Bidding on holiday on Ebay - query

ssparry

I want to bid on a holiday that is listed on Ebay. Its exactly what I am looking for but in the listing it says originally booked through timeshare...I have no idea about timeshares or anything like that, tried asking on travel forum but one guy asked if I was mental so thought I'd ask you 'friendlier' people!

The holiday is all paid for seller can't go so is selling it, self catering, flights/transfers included. Also they are covering cost of name changes on tickets.

Would I be tied to anything in relation to timeshare? As I say I have no idea about timeshares!

frivolous_fay

I don't know the exact catch with timeshares... but I've heard enough to want to steer clear of them.

Holidays on ebay tend to be of the 'too good to be true' type!

Mark7799

Without seeing the actual item it's difficult to advise properly. Best case is that it's all OK and you will be invited to sit through a presentation to invite you to buy your own timeshare while you're out there (happens to us every time and we develop amnesia unless it's raining).

funkyfunkymonkey

Like Mark says it is hard to advise without seeing the listing, but it could be that the seller has a timeshare ie they have a week/fortnight entitlement on a villa etc to take once a year. They may have booked this week/fortnight and can no longer make the dates - effectively you are paying to take that 'one off' holiday - they continue their entitlement next year. You don't actually buy the time share.

FFM

ssparry

Can I post a link?

frivolous_fay

I don't see why not, it would hardly be considered advertising.

ssparry

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190144122809&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009

funkyfunkymonkey

In my opinion (and I am no expert) it looks fine. If I was the seller I would be worried by the 2 bidders currently bidding. They are either genuine newbies or someone who has opened a 'disposable' bidding account.

Also, Bidder 2 could be shill bidding.

If you are interested I would set your maximum price and then snipe at the very last minute, this will avoid any shilling and you won't be tempted to exceed your maximum.

You will need to pay by Paypal to get the money to them in time - is there enough time for them to change the names on the flights? Make sure you pay via a credit card (on Paypal) to make sure you are covered and can do a chargeback if you get scammed.

Good luck - let us know if you bid (send us a postcard).

FFM

funkyfunkymonkey

For everyone's benefit they need to send the tickets to you by Special Delivery - that way they are covered on Paypal and you 'should' get the tickets/info the next day.

Bear in mind that the auction finishes Saturday, they need to get the names on the tickets changed (Saturday?). Monday is a Bank Holiday, so if they post Tuesday you should get the tickets on Wednesday - not much room for error by Royal Mail - the flights leave on Friday (you would need to be at Gatwick before your postman delivers to you), which only leaves Thursday as the latest for delivery to you.

Or, can the tickets be available at Gatwick for you to pick up?

FFM

ssparry

The seller actually lives in the same town as me - from my point it'd be ok to collect them, obviously not from theres. But good point, I shall bear that in mind!

Thank you for your advice though!

funkyfunkymonkey

That sounds fine to me then, you could offer cash on collection, if I was them I wouldn't accept Paypal from you and then hand the tickets over - because of the risk of a chargeback from an unscrupulous buyer (not saying you are).

They would probably like the sound of cash because they can avoid Paypal fees and they get cash in hand with no chance of a chargeback.

FFM