Help with an Unpaid Item

greenpixey

My husband is a bit of a newbie when it comes to ebay and has done something stupid. He found an item he wanted to buy as a gift for a friend of ours. The description said to contact the seller after the purchase to let him know if we wished to purchase a right or left handed item. So my husband clicked on buy it now (but didn't pay) and left a message.
After a couple of days gone by with out a reply from the seller my OH emailed him again, still no reply so hubby asks for my help.
I check and the seller (who is in Germany) is no good at replying and sometimes sends right handed items for people who want the left handed one.
My husband now decides he doesn't want the item anymore, besides it will never get here in time for our friends birthday, so he emails the seller and tells him he don't want it.
Today 7 weeks later the seller has opened an unpaid item case against us (which in all fairness I'm not surprised about I would have done the same)

Now I don't know how to proceed.
My OH doesn't want to buy the item or pay for it anymore and I will most likely get an unpaid item strike on my account and perhaps even get my account suspended.

If I reply to the dispute and he doesn't (considering he doesn't reply to normal emails) what will happen then?

Sorry about the rambling, I just want the best outcome for me and the seller, if possible....

catmiaow

If you can not provide proof of payment or specify when payment will be made you will get a strike from ebay on your account.

Its more than likely the seller will respond to this and he will want his fees back, its likely though if he does not respond that nothing happens.

grannybiker

A bit harsh to get a strike when the seller provides items that are specifically for left or right handed users, then doesn't respond to your emails!
You say that the item description directs buyers to do this, so it's obviously his/her standard practice. Shame s/he doesn't then follow up his sales.
Might be worth mentioning this in your response to the UID and point out the unacceptable delay meant it was no longer suitable for a gift as your husband intended when making the decision to buy.

catmiaow

Certainly is harsh for the buyer to get a strike, but a lot of ebay policies are harsh. They might get out of a strike, however they do not pay so it is certainly possible they could get one.

soolin

Yes it is hard, but an unpaid strike is given for just that, not paying.

The time to ask questions is before you buy, not after, so I don't imagine ebay will be at all sympathetic.However best to get a strike rather than lose money.

As long as this is your only strike you are unlikely to be suspended.