From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

How long do most clubs wait after the auction to reveal a non-paying bidder? Or do you just write it off and forget it. I have one from the VGVGA auction who still has made no contact at all or sent payment. Whats the proticol if any here?

1/10/2010 10:38:24 PM

Ohio

Mark, put a post up on this seed auction board for him to contact you, or in general discussion.

1/11/2010 4:35:54 AM

Ohio

there is a list that a few clubs got together of people that hasnt payed in auctions before on a regualr basis just to give other clubs the heads up before hand who to look out for,, but I forget who has that info.

1/11/2010 4:39:36 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Mark, if you make three attempts to contact them and get no reply, post it up for sale at a similar price to what it sold for, maybe you can recover the funds, just my opinion.
Tom

1/11/2010 7:00:09 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Thanks guys, the problem with contacting him is that he never got in touch with us after the auction so all I know is screen name.

1/11/2010 8:33:32 AM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

I post immediately contact after you win the lot... a day or two at most you should make contact. If not, give up the name, and re-offer the lot at the selling price.

1/11/2010 8:55:45 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

This problem has continues since we started auctions, Every year this is brought up, and nobody wants to post names, If you posted non payers, it will stop.

1/11/2010 10:59:10 AM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

I tend to agree with Eddie - although I do allow non-payers quite a bit of leeway before threatening to "go public" and even then, have not done so. I think nobody wants to be the "bad guy". It shows how much faith we do have in the giant pumpkin growing community. I do have one name from last year that I will not be accepting bids from in this upcoming Niagara auction. It's very unfortunate really, that this occurs - if you can't pay - DON'T BID!

1/11/2010 12:03:49 PM

Claysburg , PA

I try to support as many clubs as possible every year at auctions and I might forget once in awhile . I once was contacted and said that I forgot to pay for a lot that I won at their club auction. After payment was sent they said it was someone else and not I . Everything was worked out . Post whomever please contact you . That will get there attention. But be careful...

1/11/2010 12:52:29 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I also try and support!!! w/overlapping computer prblms as of late...I HOPE THIS AINT ME!!! LOL If it is wsmpeace@bellsouth.net Peace, Wayne

1/11/2010 5:10:22 PM

Southeast

Certain non payers never confirm their lot with a real name or pay. We have had a few of those. We also had a guy who stiffed us, then shows up at an auction using the same screen name to watch. Go figure.

1/11/2010 5:22:02 PM

El Paso TX.

Mark - might also go back to the auction notes and see who the second place bidder was and contact them to see if they are still interested in the seed that way you don't lose out on all of the funds it would have raised.

1/11/2010 7:05:13 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Thanks for the insight everybody. And no it wasn't you Wayne, you're in the clear! lol

JDFan, great idea that I had not thought of but unfortunately I did not keep record of second place bidders. Oh well, something to be learned for next year!

1/11/2010 10:43:57 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Thanks for the insight everybody. And no it wasn't you Wayne, you're in the clear! lol

JDFan, great idea that I had not thought of but unfortunately I did not keep record of second place bidders. Oh well, something to be learned for next year!

1/11/2010 10:43:57 PM

Deer Park WA

All in all we as a community are straight forward and honest punkin growers, its sad that a (very)few folks take advantage of such great fund raisers. Maybe they just need some excitement in their lives... Anyway the work it takes to set up and conduct these auctions should not be deminished by the few, I propose that the offenders names be revealed so they can be judged in the court of public opinion and as the High Roller Mr. Iceman says "If you post non payers, it will stop".

My humble opinion,

Gadberry

1/11/2010 11:25:03 PM

British Columbia, Canada

It isn't me, right Mark?

1/11/2010 11:52:49 PM

El Paso TX.

Does this site make backups of the chat room logs ? I know they've got a few of the chat room discussion transcripts posted so there is a chance they might have a copy of the transcript from the auction still available (worth sending them a e-mail to see perhaps !)

1/12/2010 1:16:26 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

If there is no contact from the buyer in 3 days after the auction, Make a post. Example
Iceman you won lot 13 and you have not made contact with us, can you please do so,

After a week, and still nothing, Post
Iceman you have failed to made contact for lot 13, you are now banned from our auctios in the future,

Other clubs will see this, and the screen name at least, and can deal with it in their own way

Just thoughts

1/12/2010 8:26:14 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

JA, your payment was received and seeds should be in your mailbox in a day or two. All seeds were mailed out yesterday morning.

1/12/2010 8:31:18 AM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

I'm with you Eddy, deadbeats should be posted.

1/12/2010 8:44:55 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We still have one too. LETS COMPARE NOTS PRIVATELY BEFORE PUBLICLY.

1/12/2010 4:11:05 PM

Woodburn, Indiana

Most of you know I keep a list. I'm willing to share it with club organizers, but not the entire world. Please email me if you have any questions/comments. Thanks. Kelly.klinker@gmail.com

1/12/2010 5:51:53 PM

Ohio

I agree non-payers should be posted and/or banned. I as a bidder would be upset to know that a seed I was outbid on was won by a non-payer and I wouldn't do any business with them.

1/12/2010 11:55:58 PM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

very good point Tim T. - never looked at it from that aspect until now - that would suck and everything should be done to prevent that from happening

1/13/2010 12:29:22 AM

British Columbia, Canada

I really don't see the point of not paying.
After all, bidding isn't for fun, you bid because you'd like to obtain seeds to grow.

Though that's just the thing, the Internet is full of people who find it entertaining to fake-bid and annoy others. Ken does a great job of keeping BP.com free of people like that, but it still happens about once every Auction.

Keeping track of payment info, screen name, and second place bidder is something all auctions should consider.

1/13/2010 12:46:40 AM

Just a caution/suggestion before posting someone's name publicly as a "non-payer." Double-check your spam folder for emails. You wouldn't want to besmirch someone's good name just because your spam filter was doing its job too effectively. However, if the bidder/buyer really is stiffing the club, then smirch away!

1/13/2010 10:31:00 AM

ordinary,VA

The grower contacted me today,looks like just an oversight.
thanks everyone for you post.

1/13/2010 1:25:44 PM

Long Island,New York

String him up !!!!

1/13/2010 4:55:37 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

That is a wee bit harsh Glen

1/13/2010 9:37:04 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Phil, Glen's sense of humor is as dry as my mother-in-law's stuffing, rest her soul. No one says anything, you just eat it and accept it for what it is.

1/13/2010 10:05:51 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I think (dangerous, I know...LOL) that I read some time back that Ken D. could make a transcript of each auction available, if needed. Is this correct? This, if available, could get you back to the second place bidder. IMO, that is who should get 1st crack at any seed that is not paid for by the winner. I would also like to see who does not pay made public...after Eddy's suggestions for contact are followed. Just MHO. Peace, Wayne

1/13/2010 11:20:16 PM

ordinary,VA

Ken D. had some good ideas on Non-payer's in the per-season auction chat.
maybe we should go that route next year?

1/14/2010 4:18:45 PM

Connecticut, USA

Yes, I can and do provide a full transcript of each auction to the people running the auction. We did not go with the registered bidder concept this winter but I may introduce it to clubs as an options for next year.

1/14/2010 8:40:37 PM