Ebayer has decided he doesn't want to pay

incugator · February 10, 2009 12:56PM

I have sold a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth (a card that I have 2 of) on ebay. IT sold for $3199.99. The buyer lived about 10-15 miles away from me and I asked him if he would like to meet at a local Starbucks to make the transaction. I have done this many times in the past. After a few days, the buyer said he felt uncomfortable completing the transaction and would like it terminated. I have no problem terminating the transaction, but my listing clearly states that a 10% restocking fee will be charged. In this situation, I am in line to charge the guy $319.99 for not paying for this item because "he is uncomfortable in completing the transaction?"

TheHun · February 10, 2009 1:01PM

That bites !

I'd take action ... or take hostages.

I hope it works out for you ...

cheers

joestalin · February 10, 2009 1:03PM

You can't do anything but file a NPB action against him, it will get your fees back but he will go on shopping on ebay with no problem. Good ole ebay!

nam812 · February 10, 2009 1:04PM

You were unsuccessful at charging the guy $3,200 for an actual item, so how do you think you're going to be successful at charging him $320 for air?

storm888 · February 10, 2009 1:04PM

"... Am I in line to charge the guy $319.99 for not paying for this item because "he is uncomfortable in completing the transaction?"

////////////////////////////////////

Restocking fees are deducted from previously paid fees.

Since we have no such fees in the pot, the chances of
collecting from the "buyer" are ZERO.

Just file the NPB and get your FVFs back.

Next time, consider a BIN with Immediate Payment Required.

Dboneesq · February 10, 2009 1:07PM

Ryan ... Yes, you did state the 10% "RESTOCKING" fee in your auction, so I guess you have the right to charge him $300 if he wants to back out of the deal or else you can put in a non-paying bidder complaint with eBay. My guess is if he no longer wants the card he will just not pay and couldn't care what complaint you made with eBay.

But think about it ... a $320.00 fee to "RESTOCK" the card? What trouble is it to "restock" the card? To me it all depends on if you got FMV for the card or not. If his bid was more than you think you could get for the card, then maybe I would just hold him to the purchase. How about relisting it and seeing what you get? If you get at least as much then I wouldn't charge the guy anything, as long as you can get your ebay fees back. If you get less, then maybe you can charge him something. Talk to him about it first and see his reaction.

JMO

IJustLoveCards · February 10, 2009 1:09PM

ryan,

pm sent regarding card...I maybe interested in the card..

illini · February 10, 2009 1:17PM

I will say that you are a very professional person. We talked and the next thing you know you were sitting in my living room here in Santa Barbara. We did a deal and everything went smooth. Nothing but a positive experience with Ryan.

lsutigers1973 · February 10, 2009 1:18PM

It will cost you $320 to stick it back in the closet?

incugator · February 10, 2009 1:19PM

I know that there isn't a actual need to restock, but it is more like a relisting fee. I don't think I'm going to get it, but it is just frustrating. I definitely know where the guy lives. I kinda just want him to look me in the eye and tell me that he is a bad e-bayer. I think I'd also be satisfied if he changed his ebay name to "ibidbutdontpay"

joestalin · February 10, 2009 1:21PM

Collectors who don't read auction descriptions should be shot. If you don't like the shipping charge or the restocking fee then don't bid. PERIOD.

JS

CDsNuts · February 10, 2009 1:22PM

I will say that you are a very professional person. We talked and the next thing you know you were sitting in my living room here in Santa Barbara. We did a deal and everything went smooth. Nothing but a positive experience with Ryan.

Agreed. I bought a Clemente rookie from Ryan. First we had dinner at the Capital Grill, went to Gold Club for a few drinks and lap dances, brought a couple dancers back to my place for a nightcap, then listened to Steely Dan all night long and played Risk after we were done with the women. After our third game of Risk, we completed the transaction and went our separate ways. Very professional.

incugator · February 10, 2009 1:23PM

It obviously doesn't cost $320 to stick it in the closet, but I think it should cost him $320 to stick it to me. It is a way to prevent people from bidding and not paying or bidding and returning because they "can't afford the card" I have no problem with returns because "the item isn't as described" or "you mailed me the wrong item" (I have only had 1 poorly described item because of a crease I didn't see my description stars are 4.9) and (I've never mailed the wrong item)

We'll see how this goes.

lawnmowerman · February 10, 2009 1:24PM

<< <i> I definitely know where the guy lives. >>

Careful with that one before you end up in jail. Most people wouldn't want to be harassed over an ebay auction.

Not saying you would but the law sometimes views things differenty

incugator · February 10, 2009 1:25PM

CD's. I don't remember that night. We must've had even more fun than you described.

storm888 · February 10, 2009 1:26PM

"...Talk to him about it first and see his reaction..."

////////////////

That will go interestingly.

As Yogi would say, "If they don't wanna pay, how ya gonna stop 'em."

/////////////////

EBAY opens the door to LOTS of Specific Performance grounds, but
in more than 10-years I have NEVER heard of a seller bringing,
maintaining, or prevailing in ONE case. (Doesn't mean NONE have
happened, only that I have not heard of ONE.)

EBAY's lingo pretends a "buy" is a "contract," but good luck trying
to enforce such a "contract."

PayPal laughs at the concept of "restocking fees," unless they are
charged AWAY FROM EBAY.

......

I sell on Rubly Lane. They make ALL sellers offer 100% satisfaction.
BUT, they allow "restocking fees," and PayPal allows the seller to
retain such fees if a refund is granted.

////////

EBAY's word on "restocking fees" opens the door, BUT there is no
nonjudicial way to enforce them.

Returns : Examine the seller's return policy carefully before you bid. Contact the seller before
you bid with any questions about the return policy. Some questions you might want to ask include:

Does the seller accept returns, or is the item sold "as is"?

Under what circumstances can you return the item?

Do you have to return the item to the seller within a certain time period?

What kind of refund does the seller provide?

Who pays for return shipping and handling?

Does the seller charge a restocking fee?

.........

Dboneesq · February 10, 2009 1:28PM

Ryan,

Hope it works out OK for you!

WinPitcher · February 10, 2009 3:10PM

Restocking fee is gonna be hard to collect in this case.

Steve

Darin · February 10, 2009 3:11PM

Just forget about the whole thing and trade the Ruth to elemenpeo for the Warren Spahn card, in his "I'll trade you this for a 52 Mantle" Thread.

rube26105 · February 10, 2009 4:14PM

<As Yogi would say, "If they don't wanna pay, how ya gonna stop 'em.">

yogi has a new one too
"i hope rube sends me more 52's to eat,they taste good with cornbread"

yankeeno7 · February 10, 2009 4:19PM

Hi Randy!

swartz1 · February 10, 2009 9:01PM

your restocking line and meet him at Starbucks probably scared him off...

is a restocking fee in violation of ebay TOS?

KbKards · February 11, 2009 12:34AM

If an Ebay buyer doesn't pay or returns an item you file for a refund of the final value fees. You won't even lose the listing fee if you relist the item to sell it again. There's no need to charge a "restocking fee" because you haven't lost any money. You were inconvenienced, but that's not why some types of businesses commonly charge a restocking fee. A restocking fee is usually used by companies to encourage people to make sure they're ordering the correct item, and to recover lost credit card fees on the sale and refund. A company accepts the fact that credit card fees charged on the sale are just part of doing business. Many people don't realize that they are also charged credit card fees on the credit card refund amount when something is returned. So a company gets charged once on a good sale, but twice when something is returned. A restocking fee helps recover the loss which is usually through no fault of their own. If they ship you the wrong part, it's their fault and you won't be charged a restocking fee. If you ordered the wrong part or changed your mind, you will be charged a restocking fee.

In your case you never were even paid for the item so you can't deduct your "inconvenience penalty" from the amount you refund. If the buyer paid you then you could deduct it, but then you might be in for a battle with Ebay and PayPal if the buyer contests the charge. You can feel you're right based on having listed your policy, but Ebay and PayPal and your buyer might disagree. If the buyer never paid you and you "billed" him for the penalty it will probably be received with a good laugh.

leathtech · February 11, 2009 1:20AM

I find it kind of funny when any ebay seller asks for a restocking fee... You should probably just let the buyer out of the transaction and file for you ebay fees to be returned and the relist the card. If you pressure the buyer anymore you'll probably just get a negative feedback.

I know it sucks but such is life on ebay sometimes.

intence · February 11, 2009 1:22AM

i would move on

mtcards · February 11, 2009 1:28AM

A lot of major chain stores charge a restock fee, usually in the 10% range for returned items, so the precedent is there. Unforutnately, THEY already have YOUR money when doing so, so they can either refund you nothing or 90%, most people choose the 90.

In your case, since he didnt pay to begin with, I would say your chances of getting any money off this guy, unless you work out a deal for paying FVF in place of him getting a NPB, is about the same as real people getting any "stimulus" from the "stimulus" package.

Ebayer has decided he doesn't want to pay

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