"dead" bidder....

flipper_72

Apologies if this appears twice, i was part way through typing and it disappeared.

I apparantly have a dead bidder - not entirely sure what i do next, could somebody point me in the right direction please.

Item ended Saturday

On Monday i recieved a message saying

"i am so sorry but ca not pay you till saturday if you want to re list you can but could you let me know thank you "

i replied saying i could wait until Saturday.

I then recieved another message this morning saying

"i am so sorry to contact you but i am on my mums ebay account, my mum died on monday is there anyway you can re list the item as i am working my way through my mums ebay account trying to sort it out and can not pay for everything so would kindly ask if you could do this for me thank you "

I replied saying i was sorry but i didn't believe them as this was the most common way of trying to get out of paying for an item.

She replied saying

"if i had a scanner i would send you a copy of the death certificate i think it is disgusting that you do not believe me my mum was terminally ill with cancer"

I chose not to respond

Next i get
"Hi

I was wondering if you could send me a cancelled transaction. Iam unable to go through with this sale as Ive suffered a recent family bereavement. Ive updated eBay about this.

Thank you "

I have replied saying as she has contacted ebay i will wait to see what they advise.
I doubt all of the messages, i have checked her account and there is still bidding going on and feedback being left, including neutrals as something was sent out immediately but the was no communication!!

Sorry this is so long but what is my next step?

Jen_Jen1985

As it is their mum who has died and its their mums account I would just go for a NPB as soon as possible, its not like they will be using the account now so the mark won't do any real harm to any one

Hermia

flipper_72 wrote: »

"i am so sorry but ca not pay you till saturday if you want to re list you can but could you let me know thank you "

flipper_72 wrote: »

"i am so sorry to contact you but i am on my mums ebay account, my mum died on monday is there anyway you can re list the item as i am working my way through my mums ebay account trying to sort it out and can not pay for everything so would kindly ask if you could do this for me thank you "

Excuse me if I'm being thick, but am I right in thinking the top message is supposed to be from the mum and the bottom from the daughter because they have the exact same style of writing...

I would be tempted to say, "I am sorry for your loss, but I need to do a NPB claim to get my fees back. Presumably you will be closing your mother's account as soon as you have sorted everything out so it won't cause you any long-term problems".

soolin

Hermia wrote: »

Excuse me if I'm being thick, but am I right in thinking the top message is supposed to be from the mum and the bottom from the daughter because they have the exact same style of writing...

I would be tempted to say, "I am sorry for your loss, but I need to do a NPB claim to get my fees back. Presumably you will be closing your mother's account as soon as you have sorted everything out so it won't cause you any long-term problems".

I agree. Accounts cannot be shared or sold on so it makes no difference what happens to it now.

pinkshoes

Just open a NPB, as a dead person wouldn't really care what happened next.

hiccup123

I agree with all of the above. Open NPB straight away.

porto_bello

It's a funny old thing, isn't it?

How frequently a non-payer turns out to be someone at death's door, who whilst taking their terminal breath, was buying things on eBay.

What's more amazing is how even after death, they often continue to bid and buy from beyond the grave - days, weeks, months and years later!

I once had the reverse situation, where I bought something for £90 and after some delay, was told that the seller had died and the distressed family were unable to supply the item and unfortunately didn't know the payapl password, so given the situation, I would lose the £90...

Being rather heartless by nature, I raised an immediate claim and when the distressed family member stated their fury and disgust at my behaviour, I asked how their relation to inform me and eBay how their dead relation had managed to relist the unsupplyable item...

Never heard any more - but did get a refund!

I think I would be inclined just to inform the buyer of a forthcoming NPB dispute, which they need not engage with and leave it eBay to complete... I wouldn't even refer to any bereavement - but then, as I say, I'm heartless by nature!

flipper_72

Thank-you all for your replies, am i right in thinking NPB is non-paying bidder? Do i do this from the auction in my ebay - i am assuming it is under the "report this buyer"?

Thanks, apologies for the questions all my previous auctions have gone smoothly.

ETA i have found it in customer support, I have opened an unpaid item case which i assume is the NPB, as posters have said, it will not affect a dead person, but it may affect someone who is lying.....

flipper_72

Hermia wrote: »

Excuse me if I'm being thick, but am I right in thinking the top message is supposed to be from the mum and the bottom from the daughter because they have the exact same style of writing...

I would be tempted to say, "I am sorry for your loss, but I need to do a NPB claim to get my fees back. Presumably you will be closing your mother's account as soon as you have sorted everything out so it won't cause you any long-term problems".

Yes the quotes are from the bidder and the "bidders daughter" ! i have looked at the history and she has bought loads in the last week or so including some very similar items to the one she bought off me - obviously over extended herself i guess.

go_cat

Isn't it amazing her mum dies and the first thing she thinks about is sorting her eBay account out.:rotfl:

It's the last thing most people would think of

techspec

I use Ebays NPB assistant now - set at 8 days.

I send a reminder after 4.

I ignore all emails now about dead aunties and 1 years old children accidentally bidding - and if i get a "why have you opened a case" email - i can just say i didn't - Ebay did.