Ebay, help!

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lawrenceots

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Lawrence
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Hi.

I listed a caravan on ebay on behalf of my parents, as they don't have an ebay account. Now, the caravan went for a sum that it just not possible for us to sell it. There was no reserve. I naturally want to cancel the sale, however the buyer is claiming I have to sell it to him as it is my duty legally, being an open auction etc. I'm not a business seller on there, just normal. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks
 
lawrenceots said:
Hi.

I listed a caravan on ebay on behalf of my parents, as they don't have an ebay account. Now, the caravan went for a sum that it just not possible for us to sell it. There was no reserve. I naturally want to cancel the sale, however the buyer is claiming I have to sell it to him as it is my duty legally, being an open auction etc. I'm not a business seller on there, just normal. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks
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As far as I'm aware, its not a contract that would hold up in court. No one has signed on the dotted line. However, there are terms and conditions agreed to when signing up for an ebay account isn't there?

Otherwise once its sold its sold.

Ah, not totally sure. Sorry If I've confused you! I've confused myself.
 
Yeh, its just there are pages and pages of policies! I'm sure you don't have to...it does say.. .


"If you sold an item, but you no longer want to complete the sale, it's best to contact your buyer and explain what's going on.

The buyer might release you from your commitment to sell the item. If the buyer agrees, you can cancel the transaction and receive a credit on your final value fee.

Here's how it works:
You open a case to cancel the transaction.
The buyer has up to 7 days to respond.


If the buyer agrees to the cancellation, the case is automatically closed and the transaction is canceled. You'll receive a credit on your final value fee within 7-10 days.

If the buyer doesn't agree, you'll need to complete the sale. Not completing a sale may be a violation of our selling practices policy and may lead to limits on your selling privileges."

Upon clicking that leads to the rules...I mean, c'mon you're not going to let something go for a ridiculous price are you!? I read on someone else listing that they sold a car, when for a crazy price, and wouldn't sell it. As a result the buyer left bad feedback. I guess thats the worse that can happen...not ideal but. :|
 
lawrenceots said:
Upon clicking that leads to the rules...I mean, c'mon you're not going to let something go for a ridiculous price are you!? I read on someone else listing that they sold a car, when for a crazy price, and wouldn't sell it. As a result the buyer left bad feedback. I guess thats the worse that can happen...not ideal but. :|
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This is half the problem with ebay. I've been involved in auctions where I've had the seller come back sulking about the price it hasn't reached. You shouldn't be putting it in an open auction with NO reserve if you are not willing to let it to go for whatever price it reaches.

This is kind of your own fault :lol: I shouldn't laugh. And this is also why I am not going to sell my car on ebay.

If this comes across as gwumpy - I'm hungry! :D
 
Silly silly silly silly :(

What on earth were you thinking putting on no reserve!

Plead, beg, grovel and worship the 'buyer' until you get what you want. Perhaps even offer some compensation. Then relist the item with a reserve, and thank trencheel303 for his wisdom. :cool:


squizza said:
If this comes across as gwumpy - I'm hungry! :D
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I'm sure the chef can satisfy that! :lol:
 
Sorry but you should have paid up for the reserve price in the original listing!

Ebay provides the means to ensure your auctions don't end at silly prices but people don't like paying for them.

Don't sell it, all you'll get is negative feedback, so what. and you will have a black mark on you at ebay HQ. Just don't do it again and you'll be fine.
 
You listed it for sale in an open auction, you should sell at the closing price.

If I were the winning bidder and you refused I'd be talking to a lawyer.
 
I sell stuff at 99p no reserve most of the time, sometimes the buyer wins, I can't bleat about it. I save a fortune on ebay listing fees and it does tend to generate more interest at the beginning of the auction.
 
Right thats not good news, but thanks for the information.
 
Why not get in contact with Ebay & explain the situation with them... telling them what you have told us here - that it was your parents caravan...

Have you sold before on ebay or is this the first time? If it is the first time then you could bluff your way out 7 say that you wasn't sure on the ruling of selling on ebay etc etc & play dumb... Not that I am saying you are...

Try that & see what happens...
 
'Fraid it's all been said already. Either you're flaming us here or you've created a heap of trouble for yourself and your parents.

Put yourself in the buyer's position for a mo, let's say you've just won a Nikon D3S at a bargain price because the seller hadn't set a reserve: what's your position going to be?
 
As all the rest said, either put a reserve on or start it at the minimum you will let it go for

The other alternative would be a buy it now/best offer (I use this most of the time now)


Got to say I don't have much sympathy because you often make very low offers for stuff in the classifieds and are now denying someone a genuine bargain they have won in a fair auction
 
Just out of interest, how much were you looking for it and how much did it reach?

Have you decided what to do?
 
I have requested to cancel the transaction. Yes, I admit, I didn't want to put a reserve, because of the extra cost and I believe it puts off buyers. I'm not selling it purely because my parents just can't afford to make the massive loss. I guess, if selling anything like that in the future (though hope not!) I will put a reserve or high starting price. I'm not really competent with ebay, and any stuff I want to get rid of, will always try on here and the other forums etc first before ebay. Yes, I know I often make low offers on photographic stuff, but its all for personal use, and I can't afford the asking often. And I have the dratted upgradeitis, pretty much 24/7. Everyone wants a bargain. IMHO.

Anyway, yes I have asked to cancel the transaction, thanks for all the advice / comments. :)
 
Just say that a relative or neighbour has driven into it, hence it is not for sale!
 
You may find yourself in soapy bubble with Ebay too, apart from the fact that you've entered into a "binding contract" with the buyer I'm pretty sure their rules don't allow you to list stuff for sale that you don't actually own....

Let that be a lesson to you though, don't list stuff for sale if you're not prepared to follow through with the sale...
 
cambsno said:
Just say that a relative or neighbour has driven into it, hence it is not for sale!
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Anyone who does that with me on Ebay usually ends up a "no longer a registered user" shortly after - I hate liars and folks who pretend things are damaged because they didn't put on a reserve do not fare well.

1) Report them as a Non-Performing seller
2) Negative feedback

3 to 4 days later they are NARU'd.

Someone has been sued for not following through on a auction, small claims court, "loss of a bargain".

Best course of action is honesty, and hope the buyer is willing to accept a mutual cancellation.
 
cambsno said:
Just say that a relative or neighbour has driven into it, hence it is not for sale!
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Similar thought to what I had, except my idea involved petrol and matches.
 
Graham is right, you have entered into a binding contract.

If you are extremely lucky you may just get away with it, having said that you could also ending up loosing your ebay account and the caravan, plus a wedge besides, if the wining buyer decides to take it further which they would have every right to.
 
Either you sell or your ebay account is done for. But you can just create another one.
 
tijuana taxi said:
As all the rest said, either put a reserve on or start it at the minimum you will let it go for

The other alternative would be a buy it now/best offer (I use this most of the time now)


Got to say I don't have much sympathy because you often make very low offers for stuff in the classifieds and are now denying someone a genuine bargain they have won in a fair auction
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Touché!
 
would you be on here complaining if someone had given you more than you'd wanted for it ?

get it sold , its not yours anyway !
 
mrgas said:
......get it sold , its not yours anyway !
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but it is his parents.....if it were me - having made such a stupid error, I would

1... if I needed my eBay account
sell the van
cough up the expected shortfall to compensate my parents

2 or sell the van locally and be prepared to lose eBay = not ethical
 
As an ex-ebay power seller I would advise honest communication and polite pleading. You may even get away without negative feedback. I would be amazed if the buyer got a lawyer involved. There are so few bargains to be had today that the buyer probably new it was too good to be true.

However, DO NOT RE-LIST and keep a low (ebay) profile. Sell it privately.

Try your local gumtree site, if it runs where you live.

Good luck.
 
How much did you want for it, and how much did it sell for????????
 
i couldnt put a reserve less than £50 on my items when i put them on ebay, no idea why that was the minimum? and as they were worth less than £50 that would have been ridiculous. needless to say i wont be bothering to sell on ebay again, although i will still buy.

but, you should have just paid the small extra cost for a proper reserve, its not like they charge an absolute fortune is it?
 
Why not use buy it now and take offers, much cheaper way to sell than a straight auction

Been using that method for a while now and satisfied with the results
 
panther_87k said:
....but, you should have just paid the small extra cost for a proper reserve, its not like they charge an absolute fortune is it?
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They charged me almost £40 on a 18-200mm vr that I had a reserve on of £360.... Then there is the final valuation fee on top... In total I lost almost £80....

Never again with reserve's - now its all BIN & sometimes a best offer..
 
I would send the buyer a transaction cancellation request and if that don't work I guess they might leave neg feedback....ebay is very very fickle. You have to be really careful sometimes.
 
Trig's said:
They charged me almost £40 on a 18-200mm vr that I had a reserve on of £360.... Then there is the final valuation fee on top... In total I lost almost £80....

Never again with reserve's - now its all BIN & sometimes a best offer..
Click to expand...

ah i see, ive never sold something that sort of price on ebay, so didnt realize they put the charge up that much. wont be selling on there again though, i actually lost money on the last few things i sold, what with ebay fees, final value charges and paypal charges! shall stick to good old fashioned boot sales :thumbs:
 
tijuana taxi said:
Why not use buy it now and take offers, much cheaper way to sell than a straight auction

Been using that method for a while now and satisfied with the results
Click to expand...

same here, items often sell a lot quicker too.
 
Well, thanks for all the advice guys, the seller never bothered contacting me and just left bad feedback, though what he put wasn't true. I've learn't my lesson though.
 
lawrenceots said:
Well, thanks for all the advice guys, the seller never bothered contacting me and just left bad feedback, though what he put wasn't true. I've learn't my lesson though.
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Give Ebay a call & explain the situation, as they can get that removed... They have done for me in the past... Its worth a shot..

Hold on the seller left bad feedback? On a positive? Mmmmmm give em a call then for def....
 
Trig's said:
Give Ebay a call & explain the situation, as they can get that removed... They have done for me in the past... Its worth a shot..

Hold on the seller left bad feedback? On a positive? Mmmmmm give em a call then for def....
Click to expand...

No, sorry the buyer left bad feedback on the bad feedback bit. He just lied about the facts, thats what I mean't. But I guess I deserved it! :thumbsdown:
 
lawrenceots said:
No, sorry the buyer left bad feedback on the bad feedback bit. He just lied about the facts, thats what I mean't. But I guess I deserved it! :thumbsdown:
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None the less if its not factual or it's personal etc etc then still contact them..
 
Thanks, I will, no harm in trying. :)
 
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