Ethical question of sorts...about eBay

[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!

[Zen]

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






.

[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.

[spotlightmama]

lol - so it keeps going. After posting on the forum, I thought about it and thought maybe I should just alert the moderator of the forum. Can you see that I really hate drama, lol! I just wanted to do the right thing without starting anything.

Anyway, the moderator wrote me back and said he deleted my post because "this is not the place to dispute ebay purchases."

So she gets away. Ah well, I tried.

[mimitabby]

no, she didn't get away with it. Continue the complaint process!

any informed buyer is going to shy away from a seller who has feedback which is negative and the only feedback they have.

[short cut sally]

I thought about something while reading and getting ready to post again to this thread. IF the seller listed something in error or chose to end the auction early d/t unknown whatevers, they have the right to end the auction early as i had this once done to me. THe seller emailed every bidder and explained the situation and was later relisted with the corrected information and a reserve. Once a particular auction has ended, I don't believe that they have the right to back out of it, as it is a binding auction if I remember right. At least that is what it says when you have to confirm that you want to place x amount for your bid. What's fair is fair and I think that her leaving you a negative feedback is not the wisest of things for the seller to have done. I would really pursue this, regardless if she meant it in error or not. If that was the case, can't imagine her taking the time to make sure she gave you the negative feedback. I have only purchased from ebay, well over 400 transactions, and I have only gotten burned once (the seller got my money and the product) I had emailed ebay and it wasn't long after that, the seller was no longer a listed seller (apparently this seller had a run of these same complaints). I wish you the best of luck on this.

[spotlightmama]

I will definitely be continuing with the complaint process - no doubt about that. I do think it's true that you can end an auction early - that would have been fine. But you are definitely violating policy when you plain ol' won't sell the item after someone has won it. It's so unethical, too.

I just mean she got away because she will probably sell it for the price she wants on the forum.

[wackyjacky1]

At another message board that I go to a lot (non bike-related) a member might post something like, "PM me if you are interested in details of my experience." That way you're not naming names or "slandering" someone on the board, and you can discuss the issue backchannel.

Or you could chalk it up to experience, hope eBay does something about the negative feedback she left, and just let it go.

[Mr. SR500]

Hi, I'm an avid seller and occasionally buy. That sucks, she is a loon. I would have said, just let it go - until she gave you negative feedback. I would try and get the neg fb removed, but your likely SOL. You might post the auction link here and TE'er could flood her with questions - but that is not very productive. Sorry, it doesn't normally work that way, but bad karma will find her.

[wackyjacky1]

You might post the auction link here and TE'er could flood her with questions

LOL, that crossed my mind, too.

[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??????

[uforgot]

As for the negative fb, you can reply to it. Something short and sweet like "Seller refused to sell. Didn't like low winning bid." If I saw that I would not let it affect any dealings I had with YOU!

Ebay is changing their feedback to keep sellers from leaving retaliatory fb. Not sure when it goes into effect. Worth a try contacting them. They have gone away from their "No way do we ever remove fb". It can be removed now, and when the new rules happen, it's even better for the buyer.