I think the customer is always right mantra died when I asked the girl at Best Buy where the restroom was, and she said I think it's somewhere in the building, but I'm not sure. Coddling a bunch of excuse filled babies is a losing proposition. Customers that I don't want, nor need. If I run across any, I'll make sure to send them your way. Your sentiments are nice, yet very naive. Agreed. I sell on EBay to make money. I keep the business end professional with a certain amount of flexibility, but I'm not a social worker or counselor for the downtrodden or insolvent. If someone does not pay or contact me, I don't  take the oh well attititude and absorb the cost. They get a short, to the point negative feedback after FVF has been filed. Doing this makes EBay a better place for everyone. Not giving it increases the problem bidders and seller.

I think the customer is always right mantra died when I asked the girl at Best Buy where the restroom was, and she said I think it's somewhere in the building, but I'm not sure. Coddling a bunch of excuse filled babies is a losing proposition. Customers that I don't want, nor need. If I run across any, I'll make sure to send them your way. Your sentiments are nice, yet very naive. Agreed. I sell on EBay to make money. I keep the business end professional with a certain amount of flexibility, but I'm not a social worker or counselor for the downtrodden or insolvent. If someone does not pay or contact me, I don't  take the oh well attititude and absorb the cost. They get a short, to the point negative feedback after FVF has been filed. Doing this makes EBay a better place for everyone. Not giving it increases the problem bidders and seller. At 62, and having been screwed by every relative and quite a few friends, one would think I would have gone past naive .... perhaps not. (However, I no longer get victimized by my well meaning friends and loving relatives. That stopped years ago with bridge arson).  I do know that I try to avoid argumentum ad hominem and I also know that for the most part the argumentum ad rem _object_ions to my original post have been very valid. But my social work as it has been called is very limited.... simply a very small fraction of my total business both on and off eBay. so I don't begrudge the time it takes to burp the bidder because over half the time I get paid.  And maybe I do it because I don't believe in sitting on the throne of God and passing judgment and throwing a thunderbolt or two. What about leaving negatives to warn other eBayers?  That troubles me because there is definitely some validity to it.  My problem  is that I really don't think the feedback system is that effective.  I have seen bidders with glowing records, shining gold stars who crap out on me and bidders with a couple of bad marks who pay within the hour ... I also feel from the seller's standpoint it gives the buyer an awful lot of power... someone who wants to get back at you can cost you money by undermining confidence other people have.  Even if the negative is an outright lie and you respond to it.  And then there is the theory that you should leave positive feedback when the buyer has done his part, which is to pay for it.  But many on this group _object_ to that and argue that the transaction isn't complete until it is complete.  Or is it that they are afraid of the vulnerability.  So I don't think general rules can apply.  I believe it is going to have to be a judgment call on an individual basis. But there were definitely some I let go completely.  Not many.  And never for a large amount.  Although I never have had a problem with the big sales... the problems have always been with the little ones. Of course, knowing that there are plenty of vigilant sellers on eBay who will police the system, while not granting me absolution, does mean that I am hardly subverting the works. I feel that this may be an area where I will have to agree to disagree.  My way works for me.  Obviously it does not work for everyone.  And maybe I have more time and socialize more with my customers.  While others have to keep that to a professional and courteous but brief minimum. The items we sell are one of a kind.  They are not available any where else although similar things are.  So we have an advantage in that regard.  And I deal for the most part with collectors who are knowledgeable and usually friendly and professional in their business dealings. I guess what I am trying to say in my verbosity, is that perhaps I have the luxury to be a throwback to the 50s and Mr. Cunningham's hardware store.  And others do not. And I will leave it at that.  (Sounds of collective sighs of relief in the audience). Bill www.heirloomreno.com

this makes EBay a better place for everyone. Not giving it increases the problem bidders and seller. Well said. Rita

Coddling a bunch of excuse filled babies is a losing proposition. Customers that I don't want, nor need. If I run across any, I'll make sure to send them your way. Your sentiments are nice, yet very naive. The way I look at it is that their money is as green as the next guy's.  If I have to work a bit harder so be it, but I won't waste time on window-shoppers.  Rita

Rita, I always enjoy your posts.  Intelligent, witty, and informative. Make a note of that... I do that seldom, and probably not again in my lifetime... which is considerably shorter than yours. Thanks.  Rita

Same here, I have found many wonderful people to deal with on-line as well. Generally, the majority of eBay'ers are wonderful and honest people.  It's a rarity that you will find a malicious person on eBay. That being said, why would you not leave feedback when a person pays?