Anyone know what happens when an Ebay seller dies?

KillerWatt

Just log a dispute with both fleabay and paypal.

usignuolo

I agree that there is a general assumption that the deceased has relatives in a position to complete the transactions. As I have been informed there is an empty house, I assume that is not the case.

I have emailed Paypal advising that I understand seller is dead and that there is a queue of buyers in same position as me and several thousand more potential items on the related Ebay site still being advertised as for sale.

I have just been advised by Paypal to raise a disputed item on the grounds of non receipt, with a view to the relatives paying up or sending it!

"By opening a dispute, you can communicate directly whoever manages the account now to work out a problem transaction. If you're unable to resolve your dispute with them, and you have taken all steps to come to a resolution, you may then escalate your dispute to a claim."

This all assumes someone else is now managing the account. What if noone is?

The person who replied to my original email to the seller, said that there were 70-100 such disputes in progress they knew about with more building up while the 8000 listings remain live. The deceased seller meanwhile continues to be shown as having a 100% rating.

This is really the bit that puzzles me. A couple of years ago I bought something that was never supplied and by the time 8 people had complained, the account was suspended. Why has that not happened here?

usignuolo

Just checked out seller's profile on Ebay. He was one of the leading sellers of collectables having sold over 18,000 items in the last few years. 100% satisfaction record. He was a retired policeman and former publican. Divorced. Took to postcard dealing a few years ago at the age of 58. So still quite young and died presumably unexpectedly. No idea what Ebay and Paypal are playing at, demanding we go through dispute procedure as though there is someone to handle them at the other end.

Richie-from-the-Boro

.1. log a dispute
.2. get as much info in writing from anywhere and their addy and keep it safe for later
.3. paypal will eventually reimburse

Why don't they suspend the account

eddiebb

usignuolo wrote: »

What happens when a seller with a large and busy online shop on Ebay and Paypal, dies? Anyone know?

Possible inquest.

Funeral

Burial/cremation.

shellsuit

Eh?

If they could get into the account to send you a message, why can't they end all the listings?

usignuolo

This is the message the "exectuor"? has now posted on the sellers still live Ebay account;

We regret to advise that "staplehurst" has died We took immediate steps to contact Ebay on several occasions requesting that the8000 buy it now listings be removed for obvious reasons We received sympathy and that was about all we got, our requests came to no avail Ebay were warned that customers would continue to purchase on a daily basisby cheque, postal order and Paypal If you have not already received your card(s) I regret that you now not get any All cheques and postal orders have been torn up or are now sitting on the doormat of an empty property We tried hard but met a wall of resistance, our guess is that some 70 people have been caughtup in the mess. Feel free to hammer on the door of Ebay & Paypal for refunds One of their best, if not priceless, comments was " We are very sorry, but you are not the account holder, we can only take such instructions from him "

JasX

eddiebb wrote: »

Possible inquest.

Funeral

Burial/cremation.

As for the shop.... silicon heaven? :A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Heaven

Lil306

Does seem to the be the case that the seller has died so R.I.P

Shocking that things like this highlights the flaws in eBays system

googler

"If you have not already received your card(s) I regret that you now not get any

All cheques and postal orders have been torn up or are now sitting on the doormat of an empty property

We tried hard but met a wall of resistance, our guess is that some 70 people have been caughtup in the mess. Feel free to hammer on the door of Ebay & Paypal for refunds One of their best, if not priceless, comments was " We are very sorry, but you are not the account holder, we can only take such instructions from him ""

Setting aside eBay and Paypal, the situation is no different from that of any sole trader who passes away. The executors have to administer the estate and deal with any outstanding business.

If cheques were still arriving because of a (non-Ebay) trader's newspaper advertising, magazine advertising, or other internet promotion, the situation would be the same - the executors must deal with all the debts and creditors properly - i.e. settle any transactions from cashed cheques, return any uncashed cheques, etc.

They can't hide from this behind eBay and Paypal, I feel......

They are being remarkably irresponsible in 'tearing up cheques', as they won't be able to provide satisfactory proof that they've dealt with all creditors properly. Any executor has to keep records of what they do with the person's estate.....

Also - WHY have they 'torn up' cheques? Every cheque will have an address to which the eBay item should be sent, therefore they can settle these by merely returning the cheque to the sender (and by keeping a note of this so that they can prove it later)