How to distinguish genuine bidders and timewaster?!?!

lazymoezy

I put a few items for sale a few days ago and they are ending today. On one item a ebayer with a feedback score of 2 bid on my item. I clearly stated that 'Anyone with less than 5 feedback........blah blah blah.....or bid will be cancelled', I informed the bidder again that I stated this in my auciton and I have the right to cancel the bid.

BUT how do I know if they are timewasters or genuine bidders? this particular bidder's feedback is from last year which is an indication that he/she may be genuine. Is there any other way? I've heard people saying something about landline numbers.

Fill me in.

PS. Title is worded wrong. It should be 'How to distinguish genuine bidders FROM timewaster', I never re-read anything!

Thanks,

-MoE-

bella4uk

There is no way of knowing, I regularly sell on ebay and today I sold an item for £35 to someone with zero feedback and they paid instantly.....some newbies take it as a bit of a joke and bid on things and then decide not to pay but to be honest this has only happend once or twice and my feedback is 750, and when it has they get a negative from me and end up with a minus feedback score so no-one will touch them with a barge pole. You could cancel the bid but then you run the risk of no sale, everyone has to start somewhere.....good luck

lazymoezy

I know. Thanks for that.

Bidders should contact me when I state 'anyone with less than 5.............', people just don't read the auction.

Thanks bella4uk.

-MoE-

Hintza

Unreasonable or extensive terms and conditions just annoy me and I am sure others as well. If you list items with lots of terms and conditions you will attract bids that are mischievious.

Just list your item and get on with it. Most folk are genuine. I sell to zero rated buyers throughout Europe and have had no problems. Buyers that worry me I will ask a few questions and gauge their response.

The downside of this forum is that it highlights (for obvious reasons) questions and problems from the very small minority of ebayers that have problems.

frivolous_fay

Send the guy a message. Point out nicely that you ask sub 5 bidders to contact you so you can ascertain they are genuine.

If you don't get a reply, cancel his bid... but only if you want your selling price to drop...

Me, I give people the benefit of the doubt.

lazymoezy

'Benifit of the doubt' - Been letting people off too much, I've got three NPB and have opened disputes. I think enough is enough, I can't afford to wait around 16 days to relist and get my FVF back!

I would rather cancel and the let the price drop as I kno it's a matter of time it will go back up.

Thanks for the comments,

-MoE-