posted on August 4, 2003 03:34:51 PM new
On July 5th I had someone bid quite high on one of my items. She wrote and gave me an address stating that it was different from her Paypal address because she was being deployed shortly, and was having mail sent to a different address while she was out of the country. I waited a few days, and a Paypal payment didn't arrive, so I thought maybe she was sending a MO or check. I wrote and asked her, but no replies to any messages, which is understandable if she is gone. My question is, what do I do? I would hate to file NPB, but I don't know what else to do. Also, do I just hold it until she returns, or re-list. I was hoping that someone was checking her emails, but I guess not.I often get people make spelling mistakes on my email address, and I guess that is what has happened.
posted on August 4, 2003 03:57:39 PM new
Pull the contact info and call the number on the box. You may get someone. If that doesn't work, NPB after 10 days, Neg and move on. I would also contact the second bidder asap.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. B. Franklin
posted on August 4, 2003 04:39:10 PM new
I'm gonna ask a couple questions that might help you answer this yourself.
First off, do you believe this person is really being "deployed" as part of our
military efforts overseas or where needed?
If yes, then a lot of people here are supporting our troops overseas by sending
letters and care packages to servicemen that they don't even know. Would you
want to do that? And don't feel bad if you don't want to or can't. I don't think
everyone should be doing that unless they feel the need themselves.
But if you answer yes above then maybe you could just consider any loss on
this sale as part of your effort toward helping a service member. Now all you
need to do is consider if you want to hold the item until this person comes back
(the deployment could be for a year or more even) and might still want the item
enough to pay you or not.
Or you could justifiably consider this person as a non paying bidder who should
have tidied up their affairs better before the deployment. Didn't do so. Or did a poor
job of it or has been negligent in enlisting the aid of friends and family to assist
in those loose ends that a prudent person would have anticipated. This might
sound harsh but people need to learn. Being soft on people doesn't usually help
them.
It might be that once they get settled in their area they might get e-mail access
and will be forwarded the e-mails and correct the problem then. It might be a
ploy to get you to send the item "in good faith" and then never get paid either
or as a gift even.
Anyway, you go on this would really be fair as far as I can see it. If it was me,
and I believed the deployment happened then I'd just take the loss on the fees
"to help the serviceperson". I'd probably hold the item for a time then decide if
I wanted to relist later. You might still complete the sale and recoup your fees
that way or else makes something off the relist.
Others here might tell you different and they could be right also. As a kid did
you ever go to summer camp then help "a counselor" who needed money on
the last day of camp? They never ever send you the money back and your
mom finds out and says, "told you so!".
posted on August 4, 2003 05:29:26 PM new
I appreciate all the comments. I have written once more. When I checked her buying activity, my auction was the last one she bid on. She has bought from me once before, and her feedback (21) is all good. How can I contact the second bidder when they were not the winner? I would rather do that, and not file a NPB, just don't feel comfortable under the circumstances, but I have no way of knowing how long she will be away.
