Non-paying buyer paid

WACoinGuy · April 18, 2007 9:08AM

Here's a new one for me -- just wondering what folks think I should do in this case:

I had a bidder win two E-Bay auctions that closed on 3/24. Two weeks go by with no communications from the buyer. I opened an unpaid item dispute after two weeks, but still no communication from the buyer. So on 4/15, I closed the dispute, left negative feedback, got my Final Value credit, and relisted the items on E-Bay. Today (4/18) I get a PayPal payment for these auctions -- no note, no explanation, just a payment.

Fortunately, I have duplicates of the items so I can ship these out without impacting the relisted auctions. But the question is, what should I do? Go through with the transaction, or refund the payment and say sorry, you had your chance now it's too late?

Russ · April 18, 2007 9:09AM

Refund the payment and, if you haven't already done so, block the bidder.

Russ, NCNE

Cladiator · April 18, 2007 9:11AM

<< Refund the payment and, if you haven't already done so, block the bidder.

Russ, NCNE >>

But I also think you should out their eBay user ID so we can all block them.

orie · April 18, 2007 9:17AM

Keep the money and don't dare send the coins.

WACoinGuy · April 18, 2007 9:25AM

<< Keep the money and don't dare send the coins. >>

Hee hee -- I like that one, though I wouldn't feel right doing that...

DenverDave · April 18, 2007 9:25AM

<< Refund the payment and, if you haven't already done so, block the bidder.

Russ, NCNE >>

Rarity · April 18, 2007 9:54AM

If you are happy with the amount you receive today, send the item to the buyer.
But I assume that you're not happy with this buyer because he's late and doesn't communication well. If so, block him from participating in your future auction.

pharmer · April 18, 2007 10:14AM

Sure, if you've got your money and the coins to send, send em and lecture him about the correct procedure. You may gain a faithful and competent buyer in the future.

WACoinGuy · April 18, 2007 10:15AM

<< If you are happy with the amount you receive today, send the item to the buyer.
But I assume that you're not happy with this buyer because he's late and doesn't communication well. If so, block him from participating in your future auction. >>

They sold at OK prices (slightly above what I expected). It's really more the late payment with no communication that bugs me. I just don't know why he decided to pay all of sudden -- maybe hoping the unpaid item strikes go away (actually .. would they go away if he shows he made a PayPal payment, even if I refund it?)?

BTW, I had already blocked him when I closed the dispute.

RR · April 18, 2007 10:19AM

So who was it?

RR

BlindedByEgo · April 18, 2007 10:26AM

Poor communication - but it may be an anomaly. Emergencies, vacations, all sorts of events happen. Fill his order and send him a note explaining your actions to this point. Maybe he responds, maybe not... But I have had late payers turn into good repeat customers.

DieClash · April 18, 2007 10:34AM

You don't have to tell us who the bidder was, just post a link to the auction!

BTW: It's a tough question. If he paid and you like the price, then send the merchandise. He still sits with a neg and maybe he negs you in retaliation and then you mutually agree to retract the negs. Everyone can see the comments and neither of your scores are harmed. You got what you want and the buyer got what he wants.

basestealer · April 18, 2007 10:36AM

I would probably accept the payment and send the coins, if he didn't look shady. I would verify he wasn't someone likely to do a chargeback.

COINB0Y · April 18, 2007 10:49AM

Who is the BIDDER?

We don't want to go thru what you just did!

grabba · April 18, 2007 11:20AM

<< I would probably accept the payment and send the coins, if he didn't look shady. I would verify he wasn't someone likely to do a chargeback. >>

Would probably be the only case where the seller got what he wanted and the buyer got what he wanted and everybody leaves each negative feedback....

Barndog · April 18, 2007 11:26AM

agree with the refund the payment and block the bidder...protect your interests.

DJCoinz · April 18, 2007 11:30AM

See what happens if you just sit with the money for a few weeks...give him a taste of his own medicine!

dizzlecc · April 18, 2007 11:30AM

Complete the transaction so that you can provide appropriate feedback.

You were fortunate this time but what about the next time.

WACoinGuy · April 19, 2007 12:24AM

Well, I decided to go ahead and send him his items, along with a note that I was concerned I hadn't heard from him and had basically written him off. Poking around E-Bay, it sounds like all he would need to remove the unpaid item strikes is the PayPal receipt e-mail (which he'd still have even if I refunded his payment), and since the dollar amount involved is relatively small (about $20), I'd rather take a chance and be the "nice guy" than fall vicitim to suspicions.

Since I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, I'm not going to "out him," but since I already left him negative feedback, you could probably figure it out for yourself (hint, you'll have to look at my "About Me" page to find it).

RBinTex · April 19, 2007 1:32AM

Refund the $. Tell him if he wants the coins he'll have to send cleared funds with no risk of chargeback.

LanLord · April 19, 2007 1:51AM

Any chance you're gonna get a retalitory neg (or another one) if you accept this payment?

Follow Russ' lead.

CarlWohlforth · April 19, 2007 2:08AM

After waiting 10 days I tried sending in invoice to a slow to pay buyer. eBay wouldn't let me because they just NARU'd the guy. So I filed a NPB form and was credited the final value fee. The next day I get my first email from the buyer who said he wanted the coins, would pay for them on Payday, and could I reverse the NPB. I told him sure, just pay me and once I receive cleared funds I will see if I can fix things up with eBay. Sheesh!

Boom · April 19, 2007 3:06AM

Having aready left negative feedback makes this a bad situation.

Although you are 100% justified in doing so, this is where the feedback system is flawed

as you can bet he's got one ready & waiting for you. Tough call no matter how you look at it.

Good luck.

WACoinGuy · April 19, 2007 7:36AM

Yeah, it is a flaw in the feedback system. But if you read the E-Bay help pages on how to remove an unpaid item strike, it says that the buyer can do so by forwarding the PayPal receipt e-mail. So depending on how thoroughly E-Bay investigates this, he may be able to remove the strike even if I refunded the payment. In any case, I figured I'd take the high road -- he did pay for the merchandise and I have no proof that he has foul intentions, so I went forward with the transaction. Interestingly, he hasn't asked me anything about removing the strike or the negative feedback, so who knows what's going to happen. I'll keep you posted though if more develops.

WACoinGuy · April 21, 2007 9:30AM

Well, items arrived yesterday afternoon and no communications/negs yet ... wish me luck.

WACoinGuy · April 21, 2007 9:32AM

Oh, BTW, since I had gone through the dispute process on E-Bay and closed the dispute, I had received a Final Value Fee credit from E-Bay for these items back on the 15th. I wonder how long until E-Bay realizes that and hits me with the FVF fee again?

Non-paying buyer paid

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