SORRY another Ebay vent.... need to do this

[Stitchfans]

I can not believe this!!! I just got a strike against me. The seller not once responded back. I got a phone number from my bank and called to find out that the money order was indeed cashed. I am appealing this, but knowing Ebay from experiences I've had in the past they will side with the seller since those are the people they make their money from. I am out the money and no cd for DH for Christmas.

 

[eclectics]

Well, maybe you are better organized than me LOL. I'm in it for the money, and although customer service is at the top of my list, so is getting my money. I can usually guess who will be a non payer once 7 days is past, and I'm seldom wrong (and it is not many that don't pay, but I do say I must get payment within 7-10 days..at 7 days, it's just a reminder). I can see no reason, if there isn't a problem why it should ever be 14 days before payment. Like I said, you are then talking about a month by the time it's all finished. Buyers sure don't want me to wait 14 days to think about shipping (we ship within two business days..not bad for personalized items), so why should I wait for payment? How do you offer to the second highest bidder after 14 days? Are they still interested?

I have a lot items going out in the morning, and while they have to still be packed by my shipper (dear hubby, who I pay to pack and ship), I still have to print and put together the orders going out on Tuesday. I like saving time to Dis and play, so I sure don't want to be looking back in a non payers folder and I don't want to have a bunch of stuff hanging around waiting to ship. As of today, all but 5 orders have been paid by paypal, and the rest of my buyers have taken the time to write and let me know checks are on the way. That's how I like my business to go (informal doesn't work for what we do..people all want their items yesterday)..just let me know buyers, that payment is on the way! We too have a large return basis..and many of them save me fees by continuing to buy, but from our website..which is another whole set of orders. Can't wait til that is the only way we sell, but alas eBay still plays a big part in our business for now

Like I said, the amount of non-paying bidders I get is miniscule. I guess I'm lucky. Unsold items get put into my ebay store. I've got it down to a system that works for me. I don't know what you sell, but I only sell vintage collectible and antique items, so perhaps it's a whole different ballgame for sellers that concentrate on newer items. I don't know. 95% of my customers pay via Pay Pal within 1 day. If that changes drastically I might change my policy, but for now I see no reason to.

To the OP, I'm sorry you got zapped. I hope it gets resolved.

 

[Stitchfans]

The strike was removed to my surprise. I just filed a dispute and to my surprise he answered right away saying he never got the money order. When I called the number my bank gave me I was told it was cashed.

 

[DMRick]

For me, it's not about non payers. I thought we were talking about how long people should have to pay. Non payers aren't a problem for me. In fact neither are payers who don't pay witin 7-10 days, thanks to my reminders. That's why I believe in reminders, so it doesn't become a problem. You don't mind if people don't for 14 days. I do..hence the reminders. I too get most of my payments via Paypal immediately. But for those few who don't pay within my time frame, I have no problem sending a reminder within my time frame stated in TOS.
We sell new personalized items, as well as vintage collectibles, postcards and some antique items.
No one has ever complained because of getting a reminder. Most are grateful or apologetic (except for the few non payers), and comment that they were busy and put it aside. I like my spreadsheet with no holes, and everyone paid up within my given timeframe.

OP..glad he removed the strike. I'm surprised he did that without admitting he got payment. Hope you get your item soon. I just got a CD that was accepted for delivery the second week of November, first class, and it just arrived. Not much my seller could do..it must have sat somewhere.

Like I said, the amount of non-paying bidders I get is miniscule. I guess I'm lucky. Unsold items get put into my ebay store. I've got it down to a system that works for me. I don't know what you sell, but I only sell vintage collectible and antique items, so perhaps it's a whole different ballgame for sellers that concentrate on newer items. I don't know. 95% of my customers pay via Pay Pal within 1 day. If that changes drastically I might change my policy, but for now I see no reason to.

To the OP, I'm sorry you got zapped. I hope it gets resolved.

 

[disneymarie]

I received three false nonpayment issues lately...But they were false. It was reported to spoof and taken care of from there. My purchase was going through fine.
I always get the one from paypal to that there was an attempt on my account, and the other from a message from Ebay member, and they are all tricks for me to enter my password.

I also had a recent nonpayment from a buy it now and had the fees taken from me, but the buyer after repeated emails, back and fort, I thought he needed time to the begining of the month, and then an additional request to snail mail, but it is months!!!!

I noticed he had a neg for this exact thing, If I give him an neg, for the non payment I will for sure have a neg....
I wonder if Ebay will refund as I had them also send a reminder to pay?
Dianne

 

[Rence]

Communication is the key to eBay. When I win an auction as a buyer, I always communicate with the seller, letting them know when to expect payment. Some sellers get an email out the second the auction is over, I always promptly respond to those emails. If I haven't yet heard from the seller, I send them one.

Most of the time I do use paypal, so payment is quick. But if they want a money order etc. I will write to them and let them know my schedule. Something like "Have to work late today, so I won't be able to pick up your money order until Thursday. I should have it in the mail to you by Friday, I'll drop you a note and let you know when I've mailed it".

This way the seller knows exactly what to expect and is never kept guessing over whether or not I am going to pay.

 

[DMRick]

You are my kind of buyer! You wouldn't need a reminder from me. Wish they all were like you. I try to get my 'end of auction' note out as soon as I can, if it's not a buy it now and 3 in the morning. But they still would have gotten one from my auction software.

Communication is the key to eBay. When I win an auction as a buyer, I always communicate with the seller, letting them know when to expect payment. Some sellers get an email out the second the auction is over, I always promptly respond to those emails. If I haven't yet heard from the seller, I send them one.

Most of the time I do use paypal, so payment is quick. But if they want a money order etc. I will write to them and let them know my schedule. Something like "Have to work late today, so I won't be able to pick up your money order until Thursday. I should have it in the mail to you by Friday, I'll drop you a note and let you know when I've mailed it".

This way the seller knows exactly what to expect and is never kept guessing over whether or not I am going to pay.

 

[rgf207]

I think you may have received phishing emails. You cannot file a dispute before 7 calendar days (to the minute) of the auction end. The eBay systems will not let you do it. Did you click on any link in the emails? If you did, you need to change all of your passwords.

I'm saying this because I have been selling on eBay for years. You cannot file an unpaid item dispute for 7 days and then it has to be 10 days after you file the dispute to get your fees back which would result in a strike agains the buyer. That's a total of 17 calendar days.

I believe you got a phishing email. Everytime I buy or sell something I receive 1 or 2 phishing emails about 3 days after.

 

[DMRick]

Actually, there have been changes. If the person responds to your dispute (or if they do not, the seller can close it at the 8th day) the seller can decide to close it:

Communicate with the seller. The buyer and seller can attempt to resolve the problem by communicating directly through the eBay Web site. eBay will provide a message area where the buyer and seller can communicate with each other without relying on email. The seller can close the dispute at any time by selecting the appropriate closure option.

also:

If the buyer does not respond to the email or pop-up message within 7 days then the seller will be able to close the dispute. The seller will receive a Final Value Fee credit and the buyer will not receive a strike.

I'm saying this because I have been selling on eBay for years. You cannot file an unpaid item dispute for 7 days and then it has to be 10 days after you file the dispute to get your fees back which would result in a strike agains the buyer. That's a total of 17 calendar days.

I believe you got a phishing email. Everytime I buy or sell something I receive 1 or 2 phishing emails about 3 days after.

 

[eclectics]

For me, it's not about non payers. I thought we were talking about how long people should have to pay. Non payers aren't a problem for me. In fact neither are payers who don't pay witin 7-10 days, thanks to my reminders. That's why I believe in reminders, so it doesn't become a problem. You don't mind if people don't for 14 days. I do..hence the reminders. I too get most of my payments via Paypal immediately. But for those few who don't pay within my time frame, I have no problem sending a reminder within my time frame stated in TOS.
We sell new personalized items, as well as vintage collectibles, postcards and some antique items.
No one has ever complained because of getting a reminder. Most are grateful or apologetic (except for the few non payers), and comment that they were busy and put it aside. I like my spreadsheet with no holes, and everyone paid up within my given timeframe.

OP..glad he removed the strike. I'm surprised he did that without admitting he got payment. Hope you get your item soon. I just got a CD that was accepted for delivery the second week of November, first class, and it just arrived. Not much my seller could do..it must have sat somewhere.

I never said that. I guess I should have been clearer. Of course I would love instant payment and 95% of my customers pay within 1 or 2 days with Pay Pal. I state that I prefer Pay Pal and I actually require it on all overseas purchases. The 5% that are left either send a check or MO or they don't pay at all. That 5% usually doesn't amount to a big worry for me, hence my lack of rigid procedures that I require of the buyer. And just because I allow them to wait 14 days doesn't mean that they actually do. If they send out a check or MO I usually recieve it in less than 7 days, as a rule. Like I said, the percentage that are left that need a reminder, or don't pay at all, is miniscule, at least in my instance. I can't, of course, speak for your experiences or anybody elses.

 

[DMRick]

I never said that.
[clip]
The 5% that are left either send a check or MO or they don't pay at all. That 5% usually doesn't amount to a big worry for me, hence my lack of rigid procedures that I require of the buyer. And just because I allow them to wait 14 days doesn't mean that they actually do..

I guess I misunderstood. I thought you said you allowed them 2 weeks before sending a reminder. I'm not sure what we are disagreeing about then LOL. I do mind if I wait 14 days, so I send a reminder. You mind too, but you don't send a reminder. Each to their own.
Since I have no idea which of the 5% that doesn't send any response to me (less than that actually, in my case), will be paying, I'll just continue with my reminders, if I haven't heard from the buyers in three days. 5% at this time of year, could be 20-25 customers a week..and as I stated, I use a spread sheet and it's just easier to run my business without having to go back and see who hasn't paid. This way I know, because they'll be a check saying reminder is sent, and my worker knows who to send the disputes to at day 7. I understand what the word miniscule means..and there is a miniscule amount of non payers..but I think I keep it that way with reminders. I've had 2 non payers this month, others that may have forgotten to pay, but I reminded them, and so payment came. In one of the cases, it took the dispute to get my payment.

So, in a nutshell, you don't send reminders and you wait 14 days to send a dispute. I don't (another reason, beyond those I've mentioned, is I want to send out the second chance as soon as possible). You think it's hasseling, I think it's good business. Simple as that. We each get to run our businesses as we wish, and what works for us. This continues to work for me. Your way works for you.

 

[eclectics]

I guess I misunderstood. I thought you said you allowed them 2 weeks before sending a reminder. I'm not sure what we are disagreeing about then LOL. I do mind if I wait 14 days, so I send a reminder. You mind too, but you don't send a reminder. Each to their own.
Since I have no idea which of the 5% that doesn't send any response to me (less than that actually, in my case), will be paying, I'll just continue with my reminders, if I haven't heard from the buyers in three days. 5% at this time of year, could be 20-25 customers a week..and as I stated, I use a spread sheet and it's just easier to run my business without having to go back and see who hasn't paid. This way I know, because they'll be a check saying reminder is sent, and my worker knows who to send the disputes to at day 7. I understand what the word miniscule means..and there is a miniscule amount of non payers..but I think I keep it that way with reminders. I've had 2 non payers this month, others that may have forgotten to pay, but I reminded them, and so payment came. In one of the cases, it took the dispute to get my payment.

So, in a nutshell, you don't send reminders and you wait 14 days to send a dispute. I don't (another reason, beyond those I've mentioned, is I want to send out the second chance as soon as possible). You think it's hasseling, I think it's good business. Simple as that. We each get to run our businesses as we wish, and what works for us. This continues to work for me. Your way works for you.

lol. I agree, we are just arguing semantics. Instead of yearly percentages let me say that the last time I was stiffed was 6 months ago and the last time I had to wait for the 14 days to be up was in August. As they are so few and far between it's easy for me to keep track of. I have a very large ebay store and don't do the "second chance" thing unless it's a very high ticket item. I also don't relist much. It all goes into the store where it gets sold eventually (at a higher price than the auction starting bid). I have found that if it's a very desirable item it goes out on the first auction try. Relisting an item is usually unsuccessful. If I do, I wait several weeks. But, like I said, I only sell vintage. Someone selling clothing, electronics, or other newer items might have a totally different take and customer base. Good luck on your holiday selling! My customers look for very specific items so I don't usually have a "hot" selling time. It's kind of steady, year round.

 

[DMRick]

Relisting an item is usually unsuccessful. If I do, I wait several weeks. .

I find on the "old" stuff, if I raise the price on the relist, it usually goes. No particular reason, just glad it works.

It reminds me when I was at a craft fair (a thing in my past, thank God) and I had to go help someone, so my DH was setting me up, and when I came back, I told him he had one of the prices wrong. One item he had wayyyy over priced. He said really? I've sold several at that price. I put the lower price back on it, and didn't sell another for the rest of the day. Guess which price we sold at at the next craft fair?

 

[eclectics]

I find on the "old" stuff, if I raise the price on the relist, it usually goes. No particular reason, just glad it works.

It reminds me when I was at a craft fair (a thing in my past, thank God) and I had to go help someone, so my DH was setting me up, and when I came back, I told him he had one of the prices wrong. One item he had wayyyy over priced. He said really? I've sold several at that price. I put the lower price back on it, and didn't sell another for the rest of the day. Guess which price we sold at at the next craft fair?

It's all in the marketing.