OT: Ebay non-paying bidders/winners

[Jeff N.]

I've been having a rash of problems lately with on-paying bidders on bike stuff I have sold. Any of you guys'n'gals experience this? Things have always been fine up until recently.

[mstateglfr]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

I've been having a rash of problems lately with on-paying bidders on bike stuff I have sold. Any of you guys'n'gals experience this? Things have always been fine up until recently.

For years I have just set everything at a BIN rate and required immediate payment. I price stuff at a level that not everyone will just jump at, but low enough to get it moved.

[Dave]

I had to try twice to sell a frame. First buyer bailed and the second tried to lower his bid. I reported both to eBay for policy violations. Finally got paid by buyer two.

[Matt92037]

I have had this issue 50% of the time. Its to the point I don't bother selling on ebay unless I really, really need to.

[unterhausen]

I occasionally get excited about listing things on ebay, but eventually someone takes all the joy out of it. But it's not usually non-payers.

The one non-payer I remember balked at the postage for a Campagnolo bottom bracket cable sling and wanted me to put it in an envelope and send it to Italy. 1st: no. 2nd: there has to be an infinite supply of Campagnolo bottom bracket cable slings in Italy. This and a crank I sent to Malaysia led to me listing everything conus only. The crank worked out okay, but it was an undue amount of stress for $100.

[Big Dan]

Stopped selling a while ago. You basically have to list so cheap that the buyer doesn't want to lose the item.

[deluz]

I sold a guitar and then the buyer backed out.
I did not want to deal with them and eventually sold it for a higher price.
I have sold a lot of other stuff and never had a problem.
Biggest complaint I have is Ebay takes a big chunk of the sale.
But still the best place to buy and sell stuff IMO.

[KonaSS]

You just have to expect it with ebay now. I send the one reminder email to pay, but don't do anything further. You just relist and move on. I don't lose any sleep over it.

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by KonaSS

You just have to expect it with ebay now. I send the one reminder email to pay, but don't do anything further. You just relist and move on. I don't lose any sleep over it.

Exactly what I did.

[denvervig]

I've had a few flakes over the years but generally rare. As I recall, in all cases the buyer had very little activity and/or was new.

[Jeff N.]

There ARE a few things that I've learned, however:
1. Rarely does anyone want to pay what something is actually worth.
2. Everything sells eventually. Everything.
3. Ebay "WATCHERS", whether 2 or 22, mean nothing.

[AngryScientist]

There is more and more evidence of people lacking a sense of personal responsibility every day. It's sad and troubling.

I have friends in various sectors right now who are trying to hire people and it's proving difficult.

People will get hired and find a better job the next week and simply not show up for work at the first place. No letter of resignation, no phone call, no apology, they just dont show up.

I simply cant wrap my head around that lack of any scrap of respect for other human beings.

[zmalwo]

part of doing the business on eBay. I learned to be in peace with it and just cancel the order and relist.

[Scott5182]

I have had good luck. Occasionally buyer fails to pay. I just cancel it, resist and move on.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

3. Ebay "WATCHERS", whether 2 or 22, mean nothing.

I've wondered about this. Any other opinions on this point?