3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Sheilaz]

This is my first EBay sale, a large, heavy item which which would really only sell well at Christmas.

It had 32 watchers, a few immediate enquires, and several bidders, 3 of them looking keen near the end.

I ran it for 5 days, personal collection only, it finished Tues. afternoon at £260 and I sent the invoice immediately, including my contact details.

The next day I sent a text too, suggesting they might like to have the date arranged so we don't run out of time, nothing pushy, just for ease, they've since removed their number.

They have brilliant feedback, just a couple of "pays late" amongst over 400 brilliant, and no negatives.

They are only 10 miles away, so seems a feasible buyer.

I know it's only 2 days, but if they want this item for Christmas, surely they'd be pleased at winning and pay me or at least reply? After all, how many people can promise to be at home next week, I could be going away.

It's too late to run another auction and even the 2nd bidder has probably bought something else now so I'll be cheesed off and have to keep the item a year if the sale doesn't happen and we've brought it downstairs ready so it's in the way.

I could send another invoice tomorrow, but should I phone them or anything, and at what stage would I assume they're not buying it, after Christmas presumably?

Sorry to vent, I've bought a few things and pay when the sale ends but perhaps I'm odd!

[The Dogmother]

I usually give them 4 days to pay up, even though my terms specify less. Then send them another message asking them to pay and confirm collection within 48 hours otherwise I will open a dispute with the intention of reclaiming my fees and relisting the item. I have had the same thing happen once.

 

I am currently selling an item which was originally won and paid for by a woman who lives just a mile away, despite several messages she didn't collect and the item was too large for me to put through a letter box, so I opened a dispute and then relisted it once that was closed.

[Olly]

Agree with what Dogmother says - I wouldn't panic, they may just be away for a few days/busy at work and have put this off to deal with at the weekend or something - despite the fact that they were bidding and won it, a lot of people don't then feel any urgency to arrange collection. I hope you hear something soon.

[soapdragon]

Agree entirely -I pay on the nose whenever possible but have come to realise that not everyone is so punctual! I'd give them another few days yet- perhaps e-mail again on Sunday? You could always say that you may be going away and would really like it collected before you go?!

[The Dogmother]

I have discovered that Ebay is a bit like Freegle in that sometimes people bid on/ask for an item then go offline for days on end; it drives me to distraction as I like matters to be sorted, but then not everyone is the same. I try to be understanding an fair but it can be darned irritating.

[Cinnamon]

I agree - don't panic.

Could be that they want to pick it up at the weekend & pay you in cash maybe?

I do think they could have got in touch,but its a busy time of year,or they may only have computer access during reasonable hours at the weekend (I can't use a computer during the day 2 days a week,because of work,where there is also no phone signal)

[Sheilaz]

Thanks for the responses, I suppose whatever will be, will be.

It is frustrating knowing how keen the 2nd bidder was, yet will probably have bought elsewhere now. Still, I'll hope for the best with the winner and I'll let you know what happens.

[chuckmum6]

Did you include a 'payment within x days'? I tend to and request payment within 3 days of the end of auction or it will be resisted. It has helped and I allow some flexibility, but I have never not been paid. Might be worth considering in the future.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've had quite a few buyers who were pretty slow to get in touch after auctions ended. I, too, find it really irritating but I agree with the others, wait a couple of days before doing anything. I've only had one guy who never got in touch or responded to my emails.

[abwsco]

Just a reminder never accept paypal payment for an item that's being collected.

[chickencam]

Why? I know that it costs me more but otherwise didn't know that this was a problem.

[Cinnamon]

I think its because the buyer can then say that they didn't collect the item/it wasn't as advertised & get their Paypal refunded???

Personally I have never had a problem with this & if you are concerned you can just print out the item or Paypal payment page & get the buyer to sign it to say that they are in possession of it & are happy with the condition of the item.

[The Dogmother]

I think its because the buyer can then say that they didn't collect the item/it wasn't as advertised & get their Paypal refunded???

Personally I have never had a problem with this & if you are concerned you can just print out the item or Paypal payment page & get the buyer to sign it to say that they are in possession of it & are happy with the condition of the item.

 

This is exactly what I have done in the past, then you both have the reassurance of PayPal protection. Having said that, if the buyer seems OK, I am happy to accept cash on collection.

[abwsco]

Why? I know that it costs me more but otherwise didn't know that this was a problem.

 

If the buyer is unsrcupulous paypal will side with them and make you refund the buyer. It's a well known scam and advice is never to accept paypal for collection items. Lady on the board I mod on has had this happen to her this week a month after the person had collected the item. She only lost £40 but since found out another seller lost out on £300 to the same person.

[Sheilaz]

Good point, and also if payment is received yet there's no collection it sounds good but isn't, presumably you have to keep the item until its collected, which I hadn't considered before.

 

Well, a good outcome today. It was all going horribly wrong at the weekend but today it's been paid for and collected. Phew, another good news story, and I've learnt quite a bit along the way. Thanks for the help and support.

 

One more thing, who leaves feedback first, buyer or seller?

As a buyer, I always leave immediate feedback upon delivery, so I hope this person does so for me, should I wait? Especially as I was very patient over the weekend and this morning when plans kept changing without communication, got there in the end though!

[The Dogmother]

I'd give it a few days then message them to check that it is OK and ask for feedback when they get a moment.

[Olly]

I'm so glad to hear that it was collected. I'm afraid in my experience some buyers just never bother to leave feedback - I always do it as soon as I can, like you Sheilaz.

[bluekarin]

Re feedback: as a buyer I leave immediate feedback but as a seller I wait for the buyer to leave me feedback before I do. I only started doing this when I noticed one of my buyers hadn't left any feedback for over a year! I also don't ask for them to leave feedback, I just message saying hope it has turned up ok. I they want to leave fb great, if not, oh well, a shame, but at least I am not adding to their score so they look good.

[The Dogmother]

That's interesting Karin, I will be less prompt about leaving feedback for buyers now!

 

Interestingly I had an item listed (bulky one for collection only) and it finished with no bids but plenty of watchers; one of the watchers got in touch.... she'd wanted to bid but had to go out and missed the end, after discussion I relisted it with a BiN price for her to buy as I was thinking of relisting it anyway and just want shot of it. She's collecting it later this week... winner, winner.....