Slow & Rude Payer

[lrtmms]

I have sold a water damaged iPhone 4s that I had used as a parts donor at the starting bid of $20 + $8.50 post four days ago (Friday 11th). I sent the buyer a payment reminder a day after the listing ended as I wanted to ship it out on Monday along with other items at the same time. (It is a 20km/12.5mile round trip to the post office).

This is the response I got: I have 3 days don't be pushy

I know I was probably being a bit pushy but certainly didn't expect such a response! (Normally buyers pay within 12 hours)

The buyer only has two positive feedback scores. I thought I had enabled buyer restrictions on the listing but that may not have been the case.

Now that it is four days without payment, what is the best way to deal with this customer without them turning and destroying my eBay reputation. What if he recieves the item and starts a case arguing it is not as described etc? My description was very clear.

It is surprising it has to take so long to pay for an item you intend to purchase.

Ideally, I would like to cancel the purchase and consider hanging onto it as I don't want to sell it just to have my eBay reputation destroyed.

What are your thoughts and what are the options I can legally take through eBay?

[lrtmms]

I certainly hope he read the item description properly!!

What should I do now? I haven't responded to his offensive message. 

[imastawka]

Do not respond.

Keep all messages in case you need to get a negative removed.

DO NOT CANCEL or they can leave feedback

If they don't pay, open a UPI - they can't leave fb then

[lrtmms]

Ok. I'm astounded at how offensive he is! It was his choice to buy it and hopefully read the description. If he claims it isn't a working phone, does that mean I loose the sale plus the phone if PayPal pay him out?

[imastawka]

Your listing stated for parts or repair.  

There's no misunderstanding that.

I'm getting the feeling that you've already posted it?   I hope not.

[lrtmms]

Oh no it's not posted!

[imastawka]

Good.   The ball's in his court now.

Either he pays.  In which case you post it.

Or he doesn't,  and you open the UPI

Stop communicating with him, and keep all his messages.

[chameleon54]

WOW, you,ve really got one out of the box there. I have had a few customers like that, but I would only get maybe one in 1000 - 1500 transactions that go that way.  I would be keeping the messages as it may possibly help if it all goes pear shaped. It looks like you will just have to hang onto your hat and get ready for the ride.

If the buyer decides to leave neg. feedback, you can respond with something like..... Buyer was very slow to pay and sent abusive messages when payment requests where made. Depending on what he writes you may even get the feedback removed. I wouldnt worry about the feedback left yet. Just get the item in the post promptly and sent with tracking. Sometimes these sorts of buyers are as slack with leaving feedback as he is with paying.

[clarry100]

Going by the attitude shown by this buyer it seems inevitable that you will wear at least a negative. But these can be carefully responded to so ad to dilute them for other buyers, so I don't normally sweat over negs as they no longer carry a defect ad they once did.

At this point I would wait until he "gets paid" and see if he pays you. If he doesn't then open an unpaid item case straight away. He then has a further 4 days to pay up. If he does then send out the item and hope for the best. Ie no FB and no case against you.
If after exactly four more days he still fails to pay close the case as soon ad you can and block this buyer. This would be the best outcome you could hope for as you get your fees back. Also after the case closes the buyer I'd unable to leave FB. If he leaves FB before the case closes then eBay will remove it.
If you go down the cancellation route the buyer retains control and can still leave FB which eBay may not remove depending on the wording of it.
Not really too much you can do in such situations unfortunately.

[lrtmms]

Thanks for all your help. This is the first time I've had someone like this.

So can PayPal give the person a handout no questions asked if they complain?

[jellybirddesigns]

If he pays, send with tracking, even if you have to wear the cost.

Both Ebay and Paypal will rely on that in the event of a dispute.

What is his feedback for other sellers like? If he's a seller, put up one of his item numbers so we can see (and add him to our block lists)