Winning bidder claims didn't buy...after UID started. Best course of action?

[electrola_man]

I sold an item for over $100 on Thursday, 5/3, after sole bidder's bid from April 28 ended up winning.  After two days of hearing nothing and no payment, the UID case got started per my auto-start rules.  This morning I get this from the "buyer":

"Hello, I have received an email about this item. I did not purchase this item. I’m not sure why I’m getting the emails but I didn’t order it."

I sent one message back saying that this account definitely bid on and won my item, and noted that it takes quite a bit of concsious action to place a bid.  I suggested checking with family members that might have access to the account.  If it comes down to it, though, do I just need to let it time out in order to get my FVF refunded so I can relist?  Is it still true that a transaction cannot be cancelled once a UID has started?  Account owners are supposed to be responsible for activity of their own accounts, so if I need to wait and she needs to take an unpaid item strike, that's okay, but if I can cancel and get my item back for sale sooner, I'd probably do so since that's better for me.  Thanks for advice.

[myangelandmyprincess · Accepted solution]

You can’t cancel once a uid is open.  

The buyer can leave feedback if it’s cancelled but it can be removed if the seller can show the buyer asked to cancel.  Moot point since it can’t be done here now though.  

[missjen831]

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@lacemaker3 wrote:

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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Are you sure that the buyer can't leave feedback if the transaction is canceled? I know that it will be blocked then the unpaid item case closed.

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I thought that the buyer could leave feedback after a cancellation ... I know I could have done for the last item a seller cancelled on me ... the seller said it was buyer requested and I called eBay and asked them to make a note that I had not requested the cancellation.

But, I am not remembering things too well so far today.

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Buyers can leave feedback on all cancellations. It’s not block.  But it is removable if the buyer requested the cancellation. When the seller cancels, it’s hard to leave feedback because eBay removes the links. 

[7606dennis]

The buyer's only options are to pay or not to pay.  Regardless of what the buyer claims to not have done, I would close the UID after 96 hours if they hadn't paid giving them a strike and move on.   Don't forget to put them on your BBL.

[electrola_man]

OP back with new chapter -- just received new message from "buyer" saying this:

"Well the emails that I’m getting says to contact the seller, idk! So I’m contacting you to let you know I didn’t bid on it. I know exactly how bidding works I have been on eBay for years."

I guess I should advise that I plan to just let the case run its course, and that she should change her password and contact ebay to see if they'll not give her an unpaid item strike.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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No, you should just ignore her comment.  If she knew exactly how bidding works, she'd realize that SOMEBODY used her account to bid on the item.

At the very least, hold back and then send your advice about dealing with a hijacked account until AFTER the unpaid item case closes.

[electrola_man]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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No, you should just ignore her comment.  If she knew exactly how bidding works, she'd realize that SOMEBODY used her account to bid on the item.

At the very least, hold back and then send your advice about dealing with a hijacked account until AFTER the unpaid item case closes.

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I can see that you're right...nothing I say now could be beneficial to myself.  It's better to just quietly let the case time out.  I'll stay on that path unless something happens in which I truly feel like I absolutely need to respond.

[dhenrich2]

I have has several transactions lately from either overseas people and/or folk with few stars and just joined. They win, but never purchase. I have had to relist the same item several times. Can I restrict bids somehow?

[m60driver]

First, I would never automate any process on Ebay.  And second, I would always give a buyer more time to pay than two days.   Not all of us are "jacked in"  24/7.

[missjen831]

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@m60driver wrote:

First, I would never automate any process on Ebay.  And second, I would always give a buyer more time to pay than two days.   Not all of us are "jacked in"  24/7.

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Buyers have a minimum of 6 days to pay. Nothing wrong with sellers starting the UID at the 48hr mark because the buyer still has another 4 days to pay. If a buyer can’t pay within 2 days they should let the seller know. 

[electrola_man]

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@m60driver wrote:

First, I would never automate any process on Ebay.  And second, I would always give a buyer more time to pay than two days.   Not all of us are "jacked in"  24/7.

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It saves time on having to send follow-up extra invoices, and it does not make it look like it is coming from me, but rather from ebay.  All it does is give a little prod to those that haven't paid in two days, and lets them know they need to pay within the next four days, and it helps me get my fees back ASAP if the "buyer" ultimately does not pay.  I like the automated features.  In the old days, we had to send messages back and forth, get addresses, and all kinds of stuff.  Not anymore.  Buyer bids, buyer gets notification of winning, buyer pays, and I print the label and ship without having to do any manual messages.  That's progress.

[castlemagicmemories]

Thanks, that is what I thought.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@myboardid wrote:

I'm pretty sure you cannot change a UID to a cancellation.  You should just let it run its course.  You can offer to report her account as hacked, but you can be pretty sure it wasn't.  Either she made up an excuse to back out or someone in her family with access to the account did it.  Offering to report would be just a little harrassment (maybe deserved).  I wouldn't bother with that waste of time & effort myself.

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Thank you, that's what I thought.

Offering to report might cause the buyer to re-think using that "reason" down the road.  Or even in this case.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@electrola_man wrote:

OP back with new chapter -- just received new message from "buyer" saying this:

"Well the emails that I’m getting says to contact the seller, idk! So I’m contacting you to let you know I didn’t bid on it. I know exactly how bidding works I have been on eBay for years."

I guess I should advise that I plan to just let the case run its course, and that she should change her password and contact ebay to see if they'll not give her an unpaid item strike.

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The first unpaid item strike is removed automatically.  If this is not the first, it will stand.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@electrola_man wrote:

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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No, you should just ignore her comment.  If she knew exactly how bidding works, she'd realize that SOMEBODY used her account to bid on the item.

At the very least, hold back and then send your advice about dealing with a hijacked account until AFTER the unpaid item case closes.

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I can see that you're right...nothing I say now could be beneficial to myself.  It's better to just quietly let the case time out.  I'll stay on that path unless something happens in which I truly feel like I absolutely need to respond.

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I agree.  Wise to not further engage.