Odd Ebay situation - what would you do?

[disneysteve]

I've been selling on Ebay for over 7 years but I've never encountered this problem before. I had an auction end nearly 2 months ago. I sent an invoice and the buyer sent a check. Problem is she sent only the postage amount, not the full amount. I've e-mailed her several times and she wrote back a couple of different times promising to send the balance the next day but she never has.

I haven't heard from her for awhile and I assume I'll never see the balance. So my question is what do I do with the money she already sent? I'm quite sure she couldn't care less about it at this point. Otherwise, she should have contacted me to get it back. I truly believe she just forgot about the whole transaction.

I figure I've got a few options.

1. Keep the money.
2. Return the money in full.
3. Return the money but subtract the return postage of $.37.
4. Return the money but subtract postage and all my ebay fees for the transaction since I never did complete the sale.

I'm curious to hear what you all think. BTW, one important detail - I have not yet cashed the original check. I was waiting until I got the balance. If I go ahead and cash the check now, she'll get reminded of the transaction (although she should already know the check is outstanding).

 

[pjlla]

Quite frankly, if you haven't even cashed the check yet, all of your options may be invalid.... the check may bounce. Personally, I would just send the check back and file a NPB and recover my fees that way....................P

 

[frannn]

I would just email her stating that you have not and will not cash the check, and that the item will be relisted due to non payment. I would keep her return email as documentation, if she replies. Otherwise, I would just relist.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I have had a similar situation. I tore up the check, then filed the NPB, FVC, and negative feedback. I think it may be too late for you to file NPB and FVC, though.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I would make a copy of the check, then cash it (if it doesn't bounce!) I would then use that money to send her a registered letter w/return receipt stating you consider the transaction void as she has never made payment. In the letter I would also advise her that you used the postage money she sent to pay for the fees on the registered letter.

 

[disneychrista]

If their is a branch of the bank that it is drawn near you I would go to that bank and cash (or attempt to at least) the check. I would then deduct your fees (including listing fees) and postage and return cash to the deadbeat buyer, rounded down to the nearest dollar.

 

[Puffy2]

too much of a hassel to cash the check - besides unless it is written on a local bank the chances of you being able to tell if it is any "good" are slim - and with cashing it, you risk having to pay your bank a fee for a bounced check.

I'd just return it to the lady or tear it up after sending her a notice that you are doing so.

Forget this "sale" and move on.

 

[inkkognito]

I, too, would go for the "tear it up" option and then email to let her know that the transaction is now null and void.
Barb

 

[ceecee]

I once received a check over a month and 1/2 after an auction ended............she said she "forgot" instead of emailing me first, she sent the check. I had already sold the item again (after 2 emails and a non-paying bid alert) so I just sent the check back to her.