Bidder with zero feedback

[bathang]

  I've had a couple of high price listings that were bid up by low feedback bidders who ended up flaking out on the deals and never replying to my emails. I report it and they get suspended for a month. Big deal!

  I have an item up now that a zero-feedback bidder is hiking up the price. 6 Days left and much interest but I'm afraid the same thing will happen. I want to contact him and ask if he's legit.  Bidder is in Indonesia so that is another red flag.

  Can I list things with a restriction of "No bidders with less than 100 positive feedback" or something like that?

[stainlessenginecovers]

No you cannot 'stop 0 feedback bidders' but there are 3 things you can do

1.) Stop listing auctions- list as 'buy it now' with 'immediate payment required'

2.) Exclude all countries except USA (especially for high priced listings- note this will not stop an international sale from a buyer that uses a US Forwarding Company. If going to Oregon, Cali, Florida or Delaware, check the address (google). 

3.) Under your 'preferences' you can checkmark the box that says 'block bidders with 2 or more strikes in a 12 month period'. 

[bathang]

Great advice. Thanks!

[dryophelia]

@bathang 

Contacting the bidder to see if they’re “legit”, will turn off a good buyer and a person who is out to ‘work the system’ will just lie and say they are legit. 

How does one get 100 feedback (or any feedback) if they can’t participate until they have feedback. 

Sellers can cancel any bid they see as long as the auction is live. If you’re Leary, add this person to your Blocked Bidder List. 

You are offering worldwide shipping (minus a handful of blocked locations). 

The time to worry about a potential buyer is before you list. 
If a foreign buyer with zero feedback is your limit, block what you can. That means blocking international sales. 

[katzrul15]

@bathang 

Perhaps limiting some items to not be international? 

Offering some as Fixed Price with immediate payment vs an Auction, if those types of high-value items tend to draw non-payers?

E-Bay is rolling out immediate pay on Auctions/offers where the Buyer will have a payment source on file.  Still in beta/phase roll out.  Needs to implement fully soon!!

[bathang]

 Really good replies, thanks to all!

[coolections]

Two things stood out. Stop selling outside USA to save yourself aggravation.  Also you cannot verify a person was suspended for not paying. In fact, I have never heard of it.

[lisarondo]

You use to be able to restrict who could bid on your items by feedback amount ( i use to require atleast 5 positive feedbacks) I don’t know when they changed that but it’s a nightmare for me now. I have to keep reposting things because last minute a 0 feedback person would come on and  never pay.  

[ibuyoldstuf]

Mine was 10..

Old School eBayers will remember that Buyer FB of ten (10) was the eBay Suggested number to do much buying / bidding beyond a certain dollar amount unless the seller agreed..

That has stuck with me to this day and I still employ that thought process!  10 is still the magic number before I allow a Zero FB Buyer that opened an account 20 min ago offer anything, even double opening bid!

Never let a buyer tie up inventory for the grace period eBay allows! 

ooohhh sorry lol thats just me

[ibuyoldstuf]

Correct, since eBay took away feedback for all!

[albertabrightalberta]

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@lisarondo wrote:

You use to be able to restrict who could bid on your items by feedback amount ( i use to require atleast 5 positive feedbacks) I don’t know when they changed that but it’s a nightmare for me now. I have to keep reposting things because last minute a 0 feedback person would come on and  never pay.  

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It NEVER changed. Sellers were NEVER able to restrict buyers based on low feedback. NEVER!! 

Ebay would never allow such a rule since they are always wanting to increase membership. 

I'm sure glad that sellers didn't want to block me when I was a newbie.

[inhawaii]

@lisarondo @ibuyoldstuf 

Sorry fellas, you are mistaken.

You were NEVER able to block bidders/buyers with no/low feedback.

[annadryl]

Old thread, but this desire is age-old anyway...

Frankly I think that maybe those sellers that are "above" selling to those with low feedback should maybe be able to block them to an extent. Sure, they'll lose sales but more tolerant sellers will appreciate picking up the business.

As far as Indonesia, or whatever country/continent frightens you, those can be blocked too.

[ibuyoldstuf]

wrong. Have 1998 dot matrix sales printouts that say otherwise 

[inhawaii]

I don't want to get in a back and forth with you, but no you don't.

That option has never existed.

We'll just agree to disagree.