Trouble collecting an ebay purchase!

ANNA
ANNA Posts: 211
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I bid for and won an ebay auction collection item last Tuesday.

I paid by paypal (as per seller's terms) and asked for the seller's address to arrange pick up, suggesting any evening, pref. asap.

The seller replied that he wasn't available until the weekend and would decide at the weekend. Then yesterday (Saturday) late afternoon I got another email from the seller, telling me collection would be at 6pm. I only saw the email after 6pm and anyway it had no address.

I've read the "sticky". It's mostly from the seller's point of view.

I don't like the tone of the seller, as normally collection is by mutual agreement, not by one party imposing (unreasonable) terms. I'm wondering whether I'm dealing with a child...in which case I would ask him to put his mum on.

The item cost me ~£40 and I'm not hugely bothered about having it, as I've now been offered one on freecycle. Of course I would still collect it, but the seller has had my money and my goods since last Tuesday and is making very little or no effort to allow me to collect.

I've checked the feedback and the seller has very few and the latest are all negs along the lines of "the seller did not complete the sale" and a more vague "horrendous seller to deal with".

How should I proceed? I can't drop everything at short notice to collect. Afterall, this isn't a ransom note situation, only an ebay purchase!

BTW, I've read the 'sticky'.
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Comments

  • Tealblue
    Tealblue Posts: 929
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    I'd be tempted to message him via ebay offering 3 different days/times and asking which of those is most convenient for him. If you get the answer 'none of them', ask him to cancel the deal and refund your payment. If he doesn't, I'd give Customer Services a ring and explain the problem. Given the poor feedback he has already, they should(!) be sympathetic.

    But as you say, this is only an ebay purchase - sometimes I read the threads on this forum and can't believe how stewed up people can get!

    Best of luck.
  • ANNA
    ANNA Posts: 211
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    edited 18 June 2017 at 6:30AM
    Thanks. I have given your suggestion a try and got this response (in CAPS of course) :

    U R extremely rude.
  • theonlywayisup
    theonlywayisup Posts: 16,031
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    ANNA wrote: »
    Thanks. I have given your suggestion a try and got this response (in CAPS of course) :

    U R extremely rude.

    Oh dear that's not very accommodating.

    If you aren't bothered about having it and as you've tried to make the arrangements, I would suggest you open a claim for INR.

    It could be that your seller has needed a payday loan and used you as the cheapest way of doing it.
  • pinkshoes
    pinkshoes Posts: 20,020
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    I think I would now open a dispute for INR stating clearly that the seller is not making the item available for pick up, so you would like a refund.

    When you have a refund, leave a neg.
    Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
    Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')

    No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 71,978
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    Oh dear that's not very accommodating.

    If you aren't bothered about having it and as you've tried to make the arrangements, I would suggest you open a claim for INR.

    It could be that your seller has needed a payday loan and used you as the cheapest way of doing it.

    The other negs seem to support that theory , the payday loan scenario used to be quite popular and perhaps it's making a comeback now that the defect system has changed.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing [email protected] views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • ANNA
    ANNA Posts: 211
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    edited 18 June 2017 at 12:18PM
    I hadn't heard of this scam but then I seldom buy on eBay.

    I think I have to wait a given no. of days before I can open a INR claim.

    I phoned eBay to report the seller and they will email me the seller's contat details.

    ......So, I've got the seller's address. And a second email informing me that the seller has cancelled the transaction and that I have been refunded to my PayPal a/c.
  • ANNA
    ANNA Posts: 211
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    The seller's cited reason was "there is a problem with the buyer's address".

    That's a fraudulent claim which I think gets the seller out of paying eBay and PayPal fees. I have reported this back to eBay. Based on the seller's history eBay told me they will likely cancel the seller's a/c.
  • maggy50
    maggy50 Posts: 783
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    I know how you feel I bought an item last week to be collected it's 5 miles since then I have tried to pin the seller down to allow me to pick up they have been evasive and will not give me the address !!

    Last chance message now sent !
    Light travels faster than sound.

    This is why some people seem as bright until you hear them.
  • peter_the_piper
    peter_the_piper Posts: 30,268
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    Just what is the point with putting an item for sale by collection and refusing to give an address .Bonkers!
    I'd rather be an Optimist and be proved wrong than a Pessimist and be proved right.
  • Rosemary7391
    Rosemary7391 Posts: 2,879
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    Just what is the point with putting an item for sale by collection and refusing to give an address .Bonkers!

    Bonkers if you want to sell the item. Other motives for listing an item on eBay exist, sadly...
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