How long till I give up on payment?

kymbogs

Hi guys
A month ago I sold a pushchair on ebay local collection only. It sold for a whopping £1 but I want it out of the way more than anything.

The buyer has been completely useless at communicating and arranging when to collect. First he was hinting that we might drop it off if we were 'passing' but I informed him I wouldn't be passing as we don't drive. He then sent me an email one wednesday afternoon at about 4pm 3 weeks ago (when I was at work till 8pm) asking if he could come round to get it then or that evening. Needless to say I picked up the email about 9pm when I got home saying sorry I have been at work but will be in Thursday from 5pm, all day friday, all weekend if need be for him to pick it up. I didn't get a reply to that email and haven't heard a thing from him since.

I'm not desperate for the £1 like I say I just want the thing out of the way and I've told him if he no longer wants it to let me know and I will give it away on Freecycle. Still not heard a thing for 3 weeks and it's really bugging me.

I think I've been incredibly patient, he's got my address, directions, home and mobile numbers.

Do you think I should email him saying if he hasn't picked it up by the end of say, next week I will report him as a non paying bidder? I think the main worry for me is of him turning up p!ssed off at me. I checked his ebay transactions and he purchased (and paid for) an item two days ago so I know he's still alive and well and using ebay.

Many thanks for any advice

Kimberley

PS I'm not new to ebay or anything, been trading for 9 years selling and buying but have never had anyone ignore me quite so completely!

hazey31

Giving him till the end of next week? You're far too generous. I would have had down as a non-paying buyer at the earliest opportunity, after all as you say it's just taking up space rather than needing the pound!

kprigg

I can see your point, I would be concerned about the amount of aggro you may get by raising a NPB for just £1, but I do think you need to do something as you have lost out on your fees.
Maybe send a final e-mail saying that it needs to be collected in 2 days or you are willing to mutually agree to cancel, but if you dont hear anything in say 4 days then you have no choice but to report as a NPB. I think they have plenty of chances.
I would make sure you always email through ebay so you can keep everything should they get nasty.
I think that maybe they got a bargin & have now changed their minds, hopefully it will go smoothly.

soolin

Never ever offer a mutual, ever!

Either email and say she has until Sunday night to collect or just email and tell her pram will be freecycled tomrorow and will no longer be available to her after that point.

Your FVFs will be 10p, if you want those back open a full NPB and that also has the advantage of giving her a strike.

wigglebeena

I would raise a NPB even for tuppence: it discourages them from !!!!less bidding and doing it to the next seller.

wigglebeena

That was a 'Father Ted' !!!!, by the way - not the other kind.

kymbogs

OK you're all right I've been way too soft lol! Here's the message I'd just sent;

"Hi Nick
I'm sorry to do this but due to total lack of contact from you I'm going to have to say that unless the pushchair is collected by Sunday evening I am going to log this transaction as a Non-Paying Bidder. I have made ever effort to arrange a collection time with you for several weeks and haven't heard anything from you which to be honest is plain rude.
I will be in this evening for collectiom up till 10pm. Tomorrow after 12pm till 10pm and Sunday morning 9am till 12pm then 4pm till 10pm. Considering you often stated how close you live to me I'm sure you will have no trouble picking the pushchair up during one of these times.

If the pushchair is still here on Monday morning the transaction will be logged as a Non Paying Bidder and the pushchair given away to somebody who will collect it."

Now maybe I'll go tape up my letterbox lol!

The irony is I actually sold 4 pushchairs, one buyer drove 100 miles to collect, one 30 miles and another I arranged a courier for as they asked very nicely. This guy apparently lives 5 minutes away and he can't be @rsed. Typical eh.