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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

Bought a large item for the first time, now in a complete dither about being fleeced.

35 replies

ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 11:29

It's only a couple of hundred quid but it's a LOT of money to us. We've been saving for ages for a new kitchen and can't afford to buy actually new and have found a kitchen on ebay. Chap is having it removed in a couple of months and replacing it with a new one. We will collect and he's agreed to let dh help him dismantle it so we're certain on putting it back together again this end.

I asked him about payment given we're not getting it till January and he said would I be happy with half now and half then and then he knows we're serious and we know we're not parting with it all up front. I thought this should be okay as it's through paypal and buyer protection is good. So I did buy it now and requested a new total. He says he can't work out how to send a new invoice so suggested a cheque. I said no and could he try again. He still can't work it out so said he could send his bank details and I could transfer the money that way.

I'm a bit wobbly. Am I right in thinking it's best to insist we do it through paypal?

Am I worrying unnecessarily. The guy's given me his address and mobile number. Surely he wouldn't be pulling a fast one? And offering his bank details suggests he's fairly trusting? Oh I don't know.

I went ahead because he had 100% feedback and a history as a buyer and seller but having scrolled through, he has some negative feedback from years ago. As a seller. But why does it say 100%.

Oh I'm sorry to be anxious about it all but it's a lot of money and I don't want to make a mistake.

OP posts:
fergoose · 25/09/2012 12:09

no I wouldn't pay a penny via paypal or bank transfer - you only have 45 days to dispute with Paypal.

Cash on collection only - if you pay by bank transfer you also have absolutely no buyer protection whatsoever.

Bluebell99 · 25/09/2012 12:17

I wouldn't pay anything until I had the kitchen. I find it unbelievable that you would pay half now for a kitchen you won't have until January, amd yourhusband is going to help dismantle it too.

SavoyCabbage · 25/09/2012 12:22

Why was he selling it now if you aren't getting it until January?

Of course you shouldn't pay him now. Anything could happen. His house could burn down. He could get run over by a bus.

fergoose · 25/09/2012 12:25

Plus I guess you haven't seen it or what condition it is in

I would ask for a refund and pay when you collect the item

Sadly if he refuses your only recourse is a small claims court case.

Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 12:40

There are lots and lots of detailed photographs on there so while I haven't seen it, I know exactly what it should look like iyswim. He has done it now as he's going to start work on his kitchen (taking up floors, removing tiles, replacing windows etc) and he wanted to photograph it before he started tinkering.

Oh lordy, what have I got myself into? I'm going to offer full cash on collection.

OP posts:
fergoose · 25/09/2012 12:44

so you haven't paid yet? I understood that you had already done a bank transfer?

Iagree cash on collection or nothing. Come Jan you will be too late to even leave eBay feedback.

Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 12:44

Okay, just had an email and he's sorted out sending an invoice for half of it instead. What do I say?

I thought this was fair? Meant he knew we wouldn't pull out nearer the time and we knew we'd secured it.

Oh I'm a bloody idiot.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 12:45

I've given him no money at all.

OP posts:
EdMcDunnough · 25/09/2012 12:47

Right. It says 100% as that's only the last 12 months.

Secondly, if he is taking the kitchen apart NOW, then you go and get it NOW. Not wait 4 months.

If he's not taking it out till January then you pay him in January. No deposit, nothing - if he isn't happy with that, you ask him to cancel the transaction. Don't worry - you're not legally obliged to go ahead, he can't leave you bad feedback, he will just have to relist it/

It could easily get damaged between now and then, Fergy is right, paypal gives you 45 days from transaction to dispute or claim money back if it isn't as you thought.

I would seriously go for a less complicated transaction. There will be other complete kitchens.

goingtoofast · 25/09/2012 12:47

Tell him you will give cash on collect - if he's resonable he will understand if not find another kitchen!

fergoose · 25/09/2012 12:48

no - cash or nothing. Tell him you won't have any buyer protection after 45 days with paypal so will pay cash when you collect in January.

also a seller should never offer paypal for a collected item, you could pay, collect then file not received and get all your money back. And he would have no proof of delivery so would lose his item and the money. (well you could if you were dishonest and were collecting in 45 days, which you are not - but that is besides the point)

EdMcDunnough · 25/09/2012 12:50

You ask him very nicely to cancel as you don't feel right paying now for something that's months away from being yours.

He might be genuine but you need that peace of mind, you can't be worrying till January.

I bought a kitchen on ebay, once, and it was still in situ, and I didn't pay, I went to see it then thought it over.

Turned out the bloke BROKE a worktop while removing it, I'd have had no comeback, he got cross with me for cancelling BEFORE this happened - I just felt funny about it - and he relisted, and sold it to someone else who then left him negative as it was knackered when it finally came out of the house.

Flatpack stuff does not take apart easily. There will be damage.

EdMcDunnough · 25/09/2012 12:51

Oh and it was marble worktops which was why it was so nice, but he broke quite a few bits trying to remove it from the walls/cupboards.

Seriously, wriggle out of it now, before you give him any money. Unless he's happy for you to collect it in the next few weeks.

EdMcDunnough · 25/09/2012 12:52

You can still leave him positive feedback even if you cancel.

SavoyCabbage · 25/09/2012 12:54

There are so many things that could go wrong, even if he is the nicest most person in the world.

Tell him you will pay cash on collection and you would like it as soon as possible.

fergoose · 25/09/2012 12:55

That would worry me too - what if you turn up, pay for it then it gets damaged being removed. You are in a stranger's house with a broken kitchen - it could all get nasty.

naturalbaby · 25/09/2012 12:57

We've bought a kitchen like this through ebay - if it's being taken out now then you need to get it now and pay cash on collection.
Where will it be till January??

We were very pleased with ours, it fitted perfectly and saved us a fortune!

Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 13:03

Have offered full cash on collection or nothing.

I just want a new kitchen.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 13:05

He's not taking it out now, he's taking it out in a couple of months.

He's ordered his new kitchen and they're making it (bespoke by the sounds of it) and it won't be ready for a few weeks at least. He is then away on holiday for a little while and will be scheduling it all for when he gets back. He was just taking pictures of it all before he takes the flooring up and starts packing all his stuff into boxes and stacking them in his kitchen.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 13:06

DH, FIL and BIL would be collecting. One works for customs, one is a police officer. He can try and get nasty...

OP posts:
Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 13:07

Of course one of them is a ballet dancer and would be neither use nor ornament if a fight broke out.

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SavoyCabbage · 25/09/2012 13:10

I wonder why he put it in eBay just because he had taken the photos! He should have waited until he was ready before he sold it.

It's like selling a wedding cake because you've bought a bag of flour.

EdMcDunnough · 25/09/2012 13:10

Lol showy Smile

See what he says. If he says no, he needs a deposit to secure it, then you say sorry, no can do, and let it go. That puts the ball back in his court.

Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 13:21

I think he just thought he'd get it sorted and out of the way so he knew he'd got a home for the old kitchen now that he's paid out for a new one. Saves it not selling and him being stuck with a kitchen he doesn't need. Made sense to me. But then I'm very thick.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShowOfHands · 25/09/2012 13:23

I paid the deposit for my wedding cake months in advance.

I really am thick.

It was a nice cake though.

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