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Advice on handling email from disgruntled underbidder?

I ibsnipingMember
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, although I've been using Auction Sniper for a few months now. Smile

As you can probably guess from the subject line, I received an email via ebay's "Message from ebay member" function from an underbidder saying they don't like what I did.

My first instinct was to reply to this user in a friendly manner and explain the concept of sniping to illustrate that it wasn't my snipe that beat them - it was my higher bid that did it, and that their standing bid *could* have still beaten my snipe anyway had it been higher. (It's worth it to note that they're a new user - their feedback score is only 3, so my guess is that they know nothing of the sniping phenomenon.) I was even thinking of introducing them to Auction Sniper so they can take advantage of sniping in the future.

Then I got to thinking how lots of folks just inherently think the concept of sniping is evil, and that despite my explanation, this bidder might fall into that camp. That would mean I'd be wasting my time at best, and angering them further at worst. So I got to thinking ignoring the email is probably best.

I COULD report it to ebay as an unwelcome email. But I don't think ebay would consider this worth acting on, especially since it wasn't obscene or threatening.

My only *real* concern at this point is: no matter *what* I do, what if this user is simply a nut and is prepared to retaliate by interfering with my auctions? (I'm a seller, too.) I've already put them on my blocked bidder list, but I'm sure you all know how that may not be enough if they're truly determined to wreak havoc.

Just curious to get your opinions, especially if any of you have had a similar situation.


Thanks!
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I ibsnipingMember
Ah yes.. actually, if I *was* going to reply to him, I'd be doing it through a web-based email account which I can afford to close down if necessary. No way would I use my main email account! Wink

But yes, the more I think about it, the more I think ignoring him is really the smartest option. I'm still curious to know if anyone else has dealt with this type of thing.
I ibsnipingMember
Thanks for the links, Rick! It seems that the "annoyed" type of emails from losing bidders isn't very prevalent. Seems more common that they're from users who are amazed at what just happened!

I *am* going to just let it go, since as you said, this bidder's email was probably just sent to make himself feel better.

If I start having problems which seem like they could be linked to this user, I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it.
I ibsnipingMember
Yeah, he's a nut alright. I had a funny feeling that was the case when I got the first email. But the idea that he was merely venting and that I'd probably never hear from him again was equally plausible.

Unfortunately, ebay states that they won't share the results of their investigation with the complainant, which I think is pretty unfair. I feel I have a right to know what action they take against this user. My guess is that he'll only get a warning.

Another interesting thing: there was a second sniper on this auction. I'm toying with the idea of contacting them to see if they're having the same problem with this user, and to try and get them to complain also, in order to strengthen the case. But I suppose that could open a whole new can of worms, without necessarily even impacting how ebay responds anyway, so I'm not sure how good an idea it is... Plus who knows, with all of ebay's obscure rules, I'm probably not ALLOWED to contact that bidder! Roll Eyes
rickrickMember
Yes, like Serenity says, contacting the second sniper might turn out where they think it’s time to report you. Kind of a long shot anyways that the “nut” would do the same thing to the second sniper. It might be that the “nut” was using an expendable ID and doesn’t care if he/she gets the boot (with that ID).

quote:
Originally posted by Serenity:
Just watch his auction site.
Don’t follow you, Serenity. It hasn’t been established (I think) that the “nut” is a seller. Do you mean to watch his ebay ID?
C chatterMember
The objection against sniping is not based on the winning bidder's using a sniping service. After all, how could another bidder know that you had used one? No, they whine against ANY snipe that beats their bid. In most cases, this is an inidcation that they did not bid their max.

They whine partially because of what you have said. They are not organized or systematic and they resent that this reality may cause them to not win an item. Mainly, I think, they convince themselves that the item is already "theirs." They mentally prepare a place in their home for the widget and feel that, for whatever reason, no one else will be sufficiently interested to prevent this fantasy from becoming reality. But they still nibble and bid just barely enough to keep them on top. They would not send a nastygram if they had bid their absolute max.

The fact that anyone would send such a rude and childish message is beyond me. I have yet to receive one, though I did once receive a nice message from an underbidder. Big Grin

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