Method and system for dealing with non-paying bidders related to network-based transactions

Abstract

A method and system for dealing with non-paying bidders related to network-based transactions are disclosed in which a submission of a complaint to a network-based facility is facilitated. The complaint is related to a party who has failed to complete a transaction. A resolution of the complaint is facilitated. A record associated with the part is updated if the complaint is not resolved. The record indicates a count of failed transactions related to the party. A submission of a refund request can also be facilitated if the complaint is not resolved.

1 . A method comprising:
 collecting a fee from a seller at a network based facility, the fee based on publishing a description of an item for sale by the seller to one or more potential buyers;   receiving a complaint related to a failed transaction that is not completed by a buyer of the item for sale; and   updating, using one or more processors, a seller refund request table upon crediting the fee based on the failed transaction to the seller.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fee is collected when the description of the item for sale is published. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fee is collected when the buyer purchases the item for sale. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the publishing of the description is on a website. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining that the failed transaction is due to the buyer not paying the seller for the item for sale. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction comprises an online auction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the complaint is received from the seller. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying the buyer that the complaint was received. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a database configured to maintain a plurality of records of network-based transactions, the plurality of records including a first record; and a processor configured to:   collect a fee from a seller at a network based facility, the fee based on publishing a description of an item for sale by the seller to one or more potential buyers;   receive a complaint related to a failed transaction that is not completed by a buyer of the item for sale; and   update a seller refund request table upon crediting the fee based on the failed transaction to the seller.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fee is collected when the description of the item for sale is published. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fee is collected when the buyer purchases the item for sale. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the publishing of the description is on a website. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further to determine that the failed transaction is due to the buyer not paying the seller for the item for sale. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the transaction comprises an online auction. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the complaint is received from the seller. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further to notify the buyer that the complaint was received. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to:
 collect a fee from a seller at a network based facility, the fee based on publishing a description of an item for sale by the seller to one or more potential buyers;   receive a complaint related to a failed transaction that is not completed by a buyer of the item for sale; and   update a seller refund request table upon crediting the fee based on the failed transaction to the seller.