What is it that makes Star Wars bidders not pay?

**aricajade** · 05-02-2005

I sell figures on eBay and of all the toys and cards, I have never seen a bigger bunch of deadbeats than the people that bid on Star Wars figures. I'm not pointing at anyone on this site (unless you did it!), but in general, they are terrible about following through with their commitments. Even on this site's auction section, the bidder turned out to be a deadbeat!

**kool-aid killer** · 05-03-2005

For the most part we are cheap skates. Perhaps the price went too high on your auction and the winning bidder decided he could or would rather look for a lower price. I feel for you though, is there anything in the rules for non-payers?

**2-1B** · 05-03-2005

I don't buy too many figures via auction and I make good on all of my purchases so I can't offer a definite explanation. But in the case of newer figures, I think some people might get so worked up in a lather about not finding new ones and then buy through online auction only to find what they wanted a few days later for a few bucks cheaper ?

I don't know what the stats are on good buyers vs. deadbeats but I can see the above happening. Whatever the case, I think it is wrong for people to back out on a deal like that.

**Slicker** · 05-03-2005

Originally Posted by kool-aid killer

I feel for you though, is there anything in the rules for non-payers?

I think about the most that can be done without you following through with legal action is to discontinue your account.

Then that person can just take 5 minutes to make a new email account and re-register to do it all over again.

**aricajade** · 05-03-2005

Originally Posted by Slicker

Then that person can just take 5 minutes to make a new email account and re-register to do it all over again.

And that's the problem, there's not much that can be done. I don't know if it's just the fact that Star Wars has such a large market that it is more visible or what.

But I've been a powerseller since 1998, selling figures and cards, and of all the lines (GI Joe, Marvel Legends, LOTR, TMNT, Batman, Dora, Legos, CCGs) that I've sold, it just seems that the Star Wars crowd is the worst. And I am the Star Wars crowd. It's what got me started in all of this. I collect myself.

I just don't understand the logic behind it.

**Bobby Fett** · 05-03-2005

On the flip side, how about deadbeat sellers?

I have three auctions on eBay which I won and paid for the same day with Paypal. All three are over 30 days old and still no merchandise!

What really fries me, though, is that all three had excellent feedback.

I have turned all three in to the eBay police for follow-up.

**stillakid** · 05-03-2005

Powerseller on Ebay means you go to retail stores, clean out their inventory and then try to make a few bucks on honest collectors, no?

Maybe they figure that since you're a scalper, they'll stick it to ya every chance they get.

**QLD** · 05-03-2005

Originally Posted by stillakid

Powerseller on Ebay means you go to retail stores, clean out their inventory and then try to make a few bucks on honest collectors, no?

Maybe they figure that since you're a scalper, they'll stick it to ya every chance they get.

Funny,that's what I was thinking.

**JON9000** · 05-03-2005

In all fairness, I have dealt with lousy dealers as well- this punk sold me a vintage Y-wing that supposedly came with the bomb. It ended up being a G.I. Joe bomb. What a loser.

At least you have the opportunity to relist as a seller. As a buyer, you can be stuck with lousy goods.

**sith_killer_99** · 05-03-2005

Powerseller on Ebay means you go to retail stores, clean out their inventory and then try to make a few bucks on honest collectors, no?

Maybe they figure that since you're a scalper, they'll stick it to ya every chance they get.

That's not really true in every case. A few years ago my brother-in-law had his own site selling Star Wars (and other toys). He bought direct from Hasbro and sold tons of stuff on Ebay. He didn't even shop around at retail because it cost him too much for his return. He ended up getting out of the Toy biz and switched to recreational supplies Darts, Poker, etc.

Anyway, he sure looked like a scalper on Ebay, his prices were usually high and he had lots of merchandise, but he was buying direct, so he wasn't cheating anyone from getting the stuff at retail. He was often times able to get his stuff out quicker than Target or Wal-Mart, but that's because their stuff often sits around in the back while they are trying to get rid of older merchandise.

Anyway, as for deadbeats, I am very careful about buying and rarely sell. I have dropped the ball once or twice myself and often try to compensate people when I do, I have a near perfect rating on Ebay. I don't think it's Star Wars collectors in general, my mom makes and sells her own jewlery on Ebay and she has had problems too.