Buyer not able to complete payment.

[afonnes2014]

I am at a total loss.  I recently sold a trading card for $1700. Buyer contacted me early to let me know he was having trouble processing payment. He tried several different payment options and nothing worked.  He attempted to call eBay several times, confirmed there was no problem through his bank, but eBay can't seem to figure out what the problem is. eBay says there are no problems  or restrictions on my end and the buyer just has to contact them.  Meanwhile, I don't know what to do with the transaction. I can't really fairly relist the item as but is willing to pay, yet I am out $1700. At this point I feel like cancelling the transaction if I can do so without any negative repercussions for the buyer, and buyer and I  can do business directly if we choose. Any suggestions?  

[reallynicestamps]

I recently sold a trading card for $1700. Buyer contacted me early to let me know he was having trouble processing payment.

Uh huh.

There is a good chance that he is trying to move the sale off eByay.

Start your own inquiry through eBay's social media,

The phone reps have a terrible reputation for getting you off the phone as soon as possible even if that means giving you the advice you want to hear instead of the advice you need to have.


https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/ — Message button in upper right on landing page.

https://twitter.com/askebay?lang=en


https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851 -> Automated Assistant, type AGENT -> enter. You will then get more options.


The social media Chat accounts are covered by trained eBay employees with some authority.
And you get a transcript so you can compare what you heard with what you were told.

You may be surprised at how quickly the buyer reneges on the entire deal when they get called on it.

You will be very polite and professional, just in case he is being  honest about this.

yet I am out $1700.

No.

You have the card.

It's still worth $1700.

What you don't have is the payment.

Do not ship until eBay confirms you have been paid.

Just in case
 Are you signed up for Managed Payments?

EBay cannot complete the transaction unless they have your SSN (for taxes) and checking account information to transfer the payment to you.

You were selling over a year ago, but Paypal is no longer used by eBay for selling accounts.

[titipeo]

After 4 days, eBay will issue a strike against buyer for non-payment, after that, you can relist item. It is not up to you to get buyer to pay, it is the buyer that needs to step up. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

This makes me think you're getting set up for a outside invoice scam, where they say they finally got it to go through & send  you a totally fake invoice marked PAID.  

How are you out $1700?  I don't get that.  You still have the card.  

If someone doesn't pay within 4 days, you can cancel for non-payment on the 5th day & then you are free to relist.  

Also, is your buyer in the US?  

[nick101902]

Sounds like he's ready to scam you.  I had a buyer try the same thing with me, luckily I fall for it.

I understand the thought of losing a 1700 sale is ripping at you but with so many ways to pay for items on eBay he ain't trying.  Whatever you do, do not sell off of eBay, when you get burned you won't have any protection.  If eBay gets a whiff of it they'll suspend your account.  Let it run the 4 days and relist.

Good luck 

[12345jamesstamps]

I am in retail. If a person is buying something that expensive....like not every day....have to get (buyer) to confirm to the bank as a sale from the buyer to OK it to the seller. Usually buyer will get a text on iPhone as I try to scan the buyer's credit card. It usually will not go through until buyer OK's it with the credit card bank. Here's the pitfall....bank might ask for secret questions and such of buyer to OK purchase on phone. If buyer forgot those secret answers to questions on buyer's credit card buyer's credit card could get blocked for purchases. Buyer made not have made a lot of purchases lately or made too many purchases already. It DOES not mean buyer has no credit or cannot buy it. So be careful what you do.

Has nothing to do with eBay....Has everything to do with the credit card....I think most cards have a 1-800 number on the back to call....just tell the buyer what to do.

Once the bank OK's the purchase...redo the transaction on eBay and it will go through.

[soh.maryl]

Not just a suggestion, but a strong word of caution.

What you are suggesting about you and the buyer doing business directly if you choose is a violation of eBay rules because basically you would be taking an eBay transaction off eBay.

How are you "out $1700? You still have the card.  

Also suggestion:  Cancel, citing "buyer requested" until the buyer can get his financial arrangements together.  Give him a reasonable amount of time to do that.  If it does not happen, relist.  

[sextons-sweet-deals]

total scam!

I only read the first sentence, and this is an old scam game.

You are a young fresh seller that scammers just love. Selling a card like that need to either sent through eBay authentication or pick-up and pay at a secure safe spot like your local police station. 

[toomuchstuffagain35]

---

@reallynicestamps wrote:

 Are you signed up for Managed Payments?

EBay cannot complete the transaction unless they have your SSN (for taxes) and checking account information to transfer the payment to you.

You were selling over a year ago, but Paypal is no longer used by eBay for selling accounts.

---

Not quite true from some posts I've seen where the seller didn't sign up for MP but still managed to sell something and have ebay hold the money. So not being in MP just means the seller can't get the money, not that the buyer can't pay.

[ckimodog]

@afonnes2014 

Actually the loss would be if you accepted another form of payment that's not permitted on eBay & shipped it to the alleged buyer.  If you still have the card, you're doing good.  Protect yourself.  New sellers selling high dollar items are big time targets and I sure would hate to see you be victim to what looks to be a scam.  

Good luck re-selling that card and be careful.  They're everywhere looking to rip you off. 

[reallynicestamps]

So not being in MP just means the seller can't get the money, not that the buyer can't pay.

You're right. I wasn't clear.

There is a post at the moment directed at sellers from Ohio who have had their payments sent to the state because eBay cannot Hold the funds any longer, and they have not set up MP accounts.

I've been adding the warning/notice to any post directed to  a newbie.

It was a stupid decision on the part of eBay to allow new sellers to list before they did have an established way to get paid.

[12345jamesstamps]

Good call. Seller sold card and buyer has it....just saw the feedback left by buyer.

May not have MP or just a hold on such a big sale for 30+ days where seller hasn't sold before.

If seller doesn't have MP....Ohio gets it and gives it to seller eventually.

[maxine*j]

Did you sell two cards for $1700?  I see one completed transaction:  Card sold for $1726.62, buyer paid, buyer received card, buyer left positive feedback.  I don't see that you have any other cards listed, or sold, for anything like that amount.

I cannot understand your problem.  Has that buyer now opened an INAD case?  How are you "out $1700"?  Or are you saying that eBay has not released payment to you yet?

-

[soh.maryl]

Please answer:  The buyer left FB indicating that he has the card.

Did you have two of those cards?

Did you ship without having received payment? If so, it would have been a good idea to mention that before posting and asking for suggestions.  

[coolections]

You are not out $1700, in fact you are not out one cent. Cancel the order stating buyer has problems making the payment. Ebay will reimburse your fees. Make sure you block the buyer.