I am sorry that this isn't a swinger -related topic - but I was kinda hoping my friends on her could help me out with a bit of an E-bay dilemma. I have tried to state this in the thread header - so you can ignore it if you want.
Right so here goes. Last week I sold an item on e-bay. Now when i post an item I clearly state that i will only send out goods after a cheque clears, and that this can take 5 - 7 working days. I also state that I will do my best to send the item within 3 days of cheque clearing. So at the worst possible scenario - if you send me a cheque it could take 2 weeks to get to you. I do also offer paypal and other "immediate" forms of payment. I also sate - in bold - "Please don't bid if you can't accept these terms."
So this item ended last weekend. Plenty of time to get payment to me. Today I get a cheque and a note saying that it is a Christmas present. Now, with the best will in the world, a cheque is not going to be cleared in time for me to even try and hit the pre-Christmas post. So I e-mailed the buyer to explain this. I have just received an e-mail back saying "oh well - I am SURE my son won't mind if I don't give him his persent on Christmas day". Obviously sent to make me feel bad. Succeeded!!!
The thing is - I have succumbed to this before and had cheques bounce. I don't have a lot of money and although we are only talking a tenner here - it is still can't afford to lose it.
So what would you do? Send the item in the hope that the person is honest and the cheque won't bounce - or stick to your guns? It's not like I didn't state the cheque clearance thing and if they had posted the cheque the day theywon the auction it might actually have cleared by now!
Help? Advice?
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Non swinger related topic..... Advice needed re E-bay
Let them wait unti you have physically got the wedge in your hand.
They read the T&C, and if they cannot handle it now - cos of Xmas, then tough.
Even though it's a tenner, it could well have been a few 100 quid, so stick to your principles...........
Oh and btw, love the avatar - care to send us some more pics ;)
They read the T&C, and if they cannot handle it now - cos of Xmas, then tough.
Even though it's a tenner, it could well have been a few 100 quid, so stick to your principles...........
Oh and btw, love the avatar - care to send us some more pics ;)
Stick to your guns ... your ad clearly explained terms and conditions and the person chose not to accept them.
If it was that urgent (ie xmas pressie) she would have emailed you initially, and got the cheque quicker/different payment terms.
She's trying it on .. stand firm at worst you'll get a neg and can respond to it with something along the lines of .... Buyer did not read terms and delay in sending payment meant deadline was missed.
Alternatively cancel the sale mutually and she can buy elsewhere.
C xx
If it was that urgent (ie xmas pressie) she would have emailed you initially, and got the cheque quicker/different payment terms.
She's trying it on .. stand firm at worst you'll get a neg and can respond to it with something along the lines of .... Buyer did not read terms and delay in sending payment meant deadline was missed.
Alternatively cancel the sale mutually and she can buy elsewhere.
C xx
My opinion is that the buyer was fully aware of the "terms" and should have the common sense to realise its christmas and delivery will no doubt be delayed. If its only a tenner, then im sure he can find a gift of that value somewhere else!!!!.
After all he could be taking advantage of ur good nature and be trying to scam you!!!
After all he could be taking advantage of ur good nature and be trying to scam you!!!
Sex God
As a very regular eBay seller I would say stick to your policies - if buyers cannot be bothered to read them then that is their problem.
I would say though that with regards to cheques I send goods on receipt of the cheque and don't wait for it to clear and in 2 and a half years of selling I have only had 1 cheque bounce and that person sent me cash to replace it within a couple of days. I guess I'm just lucky.
Roger the Dragon (eBay rating 2396
)
I would say though that with regards to cheques I send goods on receipt of the cheque and don't wait for it to clear and in 2 and a half years of selling I have only had 1 cheque bounce and that person sent me cash to replace it within a couple of days. I guess I'm just lucky.
Roger the Dragon (eBay rating 2396
)I would agree with everyone elses opinion on this. If it was urgent they would have sent the payment to you erlier.
One idea did spring to mind though - if the buyer lives reasonably close to you, you can offer to meet up with them at a neutral location convenient to you and hand the goods over then once the cheque has cleared (hopefully before xmas), or alternatively meet up and do a cash transaction and give them back the cheque.
Of course, if they live at the other end of the country, they'll just have to wait.
One idea did spring to mind though - if the buyer lives reasonably close to you, you can offer to meet up with them at a neutral location convenient to you and hand the goods over then once the cheque has cleared (hopefully before xmas), or alternatively meet up and do a cash transaction and give them back the cheque.
Of course, if they live at the other end of the country, they'll just have to wait.
Without a doubt Rainbow keep to your rules. Don't feel guilty, if they would of cared about having it Xmas day they would of paid by Bankers Draft/Transfere or even a post office thingy (sorry can't remember what they are called). You do right, no guilt, as you'd be doubly pissed off if you sent it and the cheque bounced. Wait for the cheque to clear bounce the guilt back to them
J
J
:? Have you checked this persons feedback rating ? Maybe I'm just being a bit seasonal but if the feedbacks ok I'd post out, most people pride thereselves on good feedback.. I've only had three cheques from buyers and I posted straight out with no problems.
Maybe this person did want you to feel guilty but maybe he/she is desperate I appreciate what you mean by you cant afford to lose a tenner, me neither, and ultimately it is your decision.
In your position I would post it and if the person let me down I would look on the matter as I had done my best for somebody at Christmas time and that person let me down and would leave feedback reflecting this, but like I said it is your decision ultimately do whatever you are going to feel most comfortable with and try not to worry about it there are people much worse of than this persons son.
Maybe this person did want you to feel guilty but maybe he/she is desperate I appreciate what you mean by you cant afford to lose a tenner, me neither, and ultimately it is your decision.
In your position I would post it and if the person let me down I would look on the matter as I had done my best for somebody at Christmas time and that person let me down and would leave feedback reflecting this, but like I said it is your decision ultimately do whatever you are going to feel most comfortable with and try not to worry about it there are people much worse of than this persons son.
Orgasminator
Rainbows...
Stick to your guns.....and don't feel bad about it.
It's unfortunate if it IS for a Christmas present......but thatt's life.
If you send it, and the cheque bounces...........you're well and truly out of pocket.
There are plenty of ways of getting funds to you without danger of non-payment..... postal order, banker's draft, building society cheque, cash, pay-pal (ewwwww fees)
I'll now get off the soap box
Stuart
xxx
Stick to your guns.....and don't feel bad about it.
It's unfortunate if it IS for a Christmas present......but thatt's life.
If you send it, and the cheque bounces...........you're well and truly out of pocket.
There are plenty of ways of getting funds to you without danger of non-payment..... postal order, banker's draft, building society cheque, cash, pay-pal (ewwwww fees)
I'll now get off the soap box
Stuart
xxx 
Sex God
I buy and sell regularly and id stick to my guns here too, like you say, you can lose out on a lot of money here, make sure its in bold and highlighted that you do not post out until the cheques clear because of previous bad experience, and thats under no exceptions!!
xxx
xxx
Quote by Ian_Mids
What's ebay?
Is it like a munch???
:giggle: :giggle: :giggle: :giggle: :giggle: :giggle:
Ian.
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: Actually - I HAVE got chatting to some people I have sold to!! And I seem to be the chosen person newbies turn to for help!!
Thanks to all who have replied to this. Helps a lot to stop me feeling so guilty!
Quote by Rainbows
I am sorry that this isn't a swinger -related topic
Well some would say that this is partly what the Cafe is for, so no apologies required, Rainbows.
Quote by Rainbows
So what would you do? Send the item in the hope that the person is honest and the cheque won't bounce - or stick to your guns? It's not like I didn't state the cheque clearance thing and if they had posted the cheque the day theywon the auction it might actually have cleared by now!
If the terms were clearly stated as you said, stick to your guns. Don't send the gear until the cheque has cleared.
:shock: 
Sex God
I think that given your terms were very clear about cheque payments and the delay is because the buyer waited so long to get the cheque to you, you're perfectly entitled to wait for it to clear first.
Given the date now, even if you did send it to them ahead of the cheque clearing, the post office 'last posting date' has already past.
If the cheque bounces, you incur charges even though it's not your fault .
Given the date now, even if you did send it to them ahead of the cheque clearing, the post office 'last posting date' has already past.
If the cheque bounces, you incur charges even though it's not your fault .
Hi Rainbows,
Sorry I'm a bit late on this one (I haven't visited SH for a little while) but I thought I'd just add a little to the list.
I run a well known e-commerce company, I also do a fair bit of consultancy work in e-business internationally and contribute to government and industry policy.
OK, so I know I'm blowing my own trumpet here BUT I've gained a lot of experience in this area, firstly, people don't read things properly on the internet, they only scan so make sure you have these terms in big and obvious type for the future. Its such a pain dealing with it afterwards and ends up costing you more in time than you make in cash. Secondly, don't back down, your policy is there for a reason - you've been stung before so you know from experience not to. Even if you take credit cards you as the vendor take the risk, the consumer is protected by the Distance Selling Regulations, the banks (who seem to run something of a cartel) look after themselves and leave you to deal with bounced cheques, chargebacks and difficult customers who claim the goods you sold aren't up to standard.
There's every chance that your customer may cancel the cheque, but better that than sending out the goods on trust and not getting the cash later.
I was recently asked a similar question by a Scottish Giftware retailer who had received an order from an African company, it was a $1000 order and the transaction cleared through WorldPay but with a caution. I advised them not to fulfil the order, the credit card turned out to be cloned, but the vendor was very upset that he had to pay £30 in charges to WorldPay, I said better £30 than $1000 lost.
So the old maxim may have been Caveat Emptor but in the world of e-commerce its very definitely the seller who needs to be more careful.
SA
XXX
Sorry I'm a bit late on this one (I haven't visited SH for a little while) but I thought I'd just add a little to the list.
I run a well known e-commerce company, I also do a fair bit of consultancy work in e-business internationally and contribute to government and industry policy.
OK, so I know I'm blowing my own trumpet here BUT I've gained a lot of experience in this area, firstly, people don't read things properly on the internet, they only scan so make sure you have these terms in big and obvious type for the future. Its such a pain dealing with it afterwards and ends up costing you more in time than you make in cash. Secondly, don't back down, your policy is there for a reason - you've been stung before so you know from experience not to. Even if you take credit cards you as the vendor take the risk, the consumer is protected by the Distance Selling Regulations, the banks (who seem to run something of a cartel) look after themselves and leave you to deal with bounced cheques, chargebacks and difficult customers who claim the goods you sold aren't up to standard.
There's every chance that your customer may cancel the cheque, but better that than sending out the goods on trust and not getting the cash later.
I was recently asked a similar question by a Scottish Giftware retailer who had received an order from an African company, it was a $1000 order and the transaction cleared through WorldPay but with a caution. I advised them not to fulfil the order, the credit card turned out to be cloned, but the vendor was very upset that he had to pay £30 in charges to WorldPay, I said better £30 than $1000 lost.
So the old maxim may have been Caveat Emptor but in the world of e-commerce its very definitely the seller who needs to be more careful.
SA
XXX
Quote by SpiritedAway
Hi Rainbows,
I was recently asked a similar question by a Scottish Giftware retailer who had received an order from an African company, it was a $1000 order and the transaction cleared through WorldPay but with a caution. I advised them not to fulfil the order, the credit card turned out to be cloned, but the vendor was very upset that he had to pay £30 in charges to WorldPay, I said better £30 than $1000 lost.
SA
XXX
Slightly off topic, but these Internet trading rules are absolute -
1. Never accept card payment from Nigeria or Indonesia EVER.
2. Offer them the opportunity to make a bank transfer, (don't hand over bank details), I do it in case, miracle of miracles, they actually come back, but they never do.
3. These days I only accept cards from the EU, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Oz, NZ and Canada, I don't think I've suffered by that.
I've had three frauds, two from France one from the UK.
edit - Oh and anyone using Worldpay or Netbanx obviously has more money than sense, the transaction charges (last time I checked) were ridiculous, I use and would recomend PROTX to anyone.
edit 2 - Sorry, I keep coming back to this. I think it's inapropriate to use a card transaction system that processes the online transaction before you have agreed to accept the deal, and this for two main reasons. (1) You shouldn't take the money until the goods are ready to dispatch, it's bad trading practice and also you might be out of stock, (2) It gives you the opportunity to accept the deal or not before transaction charges can be applied.
Rainbows,
I would email the buyer back and say that the ad clearly states that you will only post out the item on the funds being cleared. Tell that that they can still pay by paypal if they are desperate to get it for christmas. Then if they really do want it for christmas you have provided them with an option.
Hugs
Rudolf
I would email the buyer back and say that the ad clearly states that you will only post out the item on the funds being cleared. Tell that that they can still pay by paypal if they are desperate to get it for christmas. Then if they really do want it for christmas you have provided them with an option.
Hugs
Rudolf
I can't believe that a gift costing £10 is gonna make or break a kid's Christmas. Stick to your terms.
Steve
Steve
Sex God
I don't sell on eBay but I buy a lot. I pay by cheque and I never expect people to send me my item til the cheque has cleared. I know to allow about 2 weeks for things to arrive, so if I want something for a certain date, I buy well in advance. Common sense really. It is the buyer's fault she has left it too late for Xmas. Maybe next year she will be more organised.
Sex God
Quote by Rainbows
Thanks to all for advice. Update now..... I replied explaining the terms again and got an e-mail this morning saying that she understood and that it wasn't her that had replied last night. Yeah sure!
Soooo - all sorted.
Thanks all
Glad to hear it's all sorted now.
I'll just echo everyone else sentiment and say they knew the terms and conditions when they bought the item. Why should you alter your usual transaction methods just because they waited so long to buy an item.
Wish people would take more responsability for their own actions rather than trying to bully and brow-beat others into making exceptions for them.
Oh and I wouldn't have replied to the sarcastic email either.
ops: (didn't start out as one, honest). you have every right to wait until the cheque clears,you clearly stated they didn't read the small print that is their fault it's the one thing even ebay tell you to with them trying to make you feel guilty about their son not being able to open it on Xmas Day well they should have thought about that before they bid and i bet they are getting the item at a bargain anyway!
I have done over 2000+ transactions on ebay and have had many issues like this....
The major problem is that whilst the buyer may be an idiot, they can still damage your ebay reputation with negatives
The answer is simple:
If the person wants the present, they must contact their bank to stop the cheque, (hsbc charge £7 unless you say you have lost the cheque) and then they should pay you by Paypal. At this late period in the day, i would demand that they pay extra for next day delivery.
A little bit of advice with regards to Paypal people: Any one can get a charge back by complaining to their credit card holder within 6 months or 60 days via paypal themselves. If such a complaint is made paypal will withdraw the funds from your account pending review. You then as the seller must prove the item was received(not posted - must be able to show it got there). If you cant show it has arrived within 3 days you lose your money (and often the item) for good
The major problem is that whilst the buyer may be an idiot, they can still damage your ebay reputation with negatives
The answer is simple:
If the person wants the present, they must contact their bank to stop the cheque, (hsbc charge £7 unless you say you have lost the cheque) and then they should pay you by Paypal. At this late period in the day, i would demand that they pay extra for next day delivery.
A little bit of advice with regards to Paypal people: Any one can get a charge back by complaining to their credit card holder within 6 months or 60 days via paypal themselves. If such a complaint is made paypal will withdraw the funds from your account pending review. You then as the seller must prove the item was received(not posted - must be able to show it got there). If you cant show it has arrived within 3 days you lose your money (and often the item) for good
