What to do if a buyer tells you a sad story, then asks to get an item cheaper

[juules66]

Well, I am at a bit of a loss and hope someone can help. I have a buyer that messaged me several times about a shirt she has bid on. Then tells me she saw that I sold information on autism, I won't go into the whole story. But I did promise to give her free postage for 2 items she has bid on. But now she is worried she won't win. What can I say to her? My experience on eBay is rather limited to selling my own information over the years but now I want to build up my business by selling more of everything. Does this happen to most sellers? I don't want be hard as nails, yet I don't want to be a soft touch either.

[beautbots01]

Like sjr says.  This buyer should be treated like any other.  You have genuine bids from other prospective buyers and they should be treated fairly. They don't know you are being asked for special treatment from their competition and I for one would be extremely unhappy if I lost out because of that pressure from this person. IMHO

[*crikey*mate*]

no need to feel sick

put her on your block bidder list now - pretty certain it is too late to cancel bids/end auction anyway at this time

if she wins and doesn't pay in 4 days, open a UID in the resolution centre, 4 days later, close it.

relist

smile

and focus on your other buyers

most of them are good.

[englishrosegardens]

You have no way of knowing whether they're genuine or not, and they have no right to expect you to do what they're asking.


A couple of years ago I sold approx $500 worth of goods on another site and agreed to let the buyer use lay-by. She made one or two payments and then I got the sob story about how her husband had left her and she was totally destitute, and could I cancel all the sales and refund the money she'd already paid. I agonised over this but eventually decided to just send enough goods up to the amount she'd paid. As soon as I'd made my decision a friend referred me to this person's feedback and buying history on ebay. They'd bought several items and got feedback for immediate payment - all since writing to me! No, they weren't essential items, but were definite luxuries! If I'd believed they were genuine I would have been happy to cancel everything, but something didn't quite ring true. Judging by her buying and selling histories I'd say she's a compulsive shopper and has buyer's remorse regularly.


I'd honour what you've already promised if she wins, but I'd be hoping someone else wins if they're that pushy.

[i-love-my-sheep]

---

@juules66 wrote:

 Most only told me their situation after they had paid. 

---

I still don't understand why people have to do that? So you've got an autistic child......so have thousands of people. So sick of the look at me, poor me attitude of so many people these days. It's not the sellers fault that people have family with issues, if they want special discounts, then they clearly can't afford it and shouldn't be buying. I hate how buyers try to push their problems onto sellers. Do they really think we care? They're just another buyer and as such will be treated the same as any other buyer. I know I sound harsh, but in my job I regularly see people playing the poor me card and frankly, I'm sick of it. There are plenty of people out there with far worse issues and you don't see them telling complete strangers all their woes.

[harley_babes_hoard]

If you aren't hard as nails you get walked on, toughen up this is ebay you are here to make money, you are not a charity. Treat everybody the same. Let the auction run it's course.

[phorum_junkie*]

I have never played the disability card either as a buyer or a seller and believe me the list of my problems would add up to a small novel lol.

I would be less inclined to giver any discount or special treatment to anyone who tries it on, especially those who have had a relative die, lost their job, had their car die etc etc. I fing it absolutely unbelievable that these things happen during the last 12 hours of an auction, earlier and they could cancel their bids.

[davewil1964]

But, pj -

My car died, I have no knees, a busted rib, torn back AND my partner is a tetraplegic.

They don't have any bearing on what I buy or sell, so should I not mention them?

[phorum_junkie*]

Not if you are buying from me, I would charge you extra LOL LOL

[i-love-my-sheep]

I have split ends and an ingrown toenail. I also need a date with a razor. My brother is going bald and my sister is recovering from having her tonsils out. Due to breaking a nail today, I am unable to pay via PayPal so can I have my purchase for free? I'll leave negative feedback if you force me to pay .  

[thecatspjs]

I am just a cat that currently is pyjamaless, and I am SHOCKED at the invoice total you have sent.    I won your auction for 99c, but ur listing had OUTRAGEOUS POST COSTS OF  $7.00 and I KNOW THAT that post is FREE AND YOU ARE TRYING TO RIP ME OFF !!!!!!!!, EVERYONE on eBay knows this to be TRUE.  my friends and their friends, cousins mother's uncle with a disability and eBay told me how BAD sellers are that don't offer FREE post - U R JUST TRYING TO RIP ME OFF, BUT I know that the goods I won in good faith are to be sent are no cost, and you must transfer to me a paypal payment of $6.01 and I can then leave you positive feedback so my friends, friends, cousins mother's uncle WON'T experience anymore anxiety than this has already cause AND I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU NEGATIVE FEEDBACK. Ok ?.