Non Paying Buyers Positive Feedback Scam

[t-bone0421]

This might be an old issue , however i have noticed recently with some non paying buyers that you cant give them negative feedback. You can give positive feedback with a negative comment but not negative or nuetral options. The thing with this is that they gain more points towards stars etc. So in reality you could buy 50 items , not pay and if all the angry sellers leave feedback that person could get themselves a blue star. I think this is something that needs to be fixed. Apart from the annoyance of non paying buyers , its the nuisance of having to get back final value fee's etc.

[the3coopers]

I recently had a buyer who did not pay in spite of being reported to Ebay. On advance search I discovered the buyer won quite a number of items but paid for very few. I would be interested to know whether any other seller has a link I could be referred to to see exactly how Ebay communicates with NPs. Surely this buyer should have been deregistered for theirr consistent refusal to pay. If all sellers who have come across a NP reported them and blocked them from bidding we may weed some repeat offenders out.

There is no need to report them or manually block them either. There is an automatic system...

Just go to My Ebay > Account (tab) > Site Preferences > Buyer Requirements.

Switch on all the blocks in there, specifically the one to block bidders with 2 or more Unpaid Item Strikes in the past 12 months. The block allows them ONE chance only - 2nd strike and they are "out".

Then, just raise Unpaid Item Disputes for every non-payer. And encourage other sellers to do the same. It's by far the best way of stopping the deadbeats

[agypsy62]

This is exactly what happen to me, I sold an item, sent invoice 1, heard nothing, then week later invoice 2 as reminder or may had missed first one, then 3rd contact I messaged politely asking if there are any issues I should be aware of item I sold, as for non payment, suggested contact me to solve issues/problem. Not one single reply, infact ignored me outright.

Only then went into this all positive feedback and noticed many many many non payments received.

I logged a non payment, left feedback, could only leave positive, but did wording persons lack of payment.

This person has over 500 positive feedback stars, yes I can block them, but this doesn't assist other sellers like myself as casual or new seller/buyers. There has to be another way!

I also noticed this person has more than 1 account.

This buyer also had been ripping ebay off with payments, selling multiple items in one 99c LISTING, no doubt paid only on 99c, not upto over the $3,000 different pricing advertised, using mobile number, these since have been removed after ebay was notified.

That's a lot of money you and I have paid, this seller has been on ebay for over 5 yrs, no doubt ripping off ebay most of the time.

[leader-of-the-band]

This person has over 500 positive feedback stars, yes I can block them, but this doesn't assist other sellers like myself as casual or new seller/buyers. There has to be another way!

There is!  And it is already in place RIGHT NOW. And it is simple.

Do a non-paying-buyer thing and a strike will be issued.  Leave no feedback as it will be removed upon request and the buyer may even ask for the strike to be removed as well.  Leave no feedback (I know I am repeating myself), let the process run its course, then put a buyer block in place that blocks anybody with two or more strikes in the last 12 months.  This IS what will help ALL us sellers that have bidder/buyer blocks in place.

[phorum_junkie*]

Why is it that sellers who think it is OK for them to breach ebay policy by leaving feedback for non payers are often the ones that complain loudest about other members breaching policy by not paying etc?

The rules are there for everyone and the consequence of not paying can, and should be, a strike which helps protect all sellers. The consequence of leaving false positive feedback are the possibility of a policy violation reducing your TRS compliance,  the addition of a green dot for the buyer with no comment because that will be removed, the possible removal of the UPI strike and buyers not purchasing from you because it is obvious you don't care about following ebay policy.

Now tell me again why you think leaving a neg for a non payer is a good idea?

[lumpsofcheese]

Okay, There is no real answer to ebays totally bias feedback system. They are not particularly interested in fair. Although they try. Its difficult to administer such a monsterous process.
With non paying buyers its best to follow the process of filing a claim and then finishing it at which time a strike will be placed against the buyers name. If they continue this behaviour they will be banded permanently.
Ebay needs to trash the private setting on feedback profiles as it can be used to disguise the truth. As a neutral feedback does not count to a percentage of feedback score then a seller may have multiple neatrals for bad behaviour yet still have paid for items so there is no no payment claims against them and still they have 100% feedback.
Anyways I suggest you report the non paying buyer to the police e-commerce fraud squad who will follow this up regardless of the amount of money involved. Well in Australia anyway. I am in this process at the moment. Only thing I regret is not being able to see the persons face when they are contacted by the police in regard their fraudulent activities. I have also engaged a solicitor who believes that he will redeem my money and all costs involved in redeeming the money unless he will not charge me a cent for his services.  Needless to say if we are successful I will only get my 50 bucks back but the legal costs will be high  and passed on to the crook who did not pay. Send the message to those with lack of character.  People who are dishonnest need to be ruined. And then maybe they may learn a leason. Unfortunately these type of people don't often learn leasons. They will still find some way of blaming you for their own problems which they are soley responsible for. Thats their gig in life. And I feel sorry for them and their family and friends who have live with them. On the flip side I am a compassionate man and worry if the reasons for their activities may be genuine. Perhaps they are dead and here I am spitting on their grave. One recommendation is that you cool off before you make any rash decisions. Don't lower yourself to other peoples standards. Live your own ideals and peace will be yours.

[jensmanchester-australia]

There were some changes recently regarding non payers and feedback.

As soon as an Unpaid Item Dispute is opened the ability for the buyer or seller to leave feedback is blocked by eBay.

If the buyer ends up not paying and the seller closes the UPI dispute then neither the buyer or the seller can leave feedback.

This message from eBay comes up if as a seller you try.

Sorry, it's not possible to leave feedback for this transaction.
Feedback has been disabled because payment was not recorded

If the buyer ends up paying and it is recorded by eBay then it is no longer an Unpaid Item so normal feedback rules apply.

[the3coopers]

One recommendation is that you cool off before you make any rash decisions.

That is certainly the best advice that I've read so far. I'd also add that people also understand the basic facts before acting.

[phorum_junkie*]

I for one would never trust a solicitor who would take on a case against a non payer.

I would imagine that the courts would consider it a frivolous case and refuse to award any costs to the OP.

[writingcj]

Fortunately I get few non-payers, but I do leave feedback for them 'NON PAYER'.

After 6 days of no contact I resend the invoice. Seventh day a message asking if there is a problem as I do not want to have to lodge a Non Payer dispute and explain the ramifications.

Ninth day - lodge dispute.

14 days, still no action, leave feedback

I may possibly be leaving negative feedback for the non payer, but it is POSITIVE for future sellers who have the same problem!

[the3coopers]

I may possibly be leaving negative feedback for the non payer, but it is POSITIVE for future sellers who have the same problem!

Sounds like a "plan" except for one extremely important thing that you've overlooked:

If the buyer reports you, then you INSTANTLY get a Policy Violation against your account. A couple of those, and your selling account will be restricted.

... oh, and eBay removes your Feedback comment too. So that makes 2 things you've overlooked.