posted on December 28, 2000 11:02:27 AM new
I'm curious as to what others would do in this situation:
I have a fairly expensive piece of glass on auction (about $200.00). I have listed this piece a couple of times before; it currently has no bids on it.
Received a very polite, well-worded email from a couple who were interested in bidding on it. But....they wanted to know if, in the event they won the auction, they could make partial payments over a 4-5 week period, mailing a money order each Friday, and not expecting the item to be shipped until it was completely paid for. They have over 700 in positive feedback.
I'm not asking for advice, actually, as I have already responded with my decision, but I am curious what others might would do, or have done.
posted on December 28, 2000 11:08:40 AM new
I think I might agree to this based on a few ground rule frist would be if they fail to make all payments in agree time there is no refund of any of there past deposits these would be kept to off set lost time money effort and fees just like a layaway at the local store you get X amount of time to pay it off if you fail to there is no refund of balace already paid the item goes back out on the floor for resale. http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
posted on December 28, 2000 11:08:52 AM new
With that kind of feedback and with the condition that it not be shipped until paid in full, I'd do it. I would add a due date though, so that it doesn't drag on for months.
posted on December 28, 2000 11:16:03 AM new
I have to say that from a bidders standpoint I don't understand why they don't just crack open the CC and do a cash advance if you don't take CCs.
Or offer a service that does.
I have bought many items in ranges higher than that. From overseas sellers and US and it never occurred to me to ask for payments.
I look at it this way, Nordstroms et al have set up charge card accounts, but the antique/camera gear/video gear shops I frequent do not. I don't expect it of sellers on ebay.
That's just my birds eye view of how I consider sales done on ebay.
OTOH they sound pretty honest. I might have gone for it, though as a bidder it never occurs to me to ask.
Now I am really curious what you decided.
posted on December 28, 2000 11:20:17 AM new
my two cents
Based on the information given such as the feedback of the purchaser I would ensure that both parties had a "meeting of the minds" to the transaction, setting a deadline of completion of the payments, the grand total of the purchase, the agreement to the method and frequency of payment and so on.
I would also entertain the option of canceling the running auction and resubmitting it for the BIN feature.
Why not? As long as they appear to be in the up and up, I would be flexible -but keeping within the agreement.... Sometimes we forget to have fun in this biz.
"You can pee on my leg and tell me it's raining!" -Judge Judy
