What to do when buyer doesn't have the money.

[odellkevin]

I recently "sold" a motorcycle on eBay with the terms of cash only, pickup only. As soon as the auction was over, the winning bidder contacted me asking if he could pay through PayPal with his credit card AND if I could deliver it or at least meet him halfway. No and no. I told him PayPal offers zero protection for motor vehicle sales because the PayPal/credit card charge-back scam is so common. He replies back that he doesn't have the cash, can't get the cash from his credit card and the bank turned him down for a loan. He also mentioned that it would be a pain to come pick the bike up. He said he "may" have the cash in 2.5 weeks.

So I go to cancel the transaction, and eBay asks for a reason, but only gives 3 choices: 1) Out of stock or item is damaged. (Nope), 2) Buyer asked to cancel (Nope), 3) Something was wrong with buyers address (Nope). So what do I choose? I chose "Buyer asked to cancel", even though he didn't, he actually wanted me to either accept PayPal or wait 2.5 weeks. How about an option 4) Buyer can't pay or at the very least 4) Other.

[*eponymous*]

Bids for vehicles are non-binding on buyers. Next time, tell the buyer you can only cancel at his request; when you get his request, cancel for that reason so you can get the $125 final value fee credited back to you (it is not a cash credit, it is an account credit).

As it stands now, the buyer has 10 days to confirm that he either 1) got a refund or 2) never paid. That can leave you hanging for 10 days...

You should have taken the PayPal payment.  Buyers have no buyer protection for items that are listed as pickup-only.

If you think you have some kind of "seller protection" in any event through PayPal or eBay, you have another think coming.

[a_c_green]

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@odellkevin wrote:

He replies back that he doesn't have the cash, can't get the cash from his credit card and the bank turned him down for a loan.

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Something tells me his PayPal payment backed by credit card wouldn't have worked out for him either, if you'd agreed to accept payment that way. This guy just is not going to be able to buy your bike, unfortunately.

[missjen831]

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@*eponymous* wrote:

Bids for vehicles are non-binding on buyers. Next time, tell the buyer you can only cancel at his request; when you get his request, cancel for that reason so you can get the $125 final value fee credited back to you (it is not a cash credit, it is an account credit).

As it stands now, the buyer has 10 days to confirm that he either 1) got a refund or 2) never paid. That can leave you hanging for 10 days...

You should have taken the PayPal payment.  Buyers have no buyer protection for items that are listed as pickup-only.

If you think you have some kind of "seller protection" in any event through PayPal or eBay, you have another think coming.

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But they have full chargeback rights. I don't see why OP should have not only paid unnecessary paypal fees and opened themselves up to an unwinnable chargeback.

OP you should have filed an unpaid item dispute to get the fees credited. You will probably get hit with a defect since the buyer never asked to cancel 😞

[retrose1]

 Never cancel unless the buyer actually demands it - file the unpaid item dispute and get your fees back.

[bubbleman2010]

I didn't think fees were refundable for a ebay motors transaction?

[bubbleman2010]

There's no additional fee charged on the actual sale of the vehicle after it sells. However, you'll be charged a successful listing fee regardless of whether you carry out the sale with the buyer.

[arun7500]

Just wait 5 days and then file an UPI (Unpaid Item). Let ebay close out the sale, get your fees refunded and move on.

[missjen831]

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@bubbleman2010 wrote:

I didn't think fees were refundable for a ebay motors transaction?

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The successful listing fee IS refundable. Just file and close an UID. Sellers have been able to file UIDs on eBay motors since 2012. 

[missjen831]

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@morty14 wrote:

Just wait 5 days and then file an UPI (Unpaid Item). Let ebay close out the sale, get your fees refunded and move on.

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Why would you give such advice when the OP clearly states HE CANCELLED the transaction?

[d-k_treasures]

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@missjen316 wrote:

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@morty14 wrote:

Just wait 5 days and then file an UPI (Unpaid Item). Let ebay close out the sale, get your fees refunded and move on.

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Why would you give such advice when the OP clearly states HE CANCELLED the transaction?

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No, the OP asked how he should cancel the transaction.

[bubbleman2010]

So this staement ebay has posted is false?   There's no additional fee charged on the actual sale of the vehicle after it sells. However, you'll be charged a successful listing fee regardless of whether you carry out the sale with the buyer.

[missjen831]

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@d-k_treasures wrote:

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@missjen316 wrote:

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@morty14 wrote:

Just wait 5 days and then file an UPI (Unpaid Item). Let ebay close out the sale, get your fees refunded and move on.

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Why would you give such advice when the OP clearly states HE CANCELLED the transaction?

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No, the OP asked how he should cancel the transaction.

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Nope. Read the OP again. He said "so what do i choose? I CHOSE BUYER REQUESTED even though he didn't......"

[missjen831]

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@bubbleman2010 wrote:

So this staement ebay has posted is false?   There's no additional fee charged on the actual sale of the vehicle after it sells. However, you'll be charged a successful listing fee regardless of whether you carry out the sale with the buyer.

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No it's not false. It says you will be charged regardless. It does NOT say the fee isn't refundable. Sellers are charged a final value fee on regular listings whether either of them carry out the sale right? And they can get the fees credited if they cancel or file an UID. eBay motors is no different. The fee is charged regardless but is refundable.

[southernfriedbelle]

I agree with @missjen831's interpretation. I'm reading it as the OP meaning he's already cancelled the sale. He said  "Ichose  'Buyer asked to cancel.'" The OP seems to be frustrated regarding the limited reasons from which he was given to choose, resulting in his choice of an option that didn't accurately describe his situation. I think he is is asking what he should have done, instead.