An Ebay WWYD ??

**HandyMom** · 06-22-2006, 11:32 PM

My ebay buyer just informed me that she can't afford to pay for the auction she won a week ago because of a "personal emergency". She wants to know if we can come to some agreement without giving negatives. The items in question totalled $27.

I have over 280 positive feedbacks and only one neg. The bidder has only 15 feedbacks and is new, all feedback is positive. I noticed she quit bidding and paying on items about 3 days ago.

If I give her a negative, she will give one to me, obviously. Is it worth it for me to teach her a lesson and receive a negative myself for doing nothing wrong but giving her a negative for being a non-paying bidder (which she is)??

So how would you handle it? I've not yet responded to her because I feel like she is blackmailing me with a negative feedback.

**Mom23boys** · 06-22-2006, 11:54 PM

Did you have another bidder? You could contact them and see if they are interested in buying the item at the price they bid on it. I think there is a way to do that somehow. I can't remember exactly how. Maybe someone else will be able to help you more in that area.

If you don't have another bidder, I would ask her if she would be willing to settle it by paying all ebay fees which would include the listing fee and the fees you incurred when the item sold. Then you can relist the item without losing any money. This would keep negative feedback away.

If she does end up leaving negative feedback on you, you can leave a response to the feedback stating that she bid on the item, but never paid. This would at least let other bidders be aware it wasn't anything you did wrong, but something she did.

Good luck in resolving this issue.

**Mom23boys** · 06-22-2006, 11:55 PM

Another thing, if she does leave you negative feedback you can report her to ebay for being a deadbeat bidder. They may take the negative feedback off.

**Missy** · 06-22-2006, 11:56 PM

i noticed there was a "second buyer" or somehting like that option somewhere at ebay. but i am not sure what it's all about. i don't know how i'd handle it. good luck!!

**Blessed** · 06-23-2006, 02:01 PM

Honestly, what I would do is give her the benefit of the doubt. You would hope for a break if you had a "personal emergency". It happens.

You can agree not to complete the transaction: 7 days after the item is won, proceed like you would for a non-paying bidder. Instead of checking that the buyer didn't pay, mark "agreed not to complete the transaction". The buyer will recieve an email asking if she agrees, so in your response you'll want to give her a heads-up. Be kind, gentle, and wish her well.

Re-list your item. If it sells you will not be charged listing fees again. If it doesn't sell, write off the fees as a RAOK. If there was another bidder, and you were happy with that amount, you can offer them a second chance instead of re-listing. I can't remember how to do that though.

Some people don't have great email communication skills, and very few do when they are stressed. Perhaps her tone indicates stress rather than an attempt at blackmail. I say give her a break, she's new to ebay, she may actually be having an "emergency", and you won't be a bad guy. If it makes you feel better you can put her on your blocked bidders list and you won't ever have to deal with her again.

BTW, I have just over 2100 feedback, 100% positive. My ID is dz_blonde.