posted on December 10, 2003 08:04:57 PM new
I know I'm a relative newbie to the eBay scene since we have had only about 300+ transactions this year -- so I need your suggestions on this one.
Here's the situation:
Buyer - with zero feedback and brand new - used BIN for one of our auctions and said that she didn't want to use the PayPal link because it didn't look secure. After several e-mails gently assuring her that it was secure and it was owned by eBay and on and on - very polite and hand-holding (I know, Fluffy, but it didn't hurt me to try.. (sigh))
Then, I get this e-mail tonight:
I have tried using the pay pal link from my work computer and my home computer and everytime I submit my information, the same screen pops back up with all my info and says that the template has failed. Please cancel my order at this time. Thanks for all your help, but I really wanted to get this asap for my dad who is getting ready to retire. Would you have any idea what physical store might sell these? I can't find them anywhere. Anyways, thanks again.
I'm tempted to give her a lesson - file the NPB and then indicate that the buyer refused to follow-through to complete the sale. However, since we're still young and only have just under 300 unique positives, I'm still a bit sensitive to potentially getting a neg. Once we have more under our belts, my skin will toughen - because a neg won't drop us so far.
I say this - then recall that I share many of your opinions about the feedback system being flawed - for many reasons. However flawed, we're not sure how that impacts on a buyer's decision to bid or buy from us.
What are your opinions?
Thanks for your input.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
[ edited by TheFamilyBiz on Dec 10, 2003 08:05 PM ]
[ edited by TheFamilyBiz on Dec 10, 2003 08:05 PM ]
posted on December 10, 2003 08:28:55 PM new
Assume she is telling the truth. Ebay and Paypal are both plagued with glitches and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if she encountered one of them. Instead, suggest she use Bidpay. If it's a good enough sale, you could even offer to split the fee with her. If she doesn't agree to that, then I would start thinking about filing an NPB.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on December 10, 2003 08:41:35 PM new
Sparkz,
We've offered to accept a Money Order, suggested www.AuctionPayments.com (formerly BidPay) and even offered to accept a personal check.
I believe she's had the problem, but can't imagine why so many others don't have a problem - even new bidders with zero feedback.
I think it's actually a case of "a little bit of knowledge" being a dangerous thing. She knew enough about working through a secure server - but I wonder if she's got her security settings buttoned up so tight that she doesn't accept cookies and such - so that could be the problem.
I feel for her - but think that if she's going to be buying things on eBay, she should invest a bit of time and read through the details - not just assume she knows enough to start bidding (sigh).
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on December 10, 2003 08:53:18 PM new
Tell her you will send you a PayPal invoice. I think they are very simple to make out. I do that when a buyer can't figure out what to do.
posted on December 10, 2003 09:34:53 PM new
Explain you would like to get the fees back you paid eBay when they thought it sold.
Assure her it will not hurt her feedback rating, and that you do not plan on giving her negative feedback. If you want to be bold, you might even let her know you will leave positive feedback for her after she leaves positive feedback for you.
This gets their cancellation habit on record and if it continues they will be NARU.
posted on December 10, 2003 09:41:48 PM new
Wayne, first of all, If she refuses to pay, then NPB & FVF her. 2nd, Don't get bent out shape about a neg. If she is so new, she may not know about it. & It won't hurt one damx bit. Over 6 yrs I have accumulated 9 negs with 650+ positives. Having one of my best monts in a long time.
posted on December 10, 2003 10:17:25 PM new
Just to clarify - you have allowed this woman to run you all over the net, waste your time and even buy into the most ridiculous set of excuses ever heard all because you are afraid of a neg by a deadbeat ying bum? THIS is how the idiots get away with it people!! Everyone complains about the scumbags but just for he record - they last as long as they do because YOU CODDLE & FEAR THEM.
Spell it out. Either she pays or you file against her. You resent that she has not only wasted your time and your money but then added insult to injury by asking where else she can buy the item and you will not hesitate to spell out her classless and deceptive actions in her feedback if she does not follow thru on her commitment.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Dec 10, 2003 10:19 PM ]
posted on December 11, 2003 03:38:39 PM new
SW - you brought a smile to my face! Thanks.
She has relented and said she'll send a Money Order. You've provided some great advice. I just needed a bit of a nudge. If it doesn't get here before the 7 days is up (which I provide for in my TOS) - she'll get the NPB.
No more Mr. Nice Guy! That's going to be my New Year's resolution. I totally love the sig file I've seen here that says something like: Bend Over Backwards for a Customer, but Never Bend Forward -- It's my new mantra!
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on December 12, 2003 08:13:35 PM new
oh, geeze, I just spit all over the keyboard- fenix, what is a *deadbeat ying bum* ?
ROFLMAO! ouch, my sides hurt!
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
posted on December 12, 2003 10:00:38 PM new
Dragonmom,
Are you in Georgia? There is a group of ladies that get together once a month and where purple with red hats. My aunt is one of them I found out recently. She told me about the picture that was in the magazine Southern Living (November Edition) with all of the ladies in their purple & red. Just a coincidence in your mentioning that.
posted on December 12, 2003 10:36:46 PM new
No, I'm not in GA, although I have lived there from time to time- but the quote is from a <a href="http://www.holistichealthtools.com/purple.html">poem </a> by jenny Joseph. I've heard of the Red Hat society, I think there are chapters all over the country!
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
posted on December 12, 2003 10:49:31 PM new
As some of the others said, you can't let these deadbeats run you around. If thye don't pay I file the NPB and move on. If they want to neg fine I will return the favor.
You will come to find that everyone's grandmother, mother, father, grandfather just died. Their computer died, their email was not working. They mailed the check. They moved, their dog died. So they are so sorry they can't pay.
I just had a moron trying to offer what he would pay for shipping after he won. Sorry not gonna happen. Shipping was stated in the auction. So he gets a NPB and I relisted.
posted on December 13, 2003 09:51:20 AM new
:h, geeze, I just spit all over the keyboard- fenix, what is a *deadbeat ying bum* ? ::
You are kind of mean at times right? It's a Deadbeat Lying Bum as typed from someone that dropped a wrench putting their storage shelves together and decimated the all important L typing acrylic nail.
Hint to Acrylic wearers... soak them off before you start moving - I broke two and ripped one off along with the better part of the nail below it.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on December 14, 2003 09:32:03 AM new
ouch! well, I didn't mean to be mean and make fun of your crippled finger
I just loved the sound of "ying" as an insult. I could imagine it someone scratching their head- "Ying? She called me a ying bum- what did she mean?" It could totally derail an argument...
It all makes sense now, though!
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
[ edited by Dragonmom on Dec 14, 2003 09:32 AM ]
h, geeze, I just spit all over the keyboard- fenix, what is a *deadbeat ying bum* ? ::
It's a Deadbeat Lying Bum as typed from someone that dropped a wrench putting their storage shelves together and decimated the all important L typing acrylic nail.