What should I do about this buyer?

[Tuftysquirrel]

Hi, could do with some advice from more knowledgeable ebayers.
I sold an item of white goods last week. Lots of bidders;one kept outbidding the others and won the auction. Sent an invoice next morning, followed up with an email 2 days later, still no reply although winning bidder is selling other items and requests quick collection of his items.

After four days and still no contact, I opened an unpaid item case. Today, have had a cross email from buyer, saying this would affect his ratings, that it was too snowy to pick up (lives in London, no snow problems for days?) but had made no contact at all. Now saying has to wait for someone to get back from somewhere before can pick up goods.
Despite my buyer requirements being set to tightest available, buyer has negative feedback on last few transactions, positive before that and there are a few statements on current items being sold that my instincts say are odd. Also has similar item for sale, but not same.


Sounds wimpy but not sure I want to give out my address after rude quite aggressive email. Should I reply to the email?
EBay advice seems to be do nothing, let case run, ignore email and close case.

What is the best thing to do to avoid negative feedback, as have 100%· Were other high bidders so may be able to do second chance offer?
Did I do the right thing, Don' t want to treat people unfairly. All advice really welcome as I feel a bit sad as have met some lovely ebayers. Just want to get it right, sorry about long post.

[fergoose]

I would ignore & let the case run and close it after 4 days - then he can't leave you feedback

then you can offer a second chance to the underbidder or relist

and make sure you add him to your blocked bidder list

and make sure you don't take paypal, cash only for collected items

[Flibbertyjibbet]

If he has recently had some neg feedback, then don't worry too much if he negs you. If the rest of your feeback is ok then one neg never bothers me. What I do do, though is check the feedback of the person giving the neg, and often you find they have a lot.
So anyone else checking your feedback would soon work out that you are lovely and he is a knob.

I'd let it run, don't chase him up. If its already over a week, then if he DOES come back to you and say he wants to pick it up, say that you could not hold on to the item indefintely and have sold it to someone else.

Can you contact the next highest bidder and let them come and get it?

[fergoose]

once the unpaid case is closed the buyer can't leave feedback anyway - when was the case opened?

[Tuftysquirrel]

Thanks for your quick replies. Fergoose, I will do all the things you have outlined. Just a couple of small queries: do I block the buyer now or do I have to wait until the case is closed? Also what happens if he pays by PayPal before the case is closed although listing stated cash on collection only - I reverse the transaction? Presumably if I block him now he can' t pay by PayPal? Case opened last night as that was four days after end of auction.

Flibbertyjibbet, great idea to check the feedback of neg giver, wouldn't have thought of that. Really need to get rid of this item as it's blocking my dining room!!
Help much appreciated as I' m learning loads

[fergoose]

block him now, makes no odds

if he pays paypal you will need to refund him. If he pays the unpaid case will close and he will be able to leave feedback. You have to wait another 3 days to close the case against him.

[Tuftysquirrel]

Thanks, off to block him now.

[Tuftysquirrel]

Sorry, back for more advice. Blocked the buyer but he has just paid by paypal. From previous advice, I need to refund. Not sure how to do this but am sure it is in onee of the other threads on here.Then what happens? Paypal have closed the case as he has paid. Really don't want him to come to pick it up due to unpleasant email. What next?

[RooneyMara]

Don't give him your details. Refund the payment by logging into your paypal account, there will be a refund button next to the transaction somewhere. Just click on that.

Don't have any further contact with him - he will likely neg you though, sorry - nothing you can do about that sadly. At least he hasn't got your address.

I'm not sure if ebay will sanction you somehow if you do this - seller non performance - but I doubt he will bother chasing it up so probably not.

Good luck and don't engage with the knobber

nightmare for sellers now, ebay is.

[Tuftysquirrel]

thanks for the reply , Rooney. Things have just moved on, he has contacted ebay and they have given him my details!!! Can they do that?? What can I do now?

[fergoose]

refund his paypal and ask for cash only.

[Tuftysquirrel]

So I need to allow him to pick it up.Can I cancel transaction or does that just make things worse? Need damage limitation - possibly a conciliatory email if he has to come to my house?

[RooneyMara]

You don't have to sell it to him full stop. Ebay will probably do very little to enforce this.

You may well get negged though. I would not engage further unless he does - in a polite way - and get your DH or another random male to be there when, or if you allow him to collect the item.

Or you could post it to him and charge him for the postage - with paypal you do need proof of delivery!

[fergoose]

you can't cancel the transaction now he has paid and the unpaid case has closed

if you refuse to sell it to him he cannot force you to do so - just refund his paypal and if you are allowing him to collect say cash only and make sure you have back up with you when he comes

[Tuftysquirrel]

Thanks very much, Rooney and Fergoose. Will have a think and discuss with DH when he gets home and let you know how it pans out. Wish i'd taken the wretched thing to the tip now!

[fergoose]

have you refunded the paypal payment? If not do that now.