Ethical question of sorts...about eBay

[KatyLady]

I wouldn't be the least bit shy about posting warnings around the various forums. I'm sure the seller would be screaming foul if the buyer decided after the fact that she had bid too much and tried to say, "Sorry I changed my mind."

[xeney]

Yeah, there are eBay sellers who pull this BS. Make a new ID and plead "I didn't know the rules!" if you don't get a good price. She knew.

On the one hand you aren't hurt if you got your money back, but maybe you refrained from bidding on a different auction because you were waiting to see if you won hers, which you had every reason to believe would be a fair auction. She violated the sales contract and eBay needs to ban her.

[GLC1968]

Personally, I would 'out' her.

My husband just sold a bike on ebay last week and a day later regretted his decision. He really, really, really wanted to back out (even considered telling the buyer it was stolen!), but knew that he'd made a deal and had to go through with it. He shipped it this morning and probably had tears in his eyes when he did.

It's too bad for her that she didn't read all the rules. They are all there, in black and white. AND, if she really did make a mistake in her listing, she didn't have to let it complete before changing her mind. As long as there are no bids, you can change or retract your listing.

Ignorance is no excuse. She should have honored her commitment and you have every right to share your experience with others.

[spotlightmama]

I'll be honest that I do believe her that she made a mistake (I could just be a pushover). Judging by her emails, it seems like a sincere mistake. But I agree - a deal is a deal, even if you messed up in the listing. eBay isn't that hard to use and she should have been more cautious. She sure wouldn't be complaining if she got more than they were worth!

She shouldn't have started the bidding so low if she wasn't willing to part with them at that price - that's the risk of eBay. I really wish she would stay with her end of the deal, but there's nothing I can do.

I guess I feel bad "outing" her because I'm pretty sure she did make a mistake. I definitely don't feel bad that I gave her negative feedback and reported her because that's all part of eBay. I'm just not sure if I would be taking it a little overboard by posting on this other forum with my experience. They are listed at her desired price on the forum, so I doubt she would back out on anybody.

Grr - I was so excited, too!

[spotlightmama]

Well, I was thinking about just letting it go, but I checked my eBay and she left me negative feedback!! She said, "Buyer couldn't understand unfortunate situation of seller." No sorry, I don't understand backing out on a deal!

So I outed her. I'll probably look like a pot-stirrer, but oh well.

[wackyjacky1]

She left you negative feedback? Geez, that's insane...and possibly another eBay violation, as I believe they have a policy against retaliatory feedback. She's not just some innocent noob, she's a fraud, and it's good that you "outed" her. I am a big fan of eBay, and the most important thing that makes it work is that people abide by the rules. Shame on her!

[spotlightmama]

She left you negative feedback? Geez, that's insane...and possibly another eBay violation, as I believe they have a policy against retaliatory feedback. She's not just some innocent noob, she's a fraud, and it's good that you "outed" her. I am a big fan of eBay, and the most important thing that makes it work is that people abide by the rules. Shame on her!

I know - I'm so upset because I really love eBay. I hope they can do something about it because I like to sell things on there once in awhile and I have worked hard to keep 100% positive feedback.

I cannot believe this girl! Grr - "unfortunate situation."

[bluebug32]

I'm not sure what other forum you post on, but some, like Ridemonkey, have a bad sellers and scams forum where such incidents are posted to warn others.

I think a lot of people (including myself at times) will post the item several places, especially if it's an expensive or niche item that may not sell on Ebay. I would definitely let any potential buyers know that the item is only available if if it doesn't sell at the auction.

When buying and selling on Ebay, you both enter into a legal contract of sorts. At the very least, you deserve to notify eBay to have your negative feedback removed and to push to receive the item that you legally won.

[Zen]

What????
I have a feeling this isn't going to be the last "unfortunate situation" she finds herself in.






.

[tc1]

You have to sell something once you post it? Yet another reason to add to my list of reasons why I don't use ebay. I have look at their website, figuring if I learned about it I would like it. But the more I learn, the more distasteful it all seems. And I don't need another way to bring clutter into my house, the traditional ways are working just fine.

[kat_h]

You have to sell something once you post it? Yet another reason to add to my list of reasons why I don't use ebay.

A seller can cancel an auction up until the final 12 hours, for practically any reason. I once cancelled an auction for a video I was selling because I decided to give it to a friend instead. I still had to pay the 10 cent listing fee and that was the end of it.

Once the auction has finished the seller is obligated to sell the item. The buyer is also obligated to pay for the item at that point. The whole concept would unravel quickly if sellers were allowed to change their minds after receiving payment, as happened here.

[SouthernBelle]

You have to sell something once you post it? Yet another reason to add to my list of reasons why I don't use ebay. I have look at their website, figuring if I learned about it I would like it. But the more I learn, the more distasteful it all seems. And I don't need another way to bring clutter into my house, the traditional ways are working just fine.

You can put a reserve price, but that's pretty much the law world wide in regard to auctions. You are entering into a contract with Ebay to sell, then when the gavel drops, so to speak, you have entered into a contract with the buyer.

I'm not sure why you find it distasteful.

[imdeanna]

Have you gotten any response from Ebay?? I'm curious to hear what they have to say about it!

and I wanna know who the seller is!!

I buy a lot of stuff on ebay...and that is just crazy that someone would think that was OK to do!

[spotlightmama]

The only response I got from ebay was that I have to wait 10 days to file a report. They won't remove the feedback, so I'm just stuck with it.

I really think she was just completely clueless. One of my longtime friends is like that and it makes me crazy! I can totally see my friend doing the same thing - it's like she lives on another planet and doesn't have to abide by the same rules as the rest of us. I don't think it makes it right that she didn't sell it, but I actually don't think she was trying to be fraudulent.

She closed down the second listing and doesn't have anything else for sale, so at least that much is good.

[uforgot]

When the auction is over, the seller has a binding contract to sell to you. That's what ebay always says. Unfortunately, you can only dispute it with ebay and she will be suspended only if she does this so many times, not just once.

As for the excuse that she didn't know. I wish I had a nickel for every time I hear that on a daily basis from my high schoolers. I always say "So, if you don't know the speed limit, you can go as fast as you want?" If she is being honest and didn't know, then she didn't read the rules and she still is obligated to abide by those rules. Being ignorant is no excuse.

You've done what you can. I wonder if that website ebayersthatsuck.com is still in existence??????