Buyer claiming to not be able to afford to pay..

[Crazybit]

Sold a dress over two weeks ago, gave buyer 14 days to pay-moved house during that time and had to look after it carefully. Sent several invoices. Sent another last night stating that payment is expected to be within 4 days according to Ebay and to please pay by tonight. I had an email from buyer claiming to have been involved in a car accident and so she cannot afford to pay as it was her fault etc, so I offered a mutual cancellation. The when I check her history, she had bought a dress several days AFTER winning my dress for more than double, and managed to pay it a couple of days ago....

Am very annoyed as I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Is there anything I can do? I have tried to cancel the mutual cancellation, but cannot find a way to do it. Should I just let it go?

[BikeRunSki]

I think you might just have to chalk it up to experience if you've already done a mutual cancellation.

[coansha]

If you wanted you could report her, she has obviously changed her mind and has bought another one.
It does wind me up, would prefer some honesty for reason and would have been annoyed but let it go.
Its up to you if you are that annoyed, I once bought a dress for DD, paid immediately and it took 4 emails and 22 days to arrive, loads of lies etc, said she posted it day after, I emailed her postage date (scanned it) which was on day 19 so I reported her, its frustrating when you have been honest and upfront.
Up to you????

[80sbabe]

Sorry there isn't anything you can do except re-list it and hope you get a better price next time round.
I know exactly how you feel, I've had 6 non-payers in the last month (but then I am a business seller) and it's very frustrating.
I only sell BIN so I really don't get why people commit to buy an item from me and then don't honour it.

Sometime ago I decided to start using the ebay automatic tool where a reminder is sent after 2 days of non-payment and then a case opens after 4 days. At this point I always send a polite email asking if they have changed their mind and no longer require the item, I offer a mutual cancellation if they wish.
Ebay lets this run for another 3 days before closing it and issuing a strike if payment is not received - so all in all they get a week.

Very occasionally I get a message saying yes they still want the item but need a couple more days but most of the time there is no response.

Really you should have opened an unpaid item case but it's easier to see that in hindsight. It never ceases to amaze me how many buyers on ebay have accidents, hospital admissions, bereavements, sudden illnesses etc..... yet manage to bid on other items or trade on their selling account while failing to pay for my items. I would always rather they didn't mess me about and just said "sorry" then I could get on with selling to those who do want to buy.

You should be able to re-list it free of charge and you should get your final value fee back too so good luck and I hope it goes for much more second time around.

[Crazybit]

Thanks all, she has accepted the cancellation but it seems as though it was me that wanted it with the wording from Ebay iyswim, my own fault I suppose for not researching more before doing it. Do I need to relist or can I offer to the next highest bidder?? Not sure if it would reach as much as it did or not. May report her if I can, itswasted a lot of my time!

[Tryharder]

I would email her and say "your bid has been cancelled but I notice that although you claimed not to be able to afford to pay me, you did indeed bid for and purchase another more expensive dress after my auction ended. If you had emailed me in the beginning and told me that you didn't want the dress anymore, i would have been more than happy to cancel the transaction without you having to resort to ridiculous lies so fuck off"

[fergoose]

an email like that to a buyer will almost definitely make the buyer leave a negative!

Just relist and move on is my advice. Unfortunately some buyers merrily bid away with no intention of ever paying, is nothing personal.

As you have done a mutual cancellation you can't now do a non performing bidder against her anyway.