Question:
Too many parents demand the right to blame their children’s savage
behavior on music, TV, games, internet, etc. I demand the right to blame their children’s savage
behavior on the parents. Oh, of course. Everyone blames everything on the parents, except when the parents are themselves. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001 There are always exception, and your case shows there the parent is taking reasonable steps. I would imagine your brother doesn’t keep loaded unlocked guns around, and
what start to wonder if the boys suddenly started wearing $300 nikes, etc. Too many parents demand the right to blame their children’s savage
behavior on music, TV, games, internet, etc. I demand the right to blame their children’s savage
behavior on the parents. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They have their scapegoats, I have mine. says… Parents should be liable for the crimes of their little monsters. Devil’s advocate. My brother regained custody 3 years ago (?) of his children from their incredibly abusive mother/step-father. These children are now 10 and 12, and are *seriously* fscked up. He has had them in therapy almost since he got them back, even tried to have them institutionalized in a local hospital, but so far nothing has helped. I fear that someday in the near future they will do something really bad, and my brother will be held responsible even though it’s not HIS fault they’re so screwed up. So in this situation, do you really think it’s a good idea for the parent to be liable? It’d be one thing if you went after their mother…but to go after their father just doesn’t seem right to me (and I think I would feel the same way if it weren’t my brother…)
Response:
So, you do think that Wal-Mart SHOULD scan your card as you walk in the door. Interesting. Elric of Imrryr wrote Exactly. Should Wal-Mart take an imprint of your credit card as you enter the store "just in case" you or your kids are shoplifters. Of course not. And Hotels don’t take an imprint of your card in case you skip out, trash
the room, or place a 20 hour call to Mongolia. And car rental agencies don’t take an imprint of your card in case you don’t come back. And video stores don’t take an imprint of card in case the cat sprays the tapes. Oh.. wait… they do… But I still would not support the idea.. too many people have
cardiusonnetusophobia (Fear of – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -using the card on the net). Also that would cost us the unabomber market.
Response:
Just so you can keep us crackpots straight. I will almost never suggest a punish everyone solution. I’ll always suggest using what every legal tools or threats are available to make an individual’s life miserible. I will occasionally make predictions about what Ebay’s next crackpot punish everyone idea will be. Such as I predict that ebay will eventually find a way to claim that non-ebay picture hosting is a security risk and will ban it, and a few month later ebay (to provide better service) will charge for pictures on all auctions… But my predictions should not be confused with my suggestions. says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – says… At least my ideas would only punish the deadbeats, instead of making every bidder suffer. How do you figure? You proposed that *every* bidder list his/her CC info with eBay. That touches *every* bidder, particularly those who choose not to do so. Where did I say that? Whoops. you did not. You are they guy who would invoke the infamous TOS at each ISP and sue the kids. Sorry, I somehow got my crackpots mixed up..
Response:
Ok CeeCee… but I was not trying to find one that works. I poking holes in the previous analogy. Still for the sake of argument… When a bidder flakes the seller does suffer a loss: 1) The time and effort to design and post an auction, contact the winner, filing a NPB, Filing a FVF, leaving feedback, dealing with the retailitory feedback. Isn’t your time worth money? 2) The market for the item in question may collaspe or the item my not even sell on the relisting. But I’m still against requiring bidder to submit credit cards to bid… Unless it was a option that sellers could check or uncheck in their auction. Here is a bush quote in my signature for you. — “There’s Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times.” – George W. Bush 9/4/00 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And Hotels don’t take an imprint of your card in case you skip out, trash the room, or place a 20 hour call to Mongolia. And car rental agencies don’t take an imprint of your card in case you don’t come back. And video stores don’t take an imprint of card in case the cat sprays the tapes. Oh.. wait… they do… And in each of these cases, there is actual damage or loss. Try again, El. You still can’t find the analogy that works. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001 says… Brad wrote IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. Not likely. That’s akin to an automatic withdrawal. Most banks require advance written authorization to do so… for good reason.. Deadbeats are a cost of doing business, and a sellers responsibility to handle, just like shipping costs.. Exactly. Should Wal-Mart take an imprint of your credit card as you enter the store "just in case" you or your kids are shoplifters. Of course not. And Hotels don’t take an imprint of your card in case you skip out, trash the room, or place a 20 hour call to Mongolia. And car rental agencies don’t take an imprint of your card in case you don’t come back. And video stores don’t take an imprint of card in case the cat sprays the tapes. Oh.. wait… they do… But I still would not support the idea.. too many people have cardiusonnetusophobia (Fear of using the card on the net). Also that would cost us the unabomber market.
Response:
Parents should be liable for the crimes of their little monsters.
Devil’s advocate. My brother regained custody 3 years ago (?) of his children from their incredibly abusive mother/step-father. These children are now 10 and 12, and are *seriously* fscked up. He has had them in therapy almost since he got them back, even tried to have them institutionalized in a local hospital, but so far nothing has helped. I fear that someday in the near future they will do something really bad, and my brother will be held responsible even though it’s not HIS fault they’re so screwed up. So in this situation, do you really think it’s a good idea for the parent to be liable? It’d be one thing if you went after their mother…but to go after their father just doesn’t seem right to me (and I think I would feel the same way if it weren’t my brother…) — Life would be great if it weren’t | If I want to hear the for all these people…sometimes | pitter patter of I don’t know whether to laugh, | little feet, I’ll put cry, or slit my wrists. | shoes on my cats.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Brad wrote IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. Not likely. That’s akin to an automatic withdrawal. Most banks require advance written authorization to do so… for good reason.. Deadbeats are a cost of doing business, and a sellers responsibility to handle, just like shipping costs.. Exactly. Should Wal-Mart take an imprint of your credit card as you enter the store "just in case" you or your kids are shoplifters. Of course not.
And Hotels don’t take an imprint of your card in case you skip out, trash the room, or place a 20 hour call to Mongolia. And car rental agencies don’t take an imprint of your card in case you don’t come back. And video stores don’t take an imprint of card in case the cat sprays the tapes. Oh.. wait… they do… But I still would not support the idea.. too many people have cardiusonnetusophobia (Fear of using the card on the net). Also that would cost us the unabomber market.
Response:
There are always exception, and your case shows there the parent is taking reasonable steps. I would imagine your brother doesn’t keep loaded unlocked guns around, and what start to wonder if the boys suddenly started wearing $300 nikes, etc. Too many parents demand the right to blame their children’s savage behavior on music, TV, games, internet, etc. I demand the right to blame their children’s savage behavior on the parents. They have their scapegoats, I have mine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Parents should be liable for the crimes of their little monsters. Devil’s advocate. My brother regained custody 3 years ago (?) of his children from their incredibly abusive mother/step-father. These children are now 10 and 12, and are *seriously* fscked up. He has had them in therapy almost since he got them back, even tried to have them institutionalized in a local hospital, but so far nothing has helped. I fear that someday in the near future they will do something really bad, and my brother will be held responsible even though it’s not HIS fault they’re so screwed up. So in this situation, do you really think it’s a good idea for the parent to be liable? It’d be one thing if you went after their mother…but to go after their father just doesn’t seem right to me (and I think I would feel the same way if it weren’t my brother…)
Response:
And Hotels don’t take an imprint of your card in case you skip out, trash
the room, or place a 20 hour call to Mongolia. And car rental agencies don’t take an imprint of your card in case you don’t come back. And video stores don’t take an imprint of card in case the cat sprays the tapes. Oh.. wait… they do…
And in each of these cases, there is actual damage or loss. Try again, El. You still can’t find the analogy that works. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – says… Brad wrote IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. Not likely. That’s akin to an automatic withdrawal. Most banks require advance written authorization to do so… for good reason.. Deadbeats are a cost of doing business, and a sellers responsibility to handle, just like shipping costs.. Exactly. Should Wal-Mart take an imprint of your credit card as you enter the store "just in case" you or your kids are shoplifters. Of course not. And Hotels don’t take an imprint of your card in case you skip out, trash
the room, or place a 20 hour call to Mongolia. And car rental agencies don’t take an imprint of your card in case you don’t come back. And video stores don’t take an imprint of card in case the cat sprays the tapes. Oh.. wait… they do… But I still would not support the idea.. too many people have
cardiusonnetusophobia (Fear of – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – using the card on the net). Also that would cost us the unabomber market.
Response:
says… At least my ideas would only punish the deadbeats, instead of making every bidder suffer. How do you figure? You proposed that *every* bidder list his/her CC info with eBay. That touches *every* bidder, particularly those who choose not to do so.
Where did I say that?
Response:
Brad wrote IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. Not likely. That’s akin to an automatic withdrawal. Most banks require advance written authorization to do so… for good reason.. Deadbeats are a cost of doing business, and a sellers responsibility to handle, just like shipping costs..
Exactly. Should Wal-Mart take an imprint of your credit card as you enter the store "just in case" you or your kids are shoplifters. Of course not.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. 1) Ebay should file formal complaints with the deadbeats ISP because they are using the ISP’ service to interfere with our and ebay’s business (that is prohibited in almost every ISP’s TOS). A problem here would be hackers spoofing somebodies address and bidding just to cause him grief. And deadbeats could plead this excuse to get off the hook. It would turn the isp into a refferee and they just might add "no ebay deals" to THEIR TOS.
The hacker excuse seems really flimsy. I’ve contacted some small ISPs about dead beats, two agreed to terminate the users for being deadbeats, and one college issued a student a written warning about his ebay mis-behavior. 2) Ebay should sue a few deadbeats (epecially kids who bid tens of thousands of dollars). It would be hard to sue a kid. Parents could claim ignorance or that the kid used a library or school computer, making the school an accessory. Anyway, you cant get blood out of a stone. Some bidders just dont have any money, despite their bidding. What would you do, sell their body parts?
There is more to a lawsuit then money. Restraining orders, etc. If a kid hacks into a computer and does damage even if its not real damage (just copying data) the parents can be held accountible. Parents should be liable for the crimes of their little monsters. 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks). For some incredible case like a guy who defaulted 100 times, it might make a good news story. But a secret file on every deadbeat, or accused d.b. would be like Hoovers’ secret files! It would chill bidding, especially for touchy stuff like "adult" items or fetish items. Once such a file existed, its mis-use would be assured. If deadbeats bother any seller tha+t much, he would be advised to try selling in other ways, perhaps open a amazon retail shop or maybe concentrate on flea-market selling.
What about all these fraud databases that the FTC, FBI et al keep trotting out to show how bad auction fraud is? All these news stories about how most auction fraud complaints are about sellers who don’t deliver. We should start filing every deadbeat into the system to show how bidders screw us over. The media is totally biased in favor of the bidders. Especially since I’m sure many long time sellers havr probably had at least one REALLY scary stalker deadbeat. At least my ideas would only punish the deadbeats, instead of making every bidder suffer.
Response:
What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. 1) Ebay should file formal complaints with the deadbeats ISP because they are using the ISP’ service to interfere with our and ebay’s business (that is prohibited in almost every ISP’s TOS).
A problem here would be hackers spoofing somebodies address and bidding just to cause him grief. And deadbeats could plead this excuse to get off the hook. It would turn the isp into a refferee and they just might add "no ebay deals" to THEIR TOS. 2) Ebay should sue a few deadbeats (epecially kids who bid tens of thousands of dollars).
It would be hard to sue a kid. Parents could claim ignorance or that the kid used a library or school computer, making the school an accessory. Anyway, you cant get blood out of a stone. Some bidders just dont have any money, despite their bidding. What would you do, sell their body parts? 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks).
For some incredible case like a guy who defaulted 100 times, it might make a good news story. But a secret file on every deadbeat, or accused d.b. would be like Hoovers’ secret files! It would chill bidding, especially for touchy stuff like "adult" items or fetish items. Once such a file existed, its mis-use would be assured. If deadbeats bother any seller tha+t much, he would be advised to try selling in other ways, perhaps open a amazon retail shop or maybe concentrate on flea-market selling.
Response:
An auction bid is a legally binding contract, so insert what ever
technical term is appropriate There are any number of outs for such a "contract." Come on, you know that. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001 An auction bid is a legally binding contract, so insert what ever
technical term is appropriate for executing a contract with no intention to honor it. I would still hold that when minors bid and refuse to pay that it is fraud, because they willfully ignored and illegally accessed ebay’s bidding system (which is limited to adults only), and executed a contract under false pretenses. It would also be
interstate wire fraud.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks). Please, get some perspective here. While it is certainly inconvenient and burdensome to have someone bid on an auction and not pay, it’s nowhere near "fraud." Nothing has changed hands. It’s a bit like placing a special order at a retailer and then deciding not to buy it. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001 What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. 1) Ebay should file formal complaints with the deadbeats ISP because they are using the ISP’ service to interfere with our and ebay’s business (that is prohibited in almost every ISP’s TOS). 2) Ebay should sue a few deadbeats (epecially kids who bid tens of thousands of dollars). 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks).
Response:
An auction bid is a legally binding contract, so insert what ever technical term is appropriate for executing a contract with no intention to honor it. I would still hold that when minors bid and refuse to pay that it is fraud, because they willfully ignored and illegally accessed ebay’s bidding system (which is limited to adults only), and executed a contract under false pretenses. It would also be interstate wire fraud. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks). Please, get some perspective here. While it is certainly inconvenient and burdensome to have someone bid on an auction and not pay, it’s nowhere near "fraud." Nothing has changed hands. It’s a bit like placing a special order at a retailer and then deciding not to buy it. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001 What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. 1) Ebay should file formal complaints with the deadbeats ISP because they are using the ISP’ service to interfere with our and ebay’s business (that is prohibited in almost every ISP’s TOS). 2) Ebay should sue a few deadbeats (epecially kids who bid tens of thousands of dollars). 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks).
Response:
What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transactio
Thank God you are not running Ebay. Do you think a bidder would put up with that?????
Response:
Right On, Dave! Jeez, some of these nutty sellers won’t be satisifed until the majority of the bidders tell them to shove it! BTW – I DO have a "valid" complaint against a "system like that" – I don’t WANT to submit a credit card #, and/or be charged on it when I bid. And that’s a valid enough reason! Pierre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Using the same logic, the seller should pack and ship the item to a central location to be distributed when the buyer’s card is charged. After all, since the seller is supposed to ship anyway, so there should be no problem. That’ll show them "deadbeat sellers"! Vic wrote What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? The winning bidder’s credit card or checking account (their preference) should automatically be charged when the auction ends, and payment automatically sent to you via your choice of Billpoint, Paypal, check, or money order. The bidder is supposed to pay anyway, so I don’t see any valid complaints against a system like that.
Response:
What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction.
1) Ebay should file formal complaints with the deadbeats ISP because they are using the ISP’ service to interfere with our and ebay’s business (that is prohibited in almost every ISP’s TOS). 2) Ebay should sue a few deadbeats (epecially kids who bid tens of thousands of dollars). 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks).
Response:
3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be
tracked and monitored (I’m tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks).
Please, get some perspective here. While it is certainly inconvenient and burdensome to have someone bid on an auction and not pay, it’s nowhere near "fraud." Nothing has changed hands. It’s a bit like placing a special order at a retailer and then deciding not to buy it. — "Whatever it took to help Taiwan defend theirself." — Our "Education President", on how far we’d be willing to go to defend Taiwan, Good Morning America, April 25, 2001
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction. 1) Ebay should file formal complaints with the deadbeats ISP because they are using the ISP’ service to interfere with our and ebay’s business (that is prohibited in almost every ISP’s TOS). 2) Ebay should sue a few deadbeats (epecially kids who bid tens of
thousands of dollars). 3) Deadbeats should be considered a type of fraud, and this should be
tracked and monitored (I’m – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – tired of the media only reported that us sellers are all crooks).
Response:
What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction.
Response:
Death penalty? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders?
Response:
I cannot think of a better way to run buyers off of Ebay then charging a "refundable" fee until the seller notifies Ebay–Jesus H. XXXXX!!!!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction.
Response:
I cannot think of a better way to run buyers off of Ebay then charging a "refundable" fee until the seller notifies Ebay–Jesus H. XXXXX!!!!
Or a better opening to tricksters. The possibilities for abuse would be immense. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? IMHO, having bidder’s credit card on file should help a lot because these people are now traceable. Also, charging a refundable fee to the bidder’s credit card right after the end of auction should work. The fee won’t be refunded until the seller notifies eBay about the completion of the transaction.
Response:
Using the same logic, the seller should pack and ship the item to a central location to be distributed when the buyer’s card is charged. After all, since the seller is supposed to ship anyway, so there should be no problem. That’ll show them "deadbeat sellers"! Vic wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -What are your thoughts on what eBay can improve to stop deadbeat bidders? The winning bidder’s credit card or checking account (their preference) should automatically be charged when the auction ends, and payment automatically sent to you via your choice of Billpoint, Paypal, check, or money order. The bidder is supposed to pay anyway, so I don’t see any valid complaints against a system like that.
Response:
My suggestion was ridiculous and was meant to be so. The point is that most of us are adults. We interact with each other in responsible ways. Just because a small number of people haven’t managed a minimum degree of maturity doesn’t change that fact. A common theme on this NG is that eBay keeps encroaching into our business and our lives unnecessarily. We screamed and cried when they got in the way of our e-mail, for example. Then we turn around and want them to hold our little hands and make sure our business and our lives are as sheltered and troublefee as possible. Which is it going to be? wonderful and foolproof method of insuring payment. But, I don’t think it’s very well thought out. I believe that many buyers would simply stop bidding and buying. Not just the buyers who don’t pay or don’t have credit cards, but honest buyers as well. I know I would. Sometimes I pay by personal check, sometimes by credit card via Billpoint. That’s my choice. I also protect my personal information VERY closely and the idea that my credit line is sitting out there for ready access whenever a seller and/or eBay gets a hair up their ass does not sit well with me at all. It’s my credit line and I control it, even if I did bid willingly. If I’m overly paranoid about potential identity theft, so be it. Jonathan Sachs wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Using the same logic, the seller should pack and ship the item to a central location to be distributed when the buyer’s card is charged. After all, since the seller is supposed to ship anyway, so there should be no problem. That’ll show them "deadbeat sellers"! That’s an entirely different situation, because the cost and delay of two-stage shipping would be substantial, while two-stage payment would be instantaneous and nearly free. Nearly, that is, except for the card issuer’s transaction fee. I think that’s the fatal flaw in the scheme. Who’s going to absorb that fee? The seller. I don’t mind absorbing the fee in cases where I choose to accept a credit card payment, or its proxy, PayPal. I would mind a lot if eBay compelled me to do so! eBay should keep the buyer’s credit card number on file. At the point where the seller is entitled to file an FVF, she should have the option of asking eBay to charge the buyer’s credit card instead. Sanctions for a false charge request would be essentially the same as sanctions for a false FVF — plus reversal of the transaction, of course. Send email to jsachs177 at earthlink dot net.
Response:
Using the same logic, the seller should pack and ship the item to a central location to be distributed when the buyer’s card is charged. After all, since the seller is supposed to ship anyway, so there should be no problem. That’ll show them "deadbeat sellers"!
That’s an entirely different situation, because the cost and delay of two-stage shipping would be substantial, while two-stage payment would be instantaneous and nearly free. Nearly, that is, except for the card issuer’s transaction fee. I think that’s the fatal flaw in the scheme. Who’s going to absorb that fee? The seller. I don’t mind absorbing the fee in cases where I choose to accept a credit card payment, or its proxy, PayPal. I would mind a lot if eBay compelled me to do so! eBay should keep the buyer’s credit card number on file. At the point where the seller is entitled to file an FVF, she should have the option of asking eBay to charge the buyer’s credit card instead. Sanctions for a false charge request would be essentially the same as sanctions for a false FVF — plus reversal of the transaction, of course. Send email to jsachs177 at earthlink dot net.
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