Seller not there when I tried to collect - what do I do now?

[Petsville]

Help - has anyone had experience of trying to resolve anything like this through Ebay? I bought a pushchair on Ebay over the bank holiday weekend. It was collection-only for obvious reasons. Had a bit of trouble getting in touch with the seller, but we eventually agreed that I'd collect on Monday this week. Turned up to collect, seller wasn't there (this is pretty inconvenient as it's a two-hour round trip, I'm 7 months pregnant and had taken time off work to collect). Seller said he hadn't realised I was coming on Monday (not sure how, as the e-mail trail is there, but anyway, gave him the benefit of the doubt). So we rearranged for me to collect this Friday. I arrived, rang the bell: no answer. Rang the seller's mobile: no answer. I e-mailed the seller when I got back to say I wanted to cancel the transaction as so far I've wasted four hours and two Tube fares on it: he's opened an unpaid item claim against me. It doesn't seem to fit into any of Ebay's categories - is there any way of appealing against it given that the seller's behaved unreasonably and I've wasted time and money trying to collect the damn thing?

Sorry this is so long - any advice gratefully received!

I don't suppose you got it at a bargain price did you?

I'd message him and tell him you wanted to cancel the transaction and there was no need for him to open a dispute. Tell him he will get his fees back if he cancels (mutual thing)

If he doesn't agree to this then I'd be tempted to pay with paypal. This will prevent you getting a strike. I would then call to collect it (without warning him) take someone with you. If you don't get the item then file an item not received dispute and paypal will refund you - this way you won't get a strike.

No, not particularly - it went for roughly the Ebay average for that type of pushchair.

He already knows I wanted to cancel, because I emailed to say so as soon as I got home, so I doubt being reasonable will get me anywhere. I think he gets his fees back if he claims an unpaid item too, so it won't make much difference either way.

Thanks for the advice re paying with Paypal, but I really don't want to buy from him now: at best he's unreliable and at worst he's positively dishonest, so I'm worried that there'll be problems with the pushchair. I'd rather appeal the unpaid item if that's possible.

not possible as far as I know.
I can still only think of one way and that's to pay and them maybe shortly after file an item not received.

He might not realise he gets his fees back by mutual cancel. maybe worth explaining this to him.

If it goes the way it is now you will get a strike.

Yes you definitely can appeal an unpaid item. I've done it before.
Follow the links to the 'dispute' in ebay and there should be a section to submit your say. Even if there doesnt seem to be any heading that covers your problem, you can select something similar and then in the message section just copy and paste all your message trail detailing pick up arrangements, then add a note to say the seller wasnt there and you've lost out on time and money now.
They'll cancel the dispute (something similar has happened to me twice!! and after putting my evidence forward the dispute has been cancelled both times.
Oncve its been cancelled - leave VERY strongly worded negative feedback!!

That's really helpful, Fel1x, thanks - will try that!

if you also go to ebay page and click on the contact us page you can speake to a live operater online (so wont cost u any money) they might have some advise