posted on September 16, 2000 07:57:33 PM
Ok, this is the first time I've bought something from someone overseas. (Believe it'll be the last too...)
Auction closed 5 days ago. I wrote the seller on the day after the auction and again today. Finally got a response this evening. He said sorry, but he's been busy.
In his TOS he says he takes bidpay. I wrote to him that I would pay him via bidpay. What follows is a part of his letter to me.
"PLEASE NOTE I SHIP WHEN I RECEIVE THE PAYMENT FROM BIDPAY NOT WHEN THE CONFIRMATION E-MAIL IS RECEIVED AS IT CAN TAKE UP TO 2 WEEKS FOR ME TO RECEIVE A WESTERN UNION MONEY ORDER FROM THEM I USE BIDPAY BECAUSE IT IS EASIER FOR INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS, I HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 2 OR 3 WEEKS AFTER THAT TO RECEIVE MY PAYMENT BECAUSE HERE IN XXXX WE HAVE TO BANK IT FIRST BEFORE WE CAN CASH IT."
Nowhere in his TOS does he say anything about a 2 week delay. I don't know what to think. Maybe I'm just irritated that it's ok for him to wait 5 days to contact me (he's busy ya know) then it's ok for him to wait 2 weeks to ship.
posted on September 16, 2000 08:34:14 PM
Why not direct him to the bidpay link that instructs the seller to ship upon confirmation that the MO's been mailed?
If you take a look at their site, you may even find that it's a seller requirement. I'm not sure on that point, but I wouldn't be surprised if they officially frown on this sort of practice.
You might also point out to him the lack of any logic in his actions. He has nothing to gain (except illwill) by withholding shipment.
posted on September 16, 2000 08:35:31 PM
Doesn't ebay say that both the seller and bidder has 3 days to contact each other? The seller says he's been busy. Too busy to follow ebay rules?
Yes the seller should have put the delay in their auction, but my question would be: does it really take 2 to 3 weeks for the bidpay check to arrive? This is a seller who has just told you that he was too busy to send an email about the auction. It sounds to me like the seller is trying to buy some time.
I would contact bidpay and ask them if what this seller said is really true. Will it take up to 3 weeks for the payment to reach the seller. Also ask bidpay if you can track when the money order is received or cashed.
I might feel differently if the seller had sent you the notice in the first 24 hours after the auction ended. But then he was too busy to follow ebay rules.
You can also email some of his past customers telling them you have won one of his auctions and you were wondering how long it took for them to receive their package.
posted on September 16, 2000 09:03:33 PM
I recommend that international buyers use something us old folks know very well...it's called cash. There's no credit cards, no western union, no bank baloney. I have had buyers and sellers from Singapore to the Netherlands use it with great success.
posted on September 17, 2000 04:43:46 AM
True; but unless you send it registered mail, there's no way for bidder to prove it was mailed if seller claims it never was received, and even if sent registered mail, there's no proof of the amount sent, if seller claims he only received, say, a $10 when he'd asked for $12 or that the envelope was empty or had been slit.
"Doesn't ebay say that both the seller and bidder has 3 days to contact each other? The seller says he's been busy. Too busy to follow ebay rules?"
It's 3 business days, so depending on just when in the week this auction closed he may be within the "rules".
mballai-
"I recommend that international buyers use something us old folks know very well...it's called cash. There's no credit cards, no western union, no bank baloney. I have had buyers and sellers from Singapore to the Netherlands use it with great success."
Considering the bad start this transaction has seemed to get off on, I wouldn't send cash. Seller can always claim that they did not receive it or it got lost in the mail. If they had been more professional and timely in their emails I may not hesitate.
Waiting until the money order from Bidpay is in hand to ship, instead of shipping on receipt of confirmation? Ridiculous. He can always go into his account to see that it is on it's way if he is worried about forged emails.
posted on September 17, 2000 01:14:18 PM
Thank you all for your input.
Fountainhouse-
I looked at the bidpay site and all that it says is that you MAY ship when you receive confirmation. Not that you should or that it is encouraged. bummer...
kellyb1-
It also says that the seller should receive their money order in about a week, but that it is dependant on postal services. I thought about e-mailing some of his previous customers, but it looks (from the isp's) that most of them are in the same Country as this guy.
I am also leery of sending cash HartCottageQuilts. The reasons you gave were said better than I could have.
Sword013-
I didn't know that 3 days only counted business days. Good to know. However, this closed on a Monday.
Think I'll go look into getting an international money order tomorrow. I'd prefer to not deal with this guy, but I agreed to when I bid. Live and learn I guess.
