Hello, I am just kinda' wondering/venting aloud here. I won an item on ebay for what I think was a VERY good price - the seller is a business, but does not have too many sales (and only has 4 items for sale right now). Well, I pay after the auction and the next day (today) I get a bunch of junk in my inbox about how they cant find this item (it is ~ 2 feet X 2 feet) and that they refunded my money. Now they filed one of those appeal dealies (where I have a week to reply) because they even want to get their listing fees back. I just cant help but think the item did not go for as much as they hoped, and since it ended late (after midnight), that somebody forgot to keep an eye on it and is not happy about it. Of course, this is only pure guessing on my part. I am pretty irritated about it. If I win an item and decide I dont want it, can I message someone to let them know I misplaced my wallet and that I will not be paying? That is how it feels to me. Anyone have any thoughts on this kind of stuff? I know a lot of you are very wise to this sort of thing. I was kinda excited about this item. Thanks.
I would definitely try to talk to them without a mediator for a while, explain to them exactly what you explained to us, and see if they will see the reasoning behind it. I know all too well how you feel on this sort of stuff, but luckily I've always come out on top after a deal has gone bad, mainly because I stay cordial and then slowly imply, (if need be) that I have no problems getting legal help.
you're right (JT, is it?). winning an auction is like a binding contract and you are committed to paying--i would hope it is the same for the seller. it sounds to me like they backed out, like you suspect, and that's pretty sneaky of them. at least they refunded you your money, but i would definately take that up with ebay--if it's a contract for you, it should also be one for them. good luck.
it happens all the time on ebay... I beleive you get to still leave them feedback so leave them the negative feedback...
Just wait till they leave pos. feedback for you, otherwise you'll end up with a neg. for nothing. At the end of the day, nothing you can do to MAKE them give up the part. You can try scare tactics but that's about it. They gave the money back so the worst thing they can get is a negative feedback and that's it. At least have them leave a positive one for you "for understanding", bla bla bla, then leave a neutral or negative for them saying what happened. Or forget about it and move on, which is what i do when I get dickheads on ebay.
Cool, thanks guys. I will take Aaron's advice and send a message later letting them know that I understand that things get misplaced but that since I need the part, I am willing to wait for them to find it. Then we can complete the transaction for the previous price. It just kinda erks me that basically (based upon how this situation went, not that it was the actual reasoning in this case) if someone does not like the ending bid, they can just refund your money and call it good. I had been curious to know if Ebay would do anything (it's not nice to sell something you dont have) but it does not sound like it. Dave, thanks for the feedback tip. I hear some people wait till the very last minute to leave the neg feedback. I have 100% and dont need some doofus tainting that because they screwed up. I really appreciate each and every reply. Thanks guys!
you said they were a business right? my guess would be that they have a local shop and sold it to some else. if they were afraid of the ending price they would have either uped the start bid or set a reserve in the first place.
That is correct. They do appear to have a real fabrication shop (and were parting out a snake). But they should have ended the auction early or stated that they reserved the right to end it early (which they did not - a few of us bid right to the end). Seems to me that reserve prices scare some folks off and since this was parts from a snake, perhaps they thought it would do well and not need any help. I sent a message earlier and will wait and see what they say (probably nothing). Thanks again for the reply.
I've had some similar situations on eBay also. I've had like 3 times someone end the auction within a few minutes of ending and put one of those "item no longer available for sale" things on there. And, the item was always going for a really good price too. So I feel your pain. I would do what the others suggested about the feedback, but def. wait until they give you + first. They will almost certainly rag on you if you leave negative for them first. People should just raise the minimum bid or use the reserve. Sorry about the troubles, I know what that feels like. Phil
putting a reserve price means a bigger cut for ebay, so they rarely do it. It's a bunch of crap JT, but since they refunded your money I don't think you have any recourse. Sorry dude. I would forget about it, as you don't want them to leave neg. feedback about you. and even if they leave good, and you leave bad, they can add to the feedback. Scott
True. This is one of those cases where you would probably want to leave "neutral" feedback ..... as there wasn't really a sale. I think I would want to leave them - feedback as well .... but they can always post other remarks along with it if you do.
Thanks Scott. Sounds like a plan. I appreciate everyones' thoughts on this stuff. I had no clue if that kind of situation was acceptable or if there was something that could have been done. Hence my asking. Thanks again guys!
Justin, thanks for the reply (amongst other items! ). The feedback game even seems stupid to me. I have read some peoples' strategies (waiting till the last second on the last day that you can leave feedback, etc) but it seems like a pain. I just dont buy a lot of parts voluntarily for the cars, so I get stoked when I find something cool at a great price. So much for that. Justin made up for it though.
I say send Guero over to wherever the hell they live/work out of. He can straighten things out! -fawcett
