E-Bay Problems - Any Advice anyone?

Post by **BigDawgV8** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:04 pm

Hi All,

Over the last few months I've been gradually selling off a lot of stuff on that well-known auction site E-Bay!

However, way back at the end of November someone bought and paid for some Minor parts hoping to collect later that week.
The guys plans changed and so he wanted the parts sent!

He keeps asking for invoices for postage and as yet hasn't paid even though I've sent him all he has asked for!!!
Send the parts anyway and lose out on the postage?
Jeeez! it's only a few quid!

What can I do?
Re-list the parts and keep the money?
Return the money less a 'handling' fee?

Getting a little peeved after 2 months!

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers

Martin

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:10 pm

Tell him you are re-listing the parts. If they sell for more this time round - send him back his money. If they sell for less - send him back the difference only. Explain all this to him before you relist - and one last chance to collect or pay postage up front.

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:10 pm

I would ask him direct to pay the postage or you will inform ebay what's going on and relist the items and see what happens it might just nudge him.
ps how did he pay.

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:16 pm

If you stated postage cost in original ad he knows how much.
If items were advertised as 'collection only', contact him and advise the post and packaging involved, if this is not accepted I would return his money.
I have sold a lot of bits and pieces on ebay and have only once had a problem (a chap won the bid but never paid - I threatened then left negative feedback) I have under estimated on some post and over estimated on others, so it generally works out ok - usually!

Post by **BigDawgV8** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:32 pm

Hi,

The guy paid by Paypal.
The ad was cash on collection or postage.
So far he has asked for 2 post invoices and I have asked him to pay direct!
I've heard nothing for a week.

Thanks for all the advice.

Martin

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:47 pm

I reckon if he paid with Paypal he had no intention of collecting, I think he is trying you for 'freepost'!
One more chance then inform Ebay

Post by **Dean** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:52 pm

He's not sticking to his side of the contract.. He is at fault not you. ;)

Post by **Peetee** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:01 pm

Weigh the items and work out a P&P rate for that. If he doesn't like it then tough. As other have said he's already dipped out of the original arrangement.

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:01 pm

well

as you may know with paypal from a buyers point of veiw, can go back 6 months and complain to paypal about goods bought

he may decide to file a claim saying goods were not sent, then you have 30 days to respond, if the case is not sorted he can esculate the claim
this is the worst case scenario

he may have forgotten or been away for some reason
you can get his phone number from ebay and phone him direct and get it sorted, this may be the best option

good luck martin,

Post by **alainmoran** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:22 pm

Sounds to me like he wants you to issue him an invoice to be paid through paypal ... he evidently doesnt understand that he can just send you money through paypal without having a link to click. (Some users are less than competent)

I personally would work around this by setting up a paypal shop with one item in it .. the price of his postage ... that gives him a nice simple link to click and then login to his paypal and make the payment.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:11 am

My guess is that the buyer is genuine and just not very organised. Sellers can no longer leave negative feedback, so there is less incentive for buyers to behave well.

Some sellers are using the unpaid item strike as much as possible - my fiancee had an unpaid item dispute raised a few days after winning an auction where she was paying by cheque - seller had listed cheque but wasn't prepared to wait for one to arrive

We then had internet problems for a week and didn't know about the unpaid item dispute as we'd already sent payment, but this got turned into an unpaid strike due to us 'not responding', despite having paid

Seller then resold the item for more money...

Personally I'd give him another week to pay for shipping then advise that storage charges will be incurred afterwards.

Post by **badfelafel** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:55 pm

sound like you need to be careful, and you're probably going to end up with a negative ... unless he's a really nice guy and it really is just a big mess!

if he's not a really nice guy, you *must* send it special or he may raise a claim for non delivery with paypal and they will refund him off your paypal account... so he gets the goods and his money back.

after that, theres nothing you can do (in practical terms)... as a legal person, this is the reality

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:40 pm

So - what's the way round this - for us all to learn - should the full price with delivery costs be invoiced - and then refund the delivery cost when the goods are collected ? Or - if they are going to be collected - get them to pay cash on collection ? Risk then is they may not 'like' the goods when they see them in the flesh - and may walk away.

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:48 pm

on large items and hevy items i clearly state pick up or collection only, and cash on collection

every thing else i put a postage price

in 8 years of doing ebay i have not had a problem this way

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:54 pm

Aye - seems the wise way to do it.

Post by **badfelafel** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:11 pm

ebay is mostly fine...
paypal is far from fine for sellers - its great until you have a problem!!
problem is ebay insists on paypal (hmm wonder who owns paypal)

then again, dont think theres many scammers out for minor parts! they're mostly after mobile phones and gadgets

Post by **BigDawgV8** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:04 pm

alainmoran wrote:he evidently doesnt understand that he can just send you money through paypal without having a link to click. (Some users are less than competent)

Spot on!!

Today I finally received payment for postage AND an apology!
Seems he didn't realise he could pay me direct.
He ''only uses Paypal for his accounts and didn't know you could send it direct''
I'm just glad it's sorted!

Thanks again for all the advice.

Cheers

Martin

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:08 pm

Glad to hear you got it sorted