Sold a concert ticket...

nickyhutch

Hi there.

I've sold a concert ticket on Ebay (not trying to make a profit, just covered fees and postage). The concert is in June and I'd expect the tickets 2 or 3 weeks before the concert. I said in my listing that I don't have the ticket and will send it out by special delivery the day I receive it.

The auction ended yesterday and I've just received this message:

Hi there buddy, I was the successful bidder of the Coldplay ticket! I needed the ticket to take my daughter! I have 2 already but like the one I've won they won't arrive from the ticket office a few weeks prior to the concert! I'm slightly nervous paying for an item now knowing that I'm not going to receive the item that I've paid for at least another 7 weeks? I've purchased tickets before of eBay but always collected as they were already in hand! if you can reply ASAP I would appreciate it.

I'm cross, but what should I say? Surely he shouldn't have bid, if he wasn't happy?

Thanks for any comments.

nickyhutch

Help?! ................

brightonman123

I would reply, politely, saying item sold as described..

though understand buyers concern, as anyone could claim to have a ticket which doesnt even exist!

soolin

As you haven't got the ticket I agree with the buyer that he shouldn't pay yet. As soon as ticket arrives send him the invoice.

Selling tickets is always a gamble and this time you have a buyer that knows how to protect himself. There is virtually nothing else you can do here, if you start an NPB then buyer can pay and open a INR claim a few days later to get a refund on basis ticket has not arrived.

nickyhutch

brightonman123 wrote: »

I would reply, politely, saying item sold as described..

though understand buyers concern, as anyone could claim to have a ticket which doesnt even exist!

I will.

If he was concerned, though, he didn't need to bid, did he?

Thank you.

nickyhutch

soolin wrote: »

As you haven't got the ticket I agree with the buyer that he shouldn't pay yet. As soon as ticket arrives send him the invoice.

Selling tickets is always a gamble and this time you have a buyer that knows how to protect himself. There is virtually nothing else you can do here, if you start an NPB then buyer can pay and open a INR claim a few days later to get a refund on basis ticket has not arrived.

I also have a buyer who might find a ticket elsewhere in the meantime, leaving me with a ticket to sell much nearer to the concert.

Thank for your reply. I couldn't find any rules on ticket selling on Ebay stating that a buyer shouldn't pay until the seller had the ticket in hand. Other people selling tickets not-in-hand seem to expect payment within normal payment limits too. I should maybe have listed as a Buy It Now with immediate payment.

soolin

The policy is not clear and I would not think you are technically in breach of any rules- your problem is what to do if buyer doesn't pay- you are stuck.

This is the closest 'help' topic I can find about sellign things you don't have:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-practices.html

What not to do

You're not allowed to:

• List an item that may be out of stock at the time of purchase.
  

soolin

Found it- you are in breach of ebay rules and buyer could report you.

http://ocs.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?CustomerSupport

Here's some information that might help

Tickets are generally allowed to be sold on eBay, however you should carefully read any contracts that you have entered into that may limit your right to sell your item on eBay. Also, tickets have to be available for dispatch within 30 days from the date of purchase.

Read our Presale and Contacts and Tickets policies for more information.

pinkshoes

Could you ask the buyer to pay 40 days before the concert date, then you send the tickets when they arrive? (don't forget to send special delivery...)

That way it gives him PLENTY of time to open a dispute should they not arrive, thus giving him the paypal guarantee he's after (which I don't blame him for!). You could also suggest when they arrive, you will refund his payment and he can collect and pay in cash.

nickyhutch

soolin wrote: »

The policy is not clear and I would not think you are technically in breach of any rules- your problem is what to do if buyer doesn't pay- you are stuck.

This is the closest 'help' topic I can find about sellign things you don't have:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-practices.html

What not to do

You're not allowed to:

• List an item that may be out of stock at the time of purchase.
  

Thanks again.

I have sent him a message telling him the item is sold as in my listing, and politely wondering why he bid rather than asking me a question. I've also pointed out that if I hold the ticket for him (which is in effect what he's asking me to do), I'm the one who's stuck with a ticket to sell at short notice a ticket if he changes his mind or gets one elsewhere. I can't help but feel that he could use me as a "just in case I don't get one somewhere else".

nickyhutch

pinkshoes wrote: »

Could you ask the buyer to pay 40 days before the concert date, then you send the tickets when they arrive? (don't forget to send special delivery...)

That way it gives him PLENTY of time to open a dispute should they not arrive, thus giving him the paypal guarantee he's after (which I don't blame him for!). You could also suggest when they arrive, you will refund his payment and he can collect and pay in cash.

We're only about 55 days before the concert now

I've sold the ticket on Ebay so that I don't have to meet up with someone or have them call at home for it, so would prefer not to have him collect it.

I'm happy to hang on a short while (or I would have been had he asked me before bidding). I just am cross that he's gone ahead and bid, and then started asking.