MESSAGE to BUYERS WHO REQUEST to CANCEL A SALE

[little*blackdog]

Every buyer requesting a cancellation will get this message now, with modifications to fit the circumstances, BEFORE I just automatically agree to cancel.  If nothing else, it should educate some buyers, maybe inspire thought in others... or if nothing else, just let the buyer know I've not just automatically rolled over for them right away!

I see you've asked eBay to cancel this sale 13 minutes after buying. I just wanted you to know that every sale is very important to me, as I am retired and selling things we've accumulated over the years, to supplement a low retirement income.

I looked at your feedback, specifically what you left for other sellers, and it's obvious you're a very nice, kind person... Intelligent and considerate. Because of that, (i.e. you may actually care), I also wanted to tell you that eBay sellers forfeit all fees paid to PayPal when a transaction is cancelled or a buyer refunded.  Individual sellers don't have automatic or computerized resources like big companies do and it takes account management time to deal with cancellations. So to you it's a second thought, to me it's a big deal that will waste my time and cost me money.

These transaction fees are taken from my account the second your payment reaches PayPal and never returned, even if the sale is cancelled or a refund is made. This is a fact most buyers aren't aware of, (see PayPal Terms under "Seller Fees").

From a seller's perspective, those non-refundable fees can add up, especially for a small seller. (eBay does refund some seller fees, but PayPal doesn't refund a cent!) That is one big reason buyers should be encouraged to use the WATCH LIST feature... so you can save things you're interested in, and then go back and review, to be sure it's what you want before you click on "Buy It Now".

Since I have nothing to lose, I thought I'd reach out and ask if you are certain you want to cancel this purchase. Maybe there's something else I have listed that you would rather have instead.  If so, get back to me right away so that can be arranged. But bottom line... I'd really like to save this sale and make it work for both of us.

Your seller / Little*blackdog

[pburn]

Seriously? You really intend to send that?

[jameshen1]

Worth a shot, I guess.  I would be worried about aggravating the buyer and causing more problems.  But, hey, if it works for you, it will save you like 30 cents each time.  Best of luck.

[bonjourami]

Good grief...no..not professional...buyers dont care about your economic status or fees...a big turn off..i would hit the back button...fast!

[ittybitnot]

@little*blackdog 

Just my opinion, but that is entirely too long and likely nobody is going to care to read it.  If you are worried about losing the fees, maybe just shorten it up a bit. 

Dear buyer, 
It will cost me $xx.xx in fees to comply with your request to cancel the sale.  Please let me know how you plan to reimburse me for that amount. 
Sincerely,

You

OR

You can join MPayments where they are not keeping all the fees for cancellations YET.  

[kensgiftshop]

I'd rather loose a little in fee's and cancel as buyer requested, then take a chance on buyer filing an INAD and have to pay return shipping and give a full refund.

Plus, you still loose the fee's.

[aproudparent2010]

You're joking right? You don't really intend to send that to anyone do you?

[birdhousemarketplace]

Dont waste the time on it. Just cancel and move on. At least in MP you only lose the transaction fee (.30) With Paypal they started keeping the whole fee there towards the end. 1 positive for MP....

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Last cancel I had, I immediately agreed, told the buyer a funny story related to the item, and the buyer came back later the same day and bought something more expensive. Personally, I wouldn't send the message you've written. But to each his (or her) own.

[vintage-car-magazines]

How frequently does a buyer pay and request a cancellation before it's shipped?

[fashunu4eeuh]

I understand your frustration and think your message makes its point very well.

I still would not send it.  

It is somewhat presumptuous to lecture buyers. Would it be nice for them to realize there is an actual person on the other end of the anonymous transaction? Absolutely. But this is a business and  it is our job to conduct it as such. It is our responsibility to set prices that take all expenses into account. That is not something to lay at the buyer’s feet as a guilt trip.

[tdrake]

Sounds pretty whiney to me, but YMMV.

[ra_201044]

You can join MPayments where they are not keeping all the fees for cancellations YET.  

YET is correct. I'm sure they will start soon, as they said they will not refund fees if the fees are not refunded by the money processor.

[luckythewinner]

Not in a million years would I send a message like that.

Example:

You say ...  "this is one big reason buyers should be encouraged to use the watch list feature"

Buyer hears ... "let me lecture you about you how to use eBay the way I think you should"

[terrycece62]

I  would absolutely advise against sending that message

Either  agree to cancel transaction or do not agree to cancel the transaction

its up to you 

  If  it were me  cancel the sale and add deadbeat buyer to your BBL  and be done with it 

Move on to listing your items and sending out orders for buyers that paid you