Ebay!! Opinions wanted.

[clutch]

Ok, I fk'd up.

I bid on an item and won. After closer inspection of the photos, I realize that the item isn't as described.

I email him and tell him that I cannot pay because it isn't what he says it is.

I get this reply:
'Regrettably you have completely wasted my time. Why do you think I put up so many photos? Try looking at photo number 7- I think it is abundantly clear that it is a two step shroud. Why is it that other bidders managed to pick up on this and ask the appropriate questions prior to bidding. Your reason is particularly weak considering you only bid within the dying seconds of the auction. You obviously cannot afford to pay, but enjoy wasting peoples time. Try growing up.'

So now because he hasn't canceled the transaction, ebay is going to give me a non-paying strike on my account.

I contact them and they say it is my responsibility to ask questions and verify stuff before I bid.

I say that the user was being deceptive and even admitted it in his email above.

I have emailed him asking to cancel the transaction and offered to pay his listing fee.

Am I in the wrong here?

 

[ki_atsushi]

Unfortunately, it is your fault (you even said it in your opening line). I've done a quick bid in the closing seconds and it cost me about 3x the shipping because that ass overcharged. But I bid and won, so I had to pay. I learned my lesson after that.

But and unpaid item strike is not the end of the world. iirc they go away after 6 months, and unless you have 2 or more, i don;t think it will affect anything.

 

[hyper]

seller id?

 

[Adderall]

Seller is right.

Although they could have handled the situation MUCH better. You can pay for it, get it, and re-list it yourself....
or I think if you wanted to pay double the listing fee it might calm him down a little. that's probably what I would do.

this crap happens sometimes.
but you admit you gotta look closer next time so at least this won't likely be a common occurrence for you.

 

[clutch]

My thought process is this. I see that it is wrong and the seller has the description describing something else. The only way to know it isn't the item he is alluding it to be is to carefully study his photos. I missed the clue in the photo. So I could pay, get the item and then start up the process of saying it is not as described, send it back, etc... I saved all this rigamaroll up front before anything was exchanged. Yes, I sniped, so I couldn't back out, but the gist of the matter is he misrepresented the item in the hopes that someone like me would bid on it. That's why I feel that I am not totally in the wrong for not paying.

Don't worry, it isn't anything neo-geo/gaming related or anyone on this board.

 

[Adderall]

My thought process is this. I see that it is wrong and the seller has the description describing something else. The only way to know it isn't the item he is alluding it to be is to carefully study his photos. I missed the clue in the photo. So I could pay, get the item and then start up the process of saying it is not as described, send it back, etc... I saved all this rigamaroll up front before anything was exchanged. Yes, I sniped, so I couldn't back out, but the gist of the matter is he misrepresented the item in the hopes that someone like me would bid on it.

Don't worry, it isn't anything neo-geo/gaming related or anyone on this board.

I get where you are coming from... but the seller really has the upper hand here as they can leave you negative feedback. My advice was just how I would handle it to back out as quickly as possible and avoid any conflict.

From the tone of the Email they sent you - it's obvious that they are going to make this whole process uncomfortable due to their aggressive online persona (I mean, telling you to "grow up" ?? that's uncalled for).

If you want to challenge it, go for it.. I'd just pay the listing fee plus some extra cash to keep them off your back. What is the value of the item in question?

 

[sammybean]

Did you try telling him that you'd pay the difference between your winning bid and the next highest? He can use the second chance feature to give the second highest bidder a shot at it, and you could do the right thing and make up the difference. It's worth a shot and everyone goes home happy.

 

[SetaSouji??]

Unfortunately, it is your fault (you even said it in your opening line). I've done a quick bid in the closing seconds and it cost me about 3x the shipping because that ass overcharged. But I bid and won, so I had to pay. I learned my lesson after that.

See though, I'm the dick that asks for a partial refund if I'm severely overcharged on shipping, but I don't do it till afterwards and provide paypal with a picture of actual postage on box. Always works.

 

[hyper]

seller sounds like a complete jackass. yes, you made the mistake of sniping something without being totally sure you want it. does the seller have to cancel the transaction at your request? no he doesn't..

however if this person was a reasonable, pleasant to deal with human being he would work it out with you or cancel the transaction as a courtesy.. doesn't seem to be the case.

now the seller will get his jollies making you pay for something you don't want. only option to avoid the unpaid strike is to buy it..
BUT nobody says you have to be 100% satisfied with your purchase once you actually receive it.. thats where paypal comes in and paypal for the most part sides with the buyer..

I've dealt with sellers like this before, its their way or the highway.. so hit em where it hurts.. PAYPAL.

 

[Fritz]

Sellers can't leave negative feedback any longer.

I suggest just taking the strike and moving on.

How ebay feedback now works:

Neutrals and negatives, while lowering the feedback % are not too big a deal.

Leaving a low ( 1 or 2 ) rating on his detailed seller ratings is more damaging to his feedback and account.

 

[Cylotron]

i've been on the opposite end myself. well, sort of. one time i was selling a cps2 kit(street fighter alpha 2) and didn't specify a minimum. i was expecting it to at least reach a certain price point and it did not(i think it was like $40 or so under)... i ended up trying to explain the situation to the buyer but then thought "well it is my fault" and went through with the transaction anyway.

 

[clutch]

I think the only thing I have going for me is his auction was cryptic and the pictures totally contradict his description. Ebay sounded like they were more on his side, so I guess my untarnished for years account will take the hit.

 

[SNKorSWM]

Got ebay link?

 

[Curt]

I fucked up a couple weeks ago and bought a Playstation game without a manual ( I needed a manual).

I had to man up and buy it anyway.

It's the way it goes. I'd rather do the right thing and bite the bullet than risk negative feedback.

Usually were talking under $100 to a couple hundred dollars. Bigger transactions I think its definately worth asking for a re-list etc.

Imagine if you clicked on a $15,000,000 and accidentally won? That would be a real problem...

 

[Heath]

There isn't any problem if you purchase an item then change your mind. Ebay even states themselves that its only "considered a contract". Due to Distance Selling Regulations anybody has the right to cancel a transaction online with or without out payment within 7 days. That includes business and personel sellers. Ebay do threaten to ban you if you get 3 unpaid item strikes but im yet to know anyone that has had a permenent ban from not paying. the most time ive known someone get a ban for this is a week. he could have made this easily for you and himself. fuck him and dont pay.

 

[Curt]

There isn't any problem if you purchase an item then change your mind. Ebay even states themselves that its only "considered a contract". Due to Distance Selling Regulations anybody has the right to cancel a transaction online with or without out payment within 7 days. That includes business and personel sellers. Ebay do threaten to ban you if you get 3 unpaid item strikes but im yet to know anyone that has had a permenent ban from not paying. the most time ive known someone get a ban for this is a week. he could have made this easily for you and himself. fuck him and dont pay.

Possibly irresponsible advice. Getting strikes/negative feedback is no bueno. Do whatever you can to avoid this.

 

[hyper]

sellers can only leave positive feedback or none at all.. new policy. only option is to pay up or take the strike. 3 strikes can get your account suspended.

 

[Heath]

Possibly irresponsible advice. Getting strikes/negative feedback is no bueno. Do whatever you can to avoid this.

You cant get a negative feedback if your the buyer, and one item strike isn't going to hurt anybodys account is it. buying stuff on Ebay isn't a binding contract. You have the right to cancel the sale same has buying any goods anywhere alse.

 

[hyper]

pay up, get the item, file a 'not as described' claim with paypal (if thats the case), game over, the user wins.
don't go through eBay, they could not care less and their drones will tell you so.

 

[SNKorSWM]

If you get a non payment strike, don't be surprised that your future bids to any other seller's listings mysteriously get blocked or cancelled......Ebay buyer requirements have been updated that the time limit for strikes has been extended from previously 30 days to currently 12 months.

 

[clutch]

Yep, he's being a dick and not replying now.

 

[Comrade Porn King Mikhail]

What a clusterfuck. The seller is clearly being confrontational but the problem at hand is that at some point you were argumentative towards the seller and he escalated the situation from that point.

Simple thing would have been to e-mail as politely as possible to explain what you noticed and to see if the seller is amicable towards issuing a second-chance to someone else, and to closing the transaction on eBay under the "both parties agreed to it" clause. In this case no one gets a strike and no final value fees are charged.

I've always found that the simplest way to complete a potentially troublesome transaction is to treat the situation as delicately as possible and to present the other party with several actions to choose from so that both parties feel they have a say in the matter. Otherwise it's an ultimatum, and no one likes that option.

 

[SNKorSWM]

Alternatively, just pay for the item and have it delivered, just so that you can take pics of it and file a claim that it's significantly different from what's advertised.