What will you do if you encountered a bogus buyer with your online business?
By chikadee21ph
@chikadee21ph (438)
Philippines
June 27, 2009 8:06am CST
I am running an online business. The items are souvenirs and giveaways. Once there is a customer, the item will be given to the buyer either courier or meet-up depending on the customer's preference. If thru courier, payment for the product plus the shipping fee is deposited to my bank account first. Then for meet-up, the payment is given to me during the meet-up itself.
I had an inquiry from a certain "Angela" early this month. She texted me the items and designs she needed for her daughters 7th birthday on 11th of July. Then we are supposed to meet earlier today so she could get the items from me and I could get the payment from her. I was already preparing for our meet-up when I received a text from Angela that she can't meet me anymore for some emergency reasons. And that she couldn't get the item anymore as they need to go to the province. To think that we are even exchanging texts last night re: last minutes details.
I was really mad. I already purchased her order as per her advice only to find out that she has really no plans to get it! I am still trying to calm myself that is why I decided to post my experience her. Atlest I can voice it out how mad I am with Angela, my bogus buyer!
1 person likes this
2 responses
@jheLaichie (4438)
• Philippines
28 Jun 09
i dont have an online business but i hope i cant encounter like that one if ever i could have an online business too. that is so frustrating really. it would really makes me mad. so i know how you really felt. i dont knwo what would i feel for that moment of time. but i guess i am going to curse that certain prson. but hey, thats bad right?! so i guess ill just shout it all out!!!
jhelai 
@chikadee21ph (438)
• Philippines
28 Jun 09
Yeah, it is really frustrating that there are people like my bogus buyer. I don't know what her intention was. Maybe she is just another supplier who ws spying on me. I really don't know. And to be honest, I also thought of cursing her. Lol! But still, I had a good sense to stop myself and move on from there. It's another story for me and a lesson learned for that matter.
1 person likes this
@jheLaichie (4438)
• Philippines
28 Jun 09
a very good lesson learned my friend. and even i learned from your experiences and that a best way to see things more closely now. on how we could be aware of such persons in our lives.
jhelai
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
27 Jun 09
If you are spending your own money to customize items for customers you have every right to expect either a deposit or full payment in advance, even if you're meeting in person. My husband and I order some custom items online...patches and custom transfers...for either our business or his motorcycle club and we always have to pay in advance. You also have the right to indicate on your website that there is no refund for custom orders.
@chikadee21ph (438)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
Hi Spalladino, thanks for the reply. You are right. Even if we are meeting in person, I should have asked for a deposit so I could determine who are the real buyers and who are bogus one. This experience is a lesson learned to me.
