Ebay frustration. Advice needed!!!

[purplebelle]

So I put a Cabbage Patch Kid doll up on ebay and it clearly states "only USA" and of course someone outside the USA purchases it through "Buy it Now." I'm thinking I should have asked for a higher price for "Buy It Now" and I'm not too happy about having to mail it overseas when I stated I would not do so. Ebay should recognize a payment cannot be made if the seller requests certain areas only. I would just relist the item but the buyer is begging me for the item and even sent for a little extra $ for shipping. I feel somewhat guilty turning down her request but the purchase was made incorrectly in her part. As well her payment didn't go through b/c of some technicalities so she's looking for some friend to pay me. Is this getting a little too messed up or is it just me? If I don't sell this ebayer the item can she still leave me poor feedback? I have denied her original payment so is it possible to leave poor feedback if a payment has been denied? I feel like I've been pinned here even though I was not the one who didn't follow through with the rules. Argh.

 

[sammy66]

If you do not feel comfortable mailing overseas. Don't. Do not feel threatened by bad feedback, if you do get it, just reply factually and calmly. I sell quite a bit on e-bay but in the beginning I had this exact problem. I made the mistake of mailing slow mail to Australia. Needless to say, I did it wrong, got the package back and had to pay the PO 21.00 for it. I then had to remail at my expense, almost $50.00 for airmail. I think you could just tell the purchaser that you have considered it, and it will not work. You can also file for your listing fees back.

On the other hand, shipping internationally is pretty easy, the most important thing in my opinion is, do not send anything ground. It takes too long and there are many chances for mishandling of packages.

PS. My mistake was not taping over the address, the box got ripped and the address was unreadable.

Hope this helps.

 

[Puffy2]

I'd email her and tell her , I'm very sorry, but the auction clearly stated "we only ship within the USA". Then tell her you will be relisting the item - do this BEFORE she sends yet another payment.
If she leaves a neg. - just respond that the auction clearly said only in the US.

Don't know if you do it or not but in my auctions, I write "We ONLY ship Within the United States" in the body of the description as well as posting it in the ship to area.

 

[floridagirrl2]

My auctions say I mail to the the USA only, no exceptions, in 3 different places. When an out-of-country bidder wins, I remind the winner that my auction states I sell to USA addresses only. Then I file an NPB (because they didn't meet my terms) and FVC. If the winner gives me a hard time, they get a neutral. I even gave a negative once when an out-of-country bidder gave me a lot of crap and left criticism in a (positive) feedback.

It really irks me when high bidders don't read my very simple terms. I actually think most of them do read the terms, but bid anyway because I've had a couple of bidders actually tell me that!

 

[swilshire]

The bidder should not have bid given the conditions, but since he/she did and won, I would send it to them as long as they agree to pay all shipping costs. It might be a bit of a nuisance, but it will make them happy and you did get the price you ask for as a buy it now. It they aren't willing to pay full shipping costs, then that's a different story.

Sheila

 

[epcotfan]

As well her payment didn't go through b/c of some technicalities so she's looking for some friend to pay me.

This is the part that would make me the most nervous. Not only did this buyer did not comply with your terms but they are having problems paying. I would not go through with this sale. Sounds like trouble to me (and I ship Internationally) What kind of feedback does the buyer have?

 

[synclair11]

i have been selling on ebay for over 3years and i do not ship out of the us. i did one time and got a negative because the person just did not understand how long it takes to ship. i had a man at the beginning on the year that used buy it now on 3 of my items for like $90 so i was excited until i saw that he was from spain, i emailed him and told him that i only ship to the us, if he had a us address to ship it to i would gladly ship there. he continued, he pulled i will leave negative feedback (that is when you send it to ebay because that is against the rules). i would first put this person on your blocked bidder list, always do this and then relist it, don't sit around waiting for them to pay when you don't want to ship out of the us it is too much of a hassle trust me! good luck!-heather

 

[MiraDawl]

Here's what's great about eBay: you're the boss!

You clearly stated you will not ship out of the US. Then, the item is purchased by someone out of the US. That sounds like NO DEAL to me. Then, the person is having issues trying to pay for the item? No way would I let that go.

Email the person. Apologize for any confusion, but remind them the item was only available for US buyers. Then, relist the item.

You don't have to appease them just because they clicked their mouse button. If they threaten with negative feedback, let eBay know. Typically people with that type of eBay behavior do it to other sellers, and they end up with a bad reputation themselves. I had it happen once myself, and quickly realized this individual had complaints from multiple eBayers.

~Mira

 

[Missy1961]

I've had the same problem myself. I also mention US only in a few places, but I've had a few people bid anyway. The last time the buyer was from Canada. I had emailed him and told him no, but he told me "I have a US shipping address", so I said OK. Well, he paid me with a check drawn on a Canadian bank and I had to pay a $2 fee for cashing it! I was so annoyed. I made no profit on that sale! So no more international buyers, even from Canada.

And this one sounds bad. Don't do it!

 

[fac]

I am all for the idea that if you do feel comfortable, don't ship and don't worry about the feedback. Contact Ebay to see what can be done, or you can always respond to the neg feedback.

If you do decide to ship, make sure she is aware of the time it takes for her to receive the item, and make sure she include insurances and the appropriate shipping cost. ** Don't leave feedback until she leaves yours **. Do not ever go into the trap that they send you extra money but you have to send them a small portion (it has been discussed in a different thread)

I sold a few times on Ebay, they were mainly computer items and the prices were usually around $1000. I specified that only the lower 48 states, I had someone from Puerto Rico won an item and begged me to ship him. He was willing to pay for all shipments and even the escrow fee. I did and without any problem. For me, there are benefits from international buyers as they drive the price higher even I will continue to use only lower 48 states.

 

[purplebelle]

Okay...so I think I luckily found a very generous overseas ebayer who has already reimbursed me for almost everything I had to pay for shipping. She estimated ahead of time and pad me more than I had posted (b/c it was only USA) and when I told her the difference she said she would send me another payment ASAP. The first payment was fast and way more than I was asking originally...so I think this will all turn out alright in the end. Thanks everyonw for the advice!

As for contacting ebay, I've done this at least 2 times in the past and on this topic and I feel that my questions aren't taken care of that well. They always direct me on how to solve the problem myself on their website but then i have to email them once again b/c they use terms I am not familiar with. I haven't sold or bought more than 20 items so I'm still a rookie which i guess explains my difficulties on ebay. It's jsut really frustrating is all! I would much rather call an 800# than emailing about questions.

 

[mtakac]

Go to the help section of Ebay and search for "nonpaying bidder"
I had to file this form yesterday b/c someone bid on 8 of my items (over $150) and hasn't responded to my emails. One of the acceptable reasons to file this form had to do with the buyer being from a country that you stated you would not ship to in your auction.

Honestly, if they are willing to pay extra for shipping then it's really no big deal.

However, I have to agree that I am bothered that her payment did not go through and would see this as a red flag.

File the nonpaying bidder form and don't feel bad. Your initial listing fees and final price fees will be credited. There are plenty of honest buyers out there who actually read the terms of the auctions.