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Seller Non-Performance (SNP)

By Aron Hsiao, About.com

Definition: Seller non-performance occurs when an item that has been duly paid for is never sent by the seller, regardless of the reason, or when the item that is eventually received differs substantially from details provided in the item listing.

Sellers are required to deliver items according to auction terms once payment has been received in kind. Failure to do so is a very serious offense, and the line between seller non-performance and fraud (a criminal offense) is a very thin, at times nonexistent one.

To avoid charges of seller non-performance, a seller who is unable to deliver an item for any reason must immediately refund the winning bidder's payment, provide a full explanation, accept the negative feedback he or she is likely to receive, and hope that the buyer doesn't pursue matters further.


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