So... I sold a set of MSIA Gundam Seed Destiny Gundams on eBay and now the guy who one them (just last night mind you) just messaged me saying he was sorry, but he found a store that sold them for cheaper. At this point the only thing I've said is I asked him exactly what he was trying to say and if he realized that he would be in violation of eBay's policies if he backed out of paying for an item he's won. I still haven't heard back from him and as this is the first time I've had a situation like this so I wanted some suggestions on how I should handle the situation from some fellow sellers out there.

 

a contract is a contract but you can always file a non paying bidder dispute.that will get you back your seller fees if he refuses to pay and gives him a strike.(3 strikes your out rule)whatever you do dont leave bad feedback for him it never ends well.

and never send threats they always backfire(i hate when buyers try that on me)

and how much did you sell it for the more money you sold it for the faster hell get a strike

 

Yeah, really hadn't planned on neging him as I've worked hard to stay at 100% an a neg at 258 feedback would probably drop me significantly. I know a non-paying bidder is an option as I've had to use it before on people whom bid and than never pay and have no communication what-so-ever... I'm just wondering that if I have some other form of recourse as he basically blantently said that he wasn't going to pay because he found them cheaper somewhere else afterwords.

 

I had a non paying bidder a few months back; eBay found in my favour and I got my fees back. The bidder negged me, and eBay removed the neg.

 

So, if eBay finds in my favor and the guy negs me they'll remove the neg huh? Thanks Draven, I didn't know that they would actually remove negs unless you did mutual withdrawal. I guess if I can't work this out with him (which he hasn't even contacted me back yet) than I'll just do a nonpaying bidder on him... looks like the only thing I can really do. Thanks guys.

 

If the guy doesn't pay, eBay will always rule in favor of the seller.

Here's the tricky part: Once you file the UID, the buyer has 7 days to respond to it - as in an official response that will show up on the dispute console. If on the 8th day when you are allowed to close out the dispute, if the buyer NEVER replied to the dispute he forfeits the right to leave feedback. So, this means any feedback he has already left will (in my experience) lose it's rating (pos/neg/neutral), but the comment will remain. If he decides to leave feedback after the dispute is closed, like mentioned, the comment will show up, but no rating will be given.

And the best part: If the buyer never replies and the dispute is closed you can now leave a negative and he can't retaliate, except with the blank comments described above. Just be warned, if he does reply to the UID before it's closed, with any message at all, he still has the right to leave a retaliatory negative, etc.

 

Ah, thanks. I didn't know any of that.

One question though (and this partains to a different situation with a current nonpaying bidder), but he never actually responded himself perse. However, he did an auto response on the seventh day (right when I was going to close the dispute too) and ebay posted that he had opted to pay for the item, but he still hasn't actually responded himself or said when he'll pay. Just out of curiousity would that allow him to leave feedback as well?

 

oooh, that's a new one. I'm not sure. I would think it's considered a response.

Also, here's the policy info regarding all this: http://pages.ebay.com/help/feedback/losing-feedback-privileges.html

You may want to message their customer support (see above link), and see what they have to say. You may not get a response for a while or even at all, but it couldn't hurt. I'm interested to know too.  

 

Thanks. I'll definently look into that.

 

i thought ebay didnt remove feedback unless they are no longer a registered user.and has the rule kicked in where sellers cant leave neg feedback?

 

No, the neg rule doesn't kick in until 'sometime in may' according to eBay. My only issue right now is if I end up having to leave a negative I'd rather avoid getting one in return... especially when the problem is with the buyer.

 

Agreed. I guess I'll just go the route that I was told... but I have to give him seven days before eBay will allow me to open a dispute though. And I have tried talking to him again, but he hasn't responded to any of my emails. I'll send him another invoice indicating what I intend to do and see if that gets any kind of response out of him. Either way, thanks for all the great information guys.