Ebay dilemma - Please Help - LONG!!!

[DNBois]

I have been selling on ebay for over a year - I have probably sold between 90-100 items. Recently, my husband and I sold a Panasonic mini-dv camcorder; it was a steal and sold for our reserve price of $150.00. I sent an invoice to the winner of the auction last night after it ended; this morning, I received an e-mail from this buyer stating "the thing is, I don't get paid until Thursday" and asked if I would wait for payment or if we wanted to cancel the auction alltogether, that would be fine also.
I e-mailed him and said we had no problem with waiting until next week but of course, if I did not receive payment by Thursday or Friday of next week, then I would have to (understandably) file a non-paying bidder claim as I do not want to pay for seller charges if the item wasn't actually sold.
The e-mail came back stating that it was an invalid e-mail address; after some research on ebay, I found that he changed his user name yesterday. I tried once again to e-mail him (about 4 times or so) and every time, the e-mail was returned. I contacted ebay and they told me that they would investigate but that I should request his contact information and try to reach him by phone. I did that and I have his telephone number - now, I have no idea what to do. I can already tell that he obviously did not want to purchase this item and at this point, I do not want to do business with him.
What would you do - would you call him (somewhat concerned as I do not know who I am dealing with) or would you just file a non-paying bidder claim to avoid paying seller charges and relist the item? Please help - just not sure what to do - THANKS!!!

 

[Tink10]

If you had another bidder who was close to your reserve, you could always off them the camera.....If not, My gut feeling on this one is to file a NPB report & relist the camera.....

Just make sure you block the original bidder from bidding on the new auction....

I Hope It All Works Out!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by DNBois
I contacted ebay and they told me that they would investigate but that I should request his contact information and try to reach him by phone. I did that and I have his telephone number - now, I have no idea what to do. I can already tell that he obviously did not want to purchase this item and at this point, I do not want to do business with him.

I also think he is trying to ditch you. I guess you could call him (using *67 to avoid having your phone number show up on his phone) and let him know that your email was returned and that next Thursday would be OK, but that you will file a NPB on Saturday if you are not paid. Be upbeat and maybe he might come through for you.

 

[CarolA]

I don't do much ebay (but I am thinking about it!) and I agree. Just do non paying and re-list. It's not worth the hassle of calling the person.

 

[DNBois]

I just did a little more research and today she/he actually bid on another camcorder; I even tried to e-mail them through that route and it still got returned. My husband also agrees that I should just file the claim and relist the item so wish me good luck! Thanks!!!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

If you can not contact the buyer, and payment has not been received in 7-10 days after the auction ended, file the NPB and offer it to the next highest bidder.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

Samething happened to me about 3 months or so ago when I listed a camcorder on Ebay.

In my auction stated that I did not accept CC's and the winning bidder tried paying me that way. After I denied it, they left me positve feedback that they had "done bought something else, thanks", what a way to find out that they were not going to go through with the auction. After that there was no communication what so ever with the buyer until I contacted Ebay.

Buyer had enough nerve to email me wondering why I contacted Ebay about the auction and that they didn't have alot of money. Low and behold when I did a search on this buyer, they had bidded on two other camcorders after winning mine. Plus had bidded on a laptop computer, won it, and according to their feedback even paid for it. Like the others, just get your money back from Ebay. Why spend more money on a long distance phone call. Plus make sure you block them from bidding on anymore of your auctions.

When I read your post was just wondering if it could have been the same person. To many of these people are getting on to Ebay and treating it like it's a game.

 

[DMRick]

Once you did the contact info, they also got your phone number when you got theirs..so no need to block it. I would call, just because I would want to see them squirm. Then I would offer to he next bidder.

 

[poohandwendy]

One thing to remember, if going the route of NPB, is that it sort of works like a mediator. You essentially have to make yet another effort to communicate with the winning bidder. And they are given time to respond (I can't remember how much). This is great, BUT if you relist the item now and sell it to another person, and the original person suddenly makes good on payment...you have 2 sales for one item.

Also, you said the auction ended last night (or 2 nights ago)...you cannot file a NPB in such a short period of time (it has to be at least 7 days from the auction end date and no more than 45 days).

You don't mention your payment 'terms'...do you give a specific time frame that payment is expected? You have to stay within your contract or the buyer can and likely will file a complaint against you as a seller.

I understand getting a bad vibe, and you easily could be right about this, BUT you really need to give the buyer a chance before you take action against them.

I can already tell that he obviously did not want to purchase this item and at this point, I do not want to do business with him.

Actually, unless he told you that, it may not be true. He may buy camcorders to resell them, who knows. There could be a problem with your email service...I would give this a bit more time before taking any action that could come back to haunt you as a seller. You formed a contract with him by allowing him to bid on and win your auction. Your backing out, before a reasonable amount of time has passed, isn't good business.

 

[lkohawaii]

Make sure you leave a negative feedback for the buyer. This will flag other sellers.

 

[missydisney]

I sell all the time. I would definately report him as a non paying bidder and relist the item.