posted on March 17, 2002 12:17:21 PM new
How do you handle the idiot who sends the payment without any auction number, item description, or even an email address.
Also, what to do about those who short you on the shipping cost.
Example-you get a money order with only a name and address, you send them a postcard about it and they STILL do not get ahold of you. Do you cash the check (we just hold on to them for 30 days, then return them to the address listed).
I have had a person send a check for $75.00 for two kits and said that he was moving and would get ahold of me. Never heard from him again and email was no longer avaiable.
posted on March 17, 2002 01:06:20 PM new
Figure out what item this might be for based on the amount they sent you. Does the name written on the envelope match any e-mails sent to you recently? Then do a "Contact eBay User":
posted on March 17, 2002 01:17:49 PM new
I set it aside and wait to recieve the "where is my item?" email.
Seriously, I received a cash payment a while back in an envelope with no address or name, just a copy of the auction printed out. Now this particular auction was one that the winner had emailed he was sending payment and never heard from again. I had offered it to the second highest bidder and he said yes, he would send payment. Neither person had emailed me their address information. I emailed both asking about the status of their payment. The second highest bidder answered that he had sent "the cash". I still had to request his address in a third email!!!!
posted on March 17, 2002 04:35:52 PM new
It's never happened to me yet that an envelope arrives with a payment with no (1) postmark showing city or (2) return address or (3) address on a check.
When one of my auctions closes, I e-mail the buyer, get a mailing address and write it down on the form I clip to the front of the two pages of the auction (whew).
When an envelope arrives with no information except either a postmark OR a return address of some sort, I can still doublecheck how much the buyer sent against my closed auctions.
However, I still don't ship the item until I have a verified address from that buyer.
Not trying to sound smug, you understand, because it could happen to me, I know. But don't you keep records similar to printing off the first two pages of the auction? Do you have a form that accompanies that? Do you keep this information in a folder you can get your hands on easily?
I HAD to get organized because I go crazy when I can't find something. It has such a horrible effect on me that I am forced to be organized. Hate it, but there it is!
Good luck to you.
Edited to add: The buyer is still nuts, I agree! Might as well throw his money down a manhole.
[ edited by Roadsmith on Mar 17, 2002 04:37 PM ]
posted on March 17, 2002 05:06:51 PM new
roadsmith, DUHHHH! yes we keep records, but many newbies are now sending payments without emailing address info.
in my case he not only did not follow request for shipping address, he sent cash! in an envelope that had a seal reading MAIL CANADA in the corner where the envelope is supposed to be.
it's good that you are organized but please do not try to make other sellers feel inferior with your holier than thou attitude!
posted on March 17, 2002 05:08:14 PM new
I insist on address information from buyers in confirmation. Only one bidder ever got testy about this, but that's just too bad. I also recommend that you include a "Dept 1234" in your payment address. The numbers are the last four digits of your auction item. That would solve the problem of what item goes with what payment.
Short payments are easy: State 'Full Payment' in your terms. This makes the matter clear to scammers and like iron to the negligent. Hold them to it or treat it as an NPB.
posted on March 17, 2002 06:01:30 PM new
Hey, rarriffle! I really didn't mean to sound holier than thou, and I apologize. I was in a hurry and just KNEW I'd come across badly but was hoping you wouldn't notice.
I didn't realize something would come from Canada without a city on the postmark. Honestly.
And, see, I agree that some buyers are dumber than a box of rocks. I'm selling a pottery wall pocket, cuckoo clock, and a buyer e-mailed to ask if the clock works. . . .
mballai: I really like your Dept. 1234 idea and may incorporate it into my EOA message. Thanks for the idea!
posted on March 17, 2002 06:28:27 PM new
Yet another reason why I got my own merchant account and no longer advertise that I will accept money orders....
posted on March 18, 2002 01:14:35 AM new
roadsmith, no problem. not only was there not a return address, the buyer lives in minnesota, not canada.
mballi, good idea with the dept. number
I too, insist on address info, some buyers just don't follow the instructions. i usually do not ship until they have emailed that info though, even after i have received the payment.
