Selling stuff you don't own (eBay) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jorn · #1 05-15-2009, 01:21 AM

I won an auction on ebay for two rear lights for my Volvo 780, both lights were on a separate auction. After a day I sent him an email with the question if I can pick them up and that I will him cash, this is his response:

"I am very sorry to tell you this but this car was at ecology wrecking yard and i took pics and put them on ebay only to find that when I went back, they were gone. I am so sorry and did not mean to mislead you, I did not think they would be gone that fast."

Would you let it go or leave the guy negative feedback. I'm sort of pissed because the guy sold something he never owned and I did let another auction for the same lights slide...his feedback is 100% positive.

I googled his phone number and this came up:

"Guy was selling a car, but his story was kind of funny. The name he told me was not the same as the one on the car pink slip & registration; he also told me he was a handyman but then later told me he was a loan officer. I suppose he could be both."

TylerH860 · #2 05-15-2009, 01:25 AM

He gave you your money back promptly, right?

I'd give him a neutral and tear him a new one in the comment box. At least he was honest and gave you the $$$ back. He could have just said he dropped them, or they got stolen, or his garage burned down.

Jorn · #3 05-15-2009, 01:40 AM

I never did sent him money, was planning paying him cash when I would pick up the lights. He has been honest, that's why I'm hesitant to leave him negative feedback. But I like your suggestion of leaving neutral feedback and tearing him down in the comment box.

MTI · #4 05-15-2009, 02:12 AM

Last year I won an auction for a GPS unit. Paid via Paypal and then waited for delivery. After a week, I contacted the guy who gave a story about it being the holidays and he didn't get to the post office . . . so I cut him some slack. A few more days and he doesn't respond to e-mails requesting a tracking number, which he says he's getting . .

Long story, short . . . he didn't have a unit to sell . . . PayPal gets involved, refunds 100% back to me, meanwhile the price of the GPS falls like a rock and I end up buying it direct from the maker with savings galore.

tompaah7503 · #5 05-15-2009, 05:42 AM

See the eBay policies for pre-sale listings

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/pre-sale.html

Quote:

Pre-sale listings are those that describe items for sale that are not in the control or possession of the seller at the time of the listing. (....) The seller must guarantee that the item will be available for shipping within 30 days from the date of purchase (i.e., the day the listing ends or the date the item is purchased from a store front listing). The seller must also clearly indicate within the listing the fact that the item is a pre-sale item with a delivery date that indicates the item will be shipped by the 30th day from the end date of the listing.

The seller clearly violates this rule by listing stuff he don't possess or have control over, and can not guarantee shipment within 30 days. Additionally he has let you down, maybe there was another similar item that you choose not to bid on and thus you missed the opportunity to buy these lights.
I'd give him negative. He broke the rules, promised and didn't deliver. He's got to learn how to do business..
How much did the auction end at?

t walgamuth · #6 05-15-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompaah7503

See the eBay policies for pre-sale listings

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/pre-sale.html

The seller clearly violates this rule by listing stuff he don't possess or have control over, and can not guarantee shipment within 30 days. Additionally he has let you down, maybe there was another similar item that you choose not to bid on and thus you missed the opportunity to buy these lights.
I'd give him negative. He broke the rules, promised and didn't deliver. He's got to learn how to do business..
How much did the auction end at?

I agree, he may have been "honest" about not having them but offering for sale something you don't actually have is not honest either.

cmbdiesel · #7 05-15-2009, 08:30 AM

If it were me, he'd get negative feedback and reported to Ebay. The only thing that allows places like Ebay to work is adherence to the rules, and prompt reporting of those who don't.

TX76513 · #8 05-15-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorn

I never did sent him money, was planning paying him cash when I would pick up the lights. He has been honest, that's why I'm hesitant to leave him negative feedback. But I like your suggestion of leaving neutral feedback and tearing him down in the comment box.

I am thinking he may not have planned on a Cash in person buyer. You probably foiled his plan.

Kuan · #9 05-15-2009, 08:50 AM

When backcountry.com was founded they did not have any inventory. They waited until they got their first order, an avalanche beacon, then went to the store, bought it, and shipped it.

gmercoleza · #10 05-15-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

I am thinking he may not have planned on a Cash in person buyer. You probably foiled his plan.

Exactly my thought. Give him negative feedback so future bidders think twice.

kerry · #11 05-15-2009, 10:42 AM

Negative feedback.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 05-15-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

When backcountry.com was founded they did not have any inventory. They waited until they got their first order, an avalanche beacon, then went to the store, bought it, and shipped it.

When I was reselling computers I did something similar. I would wait until I had a sale before getting the product from my distributors. I would always check inventory with them before making the deal. Saved me from carrying items that were going down in price as overhead. However, I would NEVER sell something I could not get and I worked on a 30 day billing cycle.

Carleton Hughes · #13 05-15-2009, 12:05 PM

Cheesebag..."I am very sorry to tell you this but the 17th century Boulle cabinet you won was in an antique store and when I went back it was sold."What's the difference? sleaze is sleaze.
At least everything I sell I own outright.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=170330041275#ht_500wt_1182

OldPokey · #14 05-15-2009, 12:08 PM

A deal is a deal. He reneged for whatever reason. Negative Feedback.

strelnik · #15 05-15-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPokey

A deal is a deal. He reneged for whatever reason. Negative Feedback.

X2. He sold with the understanding he had it. No other qualification.

Sometimes these guys test the waters to see what they can get away with.

Have his Ebay account revoked, send him to Ebay jail.