Local Pickup Buyer Incommnucado

[164nc]

Greetings All,

I sold a Local Pickup item June 27th, and have sent the buyer 2 emails regarding arranging pickup for the paid for item, one the day of sale another the next day. I have received no response from this buyer. The previous Local Pickups were no problem. In fact, one in particular had me holding the paid for item for one month until they finally were able to pick up, but each time I emailed regarding pickup they did respond back with an excuse why our tentative pickup arrangements never got solidified.

Although the buyer's phone number is listed, I am leery of going outside of ebay with this buyer because they've only got a rating of 7. Quite possibly so "new" they don't really grasp the fact Local Pickup means that and only that; no, the item's not going to be shipped if you never arrange pickup.

This item is a warm season item, its best time to get sold is summer. How long do I have to deal with this unresponsive buyer before this sale can be cancelled so the item can be relisted, and hopefully sell? And what reason to use for cancellation that's the best CYA for the seller in case this buyer decides to become un-incommunicado to complain about it?

[164nc]

Why do some buyers think ebay is some sort of online social networking site, instead of a business site? They use the bid button in auctions more like a like button on YT, then cancel sale from buyer's remorse. Sales go sideways w/ them because they can't be bothered to thoroughly read listings because they are over the 280 characters on a standard tweet. Ebay is not fb; ebay is all about conducting commerce, be prepared to do it. Sellers and buyers should give notice when they can't.

Buyer was not too busy to find the time purchase on Friday, so they can find the time to respond to the seller email almost right after the sale because I happened to see ebay email notification of sale while online. Was not expecting the buyer to have arrangements at the ready, but was expecting to have some form of acknowledgement that we'll touch base again soon in order to set up a pickup. As is stands now, buyer has "purchased" the item which is now off the market for sale, but I don't actually get on the road to "paid" until the buyer picks up whenever and the QR code that they were sent after "purchase" gets scanned in by me on pickup to let ebay know they've received the item.

[164nc]

Things have take a turn for the better for me as a seller in this case... I have been actually PAID. Ebay has paid out the funds for this Local Pickup without having the QR scanned in. So, cancellation of sale will be cancelled as of now... until possibly this buyer realizes their item is not going to be shipped and they are required to pick it up themselves and requests a cancellation or right before 30 day seller cancellation deadline comes so I can cancel and refund with no hassle if they never respond back to emails to pick up.

[soh.maryl]

eBay has "paid out the funds"? I thought from your original message that the buyer had already  paid? Do you mean eBay refunded the buyer?

It's been just a few days.  You evidently have the buyer's contact info.  Is there a reason you don't want to contact him/her? 

[dryophelia]

@164nc 

Why pay eBay fees to show your item to the world when your buyer is local to you? Sell these items locally, for cash. 

What, if any, are the abandoned property laws in your jurisdiction?

[164nc]

Ebay definitions of transactions are a little skewed. The buyer payed for the item sure, but that money is on hold in Ebay hands for three days until payout. It is at their discretion whether this money if given to the seller in a payout. Usually it will be but sometimes there can be delay. Until such times as it is the sell is unpaid. Ebay has realeased the funds in a payout, so now I am ACTUALLY paid 3 days later for the item's purchase.

Local Pickup, requires the buyer to provide a QR code at purchase for seller to scan for proof of receipt of item. From a quick search, this QR code was thought needed in order  get the money buyer paid being held by Ebay released to seller, the 3 day time line not applying in Local Pickup cases. But so it turns out this is not the case (or no longer the case) as the funds have been released in the 3 day time period this morning.

As for contacting the seller, I have done so through Ebay email communication 2 times for arranging pickup, and will not contact a buyer on a personal phone outside of Ebay communications until contact though Ebay business communication has been initiated. It is best, IMO, for Ebay to have their own separate record of buyer/seller contact for pickup for CYA.

[164nc]

@dryophelia

The item been languishing on cl with no takers, not even inquires, for months so I listed here. LOL

[dnasilver]

Sorry never have used Facebook or any other social media sites. We have been in business for over 45 years and understand as sellers, pushing a buyer tends to drive them away or nowadays leave a nasty comment somewhere others can see. We certainly would not hound someone over a weekend. That is just us and our opinion. 

[a_c_green]

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@164nc wrote:

As stated I do not want to go outside of ebay communications with this buyer to initiate contact.

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eBay gave you the buyer's contact info for this purpose, and the sale has already been completed on eBay, especially payment, so you are not violating any policy by phoning him up. You seem to be assuming an awful lot based only on the buyer's non-responsiveness, and a lot of this uncertainty could be resolved with one simple phone call.

[fern*wood]

Are you able to see their address?   I can't remember on a pick up only if it shows when they pay, but if so, is it near you?

[164nc]

No, the address is not listed on Local Pickup, however the buyer's area code is Southwest Virginia based. It's 2hrs from here in NC to hit the VA border.

[164nc]

I've been selling on ebay for 20yrs and a lot of it at the start was quality gold jewelry because I needed quick cash for a sudden emergency relocation due to a sudden death, so yeah the well of benefit of doubt with buyers on any site I sell on has been completely and totally poisoned forever.

[itsjustasprain]

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@164nc wrote:

I've been selling on ebay for 20yrs and a lot of it at the start was quality gold jewelry because I needed quick cash for a sudden emergency relocation due to a sudden death, so yeah the well of benefit of doubt with buyers on any site I sell on has been completely and totally poisoned forever.

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You have spent waaaay more time arguing with the responders here than if you had simply picked up the phone and called the guy. Ebay actually GAVE you his phone number for this purpose - to contact him regarding any issues with the sale - including pickup or delivery.

[adamcartwright]

If the listing sold on Friday 6/27, then today Monday 6/30 is only the first business day after sale.

I would call today or tomorrow and also show some grace and give buyer until Wednesday before even thinking about canceling.

I have been surprised at how many buyers don't know that they should be checking their messages or even how to check. The buyer may be expecting your call. 

[164nc]

So to follow up, decided to text the buyer to see if they would respond Monday evening, and they did. I received 2 half coherent texts back in summary that stated "that's why he bought off ebay because they deliver it to you and he can't come get it because he doesn't have a car". I texted back how Local Pickup works and since he can't come get it does he want to cancel. Then he decides to call me up and it became evident why the 2 texts were so incoherent, he was drunk texting and now he's drunk calling.

A friendly drunk though, so I spent the next 20 minuets helping him understand Local Pickup. First he claimed his version of the listing did not have Local Pickup option on it, then when I pointed out where to find it he said it was fine print so he missed it. Then he asked can I deliver it personally or he round up some one he knows to come get it. That's when I had to point out the location section on the listing. The item is 2hrs away at least in the next state NC, so no delivery. Because of his condition these things had to be gone over slowly a couple of times before they clicked and he got that the item won't be coming. Finally I got him to understand that his best option would be for him to get his money back by way of a cancellation so he can then shop again and this time find a seller that ships.