Winning Bidder Doesn't Want to Pay


iowasellers
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17 Jan 08 02:55:17 pm
I have had this happen before and have let the bidders off the hook so as not to generate negative feedback, but what have you done when winning bidders on EBay decide to back out? I just sold a blackberry that'll net me about $100 profit and the winning bidder is trying to back out. This is frustrating on many levels - I'll have to eat the listing fees, it lengthens my cash flow turnaround on the item, it violates principal, etc. What would you do?


wholesalelist101
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17 Jan 08 04:05:44 pm
If you are new to Ebay or a long time seller I am sure that by now you have ran across that certain buyer that just refuses to pay. I have heard all of the excuses! My kid bid on this item, I lost my job, I had a family member to die, I accidentally hit the bid now button, and they go on and on and on. I learned the hard way that being short tempered and leaving negative feedback right away without any communication is the wrong way to go. Don't forget even though they did not pay you they can in return leave you negative feedback as well. Here are some things that I have tried in the past that seem to work and cut my unpaid items down tremendously!

* As soon as the auction ends I always send the buyer a invoice from MY EBAY page.
* If the buyer has not paid within 24 hours I will then send them a email congratulating them on winning my auction. In my email I will also list all of my policies and what methods of payment are accepted. I give all buyers a period of 7 days to complete a transaction and in my emails I will always encourage anyone to email me with questions.
* From here on out I will continue to send a invoice every day that gos by without a payment.
* Around the 4th day I will contact the buyer once again by email to be sure there is nothing that I can assist them with in completing the transaction.
* On the 5th day I will then go to Link hidden: Login to view This is where I can fill in the user id of the buyer and the item number and receive their contact information. Please be aware that when doing this they will receive your information as well. Now I have a telephone number and I will make an attempt to contact them personally by phone to discuss payment methods. REMEMBER! Always be polite and friendly!
* On the 6th day if all else fails I will then file a case with Square Trade. This is FREE if you choose not to have a mediator for the case.
* On the 7th day I will make one final attempt to contact them by email. Please explain to them that if payment is not received within 24 hours that you will be forced to file a unpaid item dispute with Ebay. Make sure that they are also aware that a unpaid item dispute will result in a buyer strike against their Ebay account which could lead to suspension from Ebay. I also let buyers know that I leave negative feedback for all unpaid items. Send one more final invoice.
* On the 8th day if there is still no payment or communication I will then proceed to file a unpaid item dispute with Ebay. This usually seems to be the point where the buyer wants to talk and make payment arrangements.
* After the unpaid item dispute has been filed I will continue to send out 2 to 3 invoices per day for 7 more days. Sometime they will get tired of seeing those in their email and give in and pay.
* If no payment has been submitted by now you have to throw in the towel. You should then close your unpaid item dispute with Ebay which will result in a buyer strike against the buyers account. You will then become eligible for a final value fee credit that will be most likely granted.
* Now you will have to go back to Square Trade and close your case.
* Last of all when all else fails leave this buyer negative feedback. Chances are that if they did not pay for your item then more than likely they will do the same to other sellers. If this is the case even if they do leave you a negative it will be removed when they are removed from Ebay!


iowasellers
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17 Jan 08 11:51:48 pm
Wow that is awesome advice and I thank you for such a detailed response. I will be saving this topic and will use these steps in the future.


trillium
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18 Jan 08 12:23:35 am
When using Buyit Now or Fixed Price I have been including Immediate Payment Required option and that has help eliminate a lot or non payers.

I also leave unpaid item disputes but do not leave negative feedback. It is a two week process but that way you will get your listing fees back.


wholesalelist101
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18 Jan 08 12:41:01 am
When using Buyit Now or Fixed Price I have been including Immediate Payment Required option and that has help eliminate a lot or non payers.

I also leave unpaid item disputes but do not leave negative feedback. It is a two week process but that way you will get your listing fees back.


When you do not leave negative feedback for a non-paying bidder you are just passing the problem along to other eBay sellers. If they see they can get away with it with you they will just continue on to the next person. Don't be afraid to leave a negative feedback rating for someone that deserves it. It is not the end of the world!


grboutique
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18 Jan 08 12:49:04 am
You don't get your listing fees back but you do get the final value fee =)


grahamg
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18 Jan 08 06:29:33 am
Thats right, get your Final Value Fees back, all you do is click on the item, and select not received payment, ebay generate an email to buyer and normally they pay, if they dont they get a None Paying strike, 3 and they are off eBay.

Personally, I would leave feedback, but if you leave it I would expect it back...I ALWAYS leave negative feedback for none payers and scammers - PERIOD!


planes
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19 Jan 08 04:41:22 am
I file the dispute and get my FVF back. Unless its a high ticket item I dont leave a neg.
I prefer to go easy with the negs. I mainly only leave negs for real jerks. And then i let them have it. Mainly when they leave one for me.
I actually responded to someone with a neutral in response to their very jerky neutral they left for me.
And in the neutral I left for them I promoted my ebay store and have seen sales double for a certain item that he was selling.
I try to be creative.


grahamg
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19 Jan 08 11:42:18 am
just file a none payer report and they will gewt a strike if they dobt pay, 3 and they are out.

Thats the best I can offer... :x


jimmy_huber
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19 Jan 08 09:04:02 pm
I personally do not bother with all that. Its too much work for a NOn paying Bidder. I am a Member of Reliabid. I have this notice posted on all my auctions.

I Expect All Winning Bids to be Honored

RESPONSIBILITY: Unless stated otherwise, full payment, including all shipping and insurance charges, is due via a payment method disclosed in this auction within 10 days of auction close. If not received, payment is considered delinquent 10 days after auction close.

COMMITMENT: I am committed to completing the transaction. I hold the winning bidder accountable for his/her winning bid. Placing a bid on this auction is a legally binding obligation.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Should the winning bidder become delinquent in settling the transaction, I reserve the right to pursue payment through the use of collection services.

COMPENSATION: Should the winning bidder default on completing the transaction, I reserve the alternative to assess and collect a restocking fee as compensation for fees and holding costs related to the incomplete transaction. The restocking fee will amount to $10 + 20 percent of the sale price.

If all effforts to collect fail. Reliabid will file a Credit Collections Act against the bidder. This will damage the Bidders Credit rating if they do not respond and pay.

I had a 30% non paying bidder rate drop to about 2% using Reliabid.


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wholesalelist101
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19 Jan 08 10:47:57 pm
How much does it cost to be a member of reliabid?


grahamg
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20 Jan 08 03:27:27 pm
What is reliabid?


jimmy_huber
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24 Jan 08 12:08:23 pm
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