Thursday, August 27, 2009

eBay Non-Paying Bidders and Feedback


There is some debate on this issue on several different forums right now, so I thought I would put my 2 cents worth here. The situation:

Buyer makes purchase

Buyer doesn't pay

Seller files UPI (unpaid item reminder)

Buyer does not respond

FVF granted, strike against buyer

Can this buyer leave feedback?

As the rules stand right now, that buyer COULD leave feedback, but it could be removed by ebay because the buyer did not respond. Click here to read the current policy.

But with the new rules Buyers WILL NOT be able to leave feedback if they do not respond. Here is the new policy:

"Faster recourse for unpaid items. A streamlined process will cut the resolution time in half. We are also working on a new automated option that will make the process even more efficient, cut the time to resolution to as little as 8 days and block negative feedback when a seller opens a claim and a buyer doesn't pay. This automated option will be tested in late September and our goal is to gradually make it available to all sellers by the holidays."

Thanks to Laurie D for helping me find this answer!

If you haven't subscribed to my column over at the Examiner, here are some new articles this week:

Discontinued Item - Vel Soap

Free Keyword Tool for Increasing eBay Sales

Top 10 Garage Sale Items to Sell on eBay
(my personal list)

Enjoy your weekend!

2 comments:

Paula said...

Its about time Ebay got around to changing that. That really is a NO BRAINER, I mean they don't pay and they can leave you negative. That is just absurd.

Frenchee le Trip said...

I don't see why a non paying buyer could leave feedback even if he did respond. He is not a buyer, not part of the transaction (indeed there is no transaction), so why should he be able to influence the seller's reputation? I find eBay's step here insufficient. How about once a purchase is paid in full then the ability to leave feedback becomes available?

Keep up the good work, Suzanne! Enjoying your blog.