How long do I wait before making a "Second Chance" offer after being ghosted by a fraudulant bidder?

[spooievision]

I sold an item over the weekend that topped out with 34 watchers and 8 bids, where I made out pretty well compared to other auctions for the same item... or I should say "would have" made out, if the bidder actually paid for the item.

Turns out the winner has zero feedback and, apparently, had created their account the day before the auction ended.   After several hours with no contact, I sent an invoice out with a message to the buyer and never received a response.  It has now been 2.5 days and I know I can cancel the bid after Thursday (4th day) and leave a strike against the bidder; however, I'm not sure what good a strike against someone who likely has no intention of ever buying anything would actually do.

Meanwhile, the runner-up bidder has 902 positive feedback and bid $5 less (on a $300+ item).  Before it is too late, I'd like to make a second chance offer and see if they are still interested in the item to recoup the sale.

My first question is... do I need to wait two more days (Friday) before I can do this?   The auction currently gives me the ability to send the second chance offer out.

My second question is... would sending a second chance offer cancel the original auction so I am not charged or otherwise penalize ME in any way for not waiting the customary four days?

As far as I can see it, it doesn't make a lot of sense to wait out the additional time to put a strike against an account that would otherwise have no repercussions against it one way or another since it is brand new and they'll likely just create a new one.

Thanks!

-Chris

[a_c_green]

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@spooievision wrote:

My first question is... do I need to wait two more days (Friday) before I can do this?   The auction currently gives me the ability to send the second chance offer out.

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That's for cases where you have more than one item to sell, so if the bidding went well on the first one, you can see if the second-place guy wants to buy the same thing for one increment less.

In your case, assuming that you do not have a second one to sell, you need to give the winner his four days for payment first. That's how long eBay gives a buyer to pay without penalty. After 4 days (96 hours), you can cancel with the reason of "Buyer did not pay" and send out your Second Chance Offer to the next guy. The deadbeat gets an Unpaid slap on his record.

Really, Thursday will be here before you know it, and if the guy wanted it that bad when he bid on it and lost 2.5 days ago, there's a good chance that he will take your Second Chance Offer for it in the near future. My batting average with SCOs is about .500 or so. It depends a lot on how many other comparable items can be found.

[evry1nositswindy]

I have messaged the runner up bidder on the 3rd day, letting them know they may be able to have the item for their last price bid.  If the first buyer pays, I let them know that too.

[spooievision]

Thanks. 

There are a lot of other comparable items in what I would consider either lesser condition or with a much higher asking price.  Hopefully your assessment would be correct and there is still a good chance that the other bidder would be interested.

Do you think it would be a good idea to message them indirectly and ask if they would still be interested once the 4 days are over, on the condition that the buyer does not come through... or just wait until Friday and take my chances?

Thanks again.

[spooievision]

Thanks.   I was thinking the same thing.

[a_c_green]

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@spooievision wrote:

Do you think it would be a good idea to message them indirectly and ask if they would still be interested once the 4 days are over, on the condition that the buyer does not come through... or just wait until Friday and take my chances?

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I would say you have nothing to lose by sending him a heads-up message; sure. You should make it diplomatically clear that you cannot guarantee that the opportunity to buy will be there on Friday, but that you will let him know either way (and do that).

[spooievision]

Thanks.  I sent a message and asked that they please inform me if they may still be interested by the end of tomorrow and I'll send them a second chance offer if the buyer never materializes.

[soh.maryl]

How do you message someone "indirectly"?

[fashunu4eeuh]

“…After several hours with no contact, I sent an invoice out with a message to the buyer and never received a response…”

Well, a few hours wait is rather soon to send an invoice when eBay takes care of notifying the winner that same day, and sends follow-up notices as well. Some buyers are not on eBay often and might find this somewhat of an affront. In addition, being a new sellers is not a reason to be suspect just because they are new. They could be a guest account. They may still pay. Anyway, hope they do. Good luck with it. 

[romulus123]

Lots of problems with 0 feedback bidders. The bulk of my no payers are 0 or low feedback...they need some kind of policy on this...

[kh-ornesh]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.