Ebay Dilemma: WWYD? LONG

[Virgo10]

I recently sold an item on Ebay. The one bidder I had for the item started making me nervous right from the start. They had 2 negative feed-backs in the past month. They also had some positives so I let it go.

That bidder won the auction so I emailed them all the info. Stated right on my auctions in black and white is the fact that I do not accept personal checks and that I expect payment within 7 days of the auction's end unless other arrangements have been made.

So this auction ended 7/16. I heard from the buyer on 7/17 and I waited for payment. On 7/21 I sent a little reminder and they wrote back telling me they sent a personal check. I wrote back and told them I wouldn't accept personal checks and they were all apologies telling me they didn't see that on my auction site. OK, I told them I'd send the check back and they could pay me via Paypal. BTW, now more than 3 weeks later, that check still hasn't shown up.

Next excuse for a delay was that they needed to get a Paypal acct and get it verified. They promised to send payment on 7/27. That didn't happen and I got an email stating that their Paypal wouldn't be verified until 7/31. OK.

No payment arrived on 7/31. I email them that if payment wasn't received by 8/3, the auction was over. Then I filed my first Unpaid Item Dispute with Ebay. My first one in nearly 8 years of selling.

This morning I get up and what do I find but a Paypal payment from that buyer. It's for the wrong amount... nearly $10 less than the price I quoted them. So here's my question.

What would you do about this? My gut reaction is to send the money back. I just have some really bad feelings about someone who was writing checks that bounced to other sellers. Yeah, that's on their feedback several times! They seem to want stuff for free so who knows where this could go.

If you've read this far, what's your take on this and how would you proceed?
Thanks.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I calling the long post police, you know we havent even drank are coffee yet

 

[lewdyan1]

Personally, I would go with your gut. The terms weren't met, you've already filed a dispute, I would send the money back! JMO!

 

[lynxstch]

file a non paying bidder report (with the information that you have provided to us), leave feedback and be done with it..expect retiatilory feedback in return, it's to be expected..you have done all you can with the buyer and the auction...put this joker on your blocked bidders list, block his emails in your email program, let paypal know why you did as you did, and relist your item..hope for a better buyer the second time around!

 

[mickeysgal]

I calling the long post police, you know we havent even drank are coffee yet

How difficult is this item to sell? Would it be hard to find another buyer? The answer to these questions will determine how much more of this buyer you are willing to tolerate.

I would send one more email stating that the paypal amount was incorrect. Give them a couple of days to send the balance via paypal only. If this doesn't work, refund the paypal amount, and request a refund from Ebay. Then go ahead and relist the item. However, if you did have a second bidder on that auction whose amount was pretty decent, I'd go ahead and give them a second chance offer.

Certain buyers know the ropes and how to work them. You've certainly given this buyer enough chances to resolve this according to your auction terms. Based on their feedback, you have to know that you're working with a questionable buyer. If this deal does go through and they do send you the rest of the payment, for your protection, send the item with delivery confirmation. You don't want them claiming that they haven't received it and that that they now want a refund .

 

[CathrynRose]

I'd tell the seller - it's $10 short, send an additional $10 via PayPal TODAY - or Ill be filing a non-paying bidder alert, or whatever theyre called.

And if they dont send it, TODAY - I'd file it. No if's, and's or but's.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I would only give them 24 hours to send the balance via Paypal only. If they don't, then refund the original payment and procede with the UID and give them a NPB strike. IIRC, you have 7 days from filing the UID to close it and make them a NPB, which in your case would be tomorrow. Perfect timing; if they don't pay remainder by tomorrow then go forward with NPB.

Make sure the feedback statement you leave them is even-toned and factual. Something like "Auction ended 7/16, partial paypal payment received 8/9".

If they do pay, I would make sure you send it with delivery confirmation. If you print postage through Paypal, you can get free DC on Priority Mail and it's only about $.15 for first class.

One question. How did they send a partial payment? Did they send a payment directly to you without using any Paypal link through the auction? They should have done that instead of directly to you. As it is, I'm not sure of the protections you might have if they try to do a chargeback claiming the item was not received.

ETA: One more thing about feedback. If they do leave retaliatory feedback against you, you can leave a response on it that it's negative retaliatory feedback from a NPB, and include dates. IMO, that can help counteract the impression the negative leaves.

 

[simpilotswife]

Well the difference in price could be Paypal fees on the OP's end so I would double check that.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I would tell the buyer straight up. Youve got 2 days to make this right, or ebay is notified and im leaving you bad feedback...

 

[Missy1961]

Send the money back! It's over.

 

[poohandwendy]

send the money back, is my first response. I would not continue to deal with someone who yanked my chain like that.

 

[Virgo10]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still pondering what I'll do next. I sort of feel like Missy. It's over and trying to conclude this sale is just buying more problems. Part of me also sees the benefit in what Obi is saying though.

Obi, they sent me all but $10 via Paypal instant payment.

SimplePilotswife: I list all the charges in the email I send them with the total due. The buyer agreed to those charges yet shorted me $10 of that.

I've already filed a non-paying bidder report. I did that on 8/3.

I'll make up my mind by this afternoon. Since my auction this buyer has received yet another negative feedback for non-payment.

ACK! What a mess.

 

[mickeysgal]

I really wish Ebay would tighten the controls on buyers like these. I don't know what the answer is to correct this though. Maybe depositing funds in advance like an escrow? I think there are too many buyers that just think this is a game with no strings attached.

 

[sajetto]

Send the money back and close the sale, inform the buyer that the item has been relisted and it will be over.