I listed a G21 for too little, but that's my fault. I figured it'd get bid up, but it didn't and the lucky winner has a -1 feedback rating. He said he was going to mail me money order and I emailed him my address in under an hour from auction end (I was driving). He dragged his feet getting an FFL to me, first just emailed me the name of the store. The next day he emailed me their FFL number and a link to the ATF ez-check site. A few days later the FFL emailed me a copy of their FFL.

I went on a two week business trip and told Mrs. Lee to keep an eye on the mail for his payment. No joy. I emailed him the day before I returned that I was already charged for the final value fee and sales tax and would report him as a NPB and request my fees be refunded, if the money wasn't there when I got home, which would be three weeks from auction end.

I did just that and then relisted the gun. Two days later he emailed me that he'd Zelle me the money. Of course, he's had my email, phone number and mailing address this whole time, so he could have done this anytime. GB forwarded me his response to them and he said "I need Rick's help in getting him paid." WTF?

Now GB has gone radio silent. What happens here? How long do I have to wait for this deadbeat or how does this get wrapped up?

Hopefully you have the "money order will be sent" communication.

If you did the NPB routine, and relisted the item, I would tell the guy that ship sailed.

Contact GB again, and tell them you have zero confidence in the seller at this point.

You gave him the terms, and he did not pay you in that time, you relisted and GB should refund your fees per their written policy.

GB may see if you and the bidder will "complete the transaction" but as I read and understand, you have already satisfied the "deal", and moved on. You should have no duty to continue with this guy.

He is out nothing at this point, and you should not be forced to continue to do business with someone you no longer have confidence in being honorable.

Keep records, and keep pursuing communication with Gun Broker.

At this point, unless you really need to keep a relationship with GB, I would consider cutting "small" losses (around 10% value) should GB not do the right thing and refund the fees/tax, since nothing was received there is no "tax", and GB does not "earn" a fee un an unsold (relisted) item.

If you use GB for a good deal of business, then I wonder if that cannot be compelling to them to realize your multiple sales without trouble are in their best interest.

(Never understood how poor buyers are given more standing than the good sellers in the amount of "skin" in the game, and revenue provided to GB's bottom line.)

I think you have to relist the item before you can even put in for a refund of fees. I think they make you do that to prove you did not complete the transaction. So I did that. I'd be in a pickle if this gun gets bid up and then GB tells me I have to complete the transaction with the deadbeat.

And GB just emailed me a screenshot that they credited the fees back two days ago. I didn't get an email about that and it didn't pop up on my phone screen, as Amex merchant credits always do.

You need to put stuff like that on your listing so theres no doubt about it.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
You need to put stuff like that on your listing so theres no doubt about it.

Not sure what you mean. What should I put in my listing?

I hope you give the non payer the appropriate feedback.

I think you can block him from bidding on any more of your stuff as well. It's been awhile since I used gunbroker.

When I did use to sell on there, I think there was a way to block people that are negative, new, no rating, etc. from bidding.

It won't let me leave feedback since I put in for a credit. Just tried. But I would like to know how to block him from bidding again.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
You need to put stuff like that on your listing so theres no doubt about it.

Not sure what you mean. What should I put in my listing?

Does GB have something in the small print that the buyer has so many days to send payment? If not, I'd put something like that in your ad.... "seven days to receive payment or sale is canceled and item relisted".

I asked GB how long I was expected to wait for payment. They didn't reply, but again, they did credit the fees back and just didn't tell me about it until I asked again. I kind of wonder how binding things are in an item description, when some things can't be shipped to some states and GB says Zelle and PayPal are no bueno. I think this is the only transacation I've ever done there where Zelle or PP was not used, but then most gun people are cool and on the up and up.

GB is run by assholes.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
You need to put stuff like that on your listing so theres no doubt about it.

Not sure what you mean. What should I put in my listing?

How many days you give for payment. When I used to sell on GB, I found someone who had really good details and copied/modeified it. There was no doubt how long I would wait for payment, what types of payment, where I would ship, how much shipping costs etc.

Got it. I will spell that out in the next one. I didn't know you could just make your own terms, other than pricing, in the listing and GB makes them binding.

GB just sent me a request to rate their customer service.

I would also put anyone with no feedback or negative feedback is not to bid on your auction, as you can list that in the narrative. I think there also maybe something when you list the auction as well. It's been a long time since I sold anything on there.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Got it. I will spell that out in the next one. I didn't know you could just make your own terms, other than pricing, in the listing and GB makes them binding.

GB just sent me a request to rate their customer service.

I do not even bother with GB, they are useless and only there to take your money. I also state that no feedback bidders will not be accepted. Like I said, look through some of the larger sellers and copy some of their stuff. There are some really good ones that have been created most likely from problems with buyers/bidders.

A few years ago I sold an HK USP on GB. The buyer sent me a cashier's check promptly and, this being before I had an FFL, I used shipmygun.com. I figured it was all good. A week later another cashier's check from the buyer for the same amount arrived. Alarm bells were now ringing. I called the FFL to ask if they knew this guy. The lady on the phone said, "Oh yeah, he's a regular. He's in the back having lunch with some of the other staff." I asked if he had completed the transfer yet for this USP. She replied, "No, he usually lets 10-20 guns pile up here before coming for the transfers, but I think he'll do them all today." So I emailed the guy about the check and he asked me to tear it up, said he just buys so many guns, he gets payments mixed up sometimes.