ebay high bidder is new, zero feedback. how to handle?

lkeigwin · February 14, 2009 3:18AM

Edited to add:
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I was very wrong and I've done what I could to make things better with the new ebayer. You guys are a great sounding board and next time I'll ask before I act. I am embarrassed and ashamed!

Lance.

--------------------------------

I'm looking for a little advice.

One of my auctions ending tomorrow has a persistent high bidder with no feedback. A new ebayer (about 10 days old). He's placed five higher bids in the last six days.

Everyone needs to start new so I am trying to keep an open mind. But with all the jerks out there I am a little concerned.

I sent him some ebay mail:

"Hi. I see you are the high bidder, so far, on my auction for a 1917-S Lincoln (PCGS 64RB), auction #170301158305.

You are new to ebay and have no history, no transactions, no feedback, and naturally that concerns me.

Everyone starts new at some point. So I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. But I would like you to reply to this message and tell me a little about yourself, your interest in rare coins, and how and when you intend to pay for the coin should you win.

Please understand my position. ebay is known to have many unkind, unscrupulous bidders who get kicks out of screwing others. So sellers must be careful.

If I get no answer to this I'm afraid I will have to cancel your bids and block you. But I'd prefer to see it go through fairly and honestly, as it should.

Thank you for cooperating. And my apologies if I offended you. I do not mean it that way."

Is this the wrong approach? Am I being unreasonable? Too lax? What would you do?

Lance.

LindeDad · February 14, 2009 3:21AM

Just lock the door and put up a CLOSED sign.

Then you will never have a first time customer.

commoncents05 · February 14, 2009 3:22AM

If I were a dishonest eBay buyer, I wouldn't be going after 1917-S Lincolns, I would be going after S VDBs, 22 No Ds, etc. The things that bring bigger money.

-Paul

Res · February 14, 2009 3:24AM

Sounds like you should be thanking him. I would have let it slide w/o the e-mail.

Rampage · February 14, 2009 3:25AM

<< <i>Is this the wrong approach? Am I being unreasonable? Too lax? What would you do?
Lance. >>

Yes, this was the wrong approach in my opinion.

TomB · February 14, 2009 3:26AM

It's the wrong approach. You are being unreasonable. If I were the bidder I might go ahead and cancel all my bids on your items right now.

Rampage · February 14, 2009 3:27AM

If you sent me an email like that, I would gladly reply and tell you to please canel my bid and block me. Everyone does start from some where some time and I think you are just a bit paranoid. I would not begin to worry until 7 days after the aucxtion and the bidder does not pay. And, so what? They don't pay, then relist it and file for your fees back. I've had to do it one or two times before. Not a big deal in my eyes.

BlindedByEgo · February 14, 2009 3:27AM

I've never felt the need to do that, but heck, it's your money.

DUIGUY · February 14, 2009 3:28AM

linky

ziggy29 · February 14, 2009 3:28AM

I'd retract my bid and keep your note as evidence as to why I retracted it.

[Edit to add: If you don't ship until you're paid and you follow PayPal Seller Protection to the letter, your downside risk is almost non-existent.]

AUandAG · February 14, 2009 3:29AM

Is this the wrong approach? Am I being unreasonable? Too lax? What would you do?

Yes, the wrong approach. Why do you even worry about such stuff. If he wins he'll pay
or he won't. You send the coin when payment clears or you don't. So, don't sweat the
small stuff and new bidders. You have all the control and you choose when to send the
coin to the buyer. You are the decision maker.
I'd be offended.
bob

OPA · February 14, 2009 3:29AM

Becoming a little bid paranoid? Set your preferences that bidders need a PayPal account to bid on your auctions & only accept payments via PayPal. That should eliminate most of your potential scammers ... if you follow their guideline,you'll be covered under PayPal sellers protection.

Coinlearner · February 14, 2009 3:30AM

I would not have sent a message. If I received that, if I replied,would only send a short message of my intent to buy item. Seller does not need all the personal info on me.

coinkat · February 14, 2009 3:31AM

give the poor slob a chance

adamlaneus · February 14, 2009 3:33AM

Not addressing your original post, but...

Every other bidder on your auction probably thinks you are shilling.

It is the eBay way.

SG1 · February 14, 2009 3:33AM

Most of my previous zero feedback bidders, have since become some of my most loyal repeat customers. I think you are way too paranoid. If you want to limit your online coin selling success, then send emails like that. If you want to be successful, then chill!

ksteelheader · February 14, 2009 3:36AM

<< <i>Is this the wrong approach? Am I being unreasonable? Too lax? What would you do? >>

How was your first transaction on ebay as a buyer handled? How would you have felt if you got such an email?

Go on from there.

Treeman · February 14, 2009 3:37AM

Frankly, you should kiss his butt for bidding THAT kind of money for THAT coin. The grade PCGS gave it was a gift. No offense meant, but that really is a dog...

lkeigwin · February 14, 2009 3:37AM

Thank you for the quick feedback, guys. It appears I went overboard. If the newbie gets mad I will apologize, take the lumps and put any loss in the "tuition" column.

Lance.

lkeigwin · February 14, 2009 3:41AM

<< <i>Frankly, you should kiss his butt for bidding THAT kind of money for THAT coin. The grade PCGS gave it was a gift. No offense meant, but that really is a dog... >>

Ha! You are correct, Stan. In fact I said I didn't like the coin in the auction. We can argue the grade. But the coin has poor eye appeal.
Lance.

Russ · February 14, 2009 3:42AM

<< <i>It's the wrong approach. You are being unreasonable. If I were the bidder I might go ahead and cancel all my bids on your items right now. >>

Ditto.

Russ, NCNE

Bcsican · February 14, 2009 3:50AM

That message to them is over kill just sit it out and them them prove themselves.
That is like asking someone for their credit card before paying for a meal...
If your that worried you shouldnt be a dealer...it is all part of the business

adamlaneus · February 14, 2009 3:52AM

Part of being in retail is 'sitting patiently on your stress and watching your worries come to nothing'.

Bcsican · February 14, 2009 3:53AM

PS...If you sent me a message like that id tell you were to put that coin.....

lkeigwin · February 14, 2009 3:57AM

Wow...how did I get this one so wrong? I've been wrong a lot lately, I think.

I sent a follow-up message to the zero-feedback bidder:

Hi. Me again. I was uncomfortable with the message I sent you about my '17-S Lincoln. So I asked my friends for advice. They said I was out of line. I am apologizing.

There is no need to explain yourself. And if you win this auction I will enclose a bonus coin as well, as another apology.

That doesn't make everything okay. I really screwed up and I deserve the beating.

Lance.

WinPitcher · February 14, 2009 3:57AM

While I think you went a tad overboard you did write it in a respectful way.

I don't think the buyer will freak.

Maybe a followup one to him saying not to worry have fun bidding.

Steve

CertifiedGoldCoins · February 14, 2009 4:09AM

rbf (1909-S & 1922) can relax, now that this thread is here.

Russ · February 14, 2009 4:17AM

Kudos to this OP. How many times do we see somebody ask a question and then turn pissy when they don't get the answers they were hoping for? This is a refreshing response.

Russ, NCNE

Barry · February 14, 2009 5:59AM

Since Ebay is a total cesspool of thieves, you should not only send an email like that, but you should request a full name address and SSN on the bidder you you can run a credit check on him. Of course, you should include the cost of the credit check in your s/h fees.

Seriously, I wouldn't sweat it. Odds are he's not going to be high bidder at the end of the auction, and even if he is, if there's a problem, you can relist it. Buyers take a lot more risk on Ebay with all the dishonest sellers.

percyb · February 14, 2009 6:10AM

We were all first time buyers at one point. Congratulate him/her on their first purchase!!

sinin1 · February 14, 2009 1:00PM

they seem to be bidding on a few items

they have some with multiple bids
most on Lincolns cents (yuk - I would suspect as well)

eBay made it more difficult to check on the guy (to protect shill bidders that pay fvf)

underbidders are needed to bump up price - they are helping you

you have the coin - do not worry unless they win and want to pay by some wierd way

airplanenut · February 14, 2009 1:56PM

The large majority of NPB's I've had over the years have had plenty of eBay experience. Most of the newbies I've dealt with have been fine. Since there's no predicting what will happen, I just go with the flow.

ebay high bidder is new, zero feedback. how to handle?

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