Ebay provides a shipping address when you ask to print a label and that shipping address contains a full name, address and phone number. The buyer didn't list a phone number and I prohibit sales without one (ebay prefs)- but as I said earlier (and explained to the crazy buyer) eBay glitched - and they admitted that to me when they cancelled the auction and refunded my fees. It happens..
Dang, so Ebay let a buyer bid on your auction who didn't have a US address or have a phone number listed? Both of which you say you
prohibited in your auction?
That seems rather odd, maybe I need to stop using Ebay altogether. I mean with so many "glitches" and all, I'm surprised they haven't tried to hire you to test their site more thoroughly. You're obviously good at finding snafu's that thousands of other E-bayer's don't seem to experience. I guess the name "techn0lady" suits you well, no faults on a site seem to get past you.
Not only did the entitled prick have an out of country shipping address, I actually took a screen shot of it. As for finding out that he was a contractor - I simply used very basic Google-foo and found his facebook page as well as host of other pages - so in 10 minutes I was able to research the buyer and find that he worked as an I.T. person for a big multinational.
The buyer told me what state his home was in - from that point on it's a simple matter to google up the buyer's name and state. The buyer makes a big thing about working in Afghanistan all over the net. He tries to pretend he is "one of the troops" but he's just a faker. I'm glad the buyer isn't listening in so he can change his info and scam someone else
..
That's pretty standard fare I guess. Good checking up on your part. I'd think that if he was a soldier, or sailor or whatnot, that it surely would've shown up somewhere - I mean Google
does have all the answers. If the buyer told you what state he lived in, he probably had some confidence in your integrity not to harass him with the information, which I'm certain you wouldn't do. Did you know that you can also, under Ebay/PayPal selling guidelines, enforce that you
ONLY send to the PayPal confirmed shipping address? That way the buyer has no choice in where you send the item to, it goes only to their confirmed address. I'm sure you had that selected though, you seem to have had everything else right. Maybe Ebay "glitched" on that one also. I'm sure they'd appreciate you bringing it to their attention like the afformentioned ones you discovered. You seem to have to be doing a lot of apologizing on their behalf as well. I bet their PR department really appreciates all the help.
I know my seller sent me a message I'll cut and paste here - "As long as the paypal verified address is the same on e that I am shipping to I am ok with that." - Then the seller came back with another message, showing concern - " I am a bit concerned as your ebay addrress is in afghanistan. Is your Paypal verified address in the states?"
Completely understandable, which is why I assured the seller that the PayPal confirmed US shippping address was indeed the one they'd be shipping to. That would ensure that they're 100% covered by Ebay/PayPal seller protection. Ebay/PayPal offers no more protection than that. What more assurance could they ask for?
Unfortunately, my seller blocked my ability to pay, so when I tried to pay via PayPal to my confirmed address, I got an error saying the transaction couldn't be completed. That set off in my head that there was more going on than just a nervous seller, although, to be fair, maybe they were so inexperienced in selling items on Ebay that they quickly discovered that they had messed the auction up completely from the start., or maybe they were having some of the same glitches you experienced. If it starts looking like a pattern, maybe you guys can discuss it in the Ebay support forums.
..Implied he was a soldier - lied. Never paid me after the auction - wanted a 2 day extension. Wanted me to ship to an alternate address. All the above makes me glad I didn't sell to the whiny schmuck.
..The difference between an actual serviceperson and someone who is a private contractor is that only one of those two is required to put their life on the line as a condition of service and only one of those two gets to take home an excess of $75K salary the first $95K of which is U.S. tax free btw. (OK, the contractor is the better deal , I'm jealous)
Maybe the guy had been in the military & is now retired or could even be a reservist. Who knows?
About 4 out of every 5 contractors here are prior military. That guy could've been more clear, I'm sure, although I'm sure you know those details really have no bearing on Ebay or PayPal seller/buyer protection. Regardless, I'd think any person in a warzone; soldier, sailor, former soldier retired, contractor, whatever, would have the same regard from you. I mean, you wouldn't be the type of person to devalue another person's life just because they're "merely a contractor" , as you put it, would you?
I know we get incoming fire at least 2-3 times a week. The last time I checked, insurgent fire didn't discriminate between soldiers & others. And I'm sure you've seen the videos of the captured contractors who have been beheaded by insurgents on video. I don't think the animals that did it really cared if the person was a soldier or civilian. If you're right and he wasn't a active duty soldier, but maybe a retiree or reservist who returned as a contractor working for a multi-national IT corp - then the $100K you estimate he makes would more likely be what he makes in the States. I assume that a guy with that much experience combined with all the uplifts for hardship & hazard pay was probably bringing down closer to $275K or so, just guessing. Regardless of the pay, they still have to wear body armor & kevlar just like the soldiers because they're at risk too. That's why they get all those uplifts. Those contractors really make bank over here, I'd be jealous too. Ultimately, soldier or civilian, it comes down to what they agreed to in the contract.
Maybe he was just a frugal spender and saw no need to buy a brand new laptop when yours would certainly meet his needs for 2/3 the price of a new one. Hard to tell about people.
And I dont blame you one bit, I wouldn't wait several days for payment either. That's why I notified my seller that I'd pay within 24 hours of the auction close, as soon as I finished my 12hr shift (those 12hr days, 7 days a week get pretty rough) - which was within the seller's payment terms. Communication in the auction format is essential! Given that I communicated immediately and frequently, gave the seller a PayPal confirmed address, and combined with a feedback of 194, I seem to think all that adds up to a pretty good overall level of security to the seller. I know I met all guidelines so the seller was protected by Ebay/PayPal in the transaction. Having sold multiple high-dollar items on Ebay myself, I know how important that seller protection can be.
Did you know that there's also an option for your auction that says "immediate payment required"? It may be only for buy-it-now auctions I can't remember off the top of my head.
..You should look into it - it only allows you to deny people with -1 feedback and lower. ...
That's informative, I thought it was 0. Thanks for the info correction there!
All the above makes me glad I didn't sell to the whiny schmuck.
Sounds like you both may have had valid points and tempers flared. It can happen when terms & conditions aren't properly stated (all those Ebay glitches, you know). Well at least you didn't have to deal with a sociopath who told you not to contact them anymore on Ebay just to have them come here & send you threats in a PM. That's most unpleasant.
Mine sent me a message saying - "I shall not only report your conduct but inform them of your ebay activities which, from the burst volume of it, seems to indicate that you are blackmarketing various items."
I don't know about your buyer, but my seller has no idea of the what things are like here. The only "black market" (grey market, actually) is run by the indigenous population. That's why we can buy a set of knock-off "Beats" headphones for $60 here instead of the $249 they charge at the PX. The US actually hosts these vendors on the base for all the ISAF personnel to buy from. I guess the leadership turns a blind eye to the illegality of it because any economy is better than no economy and people with money coming in are less likely to be rebellious. The seller's grandiose imagination of some underground black market are far from the realities on the ground.
As for the "burst of volume" I had - the only purchases I had in the last 31 days before this terrible fiasco was an Apple Time Capsule I had purchased 2 days prior. I don't think that's unreasonable since I'm making the switch from PC to Mac. Regardless, my purchasing habits are really no one else's concern & I shouldn't have to explain them as a condition to complete an auction.
Whoa. Are you the same MeatRocket that wrote the following just a few posts prior?
I think you are. There is something wrong with this entire picture and even more so when you claim something is happening then remark on how silly and unnecessary it would be.
You don't think that maybe I said that as a subtle hint to the harassing person just in case,
on the off chance, they may be reading the thread? You know, a hint that it would be, as you said
"silly and unnecessary" to continue harassing me? Contrary to your belief, every statement written here isn't entirely for the benefit of all readers in general, but maybe directed towards one person in particular, if they happen to be reading this thread.
My advice, techn0lady needs to pull the item from eBay and sell locally or not at all. One questionable (in her mind) transaction is one thing but having to deal with a zero feedback bidder is another. It is not worth the hassle in my mind. And MeatRocket, you just need to enjoy the laptop that you did buy and understand that a person's decision not to sell you something has nothing to do with your status as a soldier or contractor or whatever you are.
That sounds like pretty good advice. Given all the "glitches" and such, I'm surprised tecn0lady sells on Ebay at all. I know my faith in online auctions is shaken from the revelation of all these problems. And I certainly would be hesitant to sell to someone with 0 feedback. I won't buy or sell to someone with low feedback.
As for me, you're absolutely right. I'll enjoy the one I did get and move on. If I dwelled on every douchebag I ran into, it would be a maddening life indeed and the drama just isn't worth it. Sound advice indeed.
