Non paying/collecting bidder UPDATE

MrsE_2

I sold a Christmas tree last Tuesday week, I offered to post was just under & just over £20 depending on delivery option - its VERY big & heavy or buyer collect.

The winning bidder emailed me after the auction ended to say would collect Saturday afternoon, I am in East Surrey, they are in East Kent.

You're in luck says I, I have to drive to Kent on Saturday, I can meet you.

It became apparent that the weather was going to be awful & I wasn't going to be able to drive there. So I texted & left answer-phone message saying I wouldn't be able to drive it & he could collect when ready.
He texted on Sunday to say he would see how snow goes.

Thats it, he hasn't been in touch since, the auction ended a week & a half ago, I will get bu66er all for a BNIB M&S £100 Xmas tree this close to Xmas.

What do I do?
I have texted him to ask when he plans to collect.

I'm an inexperienced seller, so what do I do next?
Thank you

Strapped

MrsE wrote: »

I sold a Christmas tree last Tuesday week, I offered to post was just under & just over £20 depending on delivery option - its VERY big & heavy or buyer collect.

The winning bidder emailed me after the auction ended to say would collect Saturday afternoon, I am in East Surrey, they are in East Kent.

You're in luck says I, I have to drive to Kent on Saturday, I can meet you.

It became apparent that the weather was going to be awful & I wasn't going to be able to drive there. So I texted & left answer-phone message saying I wouldn't be able to drive it & he could collect when ready.
He texted on Sunday to say he would see how snow goes.

Thats it, he hasn't been in touch since, the auction ended a week & a half ago, I will get bu66er all for a BNIB M&S £100 Xmas tree this close to Xmas.

What do I do?
I have texted him to ask when he plans to collect.

I'm an inexperienced seller, so what do I do next?
Thank you

Open a non-paying buyer dispute against the buyer. He almost certainly won't collect it now, but this way you'll get your fees back.

Then pack it away carefully and sell (early!) before next Christmas for a better price.

MrsE_2

Strapped wrote: »

Open a non-paying buyer dispute against the buyer. He almost certainly won't collect it now, but this way you'll get your fees back.

Then pack it away carefully and sell (early!) before next Christmas for a better price.

But won't he leave me negative feedback?
Sorry if thats stupid, but I thought I read on here that buyers do that all the time to sellers:o

Alias_Omega

If the buyer left you negative feedback, you can have it removed after the dispute.

Alias

MrsE_2

UPDATE
Can you believe it, auction ended on 14.12.10, they bought an xmas tree from another seller on 15.12.10:mad:

So I guess they were never going to meet me on Saturday & when they texted on Sunday to say see how the weather goes they were just BS-ing:(

The tree they bought is the same price, but cheaper postage. But mine was nearly 10k & that was the Royal Mail price, its an M&S tree & very heavy. I bet the tree they got delivered for half the price is half the tree.

Opened a non-paying bidder dispute:(

I did offer to post also, there was that option in my listing. I guess they seen one with cheaper P&P.

I wish I could neg him, but I can't.

Strapped

MrsE wrote: »

UPDATE
Can you believe it, auction ended on 14.12.10, they bought an xmas tree from another seller on 15.12.10:mad:

So I guess they were never going to meet me on Saturday & when they texted on Sunday to say see how the weather goes they were just BS-ing:(

The tree they bought is the same price, but cheaper postage. But mine was nearly 10k & that was the Royal Mail price, its an M&S tree & very heavy. I bet the tree they got delivered for half the price is half the tree.

Opened a non-paying bidder dispute:(

I did offer to post also, there was that option in my listing. I guess they seen one with cheaper P&P.

I wish I could neg him, but I can't.

To be fair, if they bought from a business seller then it is highly likely that they were able to send a 10kg tree via courier for about half the price of a private seller using Royal Mail (£12.61). Even a private individual can access courier rates a lot less than Royal Mail prices. (Although whether it gets there at the moment is another matter!)

But there's absolutely no excuse for the buyer. Don't worry about feedback from him - if he doesn't pay (which he's obviously not going to) then eBay will prevent him from leaving any feedback. If he leaves any before the dispute is completed, then just ring eBay and they will remove it.

chancesare_2

Good, you've done all you can. After four days of the dispute being open, you can close it, it will tell you that your final value fees will be credited. In the meantime, add him to your blocked bidder list, so he cannot do any damage in future.

As he hasn't paid, he should in theory not be able to leave feedback, however if somehow he manages to, you can call Ebay and tell them he never paid, quote the case and they will then remove the feedback.

kprigg

Just remember to send an invoice with the option of collection removed so they have to pay the postage. The last thing you want is for them to pay by Paypal, but only pay the price of the tree & then claim non receipt. You will then loose any ebay fees & the right to have any feedback removed.

MrsE_2

He's texted & emailed me very annoyed to say how dare I make wild accusations & he's paid by paypal & told me to post it.
I will probably get my first neg from this now:(

mikey72

Send him a christmas tree biscuit from greggs, by recorded mail.
That'll tie him up for a while
(No, don't really)

MrsE_2

mikey72 wrote: »

Send him a christmas tree biscuit from greggs, by recorded mail.
That'll tie him up for a while
(No, don't really)

I wouldn't:A
Do unto others & all that.....