Any advice - "Fake Bidders"

[perth_wholesale]

Hiya - relatively inexperienced seller here, so please don't be too rough...  I had a recent auction which went pretty normally, nothing seemed alarming... until the buyer didn't pay or make any contact after the auction ended.  Went through the appropriate channels and have now waited my time and re-listed... this is a pretty specialty item... and not cheap - so far I have one bid on the item (From a VERY suss looking account which was created the same day as the bid was made) and I'm getting messages from interested buyers wanting a Buy It Now or Best Offer option (which I DID have prior to this first stupid bid) and accusing me of fixing my auction with fake bidders.  Have my chances of selling been screwed by a non-payer?  Are buyers generally sceptical if things are re-listed?  Thoughts please?

[twyngwyn]

I don't think so....sometimes when this happens I put in the description: re-listed due to NPB....and often you get more than your 1st buyer offered...good luck

[redders_60]

If it's the cochlear it's a highly specialised item. Do you have buyer blocks in place? ie:  to countries you don't post to & etc. Any high priced item may leave you open to scam bidders. Maybe contact or check  the bidder via advanced search? (top right dropdown) Edit - I checked looks suss to me! Anyone else?

[perth_wholesale]

Thanks, yes it is the cochlear processor - I do have blocks in place, unfortunately that doesn't seem to cover these new accounts.  Am happy to ship worldwide, so that's not an issue, I'm stipulating I will only ship with Insurance and Tracking options (which I believe covers me with PayPal if there's a claim the item doesn't arrive. 

I've tried the advanced search, mine's the only item they've bid on.  Will try to make contact and see how it goes.

Thanks for the input.

[phorum_junkie*]

 I'm stipulating I will only ship with Insurance and Tracking options (which I believe covers me with PayPal if there's a claim the item doesn't arrive.

I don't think that will get you anywhere, especially if the buyer funds their payment with a credit card so could do a chargeback through their bank.

You are the only one who has control on how the item is shipped and you should only quote for fully tracked and insured delivery.

Another point is that I have no idea what the item is but if it contains lithium batteries you cannot send it overseas using Aus Post and would have to have it packed and shipped byu a specialist courier service which is VERY expensive, probably running into hundreds of dollars. Even for domestic delivery it must be sent by regular parcel with a road only sticker on it.

[i-love-my-sheep]

I would be very suss given they have no feedback on such a high priced, specialised item. You say you have blocks in place, does that include buyers with less than 1,3 or 5 feeback who haven't gone through phone verification? I would initiate that now if you haven't done so already. I would also put country blocks in place, including Africa and South America......full of scammers. As already mentioned, if it contains lithium batteries, it can't be posted via air, domestic or international.

Is your buyer in Australia?

[colic2bullsgirlore]

Air freighting items with lithium batteries is easy peasy.......  unless you think the world revolves around AP

http://www.amdg.com.au/courses/slb.html

Shippers of Lithium Batteries

Purpose of the CourseThis course gives students the knowledge to interpret and apply the International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR) to shipments of Lithium batteries.

Duration of Course 1 Day

http://www.bluelightningfreight.com.au/dangerous-goods/?gclid=CIvPwpGXib8CFdgjvQod4HgArw

When you require the transportation of any class of dangerous goods (inc. explosives and radioactive) by road or air

you can rely on the responsible capable service of our DG transport solutions.

We transport bulk and large packs of packaged DG within WA and between and the eastern states and territories.

We are also licenced controlled waste carriers.

Most urgent small packaged DG items can be flown by Airfreight at very reasonable rates.

Unfortunately we are usually unable to assist with the road transport of small packaged dangerous goods items outside of WA.

http://www.packsend.com.au/lithium-batteries

Lithium Batteries

Yes - PACK & SEND specialises in handling products that contain Lithium Batteries - providing professional packaging

materials as well as sending anywhere including domestic and international via road, sea and air freight.

Call or drop in to your local PACK & SEND service centre.

Since recent changes in law, Lithium Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries have been classified as dangerous goods and can only be freighted to destinations following compliance with strict guidelines imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and, hence, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia.

Consequently, most postal and courier companies will not accept packages containing lithium batteries from consumers (particularly via air).

However, with over 100 service centres throughout Australia and an international network growing across the world, PACK & SEND has the packaging and freight expertise to meet all the required regulations, offering consumers the utmost in convenience and peace of mind.

[perth_wholesale]

I really appreciate your feedback - thanks!  Have upgraded my "Blocks" - and have researched Pack and Send ... which would be quite reasonable postage.