Won a guitar on eBay - seller doesn't want to sell - the hilarity ensues - Page 6

m0ranwad · #**101** 02-12-2013, 12:53 AM

As others may have already stated, if you wanted to, you could threaten to file a civil case against him. He is legally bound via eBay's terms to complete the sale, and you would easily win such a case.

Obviously, though, this would end up costing you more in the long run with seeking legal counsel. However, I have used this method as a means of "scaring" the buyer into fulfilling the order. It wouldn't hurt to at least bluff. Do your research and tell him that you are filing a case "under section so-and-so".

I used to be a Top-Rated Power Seller on eBay, but I'm no lawyer...

Good luck with this.

Templar · #**102** 02-12-2013, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I can barely express the joy and satisfaction I receive from the fact that I don't do eBay.

Yeah but what do you do for angst?

michael_atw · #**103** 02-12-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobobob

Believe me, I love a good bound n' blocked maple board too! Just that finish and guard really seem like they would work well with rosewood. Oh well, guess I'll just have to get a charcoal Am. Standard P and slap a tort guard on it just to tick you off!

Our basses could be pen pals...

michael_atw · #**104** 02-12-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0ranwad

As others may have already stated, if you wanted to, you could threaten to file a civil case against him. He is legally bound via eBay's terms to complete the sale, and you would easily win such a case.

I saw a similar thing on one of the court shows on TV. Someone agreed to sell an item on Craigslist, the buyer drove to view it at the scheduled time and it was gone. It was sold out from under him.

It was an interesting case. The judge stated that a contract like that is binding; the only problem was IIR the buyer had no proof from emails that there was one. If he would have, he would have won the cost of the item. It was a motor bike or something. Very interesting.

I've had that happen many times on Craigslist - people sell out from under you after making arrangements to sell to you.

friskinator · #**105** 02-12-2013, 08:03 AM

My biggest problem with Ebay lately has been buyers claiming the merchandise I sent them was broken/faulty/etc when I know for a fact it wasn't. I recently sold a neck (which was in great shape) to a buyer, and when he received it, he claimed that the nut was missing. Since nuts tend to be attached rather well, I knew that was impossible. The nut was attached when I packed it (and packed it well, mind you), but he claimed it was gone. He also claimed that it was nowhere to be found in the packing materials. Also, the box wasn't damaged or opened. I told him that his statement didn't make any sense, and that there was no way that could have happened. After going back and forth via email a few times, he gave up and left me positive feedback.

My guess? He was tinkering with the nut after he received it and somehow damaged it, then wanted his money back when he couldn't fix it. Luckily, he gave up, but I've had this scenario happen more than once. Buyers hold all the power now on Ebay, and unfortunately, Ebay is too lazy to try and sort out the truth. It is what it is, I guess. I just hate that you can't leave negative feedback for buyers anymore - there are some awful, irresponsible ones out there.

Misty Mountain · #**106** 02-12-2013, 08:24 AM

Both of my basses came from eBay, my head, and better than 3/4 of my PA rack. Mainly because there is nowhere near me to purchase gear, and I prefer used gear a lot of the time. I've bought and sold a couple of vehicles on there, too. I always try to know everything I can about the items I am bidding on and what pitfalls may be waiting for any particular model. I am amazed at how many sellers get the details wrong about items. But that's the auction game. I've passed up many items I wanted because I have a firm price for everything I buy on there right from the outset, and I won't go a penny over that, period. My mantra? There's always another one out there somewhere.

smcd · #**107** 02-12-2013, 09:00 AM

I've had hundreds of ebay transactions. No real problems as a seller, a couple significant problems as a buyer. All but one of my buying problems occurred recently, and due to ebay's customer satisfaction policy, those were resolved to my complete satisfaction.

How many transactions are completed on ebay each day? Millions? How many are disputes? 0.1%? 0.01%? The OP in this thread - did he get financially injured? Was he put out in a significant way?

As a seller, ebay is your best bet by far to maximize your selling price. Sometimes I put an item up for sale in the TB classifieds before I got to ebay. Half of the time the bass sells, the other half of the time it goes to ebay. Every single time I move an item to ebay, it sells for more than I was asking in the TB classifieds. Ebay is a very good thing.

**DeanT** · #**108** 02-12-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_atw

FYI - the buyer has no obligation to your "buy immediately". They have 4 days to pay before an unpaid case can be opened, 4 more before it can be closed. In all cases, 8 days are allowed to pay. If you forego this, you risk negative feedback.

That's only partly true. If you require PayPal payments, you can also require "Immediate Payment" after auction ends when using the service.

And as to a reserve price, to avoid reserve fees, just set your starting price at what you want to get out of the sale. I never bid on reserve price auctions. I like to know that if I bid, I have a chance of winning. And that I don't have to keep bidding just to meet a reserve price first.

troy mcclure · #**109** 02-12-2013, 09:59 AM

If you file a claim to Paypal they will freeze his account. It is not a pleasant experience.

The seller was a moron. I never mess with reserves, I start my items on what is the least I will take for them and also have them for sale locally. I had had to end auctions because the item was locally sold but never because it didn't go for my price.

GreaserMatt · #**110** 02-12-2013, 02:36 PM

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/msg/3605829125.html

Does it look like this one?

michael_atw · #**111** 02-12-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanT

That's only partly true. If you require PayPal payments, you can also require "Immediate Payment" after auction ends when using the service.

Incorrect. Immediate payment only works if you set a Buy-it-now price. Best offers and auctions cannot be required for immediate payment. Not to my knowledge and never in my experience have I encountered one. I've had people email me demanding I pay quick but I've learned the difference between a good seller and a bug is little things like that.

michael_atw · #**112** 02-12-2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

If you file a claim to Paypal they will freeze his account.

Incorrect. They only freeze the payment. Well, they actually "hold" the money. They might freeze an account if there is fraud but not for a buyer complaint like this.

michael_atw · #**113** 02-12-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcd

As a seller, ebay is your best bet by far to maximize your selling price. Sometimes I put an item up for sale in the TB classifieds before I got to ebay. Half of the time the bass sells, the other half of the time it goes to ebay. Every single time I move an item to ebay, it sells for more than I was asking in the TB classifieds. Ebay is a very good thing.

Truth. Ebay is a deal with the devil sometimes but I'm on it because I know I get at least partly what I pay for (huge visibility). I do sell on TB though larger valued items because the $100 fee is not worth it for me to sell on there.

However, it should be noted that in the event something grew to rival it my loyalty is zero.

gurensan · #**114** 02-12-2013, 06:19 PM

Ebay and CL have killed "the local music store."

I say screw 'em both, buy local only.

smcd · #**115** 02-12-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurensan

Ebay and CL have killed "the local music store."

I say screw 'em both, buy local only.

What? You're boycotting Craigslist? A free classifieds site???

michael_atw · #**116** 02-12-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurensan

Ebay and CL have killed "the local music store."

I say screw 'em both, buy local only.

The whole internet has. Might as well include TB too.

JoeWPgh · #**117** 02-12-2013, 08:08 PM

My worst eBay experience was with a seller who shipped my item to the wrong address. He refused to aknowledge his mistake and refused to refund my money. I had bought from the guy before, so it was a bit of a shock. I filed a claim with eBay and it was sorted out fairly fast. It was for a car part. I felt obliged to alert the Miata community to the clown, and never dealt with him again.

Immigrant · #**118** 02-12-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_atw

The whole internet has. Might as well include TB too.

Partly true. The [only] good thing about MF and GC and the growth of Internet sales was that many local stores had to get honest to compete.

Case in point: One of the most popular (and well stocked) local stores here used MSRP on nearly everything in the store prior to MF/GC coming in and squishing whoever didn't change. A lot of stores went under because they weren't big enough to be able to lower prices and still exist.

The same store still exists and matches online pricing. As soon as I found out that they (and another local favorite) were doing that, my patronage to GC stopped.

End of derail.

coreyfyfe · #**119** 02-12-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friskinator

My biggest problem with Ebay lately has been buyers claiming the merchandise I sent them was broken/faulty/etc when I know for a fact it wasn't.

Had a similar problem fairly recently. Sold/shipped a tube amp. A little jostling would be expected from a large/heavy package. I know any time I've bought or sold a heavy amp I've expected it to suffer some bumps and bruises, but I guess that's just me. Anyhow, sold an amp and upon receiving the package the dude says it's broken and missing parts, and he wants to return it. My reply was it was fine before shipping, but I'll help him diagnose the problem and pay for repairs (figured it was most likely a broken solder joint or bad tube). Turns out the part he was missing was an extra tube shield that never came with the amp in the first place but I none the less purchased and shipped to him. Gave him some troubleshooting tips and asked for video/audio of the noise the amp was making to confirm the problem and never heard back. Didn't get feed back, but he never contacted me again about the amp so I don't know what happened.

Bassbubble11 · #**120** 02-12-2013, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0ranwad

As others may have already stated, if you wanted to, you could threaten to file a civil case against him. He is legally bound via eBay's terms to complete the sale, and you would easily win such a case.

Obviously, though, this would end up costing you more in the long run with seeking legal counsel. However, I have used this method as a means of "scaring" the buyer into fulfilling the order. It wouldn't hurt to at least bluff. Do your research and tell him that you are filing a case "under section so-and-so".

I used to be a Top-Rated Power Seller on eBay, but I'm no lawyer...

Good luck with this.

I don't think there is anything legally binding other than that if you violate the terms and conditions you will be subject what ever ebay decides and if you don't like it there is nothing you can legally do.

Ebays terms and conditions are there to protect ebay not the users.

If the buyer does not want to sell he does not have to.

A civil case? Nope. By joining and using ebay you are bound to there rules with no legal recourse the way I read it.