What do I do- very weird auction

[walrusmonger]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280302664902

The codes were selling for $30 or so, so I put mine up for auction since I never used it. The first time around it went for $41, the buyer thought it was the game.

I relisted it and this time I underlined the part about it being a code only, and it went for a mind boggling $107.50. That's nuts even if the game was included. The buyer paid, via echeck, and this is where the problem is- the other item they bidded on was another Fable 2 but the game itself.

I'm pretty sure they don't realize that they won just a code, but I did my best to make it clear that it's only a code that is being sold.

So do I send an email saying "thanks for the fast payment, I'll be sending the code over email once the echeck clears?" or do I ignore it until the check clears and then send the email. If I tell them I'll be sending the code, they might get angry and try to refund the amount, but in all honesty, I was *very* clear about it being a code, and I can really use the money.

Help!

[glorfindel]

i would just email the code to them after the payment goes thru. they should of read it. great price for the code so take it and run.

[walrusmonger]

I usually send a thank you for payment email to customers though, maybe I should be vague like-

"Thanks for your fast payment, as per paypal's e-check policy I have to wait until the payment clears before I can send the item- will send via email when your payment clears. Thanks again!"

I have this horrible feeling in my stomach because I can really use this money, but I totally don't want to deal with some upset ebay newb that didn't read my auction and leaves me my first negative feedback on my 459 positive account. I appreciate the advice, because it's probably the best way to go about it- if they are expecting a game they know it wont come instantly, but I don't want to delay anything if they intended on winning the code (but according to their bid history this is not the case).

Still torn :-/

*EDIT*

Their ebay history refreshed and I see another auction they bid on before mine for a listing that mentions in the title that it's a code only- I'll send them an email now and share any further updates for this sale, which is probably my personal best on ebay :)

[Cornelius]

"Thanks for your fast payment, as per paypal's e-check policy I have to wait until the payment clears before I can send the item- will send via email when your payment clears. Thanks again!"

I wouldn't send this note, since to me using the word 'item' would be mis-leading. And since you haven't done anything wrong so far, I'd assume you don't want to start. I does sound like they might have known based on the prior auction you reference. Plus, they can't have been the only one to bid, and while there are plenty of morons and/or newbs, at least that cuts down the chances that you are dealing with one.

[walrusmonger]

Thanks for your fast payment! As per paypal's e-check policy I have to wait until the payment clears before I can send the item- I'll send you an email when your payment clears. Thanks again and have a great weekend!

That's what I sent, I used "item" because that's what ebay calls their auctions (item # xxxxxx). I say I'll send the email when the payment clears, so hopefully that's enough to clear things up since I don't say anything about shipping or the like.

And curses Cornelius, I appreciate the suggestion but you're too late ;)

[ryborg]

Too many people take ebay's feedback too seriously. You did nothing wrong and your item is listed clearly and correctly. In the off chance he is a dumb buyer who didn't read and leaves bad feedback, does it really matter at all? I'll take a neg and a $100+ profit every time.

Just last week I sold a used designer shirt with a tiny hole in it. It ended for about the same price a new one would sell for. I instantly knew the buyer didn't read a single word of the item description where I clearly mentioned multiple times how the item was used and there was a hole. He paid, I shipped and three days later I got negged with no contact. Yeah I was pissed about the neg for a short while, but in the end, I was happy to get the money and be rid of the shirt, which is the whole point of ebay.

You need to ask yourself, are you selling on ebay to make friends or make money?

[walrusmonger]

That's a great way to look at things ryborg, thanks- I'll see how it turns out.

[carlcarlson]

I'm with ryborg, the neg is worth the extra money. You didn't do anything wrong, it's their fault for (maybe) not reading the listing. Just make sure you don't get a chargeback or something (not sure how e-checks work).

This actually reminds of an auction I had. I found a complete, minus disc, copy of Oblivion for the 360 the same week it came out. I threw the lot on ebay, clearly stating the disc wasn't included. It sold for $46. The dude paid and I sent the item. A couple days later I got a positive saying "good price". Ha! I guess the guy realized he made a mistake and was man enough to accept that. Good guy.