Advice on AWOL buyer

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seven****

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Hi,
I'm gearing up to list a bunch of items on eBay, but I'm getting very cold feet. The buyer of the first item I ever listed and "sold" on Monday night has not responded to my last 3 emails. The item was for pick-up only (a 60's teak cabinet) and the buyer asked to pay cash and I agreed (provided I received it by last Thursday). I also agreed when the buyer asked for a day to arrange pick-up. Well, it's been four days, 3 emails and no response.
I'd like to know about other people's protocol in these matters.
I just feel very *?#!=! about having to leave negative feedback on my first sale.

Deborah
 
It's tricky really - my terms of sale are that i expect contact within 3 days, and require payment in 7.
After 7 days and no payment or definite payment arrangements I will file an unpaid item dispute (which occasionally does the trick) http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/unpaid-item-process.html
but if there's still no joy after another 7 days (I think it's 7, maybe 10) I then claim my final value fees back and leave appropriate feedback.
So all in all I give them about a fortnight before leaving a neg - just incase something unavoidable has happened to them.

Do you want to try and continue the sale, or would you rather give up on them and make an offer to the second highest bidder?
 
Thanks for words of wisdom Harriet, I'll wait until mid-week before I do anything. You're right, things do happen.

Deborah
 
I would say 5 days is not a long time for a pickup. I would call them because it could be they are not responding because they don't have a set time nailed down yet.

In the future, I would require payment ahead of time, as a "pick up" buyer is not buying the option to have first refusal, but is buying the item. In a case where there was a problem (like there was damage that you were previously unaware and did not note but would greatly affect the usability or value of an item - or you had a meeting of the minds that this was just not going to work out) its easier to refund than chase after someone in the first place.

Also, a buyer not paying has control in the situation and can come see it and try to bargain with you.

I hope that it all goes smooth and i am just being overly cautious
 
I would hold off on the neg, but as chris says they really out to be resopnding - especially as they have gone way over your required payment date. If you do call then have a firm date by which collection and payment must be made or you request that you mutually agree to end with the transaction at that point so you can second chance offer the underbidder, or relist without getting charged for it.

Don't be discouraged from listing though, i think with pick up items it can be more difficult. And if you clearly state your terms in your next set of listings if anything does go wrong you can feel justified in taking action!

:)
 
Yet another vintage sage! Thanks, Chris. I, too, would rather err on the side of caution.

Deborah
 
I actually sold a large store display cabinet in December on of one year and the buyer asked me if he could pick up in the spring. I said yes because it was not in my way but I made him pay for it within 7 days. Due to weather, etc, it was not picked up until August of the following year, but he made it!
 
Thanks again, Harriet! Thanks, Linda! The piece is in my way, but with all that's going on in the world, it's minute; so I'll breathe and be a little more patient...

...until my next breakdown!

Deborah
 
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