Buyer not answering email.....suggestions

[rio1953]

Hi there,

I am having a problem with a buyer who isn't answering my emails ( have sent 3 or 4 ) .

 The person has bought an item that's part of a set. I specifically say in the listing that each piece is sold separately. Now I have been asking to let me know which of the items he/she wants. No answer. 

My question is what are my options? I can't ship without knowing. How long can I wait? And can I just cancel the order?

 Thanks 

[cumos55]

If you sell the set then all items are listed together and sold for one price.

If each item is sold separately then each item should be sold in its own listing..... not to be sold as a choice from one listing......... with a lower listing fee for a choice listing

The problem is your way to list....    not the buyers choice....

The buyer most likely expects that they have bought all three items in the listing.

[cumos55]

When a potential buyer views a listing.... they assume they will be buying everything they see  in the photo.

[cumos55]

With a choice listing, a seller is asking for trouble.

You have another listing with two of the same item.....  and a choice to buy one....

You should list one item and sell one item in a listing......  No choice listings

[rio1953]

Hello Cumos55,

 I am probably expecting too much from some people, as they should at least read the title of a listing, never mind the description.

 To make sure that it ( important part of the title ) catches their attention is written all in capitals. 

 This is the first time that I have someone that not only doesn't read the title's listing but doesn't answer the messages. Which probably indicates that the person is very well aware of what she/he bought but wants to play dumb.

 But I am not going to play that game. I have just decided that if the buyer is not going to answer the emails, I will cancel the transaction.

 Thanks for your input.

[cumos55]

All capitals means you are screaming...

Cancel the listing and you will get a defect  on your record....  a reality you must deal with 

[mcrlmn]

"if the buyer is not going to answer the emails"...

Cancel his butt outa here.

At the very least you'll get his attention and possibly the decency to reply.

No defect.

Pick the later.

[femmefan1946]

I am probably expecting too much from some people, as they should at least read the title of a listing, never mind the description.

Oh, my sweet summer child...

[ypdc_dennis]

If you have their phone number send them a text message.

I know several people who rarely read their emails, they rely on text messaging to say connected.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@ypdc_dennis 

@supersavingsstore 

To continue to your point regarding people that don't check their mail, there are also instances where mail within eBay either arrives late or does not arrive at all. I have gmail set up as by backup email address for eBay mail I will receive listing offers/eBucks/Shipping supply coupons/offers from buyers that will show in gmail (Immediately - Send/Receive time/date match) but arrive in eBay much later. A few times just as they were about to expire. Personally I rely on email to work how it should. Like they say...."Houston(eBay), we have a problem!!"

Buyers and Sellers either may have their mail turned off or could be getting filtered by some sort of adblocker. Many high volume US sellers have mail from buyers set to off. Thinking canned answers answer everything. Another thing that can happen, is move a piece of ebay mail once to spam and EVERYTHING after goes to spam. Very easy to have done this and not know this is what has transpired.

I've dealt with order cancellations recently where I've started the procedure and the cancellation has been immediate. Other times where it's waiting for the buyer to accept. In checking with the buyer sometimes they get the notice. Sometimes they don't. Same situation for me as the seller. As a seller opening up the a sales Cancel Details will show refunded. Open up the actual request and it can show pending. Huh?? This may be connected to  SSS and their recent automagically refunded order situation.

Because so many things inside of eBay work differently between PC and App's this could be what is causing a buyer OR seller to not receive email acknowledgments. Very difficult to respond to something you didn't receive.

These are a few examples. There are probably many more i am forgetting.

-Lotz

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Side note:

Gmail has an add on apps that will send you a confirmation email when sent mail has been read. It's too bad eBay didn't have something similar. We will also see how things go as per the Fall Announcement and Alias Email Addresses. Curious to see what will get transferred(ported) to the customs form. Phone numbers and real email addresses are a requirement for courier shipments and highly recommended for postal shipments....Especially anything of high value.

https://community.etsy.com/t5/All-About-Shipping/International-Shipments-Require-Phone-Number/td-p/1...

https://support.shippingeasy.com/hc/en-us/articles/203087339-Why-do-I-need-to-enter-my-customer-s-ph...

-Lotz

PS. Yes, you can put in a fake number/email address or your own but that is not too helpful(from a couriers perspective) when someone needs to contact the actual customer IF or WHEN there are delivery issues. This could potentially cause delivery delays or the goods being returned at the sender's expense.