Buyer repeatedly purchases items doesn't pay or respond to communication.

[tigertagz]

Hi all

I am having a strange situation with a buyer. On the 22nd of December, a buyer (only feedback score of 4) purchased 8 of my $8 items at the same time. This isn't too unusual, however they did not respond to any of my communications. Then again on the 26th they purchased another 1 of the same item. Again I sent a polite email and an invoice with free postage to include it with their other order. Again no communication, but the next day they purchased 2 more of the same. I am not sure what to do, but I am thinking that 4 days after the last purchase I will put in for a non-payment of all . I have put them on my blocked buyer's list so that they don't purchase any more. I am worried that if I put in for a non-payment, then they will purchase more and pay for it and then give me bad feedback. It is very strange behaviour. What are they trying to do? How would you deal with this?

Thanks for any help

[i-love-my-sheep]

I would open a non payment dispute. If they've only got 4 feedback, it should be enough to put the wind up them. Also make sure you have your buyer requirement blocks set to block serial non payers and also buyers with less than 5 feedback who haven't been through phone verification.

[springyzone]

I would definitely put in a non payment dispute.

I know you are worried they may then pay and give you a neg, but I think that means they would have to pay for all 11 items, so they would in effect be paying $88 for the privilege.

If they only pay for one and give a neg, my guess is you could go to ebay and say-this person bought 11 of the same items, didn't pay for 10 and only paid for one in order to punish me. Ebay may or may not remove it then. I would if i worked for them as it would be obvious revenge on the part of the buyer. But who knows with ebay.

But go for a dispute anyway. I think sellers are being too scared to tell it how it is & they need to stand up against the trouble maker buyers.

[tigertagz]

Thank you for your opinions, sounds like I need to tighten my restrictions. I've probably read too many stories about crazy buyers on the forum. From what I understand, if I wait the 4 days out from the last 'purchase', then they can't leave any feedback. Is that correct? That way I can avoid the hassle of trying to get ebay to revoke it. Why on Earth would someone do this?

[phorum_junkie*]

You would be surprised how often newbie sellers think they have done something wrong and the sale has not gone through so they buy againm and again, and again. If you open an unpaid item dispute for them all then they can only leave you feedback if they pay within the 4 days left, I would rather have the money and some red dots than no money so would not hesitate to open the disputes after emailing them and asking if they are havinf problems and can I help them sort things out. If they are doing it without realising then they may be grateful for the help and you could get yourself a repeat buyer.

[beautbots01]

No, that is not quite correct.  Once you lodge a NP claim you must wait 4 days before you can close it.  Assuming the buyer does not pay or respond to communication.  Only once you have close the dispute (and receive your FVF back), then they can not leave feedback.  Or if they do, you can have it removed by eBay.  If, however they do pay within that timeframe, then they are able to leave you feedback.

[tigertagz]

Ok, well I have been nothing but polite and attentive, so if they want to buy them all, then the feedback should be good. I will warn them that I haven't heard from them and ebay are about to deduct their fees, so I will need to let ebay know that we are not going ahead with the transaction. We'll see. Still no idea why they are doing it, but am a bit worried about their motive.

[jensmanchester-australia]

peppershine - it is most likely a totally confused new ebayer who has no idea they have even purchased the items.

Over the last couple of months I have had the same person purchase the identical item six times under different guest ID's. Not once did they go through checkout or respond to my messages - they just kept buying. Ebay have now deregistered five of the ID's and I guess the 6th one will be deregistered before too much longer.

[tigertagz]

LOL oh dear! Surely they get the emails from ebay asking them to pay? And the emails and invoices from sellers? This buyer managed to buy 8 in the one go from me the first time. I hope that yours is settled quickly.

[thecatspjs]

Agree with Jen, sounds like a confused buyer that has no idea at the other end.

Personally, I would pull the contact details and ring them to clarify.  

If not contactable to sort out, I would open unpaid disputes for the lot and if they did not pay close them after the 4 days elapse.