Mini ebay vent - listings sold privately

paddyrg

Just getting this off my chest...

This week, three auctions I have been bidding on have suddenly cancelled all bids and withdrawn from sale, and in each case I have been the lead bidder (at a few hundred notes), and had another bidder try one bid (I'm still in the lead), try another (I'm still in the lead) then very shortly the auction closes early and bids cancelled by the seller. I can only assume as this is quite a niche item that it is the same buyer making a direct offer if people will pull the listings, not that it seems to affect the vendors rating despite narking me off a lot.

Why can't people play fair? It's an auction! Maybe they use the lure of 'no ebay fees by going direct', and as those seem to run at 10-13% once ebay and paypal have dipped their sticky mitts in the pot? !

Just narked tonight, 3 times in a week, it is getting boring.

scheming_gypsy

i've seen auctions ended early that i was waiting to bid on but then again i've done the same and asked what they'll take for it

Oldfatgrumpy

In addition to your grumble, I no longer accept "second chance" offers as I suspect the seller has shill bidded to see what is the maximum a bidder was prepared to go to.

Radshire

Perhaps it's because eBay charge too much......especially when PayPal charge a comm as well.
If ALL fees were upfront for the listing and the hosting, then people might be more inclined to leave their auctions to run the distance.
Just my thoughts

donnap83

has Ebay/Paypal changed their fees in the last 12ish months? Over the years ive sold handheld games consoles and phones on ebay. LAst month I sold a new Galaxy for £220, but ebay took £25 in fees and paypal took near enough the same?!?!? I was stunned!! I've never paid that much in fees before.

Radshire

I hear you Donnap83!
This is why people end auctions early.

Good tip re: second chance offers OldFatGrumpy....I'll definitely remember that one!

Gavin83

Oldfatgrumpy wrote: »

In addition to your grumble, I no longer accept "second chance" offers as I suspect the seller has shill bidded to see what is the maximum a bidder was prepared to go to.

I use second chance offers quite regularly as half of the buyers don't actually purchase the item once they've won the auction, often not even bothering to tell me.

When eBay took away negative feedback for buyers they gave them free reign to bid a high amount to guarantee the win and then not pay if it ends at too high a price so it works both ways.

To be honest I've pretty much stopped using eBay, there are far too many dishonest people on it these days just looking to rip people off, plus the fees as mentioned are ridiculous.

Gavin83

I also hate the way eBay realised people were dodging the fees by putting the price in the postage and therefore limited the amount of postage you could charge, I've lost a fair bit of money because of this.

Radshire

Gavin83 wrote: »

I use second chance offers quite regularly as half of the buyers don't actually purchase the item once they've won the auction, often not even bothering to tell me.

When eBay took away negative feedback for buyers they gave them free reign to bid a high amount to guarantee the win and then not pay if it ends at too high a price so it works both ways.

To be honest I've pretty much stopped using eBay, there are far too many dishonest people on it these days just looking to rip people off, plus the fees as mentioned are ridiculous.

Half! That's one heck of a proportion. What are you selling?

Bidders who bid too much for an item and then don't pay are annoying, but it shouldn't happen that often. To prevent this, surely a Buy it Now price would help.

So, if you don't use eBay who do you use now?

Radshire

Gavin83 wrote: »

I also hate the way eBay realised people were dodging the fees by putting the price in the postage and therefore limited the amount of postage you could charge, I've lost a fair bit of money because of this.

Me too!

However, most people just put the P&P fee in the item description and bill you after the event now. I saw an item last night which usually has an £8 develivery fee with it listed as £15!

A simple clear fee structure would surely benefit all. Perhaps include the P&P cost in the commission structure thus making the whole thing fair and square.
Come on eBay get it together!

oldagetraveller

I have to confess that I'm guilty, only once quite recently, of doing exactly what the OP is complaining about. Apologies.
I listed a car on an Ebay auction sale and was contacted by a prospective buyer who wanted to view the vehicle, after I provided a contact 'phone number. He 'phoned and offered £500 more than the lowest I was hoping for. He said he'd be there that evening, after being given my address, and pay the full amount in cash (real money). This he did after examining the car, documentation and a test drive. So I was happy, I presume he was happy. I ended the listing and cancelled two bids. I know it's wrong but how else can a car be advertised nationwide for £8.00 with 12 pictures and the freedom to write a long comprehensive description?
Money saving indeed.