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Original poster

Ebay help please, something is making me uncomfortable but I don't know why

83 replies

Numbersround · 26/08/2019 10:36

I can't prove anything's wrong but my gut instinct is so strongly telling me that something doesn't feel right.

I've been on Ebay for years and usually sell average clothes. It's unusual for anyone to send me questions as my wording is very clear. I have minimal communication with my buyers, if at all.

Last week I sold an original t-shirt of a 90s band for what I thought was quite a high price, as I know from searches that these things sell.

Within only a few minutes of putting the listing up, I received a message asking me if I had any more t-shirts to sell. I replied to say no. I then looked at the guy's profile and he was actually a reseller of band t-shirts, so I'm glad he didn't buy it as I hate the thought of people buying my stuff just to sell on. I know a lot of people don't mind, but personally it makes me feel very uncomfortable when people are so blatant about it. I know there aren't any rules against it but I hate the thought of people doing this with my stuff, especially when they're buying and selling on the same account so not even trying to hide it. I've done it myself a couple of times with a very occasional charity shop item, but I would never be so blatant about it or shove it in the seller's face.

A few minutes later, only ten minutes after the listing going live, someone else buys the item but it says awaiting payment. I didn't even realise this was possible as I was sure I'd set up my account to require immediate payment, but I was wrong about that.

The buyer then sends me a message asking if I have any more t-shirts for sale! I reply to say no. Buyer then pays. I look at their profile and it's only a few months old and has only been used to buy band t-shirts.

I mean there's nothing technically wrong here, but my instinct is pulling so strongly on this one. I can't even explain why.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 26/08/2019 11:54

I'm selling a shirt I bought for myself years ago

It was first sold to you and now you are selling it i.e. it is being resold/you are reselling.

It’s all semantics though- doesn’t much matter!

DontCallMeShitley · 26/08/2019 11:59

You said the payment hadn't cleared, and then you said you had been paid?

Do not send it until it is cleared.

Sometimes an item can become collectable for some reason, and if you put something on a BIN and someone buys it then you have got the price you wanted. If you wanted more you should have used BIN with best offer or on auction with a higher start price.

If you think you have a dodgy buyer that is another matter but you can't blame people for wanting to buy things that you are selling can you?

SnorkMaiden81 · 26/08/2019 11:59

But so what if someone does sell it on for a bit more?

You've owned it, you've had your use out of it. Either advertise it yourself at a higher price or take an amount you're happy with and let go.

Sounds like sour grapes a bit to me.

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General shopping
Nicknacky · 26/08/2019 12:00

Does it really matter if they are selling on?

Original poster
Numbersround · 26/08/2019 12:04

It matters because within the space of about ten minutes, two different people sent me messages asking if I had any more for sale, which has never happened to be before and it all felt a bit sudden.

OP posts:
teachermam · 26/08/2019 12:05

Why do u care?

treeplop · 26/08/2019 12:07

I don't think anyone will come to any harm, you got a hold price and they think they can make a profit. Our floundering economy could do with more of this!

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/08/2019 12:10

Jeeze OP this is all a bit dramatic, you’ve sold a T-shirt, sounds like you may have underestimated the value at worst.

NotTonightJosepheen · 26/08/2019 12:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kaytee87 · 26/08/2019 12:18

Op, are you an anxious person? This seems a major over reaction.

AFistfulofDolores1 · 26/08/2019 12:23

@Numbersround, I'm a huge advocate for listening to your gut, so you may well be correct ... but it might be one of those instances that, unless you cancel the sale, you'll only know after the fact.

Nousernameforme · 26/08/2019 12:23

So are you worried that they might relist your item and get more money for it?

AFistfulofDolores1 · 26/08/2019 12:24

I often find that my gut is correct, but the way it plays out wasn't what I thought it was going to be. For example, it could be that your item gets lost in the post, rather than the fact that you're dealing with a dubious buyer.

ballsdeep · 26/08/2019 12:26

Who cares? If they sell it on or wipe their arse with it , it's nothing to do with you. You've made your money

Crunchymum · 26/08/2019 12:28

The age old adage is so true OP.

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay!

ThirstyGhost · 26/08/2019 12:30

You're honestly being batshit about this. There is nothing at all wrong with buying to resell. It's a marketplace! If you don't want to participate then give your stuff away for free. Folk buy stuff at jumble sales to resell for goodness sake. Items don't come with a label insisting, "this item MUST be worn once purchased".

"Your intuition" might be relevant if a buyer persistently messaged you insisting on collecting the item in person from your home address or something, but there is nothing here to even think about. NOTHING.

worriedaboutray · 26/08/2019 12:30

You've got a gut feeling that someone on a popular clothes selling site wants to buy your second hand clothes and perhaps sell them on.

OK Miss Marple...

EmmaC78 · 26/08/2019 12:33

I am another who thinks you are majorly over reacting. I can't believe you are wasting time thinking about this. Post the T-shirt, buy yourself something nice with the money and then move on.

OakDining · 26/08/2019 12:34

I’ve sometimes felt that things are a bit off with buyers on eBay and occasionally I am right and they claim they didnt receive the item. But it doesn’t matter because I send the items tracked. As long as you Do that, all will be okay

amylou8 · 26/08/2019 12:39

Post it tracked, either royal mail recorded delivery, or a courier service that requires a signature (not just tracking), to the address that the buyer has checked out with.

I'm an eBay business, I buy and sell as a living (sorry this upsets you but it's my job, it pays my rent and feeds my kids) and nothing you have posted rings any alarm bells to me.

64sNewName · 26/08/2019 12:40

By why does it matter that two different people messaged you within ten minutes etc. etc. and it all felt a bit sudden to you? So what?

I mean, I expect you’re right that there is a reason, and it seems likely it’s to do with the rarity of the item. But they aren’t doing anything wrong and there is no obvious potential for harm to you, so ... ??

Confused
TDogsInHats · 26/08/2019 12:46

I know exactly what you mean op. But I think the feeling will pass after you've posted it off. Try not to worry.
I've had these feelings (we're strange creatures us humans!) But as someone said "I'm only human after all"

Ihavenoideawhereitis · 26/08/2019 12:53

When you posted the picture was it just of the t shirt, or were you wearing it in the picture?
Also, has anything happened to the band since you last tried to sell it, so that the value has increased in the meantime and you have undersold?

Original poster
Numbersround · 26/08/2019 12:59

64sNewName I don't know. That's the point.

TDogsInHats Thank you for being understanding

Ihavenoideawhereitis Nothing has happened to the band.

OP posts:
NotTonightJosepheen · 26/08/2019 13:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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