Dilemma with Ebay Seller

[Aaron]

I recently won a Yamaha Bass for 99 cents and I was hoping for the free local pickup (which is listed in all of the seller's auctions). The seller said the listing was a mistake, but has been wishy washy. I was sent an invoice for the auction price, tax, and $35 shipping. He said he would sell it if I still want it, but it doesn't look like he wants to honor the local pickup.

Here's the ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...TQ%3AUS%3A1123

Here's our correspondence:

Dear profnot,

Greetings,

I'm the buyer - would it be okay to stop in any time that you're open next week to pay and pickup the bass?

Regards,
Aaron

- portraitoftracy


Dear portraitoftracy,

We made a mistake on the listing and it was supposed to be an online auction and not fixed price. I would like to undo this sale but if you still want it I would prefer to ship it. thanks,
Perry

- profnot

Dear profnot,

Thanks Perry-

I was hoping for the free local pickup, because the $35 shipping seems to be a good deal above the market value of the item. The only one that recently sold on ebay went for $75, and it was in much better condition and had a $90 pickup installed. I'd also love to check out the shop - there's a possibility that I might buy other items.

Regards,
Aaron

- portraitoftracy


Dear portraitoftracy,

I would like to withdraw the sale. The listing was a mistake. If you want to proceed I will follow through on the sale just as a normal transaction. If you want to pick it up I think the $35 is still a very low price for this item. thanks,
Perry

- profnot

I know I'm being unsympathetic, and it looks like a pretty crappy instrument. But I'd still like to buy it for $0.99 ($1.08 with sales tax). Any advice?

[sandmangeck]

What would you do if you were in his shoes?

[Droot]

Seriously dude, .99 cents + tax, come on the strap buttons are worth more then that. I don't what to tell you that he should not honor his sale, but the truth is that you are asking a bit much. If the guy refuses to allow you to pick it up local and the shipping charge is more then you are willing to pay, then let it go. I have taken more then my share of losses on the ebay, and I stand behind my sales 100%, but I would hope that a buyer would treat me fair and not expect a 40 or 50 dollar bass for essentially free (in fact he will lose money because his seller fees will not be covered by the price). Do what you want, but as for me , I would offer a reasonable price that reflects a bargain for you and not a complete loss for the seller, and I would sleep better at night.
Just my two cents,
DRoot

[Aaron]

I was initially expecting him to refuse to sell it, and I would have been cool with that. But it just seemed weird that he sent me an invoice a couple days after the auction.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

What would you do if you were in his shoes?

I would have sent the buyer an apologetic email stating that there was a mistake, offer a 10% off voucher at the pawn shop, and re-list the item.

[6jase5]

A good salesperson honors their sales especially when they screw up. Sorry, but mistakes should teach lessons. If I quote a customer wrong and sign a contract, it could cost my company millions. I don't have the "oops" option, I check, double check and triple check everything I do.

He should have a little pride in his work, realize the mistake and honor it, and you bet that he won't do that to himself again.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I recently won a Yamaha Bass for 99 cents and I was hoping for the free local pickup (which is listed in all of the seller's auctions). The seller said the listing was a mistake, but has been wishy washy. I was sent an invoice for the auction price, tax, and $35 shipping. He said he would sell it if I still want it, but it doesn't look like he wants to honor the local pickup.

Here's the ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...TQ%3AUS%3A1123

Here's our correspondence:


I know I'm being unsympathetic, and it looks like a pretty crappy instrument. But I'd still like to buy it for $0.99 ($1.08 with sales tax). Any advice?

this guy is a claim agent and that 35 bucks is how he makes his dough....i would hold him to it and report him if he hollers.....another scam is a low bin price that the seller hopes the buyer will hit before he checks out the 25 dollar shipping charge for something that can be mailed for a buck....he never made any mistake,he just counts on being able to talk anyone out of local pick up.../....

[Jazz Ad]

I would made a proposal for a pickup and hand-to-hand cash for any amount you think the instrument's worth.
It's borderline regarding eBay rules but this way the sale is done, you both get a positive note and you've done the right thing.
If he doesn't accept the offer, then too bad for him.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I would made a proposal for a pickup and hand-to-hand cash for any amount you think the instrument's worth.
It's borderline regarding eBay rules but this way the sale is done, you both get a positive note and you've done the right thing.
If he doesn't accept the offer, then too bad for him.

This really isn't a bass I'd be interested in paying more than $10 for.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Aaron

This really isn't a bass I'd be interested in paying more than $10 for.

and the seller knows that.....you should pay exactly what the auction said,and not a penny more,tho' i'd hand him a buck at the pick up day ,smile,and say keep the change.....i bet this dude has similar auctions all over ebay....let him know that you are fully aware how his little scam operates,and you are not about to let him victimize you.....

[delta7fred]

It's an auction, you put in the top bid, you won it. If he wanted more money he should have started it higher or put a reserve on it.

He put local pickup and that is part of the contract. Just because he only got one bid he is now sore and trying to screw you for some more cash.

I would insist on the terms he entered. He won't make that mistake again if indeed it was a mistake.

If you had paid more than it was worth and then wanted to back out he would hold you to it, it is a contract (well it is in the UK, US law may be different).

Just my 0.02

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by delta7fred

It's an auction, you put in the top bid, you won it. If he wanted more money he should have started it higher or put a reserve on it.

He put local pickup and that is part of the contract. Just because he only got one bid he is now sore and trying to screw you for some more cash.

I would insist on the terms he entered. He won't make that mistake again if indeed it was a mistake.

If you had paid more than it was worth and then wanted to back out he would hold you to it, it is a contract (well it is in the UK, US law may be different).

Just my 0.02

The mistake was that he put the minimum bid price as the Buy It Now price. So there could only be one bidder.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Aaron

The mistake was that he put the minimum bid price as the Buy It Now price. So there could only be one bidder.

and you think that was a mistake.....add it up.....99 cents,plus 35 bucks less the real cost of shipping plus what he paid for the item,probably 0....these guys just live for someone to hit the bin before they look at the shipping .....

[Phendyr_Loon]

The fact that the seller is putting up a fuss about this means he still has the potential to turn a profit on the 35 dollar shipping. Which to me means that he's probably padding his shipping charges, not cool.
I have no respect for Ebay sellers who jack up shipping charges for a profit.

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by Aaron

The mistake was that he put the minimum bid price as the Buy It Now price. So there could only be one bidder.

Ah. I hadn't picked up on that fact (it's getting late here). I suppose that does make it slightly different but still his mistake, and it doesn't alter the fact that he let the auction finish before trying to correct it. Had he 'spotted it' before you put your bid in then he could have closed it early.

I still think he is trying to scam you with the $35, and that he also is obliged to honor the contract. Like I said, if you bought it by mistake he would hold you to it.

[Droot]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

and you think that was a mistake.....add it up.....99 cents,plus 35 bucks less the real cost of shipping plus what he paid for the item,probably 0....these guys just live for someone to hit the bin before they look at the shipping .....

Sorry, but it costs about $40 to ship a bass via UPS and that says nothing of the packing. His price for shipping is very reasonable and he tried to make right from square one. I think people are reading way more into this then should be and that it was a mistake as the seller stated. As far as the invoice, sorry but that is an automatic function for most sellers, I don't use the feature but many do.

Droot

[jp58]

I would try my best to hold him to the letter of the law, and would probably report it to ebay, especially if I had proof.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Droot

Sorry, but it costs about $40 to ship a bass via UPS and that says nothing of the packing. His price for shipping is very reasonable and he tried to make right from square one. I think people are reading way more into this then should be and that it was a mistake as the seller stated. As far as the invoice, sorry but that is an automatic function for most sellers, I don't use the feature but many do.

Droot

for a ten dollar bass.....pleeze.....take a look around e bay.....this type of auction is so common i'd bet it has a name...besides that the seller is trying to collect on a local pick up.....if i thought for one hot minute that the seller had made an honest mistake i'd let him off the hook....but i see these way too often,and i almost got caught once on a low bin,but caught the inflated shipping before it was too late....

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Droot

Sorry, but it costs about $40 to ship a bass via UPS and that says nothing of the packing. His price for shipping is very reasonable and he tried to make right from square one. I think people are reading way more into this then should be and that it was a mistake as the seller stated. As far as the invoice, sorry but that is an automatic function for most sellers, I don't use the feature but many do.

Droot

I don't think he is regularly padding shipping charges for a profit, but there is a reason why he is willing to sell it to me if I pay for shipping, but not if I pick it up. I wouldn't have thought twice about him wishing to relist the auction if it wasn't for that fact.

I highly doubt the invoice was automated. It was a couple days after the auction, and he isn't a high volume seller.

[yodedude2]

my opinion: you are dealing with a dishonorable seller. according to the info you provided, he made an offer mistake in a public sale forum. you caught it and took advantage, and now he refuses to complete the deal.

seems a bit sad that his honor is only worth $35. we all have our price, but that seems really cheap.

either way, you can't force him to sell it to you. assuming you don't want to pursue breach of contract in small claims court, you could seek redress through ebay. i suppose the worst they would do is close his ebay account. then he'd have to open another one.

hardly seems worth it. you should consider walking away from this dishonorable person. best wishes, ron