcript to the non-US bidder. Once they see that someone, anyone, from eBay is in agreement with you - that since your TOS states "US only," you don't have to honor their winning bid - and furthermore, tell the rep on the record that they're hassling you. The ever helpful reps will suggest ways to file reports for "unwelcome bidding" - and here's a link - and "auction interference" - and here's a link ....
..and usually, the unwelcome bidder will go go poof ...They'll be afraid that you'll get them into trouble with eBay.
But don't let the tail wag the dog. If you don't feel comfortable dealing with this non-US bidder, don't do it.
posted on February 22, 2005 06:18:13 AM new
Thanks rozrr for your input. The bidder is new with 6 positive FB one of which is in English. No big money here, just under 30.00 on this sale. I fear I've already backed myself into a corner on the 3rd party thing when I didn't give the right answers at the right time. Trying too darn hard to be pleasant and accommodating to avoid a neg.
You've got it, I allowed the tail to wag the dog and gave myself a good smack upside the head for it. I'll never let the neg jitters dictate my actions again.
