Ebay Issues
californiacards3
Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭
More and more I am having issues with getting people to pay for auctions. These items are not hugely expensive small time stuff $30-80 bucks. Nice photos solid 100% feeback. Selling to support buying. My last two items $55 and $30 respectively, I ping buyer with paypal info and no go. I do not open a case frustrating nonetheless. Can some of you bigger and more frequent sellers offer some color/advise or thoughts.
Thanks
Barry
Thanks
Barry
0
Comments
I usually wait a week to 10 days then send an email just wondering if my item fell through the cracks as far as payment goes. I then wait about another 3-4 days then do the non paying bidder reminder giving them another 4 days to pay. 99% pay at this point, as for that 1%, unless you live next door to them there isn't much you can do. Close the NPB case and get your fees back, then relist. Be sure to block the NPB so you don't encounter future problems with the same guy.
Sometimes its just better to let it go and don't go the NPB route. Example, I've had a customer for at least 2-3 years who would spend $200-$300 every 2-3 months then waits like 2-3 weeks to pay. Never once responded to the "I'm going to the Post Office in the morning, if you would kindly pay, They'll be in tomorrow's mail", even into week three. Just for some reason would take forever to pay!
So recently he spends $180 and then after 3 weeks and no communication, after 4 invoices sent, 4 polite e-mails, nothing. So on day like 31 I file the NPB, nothing, wait the four days, nothing, so close the NPB, get fees back.
3 days later he sends the First E-Mail he has ever communicated with me and rips me a new one and wants the NPB removed, send him an invoice, he'll pay he says! So can't send invoice, transaction is null and void, can't remove NPB, either I don't know how, or can't be done. So I politely explain, he goes ballistic! Now I have to add him to my BBL!!!
So I just cost myself $600-$900 per year...........................Last time I do that, just forgettabout it! Its not worth it!!! I'll still do the NPB for items under $10, that's where 99% of my problems are, but anything over that, just pay when you get around to it! Don't sweat it. Ask yourself if its worth losing Sales over?
Just Let It Go !!!
My 2 cents
Neil
Appreciate today-
Bill
one thing i've noticed is how some buyers will binge and then suddenly just disappear. i'm sitting on 7 unpaid auctions right now from the same buyer, who was quite active from August-October, but has since stopped buying altogether. check feedback histories on those whom you feel might present a problem, there's a lot to be learned just by seeing who they buy from, how much, and when the activity changes.
Note: The seller doesn't have the ability to remove the unpaid item from your account—you'll need to contact eBay directly
Not that I would ever file a NPB case against a loyal customer like that, especially when it is the buyer's custom to pay when he feels like it. But here I feel like we are talking about new buyers to your auctions.
<< <i>Morning,
Sometimes its just better to let it go and don't go the NPB route. Example, I've had a customer for at least 2-3 years who would spend $200-$300 every 2-3 months then waits like 2-3 weeks to pay. Never once responded to the "I'm going to the Post Office in the morning, if you would kindly pay, They'll be in tomorrow's mail", even into week three. Just for some reason would take forever to pay!
So recently he spends $180 and then after 3 weeks and no communication, after 4 invoices sent, 4 polite e-mails, nothing. So on day like 31 I file the NPB, nothing, wait the four days, nothing, so close the NPB, get fees back.
3 days later he sends the First E-Mail he has ever communicated with me and rips me a new one and wants the NPB removed, send him an invoice, he'll pay he says! So can't send invoice, transaction is null and void, can't remove NPB, either I don't know how, or can't be done. So I politely explain, he goes ballistic! Now I have to add him to my BBL!!!
So I just cost myself $600-$900 per year...........................Last time I do that, just forgettabout it! Its not worth it!!! I'll still do the NPB for items under $10, that's where 99% of my problems are, but anything over that, just pay when you get around to it! Don't sweat it. Ask yourself if its worth losing Sales over?
Just Let It Go !!!
My 2 cents
Neil >>
I wouldn't need a douchebag like that gracing my presence. You're kind of acting like he's the only one in the world that would have bought those items
Barry
click on that and follow the prompts. there's a 4-day time limit for a response after which you can choose to cancel the transaction and it goes on the buyer's history.
your fees are refunded after you officially close your complaint.
Non Paying Bidder/Buyer. You will need to open a case with ebay and they will go ahead a void the auction and refund the ebay charges that you were charged for (for the purchase) since the buyer never paid you.
I guess paying promptly is just not a high priority for some.
Set up the auto NPB. Choose the numbers of days to elapse before filing the NPB for you.
I have had 1 NPB since I started using this. I set it for 4 days so the buyer has 8 to pay me before the case is closed and a strike filed.
<< <i>Morning,
Sometimes its just better to let it go and don't go the NPB route. Example, I've had a customer for at least 2-3 years who would spend $200-$300 every 2-3 months then waits like 2-3 weeks to pay. Never once responded to the "I'm going to the Post Office in the morning, if you would kindly pay, They'll be in tomorrow's mail", even into week three. Just for some reason would take forever to pay!
So recently he spends $180 and then after 3 weeks and no communication, after 4 invoices sent, 4 polite e-mails, nothing. So on day like 31 I file the NPB, nothing, wait the four days, nothing, so close the NPB, get fees back.
3 days later he sends the First E-Mail he has ever communicated with me and rips me a new one and wants the NPB removed, send him an invoice, he'll pay he says! So can't send invoice, transaction is null and void, can't remove NPB, either I don't know how, or can't be done. So I politely explain, he goes ballistic! Now I have to add him to my BBL!!!
So I just cost myself $600-$900 per year...........................Last time I do that, just forgettabout it! Its not worth it!!! I'll still do the NPB for items under $10, that's where 99% of my problems are, but anything over that, just pay when you get around to it! Don't sweat it. Ask yourself if its worth losing Sales over?
Just Let It Go !!!
My 2 cents
Neil >>
Maybe your guy is on welfare or some other leech program and only gets his money once a month.
I went to "site preferences" but couldn't locate exactly where to do this. Can anyone assist? Thanks in advance
The last two times I have opened a case with eBay, the payment was made a day later. I don't leave feedback for these slow buyers unless they leave feedback first. Otherwise I always leave feedback for buyers.
I just don't understand why buyers do not respond to reminder emails. I believe most sellers will gladly give a little slack in the time it takes to receive payment if they just know there will be delay for whatever reason. On the other hand I believe that if you can't afford to pay for an item soon (2-3 days) after you win an auction then perhaps you should not be bidding on eBay. It's just that if you are the seller, you need to be patient if that's what it takes to receive payment.
<< <i>It's just that if you are the seller, you need to be patient if that's what it takes to receive payment. >>
for the most part this holds true, however, it is again very easy to identify the habits of your buyer and then come to a general conclusion about your situation and whether or not to expect payment.
coincidentally, the example i've shared above has resurfaced just this past couple days and made a couple transactions with a well-known seller for which he paid immediately and already received his positive feedback, for items very similar to the ones he still has not paid me for 16 days and counting, so the decision has been made for me and i'm only waiting out the clock to either get paid or close the case(s).
so tracking buyer behavior does work and you just take your chances, maybe lose a few sales, but use less Excedrin.
<< <i>Set up the auto NPB. Choose the numbers of days to elapse before filing the NPB for you. >>
I don't recommend this. I think it is better to handle it on a case by case basis. There are some big spenders that pretty much pay whenever they feel like it or whenever they get around to it. But they always pay. It's just not a good idea to offend or alienate these guys with non-paying bidder disputes.
With a zero feedback bidder, file after 4 days. Use common sense with the others. It's not good business to drive away strong paying guys because you want to stick to some "policy".
wait. hmmmm. yeah those are the deepest pockets, sometimes, eh? now i'm all screwed up.
<< <i>And I also don't recommend sending reminder emails or multiple invoices. That stuff just annoys people and in the long run your business will suffer if you push away legit bidders. >>
so our purpose as sellers is to let them annoy us, but not annoy them. i respect your opinion to a point, but i believe you need to have a little psychology behind this kind of a decision.
you inform bidders that you have a payment policy and then they blow it off, don't communicate and call their own shots so you can get your money.
as a businessperson, would you appreciate allowing such a carte blanche policy to slow you down? why?
<< <i>Hey itzy, as you probably know, some of the deepest pockets are also some of the quirkiest. >>
yes, i know, but most are also rabid and typically pay about 2 milliseconds after winning.
<< <i>so our purpose as sellers is to let them annoy us, but not annoy them >>
I don't know. It doesn't annoy me to wait a few extra days or a week for payment if I know for sure that I'm going to get it. If it annoys you then you should do what you feel is best. What works for me might not work for you. And vice versa.
The way I see it: I want repeat customers. Harassing people doesn't help me achieve my goal.
<< <i>i've waited weeks, even months to get paid by ebayers. the difference is, they asked first. >>
If they ask then they don't have the money to pay. I'm not talking about those guys. I'm talking about heavy hitters with busy schedules and/or big egos. You want to push their coin away?
<< <i>lol. i remember the heavy hitters. so last decade. >>
Maybe you don't have the right material because they are alive and well.
<< <i>
<< <i>lol. i remember the heavy hitters. so last decade. >>
Maybe you don't have the right material because they are alive and well. >>
for sure. halcyon days are alive and well. and that's fine with me.
Things happen. Just give them time. If not open a case after you have waited long enough.
is all it takes
I don't consider someone in same boat as me if hes purchasing/spending to support his card habit and when on the other hand I'm trying to obtain money to pay off my rent/mortgage (Not that that's my case but just a scenario that I'm sure is realistic for a lot of folks out there). That person has a choice and just maybe shouldn't be buying things if they don't have the funds or dont know where those funds are coming from next. This is exactly how people become in debt.
<< <i>Set up the auto NPB. Choose the numbers of days to elapse before filing the NPB for you.
I went to "site preferences" but couldn't locate exactly where to do this. Can anyone assist? Thanks in advance >>
UNDER Site Preferences
.
.
.
Unpaid Item Assistant
You can choose 4, 8, 16, 24 or 32 days
If you have repeat buyers who you are happy with you can exclude them.
Not using this option is silly
Really, when you think of it, as an eBay seller you are operating a business, often from your home. You buy cards/collectibles, etc, sometimes grade them, and then sell them. You have funds tied up in your inventory that you would like get a return on and maintain a cash flow to contuinue. Non or slow payers delay this buy-sell process and it is frustrating.
I appreciate some of Itzagoner's comments regarding knowing your buyers' habits, etc. I started keeping a list of buyers a while back and when I know their habits (if involves slow payments) then I don't worry because I know they will come through. No reminders needed for them. I have several bidders for example that I know never pay until a Friday rolls around, I assume pay day.
All and all, I still maintain use some gentle reminders. But I must admit my limit is 14 days, then I contact eBay. And even then I contact the buyer first so they know it's coming. I know the old saying "the customer is always right" but I don't "always" believe it. I am a patient person but when it drags on beyond a couple weeks, it is a stretch and if I have to keep pushing the envelop, the bidder will end up on my "blocked bidder" list. I may lose some bids in the future but I don't have to deal with bidders who just plain lack common courtesy. I know some of you may not agree with using the non-bidder's list but I believe that super slow or non-paying bidders who do not display any common courtesy and ignor your communications belong on it.
Now that I have rambled through all that and did some venting, the good thing is that the vast majority of buyers (90+%) that I have normally pay within 3-4 days. I appreciate them bidding on my auctions and they, I believe, have appreciated the service I have provided them. So I must continally remind myself that for every frustration I deal with regarding slow payers, I experience a great many very responsible buyers.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>C O M M U N I C A T I O N
is all it takes >>
What is there to communicate about? When someone spends ten minutes or more in my store and hits the Buy It Now on six items (I offer Free Shipping on all my items), why don't they spend another 3-4 minutes and pay for the items now?
Especially when after two weeks have gone by and I see that not only did they hit the buy it now on six items in my store that night, but they hit it on another fifteen items in three other stores. Some items were paid for that night and others like mine were apparently ignored.
If anybody needs to COMMUNICATE it is the dead beat buyers who know they are not going to pay for the items they are buying within the stated terms.
As a seller I find items to sell, I scan them, price them, write descriptions and list them. When someone comes along and makes a purchase, I send them an invoice. After x number of days if payment has not been made then I send a reminder, rinse and repeat until the buyer decides to pay.
Once they pay I ship securely and leave either:
A: Positive Feedback
B: No Feedback
Because those are the only choices I have.
If they wanted to COMMUNICATE they had plenty of chances to do that.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
<< <i>I too have had more non-payers (or slow payers) than usual lately. I have brought up this issue on the Board before and based on responses I do the following. Three days after the auction is completed, I send a gentle reminder. One week after the auction I send a little more forceful reminder. Thirteen days after the auction I send an email stating its been close to two weeks and I need to know if they are going to pay for the card and please get back to me if it is necessary to make any other arrangements. I tell them on day 14 I will open a non-payers case with eBay if I don't hear from them. >>
This looks like a very intelligent way to handle slow payers. Fortunately I have only had one person not pay until I filed a NPB. I usually email after several days asking if there is a problem, no one ever answers. I wait 10 days and then file. Vast majority of people pay promptly.
Slow payers are irritating. If you want immediate payment, open a card shop, that'll teach 'em!
Joe
<< <i>I usually email after several days asking if there is a problem, no one ever answers. >>
And they probably don't bid on your auctions now either.
And we wouldn't want it any other way.
<< <i>Many sellers have control issues and let that get in the way of good judgement. >>
<< <i>
<< <i>C O M M U N I C A T I O N
is all it takes >>
What is there to communicate about? When someone spends ten minutes or more in my store and hits the Buy It Now on six items (I offer Free Shipping on all my items), why don't they spend another 3-4 minutes and pay for the items now?
Especially when after two weeks have gone by and I see that not only did they hit the buy it now on six items in my store that night, but they hit it on another fifteen items in three other stores. Some items were paid for that night and others like mine were apparently ignored.
If anybody needs to COMMUNICATE it is the dead beat buyers who know they are not going to pay for the items they are buying within the stated terms.
As a seller I find items to sell, I scan them, price them, write descriptions and list them. When someone comes along and makes a purchase, I send them an invoice. After x number of days if payment has not been made then I send a reminder, rinse and repeat until the buyer decides to pay.
Once they pay I ship securely and leave either:
A: Positive Feedback
B: No Feedback
Because those are the only choices I have.
If they wanted to COMMUNICATE they had plenty of chances to do that. >>
I was talking about the stupid buyers
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>C O M M U N I C A T I O N
is all it takes >>
What is there to communicate about? When someone spends ten minutes or more in my store and hits the Buy It Now on six items (I offer Free Shipping on all my items), why don't they spend another 3-4 minutes and pay for the items now?
Especially when after two weeks have gone by and I see that not only did they hit the buy it now on six items in my store that night, but they hit it on another fifteen items in three other stores. Some items were paid for that night and others like mine were apparently ignored.
If anybody needs to COMMUNICATE it is the dead beat buyers who know they are not going to pay for the items they are buying within the stated terms.
As a seller I find items to sell, I scan them, price them, write descriptions and list them. When someone comes along and makes a purchase, I send them an invoice. After x number of days if payment has not been made then I send a reminder, rinse and repeat until the buyer decides to pay.
Once they pay I ship securely and leave either:
A: Positive Feedback
B: No Feedback
Because those are the only choices I have.
If they wanted to COMMUNICATE they had plenty of chances to do that. >>
I was talking about the stupid buyers >>
You are absolutely correct, if someone bought a card from me and let me know up front they would need more time I would have no problem with that.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
Simple and easy and it would bring this problem to a screeching halt.
<< <i>
<< <i>Morning,
Sometimes its just better to let it go and don't go the NPB route. Example, I've had a customer for at least 2-3 years who would spend $200-$300 every 2-3 months then waits like 2-3 weeks to pay. Never once responded to the "I'm going to the Post Office in the morning, if you would kindly pay, They'll be in tomorrow's mail", even into week three. Just for some reason would take forever to pay!
So recently he spends $180 and then after 3 weeks and no communication, after 4 invoices sent, 4 polite e-mails, nothing. So on day like 31 I file the NPB, nothing, wait the four days, nothing, so close the NPB, get fees back.
3 days later he sends the First E-Mail he has ever communicated with me and rips me a new one and wants the NPB removed, send him an invoice, he'll pay he says! So can't send invoice, transaction is null and void, can't remove NPB, either I don't know how, or can't be done. So I politely explain, he goes ballistic! Now I have to add him to my BBL!!!
So I just cost myself $600-$900 per year...........................Last time I do that, just forgettabout it! Its not worth it!!! I'll still do the NPB for items under $10, that's where 99% of my problems are, but anything over that, just pay when you get around to it! Don't sweat it. Ask yourself if its worth losing Sales over?
Just Let It Go !!!
My 2 cents
Neil >>
I wouldn't need a douchebag like that gracing my presence. You're kind of acting like he's the only one in the world that would have bought those items >>
I've had regular customers who have spent lots of money completely stiff me when I kept telling myself, "oh, he's a regular customer, I don't want to lose his business and he would never leave me hanging". Well he left me hanging and I lost that customer anyway and had to pay the ebay fees because I waited too long. It's best to just file claims with ebay after a reasonable time. Quite frankly, if someone wants to rip me because I filed a claim after almost a month because they didn't have the courtesy of communicating, I really don't need them that bad as a customer.
I bend over backwards for customers when it comes to payment terms but at some point it's not worth the hassle if they can't communicate and you have to always fight for your money. Those type of people will at some point most likely screw you over.