eBay Anxiety

[punkin712]

I have purchased quite a few things on eBay over the past several years. The biggest problem I ever had was when I bought some dishes and (since they weren't packaged very well) many of them arrived broken. I contacted the seller and he immediately issued me a refund for the broken dishes. I never buy from someone who doesn't accept PayPal or has negative feedback for communication or shipping.

I won 2 auctions from the same seller on 1/27 and submitted payment within minutes of receiving the invoice. The listings indicated that both items would be shipped via UPS Ground (1-6 days for delivery). I sent an email to the seller three days later to confirm that he received payment and haven't gotten a response yet. However, before the auction ended, I emailed him with a question about one of the items and he replied within 24 hours.

In all my previous auctions, I received an email from the seller within a day or two after I submitted the payment - either to confirm they got it or to let me know the item shipped. Since I haven't heard anything from this seller, I'm getting a little panicky.

How long should I wait before emailing him again? In your experience, does an unresponsive seller mean trouble? I really want these items so maybe I'm just overreacting.

 

[Imzadi]

What's the feedback on the Seller? Does he have ANY negative feedback? If so what is it? Some people make the mistake of only reading the positive feedbacks.

I've learned not all eBayers respond the way we expect them to. Some never bother to email that the item was even sent, or send the delivery confirmation tracking.

If he's got a high feedback rating with no negs he's not going to suddenly jeopardize that. He may more quickly respond before auctions then get lax on responding afterwards, but still send the product in a reasonably timely manner.

Since eBay has a rule that Sellers can't file a Non-Paying Bidder complaint before 7 days, he may feel he has that long before shipping the item. Some Sellers don't realize that if Buyers pay right after the auction, that means they hope it will be sent out just as promptly.

Check your Paypal account to see if he received the payment. Give it a full week after the auction before emailing him, politely asking for the tracking number.

 

[poohandwendy]

I think communication is a very important part of the transaction and would feel the same way you do. It's one thing for a seller not to send out confirmation that they received payment/shipped the item (many don't, although that frustrates me)...but quite another to NOT respond to an email within 24 hours.

As an Ebay seller, I check my email many times per day. I think it's irresponsible not to. Other people have a different opinion of that. I just feel that while you are in the middle of a transaction that is LARGELY based on their trusting a stranger, you have a responsibility to keep the lines of communication open.

That said, there may be some issues beyond their control (internet issues/illnes/family emergency), so you may not be out of luck. If you are really concerned, you can get their contact information and call.

 

[punkin712]

What's the feedback on the Seller? Does he have ANY negative feedback? If so what is it? Some people make the mistake of only reading the positive feedbacks.

I've learned not all eBayers respond the way we expect them to. Some never bother to email that the item was even sent, or send the delivery confirmation tracking.

If he's got a high feedback rating with no negs he's not going to suddenly jeopardize that. He may more quickly respond before auctions then get lax on responding afterwards, but still send the product in a reasonably timely manner.

Since eBay has a rule that Sellers can't file a Non-Paying Bidder complaint before 7 days, he may feel he has that long before shipping the item. Some Sellers don't realize that if Buyers pay right after the auction, that means they hope it will be sent out just as promptly.

Check your Paypal account to see if he received the payment. Give it a full week after the auction before emailing him, politely asking for the tracking number.

The seller has over 200 feedbacks and only one negative in the last year.

I received a receipt from PayPal indicating that the payment was sent, but I'll check through the PayPal website just to be sure. Since I already emailed him once after the auction ended and I sent payment, maybe I'll wait until Monday before I email him again. I don't want to be one of those nagging buyers, but I'd just like to know he got the payment and is getting ready to ship.