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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

eBay fuckwits

82 replies

MarmaladeTwatkins · 14/07/2013 22:15

Agggghhhhhh! There needs to be a test to make sure that you have basic manners/intelligence/common sense before being given an eBay account.

I listed an Ikea Expedit bookcase that the auction ended for on 4th July. I stipulated in my listing that I would like the seller to contact me immediately after auction end to arrange a time/date for collection as I had new furniture coming. If they couldn't collect within a couple of days, my dad was going to store it in his summerhouse. Also specified that I would like payment within 24 hours of auction end or if not possible, please let me know.

So, someone won it. I messaged her 24 hours after auction ended to say "Hi, what would you like to do about collecting the bookcase? Look forward to hearing from you soon!" No reply by 24 hours after that, so I sent another message saying "Sorry to pester but I must arrange a collection date for the bookcase as my new furniture arrives on Monday and I need to know whether to keep it here for you or put into storage. If I get no reply by this time tomorrow, I shall take it that you no longer want the item. Look forward to hearing from you."

Nothing.

So I sent a second chance offer to the next highest bidder. She accepted immediately, paid and collected the next day.

Then....TODAY the original winner blithely messages me on eBay and says "Hi, can I collect on Tuesday?" I explain that it has gone, as I had heard nothing and I didn't think that a ten day wait was acceptable in waiting for contact. She has gone mad saying that I am in the wrong and how dare I sell it to another blah blah blah...

AIBU? Honestly, I'm not sure. Whenever I have thought about bidding on large items on eBay, if I knew I couldn't collect pretty much straight away, I have messaged the seller saying as much and if it's been a problem, not bid. And if I win, I always message as soon as possible saying "I can collect on this day, is this ok for you?" It's basic eBay etiquette, isn't it?! Confused

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 10:52

no Billy - it isn't proof. Online proof from courier or Rm is the only way to stop being scammed.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 10:55

But you could easily prove that you have not provided a false address! Easily. That wouldn't wash at all.

If this happens often, why aren't Fleabay alerting sellers about this before letting them list their items?! Large items HAVE to be collected, there's no opt out of collection only unless the buyer is willing to pay ££££s for a courier and even then, there is a weight limit a lot of the time.

I suppose that this a problem with eBay. A lot of the transaction is based on trust/human decency and a lot of people don't have any decency. I've lost count of the amount of times I've collected items from sellers. I just wouldn't even think of claiming I never had it, after I've been inside their house and in a lot of cases, had a cup of tea and a chat with them. :(

OP posts:
AmyFarrahFowlerCooper · 15/07/2013 11:02

Fair enough on the address thing, a better example would have been "I turned up and you weren't there. How dare you say I took an item when you couldn't even be bothered to be in as arranged?"

LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 11:09

ebay own paypal so want the fees on payments - but yes they should warn sellers but they don't. Go read the ebay community boards if you don't believe me - there are many threads about it, but ebay do nothing.

A buyer just has to file a not received claim, don't need to say anything about false addresses, and they will get their money back - simple as that.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 11:33

But does that money come from your funds or do eBay pay it?

I only ask because I had a dispute with a buyer saying that an item hadn't turned up. I checked her feedback and lo and behold, there were about 20 feedbacks from sellers all saying that they were sorry her item hadn't arrived Hmm

I refused her a refund and she took it up with eBay. They refunded her but it didn't show that it had been issued from my PayPal account.

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 11:43

it normally comes from your funds, a no fault ebay refund is pretty rare.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 11:56

God, why are people such wankers on eBay?! Why are eBay so inclined to assist in people being wankers?! It mystifies me, it really does.

OP posts:
thismousebites · 15/07/2013 13:00

The only way safe way to go is cash on collection. Never, ever pay through Paypal. If you collect the item, hand over the cash then seller tries to make out you never paid they haven't got a leg to stand on have they?
I bought a large picture off Ebay about 2 years ago. The seller gave me her address and I went to collect. I handed over the cash and she gave me the picture. About a week later I was informed that a non paid item case had been opened against me. I just laughed really. I mean I had proof of the picture hanging on my wall. I argued that nobody in their right mind would hand over an item on their doorstep without payment there and then.
Ebay found in my favour. Always cash on collection.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 13:01

OK, well, lesson learned. I've been left good feedback on this transaction anyway so am assuming I'm safe with this one!

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 13:06

no not safe for 45 days from payment, them leaving good feedback means nothing I'm afraid.

Manchesterhistorygirl · 15/07/2013 13:14

Friend of mine sold her dining table on eBay. Payer claimed item not received after paying by PayPal. Friend is still £215 down and the police aren't bothered.

Said table has since turned up on the buyers listings as she uses it to photograph her for sale items on!

Always cash in collection.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 13:40

I am fucking gobsmacked! Shock

OP posts:
EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 15/07/2013 16:56

Manchestergirl can your friend buy something collection only from the thief? Under and incognito account? Then she could go round with a few big strong mates and recover her table.

Flyingtree · 15/07/2013 18:45

Hope you filed your non paying bidder dispute else you'll have a big fat Negative feedback anytime soon :/

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 20:04

I couldn't care less, tbh. I've got a 100% and I can soon dispel any negative feedback with a "Well you didn't PAY" in the respond box.

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 20:20

but if you don't file a npb buyer doesn't get a strike and you won't get your fees back. I don't understand why you are refusing to do it? FVF are 10% of the sale price aren't they?

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 20:22

FFS!

I've made a mistake in not filing a NPB dispute, have acknowledged that and there isn't a lot I can do about it now is there?!

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 20:28

why don't you file one now??

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 20:32

Even though I have re-sold? I can still do that? I will have to send a request to the original buyer and she won't like that I wouldn't think?!

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 15/07/2013 20:38

it isn't a request, it is a payment reminder, and yes, do it now.

Spartacus101 · 15/07/2013 20:42

The reason more people started doing this scam (paying by paypal then collecting and saying non delivery) is that it was featured on a show, Watchdog maybe? A couple of years back. Sellers were in uproar that Watchdog had basically broadcast how to do it.

There was another scam they showed too where you sell an item, buyer says 'not as described' through Paypal and sends it back with a tracking number to get full refund. But what they actually send is an empty box. Paypal then refund their money and they have item and cash :(

Also switching things - if you sell real pearls people have been known to claim they are fake to paypal, send them back tracked, but actually have switched the real pearls (that they keep) for a fake cheap set that the seller gets back :(

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 15/07/2013 20:46

Errr, and if I remind her to pay and she pays, WTF do I do then?!

OP posts:
Curioustiger · 15/07/2013 20:54

Blimey this thread has opened my eyes! I have a double buggy to sell soon, I know what not to do now! I thought I was an experienced ebayer!

threefeethighandrising · 15/07/2013 20:54

Spartacus101 are you not basically doing the same thing that Watchdog did? Grin

Spartacus101 · 15/07/2013 20:57

Threefeet Grin I worked that out just as I hit post and thought 'oh bugger' Grin

Maybe I could do a thread every Monday 'Get your thieving tips here' Grin

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