How to handle dawdling customer…

[kerbel1]

So let me start by saying that this is not my main account obviously. I sell jewelry items, small, and don’t make a huge profit. I do auctions and have very good luck with them. I’ve been doing it for about 10 years I don’t typically have any issues With non-paying bidders and if I do then I’ll do the typical close it out after four days if I haven’t had any communication with them. I do warn them. I have a rather unusual case though, a person who has won eight auctions. She won three the first week and communicated with me that she was interested in some more to which I told her that was fine I would not close out the first three automatically that I would hold them for her so that she could finish the second week. She said she would pay on Sunday night after the auctions ended and I sent her an invoice for one shipping charge, basically the lowest I could go which was the 4 ounce charge since it was light weight items. Sunday night passes,  and Monday rolls around and she starts asking questions about the items – questions that should’ve been asked before the auctions ended. I answered all her questions and she reassured me that she was going to pay Monday night. She also asked for free shipping since she has such a “huge” order. It wasn’t huge - it was about $100 but I obliged and gave her free shipping. I don’t make a lot of money on my stuff so it does cut into my profits  but it’s not a huge deal.  So now it’s Thursday and I still haven’t received payment. She messaged me today and was asking about another item and what could sell it to her for. At this point I’ve decided that if she hasn’t paid by this evening I’m just gonna cancel everything and just not deal with her anymore.  The item she asked about is a pair of earrings and I told her I would add a buy it now on it for 30% more. She basically told me she wasn’t paying that and that she could get them elsewhere for cheaper. I just responded “OK “. I feel like I have bent over backwards for this lady and she’s just stringing me along. I’m a patient person normally but this is grating on my last nerve to be honest. What would y’all do in the situation? 

[dirk12955]

Every time she hits the bid button,   She is aware of the action and knows full well what she is doing.

When she wins,   she gets an email from eBay telling her that she is the winning bidder and that 

she needs to pay.

About 48 hours after she wins and does not pay,   ebay reminds her to do so.

Plus the back and forth between her and you.   How many reminders is she getting when 

you have a conversation with her.

If she was going to pay,  she would do so.    Only you 

can decide when to stop wasting your time and energy with this "Sport bidder"

Are you comfortable with the idea that she MIGHT pay and then decide

to cause more issues later?    

[toysaver]

Make sure to report her as an abusive buyer.  Don't forget to add her to you blocked buyer list.

Unpaid item policy | eBay

 Abusive buyer policy | eBay

[house*of*paws · Accepted solution]

Hi @kerbel1 

Go directly to your BBL … do not pass GO … and then can cancel all the unpaid items as ‘Buyer hasn’t paid’.

Things will not get better.  In this situation ‘winning’ is keeping yourself out of the range of Red Donuts.

I’m so sorry this happened.  😞

[1tuna]

I have many many customers that are long term and they run a tab with me

if this is a new customer you need to let here know that its time to pay

I get that maybe you are afraid to be blunt or forceful now that they are into a few auctions won

just be nice and tell her that the time is up...they can pay for this group, have it shipped and start another group if you want to continue.

once I item is ended at auction or BIN I am done talking about it

of course they want discounted combined shipping but please dont be afraid to tell them to pay now

as far as feedback goes its not even worth talking about. they do nolt have you over the proverbial barrel

@kerbel1 

[kerbel1]

actually I did tell her to pay – on Monday. (I think my wording was “ I need you to go ahead and pay for these items tonight because it gets messy if we wait longer” ). She has not paid. I put it nicely, and she reassured me that she was definitely going to pay that night. That’s why I’m considering just go ahead and canceling without any other interaction. I feel like she has had the time in the warning and that I have been lenient enough.

[kerbel1]

Thank you. I do agree with this.

[kerbel1]

Yes, I think this is the best way to handle it as well. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t the only one, as this has honestly just never happened to me before. And as someone else mentioned, this is a brand-new buyer so I don’t think this is someone I want as a repeat buyer.

[bearswatching]

Plain and simple...you are being played.

[rileydone]

Oh, they will be a repeat buyer all right...repeatedly asking for item discounts and free shipping!!

[eunster1313]

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@kerbel1 wrote:

Yes, I think this is the best way to handle it as well. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t the only one, as this has honestly just never happened to me before. And as someone else mentioned, this is a brand-new buyer so I don’t think this is someone I want as a repeat buyer.

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Resolving unpaid items with buyers

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/resolving-unpaid-items-buyers?id=4137&st=12&pos=2&que... 

Preferences for items awaiting payment

https://www.ebay.com/Cancel/Preference/UnpaidPurchase 

[kerbel1]

Haha, no, I have had PLENTY of unpaid buyers over the years, just none that have been communicative with so many items and kept promising to pay and never did. I am an old hat at closing out unpaids, and honestly love the new system. Invoice, canned “hi I can’t ship until this item is paid message”, a more direct “hey if this isn’t paid by Thursday night, I am closing it out Friday morning” message. And I follow through. But the games this one is playing are epic. I don’t like drama and games.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

I would never have given her the free shipping in the first place. She got a combined shipping rate, she then dared ask for more money off for free shipping? For a "HUGE" order. Please 🙄

Geez... 

Sounds like a straight PITA

[kerbel1]

Your post made me giggle. It was more of, how do I say no. I am just never put on the spot. I mean, I offer my repeat customers that buy huge lots from me free shipping, but sellers understand that free shipping is usually built into the price. But the comment today about how she wasn’t going to pay that sealed the deal. I was done.