Suspicious Message about Credit Card payment?

[ekmadonna]

Hi all, Hope someone can help as I am a bit confused about this. I sold an item through auction format and customer bid and won 10 minutes before auction ended. this was early afternoon on Feb 20th. the customer has not paid and an automatic UPI case has been opened by ebay after 4 days of non payment. I just tried messaging the customer and reminding them that payment was overdue and to please pay for their item. They responded back timely saying and I quote, "I authorized payment through my credit card a few days ago" they then listed their name, attorney at law, name of the law agency they work at, address suite number and business number and home phone number all in Boston Ma. their shipping addy is in Cambridge Ma. I suggested they contact ebay customer service because PAYMENT has not been made. Anybody have a clue as to what could be going on here or is this person just trying to get out of paying? 7 total feed backs and 1 purchase in 6 months, the other 6 were over a year ago.

[bigdeals.etc]

That's really an issue between the buyer and ebay/paypal. There's nothing you can do to fix their issue aside from just making guesses. And I wouldn't even do that for the buyer unless you are super confident your guesses are correct. Because if you happen to be wrong, the buyer can get upset at you for accusing you of misleading them.

Best you let Paypal/ebay take care of it IF the buyer takes your suggestion to contact them.

[southern*sweet*tea]

hmmm...

I was gonna say something pithy about lawyers, but I figure it best I not.

No payment in Paypal, no ship.  Close out the UID, block if you desire and don't think about it anymore.

We could spend all day hashing out what the problem could be.

[divwido]

Not pithy, but true.  I think it works.

[ekmadonna]

I understand that it is an issue between pay-pal and ebay BUT if this person actually did pay or thinks they paid and no payment was made or went through for some reason , might they not be expecting a package that I am not shipping? Shouldn't they be made aware that the payment has not gone through?

[ekmadonna]

and of course it is NOT an ebay or pay-pal issue if this person is just blowing smoke up my you know what.

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

I assume you've already checked the listing to make sure your PP address for payment is correct?

[ohnojoey]

"I sold an item through auction format and customer bid and won 10 minutes before auction ended."

How is that possible? 

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

I read it as they placed the winning bid 10 mins before auction end

[ekmadonna]

yes payment info is automatically filled in. never had a problem with that.

[castlemagicmemories]

What they do and where they work is superfluous information, IMO.  It is not needed.

[marinermikes]

Sounds like a hi jacked account and some one is trying to get you to ship without paying. Like castle says there would be absolutely no need to add the work place and lawyers other than to try to intimidate you into shipping.

[luckythewinner]

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@ekmadonna wrote:

1) "I authorized payment through my credit card a few days ago" 

2) I suggested they contact ebay customer service because PAYMENT has not been made.

3) Anybody have a clue as to what could be going on here 

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1) It is not your job to diagnose his credit card authorization issues. 

2) You did all you can do by directing them to eBay customer sopport.

3) It is either a problem with him, a problem with PayPal, or a problem with eBay 🙂

[gracieallen01]

The buyer, whoever it might be, can 'authorize payment' all day, but unless someone actually DOES something - like provide payment information to PayPal - and it is approved by the processor, nothing has been paid - let alone to you.  I would suggest if nothing shows as 'PAID' in PayPal (no fake e-mails, mind you), let the UID ride, close it when done, block buyer and relist.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@ekmadonna wrote:

I understand that it is an issue between pay-pal and ebay BUT if this person actually did pay or thinks they paid and no payment was made or went through for some reason , might they not be expecting a package that I am not shipping? Shouldn't they be made aware that the payment has not gone through?

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Yes, but as you said you already told them that the payment has not been completed on your end. Now it's up to the buyer to do their own leg work despite how strongly they believe they truly paid you. If you just keep telling them the same message, they will either get annoyed by you or simply not believe you. And that can lead to more hostile messages that you don't need. I've been there many times as the seller.

Just direct them to contact ebay and/or paypal since they have access to their account. If they end up just complaining to you and not wanting to take it up with them.... then either they are too lazy and don't really want their item badly enough to act, or they are bluffing and trying to scam/scare you.

One thing you CAN try to do. But I only do this for buyers who are respectful and polite to me. Call ebay yourself and ask them to reach out to the buyer because they are having payment issues. I'd say 50% of the time the agent agrees to do so. If you are nice enough to the agent or if they are sympathetic enough they will help you (I mean the buyer ) Because honestly you don't have to be doing any of this. If the UPI closes the buyer can't leave you feedback anyway. Good luck.