"I'll pay you later today"


I've been buying and selling on Audiogon for a while, and as a seller I've had my share of tirekickers and "What's your best price?" fishermen. Lots of people ask questions, then are never heard from again. That doesn't bother me. The one thing I haven't experienced on Audiogon until recently has been someone who commits to a deal and then doesn't pay.

The last several times I've attempted to sell something, I've received quite a few "I want to buy your stuff! What's your PayPal address?" emails from zero-feedback members. I've got nothing against zero-feedback members - I was one once myself - but way too many of them send these emails, and are never heard from again.

Even worse are the ones who say, "I will pay you later today/tomorrow," basically asking you to hold the item, and then never come through. I've missed a couple of opportunities to sell because of these people, because I feel that if I've promised something to someone, they should get it.

So, is this some sort of sick joke than I'm too clueless to understand, or is it some sort of scam to build a database of PayPal email addresses for hack attempts, or what?

I suppose I need to start setting time limits, i.e, "My PayPal address is xxxxx, you have four hours to make your payment." I hate to be that way though.

Suggestions? Sympathy? Scorn? :-)
rex
Rex,
I agree with you 100%. But you have to look at timing of the item that was listed too. I will sometimes wait 2 months before putting an item up for sale. I will not place an ad if there are 2 or 3 others like it online. That reduces competition and usually translates into a very quick sale and you are done.

I do have a problem with people promising to pay with a money order or cashier's check and it never arrives after giving my address and phone number. Somewhere between their home and the Post Office the MO got lost or they forgot to mail it. Which do you think occured. I rectified that by not accepting Money Orders.

Yea, I know that's not the best way but I would rather pay paypal fees (which I include in all my gear) rather than wait for a money order that may never arrive. I had one gentleman that wanted an item awhile back and it took him over two days to get the money to my paypal account. By then another gentleman had paid for the which had already shipped. I promptly refunded the money. I never heard from him again. I personally will not tell a seller I want an item unless I'm willing to pay right then and there for that item. If you viewed my eBay feedback you will see lightining fast payment. Usually, I pay seconds after the agreement has been made or the auction is over. This should be understood with all buyers.
It is first come first serve. Just make it clear. They will understand and they will not be offended. I have sent this message out to many buyers over the years. I tell them how many others are interested and that the first to pay get's the item.

On that note be careful selling items overseas. Ask your bank or paypal about chargebacks from overseas buyers. It stinks and I won't do business with overseas buyers. Not even the border countries. It's to many headaches. Their scam is after they ask you to reduce the customs fees and the item has shipped they can challenge the purchase with their credit card company and you risk losing the funds and the item. You can't intercept an item with the Post Office, UPS or FedEX. The item gets delivered and they have their money and the item. Someone asking you to reduce customs fees and paying low insurance is a flag for sure. You will loose on that transaction. You get the picture. Have them wire the funds to an account. They can't do a chargeback on money wired.
I am fairly new buyer to Audiogon. Remember, not all Audiogon members leave feedback. Only half have returned my feedback. Yes, they were all peerless transactions. I hate pay pal. So I always try to pay with money orders, after asking the seller at the first email if M Orders are OK. It may take 2 to 4 days to receive a mailed M Order. I have lost purchases to the guys who advertise accepting M. Orders and than sell only to the first pay pal user. I have said to sellers" I send out your payment tomorrow morning" and I have always kept my word. Please continue to accept M orders and give us a little time to pay.
I agree Vvrinc, anyone who says "trust me" or gives elaborate explanations of why they should be trusted...

Run away!

Merry CHristmas everyone!