Zerofeedback's Helping Hand

Late Paying Bidder Excuse Form

 

This is to aid the bidder who has now realized that it will now be impossible for them to pay.

Instructions:

Print out a copy of these excuses and just check off the one(s) that apply and fill in the blanks as indicated. Once finished, to compose your email, simply cut out the items you find are unnecessary for this seller, (remember to fill in the blanks) and send. 

Always start your email with "I am new to eBay - " (this will soften your seller up as they love new bidders and understand their problems.)

Category - Mistakes - Honest Ones, Really.

Everybody makes mistakes, and sellers are basically understanding, patient people.  These things happen to lots of bidders.

[__] I hit the wrong button! The same damb thing happened when I tried to vote for Al Gore, too!

[__] I mistakenly hit the Buy-It-Now button when I really only wanted to make a bid.
I never would've bid that high if I knew I was actually buying it.

[__] I never bid on your auction. Please check your records again.

[__] I mistakenly bid on your auction when I really wanted to bid on another.

[__] I entered a bid that was too much, and did not know how to lower it.

[__] I bid for somebody else, and now they don't want your item.

[__] I found another one that is cheaper, sorry.

[__] Somebody out bid me so I bid on another one. What is this stuff about retractions?

[__] I'm sorry, I just realized I already have one of those.

[__] I was in a drunk blackout when I bid, that does not count, I can't remember, does it?

[__] I thought shipping was included, I can't afford the item AND shipping.

 

Category - Illness and Personal Tragedy

(Please rotate family members for multiple sellers, and pets work too, sellers are great pet lovers.)

[__] My ____________ has a serious illness, I have to go take care of them.

[__] My ____________ has died, I have to go take care of the funeral.

[__] My ____________ has had a terrible accident, I have to go take care of them.

[__] I have been diagnosed with ______________ and now can't use this item.

[__] I have been diagnosed with ______________ and forgot what I won, who is this?

 

Category - Financial Distress

If there is anything a seller who isn't getting paid understands, it is financial distress.

[__] I got a part time job to pay for me eBay purchases, and now they fired me for being late.

[__] I lost my job and now have to wait for the unemployment to kick in.

[__] My _______________ is broken I had to fix it for $________.

[__] The IRS just audited me and I have this huge tax bill.

[__] I was heavily invested in Exite@Home and AT&T, and now I am losing my house.

 

Category - Fear and Panic

Everybody is up to date on recent events that would preclude any sensible person from leaving
the house much less transacting business. Give these a try.

[__] I am worried about catching Anthrax from your delivery.

[__] Your last name sounds foreign, and I won't send money to terrorists.

[__] The USPS has had problems in your area, I must keep myself safe from infection.

[__] I am worried about buying anything with the word BIN on the auction page.

 

Category - Computer Problems

Sellers have computers too, and they can understand the frustration caused by crashes.

[__] I had AT&T@Home working great 2 months ago, I don't know what happened.

[__] My computer was broken I had to fix it for $________, now I am broken.

[__] My email server was down for six weeks, I just got your notice.

[__] This storm took out my entire system, I have just gotten back online.

[__] My computer got stolen, I am at __________'s house letting you know you can't contact me.

 

Category - Illegal Access to my Account

Sellers understand the difficulty some people have with keeping a secret. They often are
known to divulge a reserve price if you ask.

[__] My _______________ got on my computer and bid when I wasn't looking, sorry.

[__] My financial info has been hacked, I am filing for bankrupcy protection, get in line.

[__] Paypal and Billpoint have canceled my account, somebody hacked my credit card.

[__] Paying for the 250 auctions I won last week and I had plenty of money in my account.
The bank must have made a mistake.

 

Category - Illegal Activity Suspected

Sellers would rather have a garage sale than to be suspected as criminals. These will scare the
carp out of them.

[__] Sending money overseas is against the law. You should know better.

[__] My attorney has advised me not to complete this transaction. (Do not say why, this will drive them crazy with fear.)

[__] I have found that you can not sell that here, I don't want any trouble.

[__] I noticed where another bidder pushed this up to $3.25, I think I have been shilled.

[__] You contacted me on Sunday, which is against the law in Vermont. I won't tell if you won't.

 

Category - Your Fault, Not Mine

Sellers sometimes cause their own problems, show them the light!

[__] Since you won't follow my terms for completing this auction, I won't follow yours.

[__] You did not respond to my email for two days, I bid on another auction, sorry.

[__] Your TOS states you ship only to the lower 48 states, I live in Michigan, sorry.

[__] You are the one who won't ship to Austrailia for $2.50, not me.

[__] You were rude when you sent me a 3 day reminder so now I don't have to pay.