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...   

[jameshouseofstyle]

digital, Ebay can't see the customers, and no one is saying they have to turn customers away.

I was just merely pointing out that places like that do exist, online ones can't see if one looks "iffy" (just a figure of speech), they just want to ensure I guess that they get the returns on their investments sooner rather than later, waiting for non paying bidders to pay, and wasting time with too may relistings.

Nothing elitist about them, anyone who pays can bid.

Cheers,

[patchoo78]

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

I must look pretty iffy looking.. I went into a cupcake supplies shop once and after I said I was only looking, the assistant had her eye on me the whole time I was in the shop... They can get knotted, I wouldn't have paid $20 for a cupcake pan anyway! :^O

[thecatspjs]

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

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[zanadoo_56]

Same here patchoo.  I went looking for ceramic tiles to redo my bathroom  Saw some I liked in one shop.  The saleswoman looked me up and down and announced,  "These tiles are VERY expensive."  Grrrrr.

So I didn't have the income of a rock star....but then again I only had a very small bathroom so the tiles were totally affordable. 🙂

I didn't buy them though.  Snooty staff should get a store's own reward - No Sale!

[digital*ghost]

digital, Ebay can't see the customers, and no one is saying they have to turn customers away.

I was just merely pointing out that places like that do exist, online ones can't see if one looks "iffy" (just a figure of speech), they just want to ensure I guess that they get the returns on their investments sooner rather than later, waiting for non paying bidders to pay, and wasting time with too may relistings.

Nothing elitist about them, anyone who pays can bid.

Cheers,

All I was trying to say, or rather the primary point I was trying to make, is that asking people to pay a deposit to shop on a site like eBay would stop people from shopping here, especially because it's less and less becoming the kind of site where you can find that one unique thing or bargain, and it rarely is the place that provides a unique, boutique experience.

There's only two ways an idea like this could be implemented - charge members a deposit before being able to bid on or buy items (but then there's the issue of how much, when - if ever - does it get refunded should the buyer never default etc). Though there might be a lot of things here people see and 'have to have',  more often than not these days there's nothing special about getting if from eBay over anywhere else, and people will go elsewhere if there's unnecessary obstacles.

The other, possibly more workable way, would be to fine NPBs and prevent them from purchase unless and until it's paid, at least that only puts obstacles in the way of people who don't pay for items they purchase (not that I would support the idea). 

[patchoo78]

Same here patchoo.  I went looking for ceramic tiles to redo my bathroom  Saw some I liked in one shop.  The saleswoman looked me up and down and announced,  "These tiles are VERY expensive." 

Aww they did a "Pretty Woman" on you... A fav quote from Absolutely Fabulous comes to mind when that happens: "You can drop the attitude, you only work in a shop you know" :^O

[jameshouseofstyle]

Arrogance and presumptions on the part of shop people is a different subject altogether, a very real problem all the same, awfully off putting.

But I think the OP wanted to know  if there was a way of implementing some sort of payment for non paying bidders.

That is a very real problem on Ebay and it does cost sellers time and money - and no matter how many they block from buying - there are always heaps of new ones.

It is not the same as people browsing in the real stores and not buying. They have a different problem there - shoplifting.

Just yesterday I saw a buyer with almost a whole front page of f/backs saying the same thing:

bids but doesn't pay

We have in our settings that no one with 2 or more strikes can't even bid - this person was obviously able to bid, not only that, she won the auction, so I can only imagine that all those sellers never bothered to open the case - and that doesn't help either.

It definitelly creates the illusion that on Ebay that is OK, bid to your heart's content and if you don't pay - big deal!

[2106greencat]

Only if the sellers do not do the right thing. The system works, but the seller has to learn to work with the system

[davewil1964]

Last time I went car-hunting I didn't see anything but the backs of running 'sales' people in 8 lots. And I was well-dressed - laddered t-shirt, lumber jacket, green happy pants with gold stars, ugg boots and a beanie. 😉

The bloke at lot 9 was happy, especially when I paid cash (bank cheque) for the Brockie. I always wear my rattiest clothes when I buy expensive stuff - I want to talk to salespeople, not order takers or snobs, especially when (then, at least) I probably earn more than them.

[phorum_junkie*]

A non paying bidder costs next to nothing except possibly a listing fee and a few seconds of time. If you have all your blocks in place it is not something that happens to you very often.

What about the cases where somebody comes here after buying something and we all say DON'T PAY, it's a fake or the seller is a scammer or whatever, why should they have to pay a fine?

Aside from anything else just how do you think ebay are going to fund the whole thing, it would need a well staffed department, extra customer support people and an awful lot of programming to implement. I for one would rather pay the occasional 20c or 50c re listing fee for the very few non payers than see a huge overall rise in fees across the board to implement an idea the would be so counter productive and probably see many buyers heading for the hills.