Why do ebay put sellers in this position?

lindseykim13

Twice today i have had 2 buyers that have either won an auction or a best offer cause me hassle. After 4 days of non payment email to say they don't want the item either for some payment problem or because they can't read a listing correctly!
Why then am i left wondering if it's better to do a cancel transaction request and risk them declining it or getting away with no strike or a non payment case and risk a retalitory payment and neg.
This is one thing with ebays system that annoys me as in reality if a buyer mucks you about like this and costs you your listing fees you should be able to give them a strike and not get away with it.
However if you go down the non payment route your likely to cause yourself more trouble.

charlies_mum

I have a buyer who bought a buy it now item and didn't pay. I sent a reminder and after five days issued a npb as she was leaving feedback so was on line. She paid and I have sent the goods but just waiting to see if she trashes my stars

oldone_2

The simple solution is that if a NPB case is opened against a buyer, they no longer will be allowed to leave feedback and stars, even if they pay before the 4 days are up.

soolin

oldone wrote: »

The simple solution is that if a NPB case is opened against a buyer, they no longer will be allowed to leave feedback and stars, even if they pay before the 4 days are up.

If a buyer pays before NPB dispute is closed the dispute is automatically cancelled And the buyer can leave feedback

If I get a non payer I always open an NPB on day 4, however I might just relent if they contact me immediately they win an item and ask to cancel, any more than a few hours and I am not so generous.

Also I never ask a person if they still want an item, I send an invoice, then another on day 3 or 4 and then just open the NPB the day after that

techspec

soolin wrote: »

If a buyer pays before NPB dispute is closed the dispute is automatically cancelled And the buyer can leave feedback

If I get a non payer I always open an NPB on day 4, however I might just relent if they contact me immediately they win an item and ask to cancel, any more than a few hours and I am not so generous.

Also I never ask a person if they still want an item, I send an invoice, then another on day 3 or 4 and then just open the NPB the day after that

Think oldone was suggesting all NPB's should be blocked from feedback - even if they eventually pay. I totally agree.

It is actually against Ebay rules to retaliate after a NPB is filed. Convincing the Ebays rep of that is another matter.

I now let Ebay managed my NPB's. I send an invoice reminder after 4 days - and Ebay file an NPB alert after 8 days. Then if i get abuse i can say "ebay opened the case". If they retailate, i will contact Ebay and say "hey - you caused by feedback to be trashed with your NPB":rotfl:.

freddysmith

Most of the items I sell are BIN auctions with an immediate payment required. I know that's not for everyone but it's one less problem waiting for a payment.
On the few occasions I have waited for 4 days, I send a NPB and email them in a friendly way explaining why.

soolin

techspec wrote: »

Think oldone was suggesting all NPB's should be blocked from feedback - even if they eventually pay. I totally agree.

It is actually against Ebay rules to retaliate after a NPB is filed. Convincing the Ebays rep of that is another matter.

I now let Ebay managed my NPB's. I send an invoice reminder after 4 days - and Ebay file an NPB alert after 8 days. Then if i get abuse i can say "ebay opened the case". If they retailate, i will contact Ebay and say "hey - you caused by feedback to be trashed with your NPB":rotfl:.

Ah yes I see.

Trouble is whilst that would be a great idea it could be a problem for sellers wanting cash on collection as buyers would have to pay by PayPal to retain the ability to leave feedback.

Crowqueen

And as they have actually paid they have the right to comment on a transaction like anyone else. The times that people have paid up during an NPB dispute, everything has gone fine. I don't escape any responsibility of mine, whether to deliver an item or to deliver a working item, just because the buyer takes a while to pay.

I do however prefer to take the path of least resistance; I'd never complain about it because I know that eBay permits non-payment because they use a third-party payment system. If you aren't prepared for any non-payers, don't use eBay - use a site that makes it easier to collect payment. I'd rather cancel and retain amicability with someone who doesn't want an item than force them to pay and risk problems later because of a belligerent attitude on both sides. It's not through fear - it's more through not believing eBay should always be about antagonism - it's more in people's interests to work with people as much as possible rather than against them, particularly if you want them to give you money.

charlies_mum

I did actually offer my buyer the opportunity to cancel the transaction, but she ignored me. I am hoping that there won't be any retaliation for the npb case, but recently eBay has taught me that no matter how fair you are as a seller, you are at the mercy of your buyer

lindseykim13

Crowqueen wrote: »

And as they have actually paid they have the right to comment on a transaction like anyone else. The times that people have paid up during an NPB dispute, everything has gone fine. I don't escape any responsibility of mine, whether to deliver an item or to deliver a working item, just because the buyer takes a while to pay.

I do however prefer to take the path of least resistance; I'd never complain about it because I know that eBay permits non-payment because they use a third-party payment system. If you aren't prepared for any non-payers, don't use eBay - use a site that makes it easier to collect payment. I'd rather cancel and retain amicability with someone who doesn't want an item than force them to pay and risk problems later because of a belligerent attitude on both sides. It's not through fear - it's more through not believing eBay should always be about antagonism - it's more in people's interests to work with people as much as possible rather than against them, particularly if you want them to give you money.

I understand your point but you can't work with some buyers and they are quite happy to abuse the system. I don't go around antagonising people or wishing for buyers to get punished.
In a genuine case where a buyer has made a mistake and contacted you within a reasonable time i am more than happy to accept that mistake and cancel the sale. But when a buyer has made an offer on an item they have clearly understood what they were doing and then waited 4 days just before i could open a npb case to tell me they don't want it now-they shouldn't be able to abuse the system that way. Buyer holds all the cards as if you make them go through with the sale they will neg you. If you agree to cancel they aren't getting the np strikes they deserve.
Seeing how the npb was brought in to stop so many non payers it doesn't work in cases where the seller has no option to cancel a sale through fear of fb retaliation.
Non payers aren't giving you their money so why would a seller want to work with them?

lindseykim13

charlies_mum wrote: »

I did actually offer my buyer the opportunity to cancel the transaction, but she ignored me. I am hoping that there won't be any retaliation for the npb case, but recently eBay has taught me that no matter how fair you are as a seller, you are at the mercy of your buyer

I'm assuming that it was via email rather than a cancel transaction request as once you open a case you can't then change it to a npb which i also find daft.
I once had a spanish buyer won a few of my items and wanted combined postage. He wasn't happy with the cost so continued to barter with me over the price. In the end he agreed to cancel the transaction-i opened the case. He then changed his mind, declined the request and told me he still wanted the items but would only pay x towards postage.
I was then stuck in the situation where i could no longer open a npb case and a buyer who wouldn't pay.
I got stuck with the fees and neg fb & relisted the items! I did get the neg removed in the end but some buyers are impossible to work with.