Should eBay start charging non-paying bidders?

[whatagoodprice]

I like many sellers are annoyed with the constant array of non-paying buyers.

Although eBay does compensate final value fees (by using the unpaid item dispute process) listing fees for fixed listings are not refunded.  

All buyers receive is a strike which is nothing compared to the consequences handed out for those who participate in shill bidding - no restriction on buying/selling on eBay no tutorial which buyers must complete so they understand that non-payment is unacceptable.

Perhaps if eBay fined non-paying buyers between $2-$5 every time they refused to pay it would stamp out this practice of non-payment. This would also save eBay effort and the money raised could be donated (at eBay's discretion) to benefit local charities.

I look forward to other buyer's opinions on this issue...   

[trulyspecialgoodies]

And how would you suggest that eBay enforce this?

[kopenhagen5]

IMO very difficult to enforce as mentioned.

The strikes work well, I would rather see automatic strikes issued for non payment and not cancelled transactions. 3 strikes and your out for 3 months. Something to that effect.

[foxette-in-sox]

If they won't pay for their item then how do you think ebay is going to get them to pay a fine or whatever?

[***super_nova***]

I guess they could hunt them down, slam them against the wall and take the $.  Or, as have been suggested previously, before anybody was allowed to bid they would have to pay bond.  However, if I was told that I am not allowed to bid unless I pay something up-front, I would have never started to buy on eBay.

Actually, I think the way it is works pretty well; it is up to each seller to decide if they allow non-payers to buy from them, and how many strikes they think is OK.  It would work even better if all sellers would go through the disputes, and had some blocks in place.

[davewil1964]

This was all gone through a couple of months ago. I'm not wasting my time dragging it up - go look for it. The above posters have covered the salient points.

[shepherdsrule]

Never work, but I do think the strikes received by NPB's should be visible the way feedback is for sellers.

[digital*ghost]

I guess they could hunt them down, slam them against the wall and take the $.  

eBay Hires Goons To Steal Your Lunch Money - be careful, they're licensed to wedgie. :^O

[jameshouseofstyle]

...... before anybody was allowed to bid they would have to pay bond.  However, if I was told that I am not allowed to bid unless I pay something up-front, I would have never started to buy on eBay.

Oh yes you would, so would anyone who really wanted the item (a can presume they all really want something they are bidding on, not doing it just because they can  - for free, to amuse themselves, to pass the time, for something to do.

I shop on the auction site where all memebers have to pay deposit, otherwise you can't start bidding. I guess that company is smart - it just doesn't want time wasters and cheapskates.

If you don't win you are refunded everything but the $10.

There is also an amazing US seller, on Ebay, they couldn't care less about the negs, they operate just like any store, profits are the first priority.  They sell totally faaaaaabulous gear, one could just about have EVERYTHING on their site! And they are very busy and very succsessful.

As much as they can't charge up front (being  on Ebay), they deduct 20-30% of everyone's refund if they are wasting their time. That fee also takes care of those who buy something for the weekend and then they want the refund on Monday.

There are also B& M stores in US with a doorman at the door, if they know you you can go in and if they deem you are a bit iffy you need to give the imprint of your credit card , just like hotels do at check in, and the fee is $100US for browsing, shopping comes on top with $100 deducted from the final total.

And I have never heard of establishments like the above ever going broke or closing down because no one want's to shop there and doesn't agree to their conditions.

[digital*ghost]

Elitism stops plenty of people shopping at certain establishments, obviously (re: doormans who think you're a bit "iffy" looking etc). That's fine for individual business to make those kinds of decisions, but every decision eBay makes, it does so on behalf of many sellers, and I'm guessing if one B&M store knocks someone back because they look iffy, they're doing nearby shops a favour - not quite the same in eBay's case. If eBay turns someone away, they're turning them away from hundreds of thousands of sellers, not just the one who thinks they look iffy.