My first problem w/ ebay came up... needs your advices

From: Mike Ford <mikeford_at_socal.rr.com>
Date: Mon Apr 23 03:35:08 2001

>I commend that but some far away people wishes not to have phone
>given due to LD cost or something nasty but many are reasonable
>people. Realize that I always remind seller I pay by MO, not checks
>or credit cards.
>
>> It seems like you are still considering posting a negative feedback as soon
>> as Tuesday, and I strongly advise against it. International sales are a
>> PITA, and many eBay vendors now won't sell to Canadians, just because of
>> potential problems and possible negative feedback.
>
>Interational sales PITA? I see this way less PITA between Canada
>and USA border. Especially across the sea or south of that USA I
>can agree with that being some more PITA.
>
>BTW, what can I do about that to withdrawal from this deal
>gracefully if Mike Ford advises against negative feedback? Well, I
>give this time till Tuesday night but I'm not sure why you're against
>negative feedback. They there for that reason.

When you bid you enter a contract with the terms laid out in the eBay
regulations and the requirements of the seller (if they bother, but it
doesn't have to be listed as long as they make it clear they have terms and
link to them within the auction ad). As many seller say in there ads, if
you don't agree to the terms, don't bid. Once you bid, unless you retract
your bid both immediately and a reasonable time prior to the auction
closing, you have committed yourself to complete the transaction under the
terms set out.

So what can you do?

Back out, don't pay. Most likely you will get a nasty negative, but maybe
and just as likely you will get booted off ebay. Big deal, you only have 4
feedback, so starting a new account isn't a great punishment.
Back out, but be nice about it and offer to pay the relisting costs etc. of
the seller.

So what should you do?

Just respond to the first email with the information requested like the
last 2600 happy customers did, and sit back and wait for the gears of
commerce to turn.

Why shouldn't you leave negative feedback?

The seller has done NOTHING wrong, his are normal ebay business practices.

Tit for tat, they could leave a negative for you as a uncooperative buyer
who leaves negative feedback 5 days after the auction closes. Nobody will
even notice the negative you would be leaving them, and if well written
anybody sane reading the negative they could live for you would just cancel
your bids and bar you from their auctions.

Why are international sales a PITA?

Half a dozen extra things can go wrong, many related to random chance, ie
after 100 transactions 10 packages will be lost, 5 people will order the
wrong item, payment will come in a form that can't be cashed without great
expense, 2 people die before the deal is completed, etc. etc. Not only does
it take more time, but it occupies my thoughts until its done. Want to know
how many airmail money orders from Canada have taken more than 2 weeks to
reach me in California? (about 15%)
Received on Mon Apr 23 2001 - 03:35:08 BST