Another ebay problem...help me out here

[AlleyKat]

As mentioned earlier this week, I'm new to selling on ebay. I've been buying for years but just started selling a few weeks ago.

I'm FURIOUS in that I listed a gorgeous oak bureau with specifications that it is to be picked up only in Mass.

The auction JUST ended...where does the winning bidder live? Texas!!!!!

WTH, are people that idiotic? This person has no feedback so has no track record.

Do you experienced sellers come across nit-wits as often as I have a feeling you do?

What is my recourse now as I don't want(nor do I expect) payment from this buyer.

Should I contact ebay, if so, who do I contact?

 

[Ohiodislover]

You just need to contact the seller and let them know you are unwilling to ship the item. Are they asking you to ship?

We sold books a few months back, and specified that we didn't shop overseas. Someone from France bought one, and actually thought we would ship for the media mail domestic rate. We sent them an email, and put the blame on ourselves that we must have not made it clear enough in the listing. That was a little white lie--it was very clear, but oh well, no need to be rude, or report them to Ebay.

 

[Acklander]

I'd check with them first. Maybe they're visiting relatives in the area or were buying it as a present for someone in the area.

 

[AlleyKat]

Thanks for your responses!

I've gotten instructions from an ebay employee on how to cancel a transaction.

As a new seller, I listed seven items and had bidders on four, two of which were "pick up only" auctions. Both winning bidders of the "pick up only" items live in states that are no where near mine and cannot be reached within a days drive.

If what I've gone through is any indication of what the average ebay seller goes through, I think my selling days will be far and few between!

 

[spacemermaid]

I'd check with them first. Maybe they're visiting relatives in the area or were buying it as a present for someone in the area.

While this is entirely possible (in my many years as a seller, I've had this happen a couple of times with large items I've sold), the fact that the buyer has zero feedback is somewhat worrisome. It sounds to me as if, being new to Ebay, the buyer didn't read the "fine print" before bidding. This is exactly why I block bids from zero feedback bidders! For a long time, I'd allow anyone who didn't have excessive negative feedback bid, but after too many situations similar to this, I blocked those with zero feedback. It's easy to do; there's an option when one lists an item. Sorry to hear that you've been having so much with Ebay lately; hang in there, the pleasant transactions outnumber the unpleasant ones 100 to one (though right now I'm sure that's hard for you to believe!)

 

[terri01p]

I would email the winner and let them know it was pick up only, never presume that they don't know this and give them a chance to respond.
Then refund their money if it isn't pick up only and let it go, I wouldn't leave them any feedback at all and then go to the second highest bidder for a buyer, or relist if you want to. Done and done!

 

[AlleyKat]

I would email the winner and let them know it was pick up only, never presume that they don't know this and give them a chance to respond.

Then refund their money if it isn't pick up only and let it go, I wouldn't leave them any feedback

There is no way this person didn't know the item was to be picked up, "Pick
Up Only" was in the heading and it was stated within the auctions description.

No monies have been paid nor will there be as I've canceled the transaction. If payment had been made I certainly would have returned the payment with an explaination that cash was expected at the time the item was picked up, per auctions' listing instructions!

Feedback can't be left unless/until an auction is completed i.e. when payment has been made and the item has been received.

 

[AlleyKat]

While this is entirely possible (in my many years as a seller, I've had this happen a couple of times with large items I've sold), the fact that the buyer has zero feedback is somewhat worrisome. It sounds to me as if, being new to Ebay, the buyer didn't read the "fine print" before bidding. This is exactly why I block bids from zero feedback bidders! For a long time, I'd allow anyone who didn't have excessive negative feedback bid, but after too many situations similar to this, I blocked those with zero feedback. It's easy to do; there's an option when one lists an item. Sorry to hear that you've been having so much with Ebay lately; hang in there, the pleasant transactions outnumber the unpleasant ones 100 to one (though right now I'm sure that's hard for you to believe!)

You've given me some wonderful advice in both threads! I hope you don't mind an occasional pm(if I think the situation warrants it)from me seeking your expertise.

I have several close family members/friends who have been selling for years and have never had any problems/conflicts!

I now know why all of the sellers I've dealt with have been so nice to me! I always make prompt payment(s), communicate(I've met some wonderful folks!) with them and leave positive feedback when an item is received.

 

[DMRick]

Feedback can't be left unless/until an auction is completed i.e. when payment has been made and the item has been received.

When did that start? I got feedback yesterday and the item hasn't been paid for yet, let alone delivered.

 

[AlleyKat]

When did that start? I got feedback yesterday and the item hasn't been paid for yet, let alone delivered.

I'll rephrase my statement; It's best not to leave feedback until the auction is complete, monies paid, the item received.

I've also received feedback and items before my payment was received.

 

[SaraJayne]

There is no way this person didn't know the item was to be picked up, "Pick
Up Only" was in the heading and it was stated within the auctions description.

No monies have been paid nor will there be as I've canceled the transaction. If payment had been made I certainly would have returned the payment with an explaination that cash was expected at the time the item was picked up, per auctions' listing instructions!

Feedback can't be left unless/until an auction is completed i.e. when payment has been made and the item has been received.

You just canceled the transaction without contacting the buyer? What if they are traveling to your state for Christmas and will pick it up then?

I would have at least contacted them before you just canceled it.

 

[sbell111]

I'm confused as to how the OP knew that the winning bidder had no intention to have the item picked up?

Over the years, I've won three auctions for 'pick up' items that were located in non-contiguous states (two vehicles, one piece of furniture). Each time, I've made the trip to go get my newly bought stuff.

I've also purchased items through ebay for other people and had them shipped directly to them. I certainly could have purchased something that was located close to them and had them go get it.

Also, I might have purchased a 'pick up' item in their area and had them pick it up and ship it to me.

Just because a buyer doesn't live in your area doesn't mean that they shouldn't buy a 'pick up' item.

 

[tasha99]

This will be interesting to see. I would be nervous about this as a seller, but I would never cancel a deal based on my assumptions--I'd want to hear from the buyer first.

 

[AlleyKat]

I would have at least contacted them before you just canceled it.

I did, receiving no reply.

 

[AlleyKat]

I'm confused as to how the OP knew that the winning bidder had no intention to have the item picked up?

Over the years, I've won three auctions for 'pick up' items that were located in non-contiguous states (two vehicles, one piece of furniture). Each time, I've made the trip to go get my newly bought stuff.

I've also purchased items through ebay for other people and had them shipped directly to them. I certainly could have purchased something that was located close to them and had them go get it.

Also, I might have purchased a 'pick up' item in their area and had them pick it up and ship it to me.

Just because a buyer doesn't live in your area doesn't mean that they shouldn't buy a 'pick up' item.

I too have traveled several states away to pick up an item, round trips that generally take around 6+ hours.

There is nothing exceptional about this item. It's something one could easily purchase in their area for a fraction of what the transport cost would be, especially considering the bidder literally lives just under 2,000 miles away!

 

[Darcy03231]

I did, receiving no reply.

So the auction ended last night and you haven't heard from them by this morning and you just cancelled it? If I were your buyer I'd be pretty upset. How do you know they didn't purchase this item for someone who lives locally as a gift? or have someone who lives near you that can pick it up for them and arrange shipping?

I believe ebay rules give a buyer 3 days to contact you and 7 days to make payment. You've given your buyer less than 24 hours. I also believe one of ebays new rules is that you have to take Paypal (one of the reasons I stopped selling on ebay). Before selling anything else you might want to read through the rules so you have a better understanding of what they allow. I have to say if I were your buyer I'd be leaving you some negative feedback for sure.

 

[crashbb]

So the auction ended last night and you haven't heard from them by this morning and you just cancelled it? If I were your buyer I'd be pretty upset. How do you know they didn't purchase this item for someone who lives locally as a gift? or have someone who lives near you that can pick it up for them and arrange shipping?

I believe ebay rules give a buyer 3 days to contact you and 7 days to make payment. You've given your buyer less than 24 hours. I also believe one of ebays new rules is that you have to take Paypal (one of the reasons I stopped selling on ebay). Before selling anything else you might want to read through the rules so you have a better understanding of what they allow. I have to say if I were your buyer I'd be leaving you some negative feedback for sure.

I agree.

While it it possible that the buyer was an idiot who didn't read the "pick up only" thing, it appears (based on the timing of posts) that the OP gave them less than 12 hours between winning and canceling.

I would be very annoyed, especially since it is possible that the buyer was planning on picking up the item.

 

[DMRick]

I did, receiving no reply.

You mentioned it just ended, so I assume they didn't get the usual 3 business days to respond? Did you just cancel it, or did you file it as not paid? If you just cancel it, I don't think you can get your end fees back, unless they agree they also wanted to end it. You may end up with a neg over this, unfortunately.

Also, just as an aside, you (general you) do not have to only accept Paypal. You just can't advertise cash/MO/check. We still take mo/checks, if they email and ask us to.

In over 10,000 ebay sales, I seldom come across nitwits. Sometimes I have to walk newbies through, but we were all new once. And yes, sometimes people make mistakes in bidding, but it's usually fixable.

 

[Crankyshank]

So the auction ended last night and you haven't heard from them by this morning and you just cancelled it? If I were your buyer I'd be pretty upset. How do you know they didn't purchase this item for someone who lives locally as a gift? or have someone who lives near you that can pick it up for them and arrange shipping?

I believe ebay rules give a buyer 3 days to contact you and 7 days to make payment. You've given your buyer less than 24 hours. I also believe one of ebays new rules is that you have to take Paypal (one of the reasons I stopped selling on ebay). Before selling anything else you might want to read through the rules so you have a better understanding of what they allow. I have to say if I were your buyer I'd be leaving you some negative feedback for sure.

I agree. You don't know if the buyer was going to be within driving distance of MA visiting relatives, or making a purchase for a Christmas present for someone in the area. IMHO it would have done no harm to wait for the buyer to respond (or 72hrs)

 

[spacemermaid]

You've given me some wonderful advice in both threads! I hope you don't mind an occasional pm(if I think the situation warrants it)from me seeking your expertise.

I have several close family members/friends who have been selling for years and have never had any problems/conflicts!

I now know why all of the sellers I've dealt with have been so nice to me! I always make prompt payment(s), communicate(I've met some wonderful folks!) with them and leave positive feedback when an item is received.

PM away! I'm happy to answer questions

Well, they're certainly fortunate to not have had any "nightmare transactions/buyers"! Again, I'm not saying that there are alot of troublemakers on Ebay; for the most part, I've had great experiences! But the few that stand out as being bad...REALLY stand out as being bad!

That is EXACTLY why sellers are so nice to you...it sounds as if you're the ideal buyer!