eBay vent -- AARRGGHH!!!

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I've been selling off my comic collection on eBay over the past few months. Most buyers have been great, but I have one right now that has been frustrating because of sporadic communication.

The auction ended on 9/20 and I sent an invoice the same day. I received a message from the buyer on 9/25 asking if I would be willing to sell another lot that ended earlier that day with no bids. This has happened in the past with other sellers and I have had no problem doing this. Plus, this seller has great feedback with no negatives or neutrals. I sent a reply to them, quoted the new shipping total and said I could send them an invoice through Paypal (which I have done before) or relist the auction with a BIN, and to please let me know their preference.

Two days later, no reply from the buyer, so I decided to go ahead and send a Paypal invoice. Buyer is not a Paypal member, that's fine, so I mentioned in the comments the additional payment methods and to "please contact me if (they) would prefer to close the second item through an eBay auction." (exact wording)

Then on 9/30, I receive a "Please send me total amount" e-mail from the buyer through eBay. The comment they added -- "i was trying to pay for additional comics and this auction but the page will not recalculate." I replied, mentioned the Paypal invoice I sent, asked if they received it, and said that I could resend if they didn't.

No word back. I still don't know how this buyer would like to handle the addition of the items. On 10/2 I sent another e-mail mentioning I never heard from them regarding my offer to relist with a BIN and I never heard from them regarding the Paypal invoice. I'm trying to do everything I can to ensure that the buyer and I both have some sort of protection on both items either through eBay or Paypal, and I'm giving this buyer options, but they aren't letting me know what option they want.

Today, still no response back. I decided to heck with it and sent an invoice through eBay with the s&h adjusted to include the additional item plus the shipping and detailed that in the comments.

Is it so much trouble to e-mail and say "yes, relist with a BIN" or "no, just send me the total" or "no I did not receive the Paypal invoice"??

 

[Pooh67_68]

I too hate the people who don't communicate.

 

[pixiemomma]

Some people have REALLY thick skulls! I feel for you!

 

[HayGan]

I've got one of those buyers right now so I can totally understand!!!

 

[eclectics]

I've got one of those buyers right now so I can totally understand!!!

His email in-box could be full and he's too thick to figure it out! I've had "those" buyers a few times.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

The full e-mail box could be it, but the very first message I sent was through eBay's messages. Even if the buyer didn't get it in e-mail, they should have seen it when they signed on eBay.

 

[poohandwendy]

I am dealing with something similar with 3 (yes, three) eBay buyers right now. One has sent me 2 emails that state "I will be sending payment shortly'', but they never do and I keep emailing them, I get no specific reason or timeframe, just the above "I will be sending payment'. (the auction ended like 15 days ago)

Honestly, I think they are just avoiding payment until they have the funds available.

If people were just upfront and honest about it, I really wouldn't mind waiting or I would have the option to relist the item without getting frustrated.

I have even sent emails saying, "Look, if there is a problem, I will work with you....just please let me know your intentions.'' I am not unreasonable, but people really can be a pain in the butt and I eventually lose my patience.

 

[inaminute]

This is precisely why I set a time limit for payments to arrive. Buyers have 14 days from auction close to get their payment to my office. If it doesn't arrive they get a reminder. If there is no contact within three days of the reminder (they don't have to make payment within those three days, but I do need to hear from them) then I'll start the NPB process. I will work with people, but this is how I make my living and I just can't afford to wait forever for them to make up their mind.

I think my timeframe is pretty generous and it works for me. Doing this has cut my NPB rate to less than 1%.

If I were going to give one piece of advice, besides having a business plan, it would be to set terms and stick with them. It makes running your business so much easier.