EBAY SUCKS!!!!!!!!

[Monstermash]

Sorry guys but I have to go on a little rant here.....

About a week ago I found a great deal on a Nikon DSLR (D300) that I really wanted. The only problem was that the seller listed it with another Nikon DSLR (D200), 2 flash units, 2 lenses, and chargers and batteries and wouldn't break up the set. So long story short I bought it all and just figured I'd sell all the extra stuff I didn't want on Ebay.

Fast forward to tonight.....

The auction for the items I didn't want ended and they all met the reserve price. I was paid instantly on two of the items and was waiting on the other two. About an hour later I receive an email from the buyer of one of the lenses. Here is an exact quote of the email:

"I am sorry. I bide by mistake. I won't buy the lens. Would you please cancel the transaction. Thank you very much."

Ummm.... what? The guy has a feedback score of 145. I could understand a mistake from someone who just started using ebay but this? Oh man, was I heated.

I decided to give Ebay customer service a call. That did not go well. First, no one there speaks make the beast with two backsing English! Then interupt you every time you try and tell them whats going on which I feel is the rudest thing on the planet.

So, does anyone know what the penalty is for not living up to his end of the "contract"? It's an "unpaid bidder's strike". WTF??? Seriously? So Ebay states that your bid is a contract so the last time I checked a contract was a legal document that was binding. So IMO they should fork over the $500 the make the beast with two backshead bidder didn't want to pay.

On top of all this, sellers can't leave negative feedback for non-paying buyers anymore. So basically we get charged three times by Ebay to sell something...

1. Listing fee
2. Final value fee
3. Paypal fee because thats the only method of payment your allowed to take when you sell something on Ebay.

... and pay all this money to sell itmes on their site and get make the beast with two backsed when the buyer decides they changed their mind.

For what it's worth, the non-paying buyer's Ebay ID is "dawnshifts" so if you see them bid on your item cancel the bid or you may get screwed.

Ok sorry. I'm done ranting now. 

[superjohn]

Mistakes happen. I'm sure the guy didn't intend to screw you.

Can't you just re-list the items? I don't use E-bay so I don't much about it.

[NAKID]

Sure, he can re-list the item. And then he has to wait ANOTHER seven days for someone to hopefully not back out of the legal contract that ebay touts...

[hbliam]

Out of 200 plus ebay transactions I can count on one hand the problems I have had. The access to a worldwide market of buyers is worth the small chance you have an issue in my opinion. If you file a non paying bidder claim you can relist for free and you don't pay the FVF. In the end it wasted a bit of time but at least you didn't get ripped off.

[He Man]

what hbliam said.

dont worry about getting negative feedback, usually ebay will remove any nonwarranted negative feedback.

Its a hassle and if you can get over the fact that you get anally raped for fees. then you should be fine. he can decide not to pay or wahtever, he gets a strike thats about it. it doent mean much either unlss you get a lot of them.

i wouldnt loose sleep over this.

[NAKID]

I think you have to get 3 before your account gets suspended...

[NFG]

Ebay's become a rather unbelievable cesspool since I started using it in ~1996.  It's practically unusable now, as they've gone in search of profits instead of trying to please their members.  I was once a power seller, but now every time I try to list some things to sell I'm outraged long before even finishing the listing.  Their system's infuriatingly restrictive and hard to use, so after using it for over a decade - and living off my auctions as a sole source of income for five years - I won't go near the place.

What gear have you got left?  I'm often keen on new Nikon parts.  =D

[cyrus buelton]

There are a lot more things in life to get pissed off and rant about.

It's ebay. It happens.

Just cancel the transaction so you don't get hit with your listing fees and move on.


It's happened to me several times. I send one nasty message calling them scum, cancel the transaction, and re-list the item.

[TAftonomos]

Just like selling anything, it isn't SOLD until you've got cash in your hand and the guy/gal is riding/driving it down the street.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Wouldn't it be the one buyer who sucks? 

[NAKID]

But what he's trying to convey is that ebay says that bidding is a legal contract, then, essentially, refuses to enforce it...

[Popeye the Sailor]

But what he's trying to convey is that ebay says that bidding is a legal contract, then, essentially, refuses to enforce it...

Because small claims court over less than $200 is worth it?

It costs him nothing to relist, and he already wrote the add, took the pictures, etc. Given how many bike parts tom buys and sells, I'm guessing overall he's had very few problems.



Craigslist is free, people.

[NAKID]

So IMO they should fork over the $500 the make the beast with two backshead bidder didn't want to pay.

Just saying...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Just saying...

K, Mr. Exact.


It's not worth the trouble. It just isn't. Sometimes people bid on things and don't buy them. Sometimes they bid on things, pay, then take their money back through paypal. Life isn't fair. This is nothing new.

It's like posting things on craigslist. You're going to get some assholes, flakes, and lowballers. If you don't want to deal with that, don't post there. Same for Ebay.

Does anyone think they're really going to try to enforce this contract for such a low amount of money? I sure wouldn't, especially when I'm not out anything.

I just don't see how this is worth actually getting upset about.

[cyrus buelton]

But what he's trying to convey is that ebay says that bidding is a legal contract, then, essentially, refuses to enforce it...

I'd love to see you sue someone over not paying for an item.


It'd cost you about 10x what the item was worth.