Advice please - Non-performing seller

NewShadow

I wanted to buy a bulk order of around 3kg of fudge (30ish bars) to give out at a party.

I found someone that sold packs of 6 bars, and figured I'd need about 6 packs of 6.

I contacted the seller, confirmed they could supply the volume and would ship it for before I needed it (party is on the 11th) and got a quote which was a little cheaper than the normal price, with a hefty postage fee.

A couple of weeks later, on the agreed payment date (1st dec/payday), I received an email telling me to go to the listing and buy the required number of items. I completed the sale but it was less than expected.

I contacted the seller, and was told it was fine as they discount the price at christmas. I assumed I'd gotten a good deal and was happy with the new (cheaper) price - aware I now wasn't getting a discount, but was still saving money.

Yesterday I had a message saying it was all packed up and ready to ship as soon as I went to paypal to pay the outstanding about (around 1/3rd again of the price).

I queried this as I was under the impression I was paying the seasonal price - the same as anyone else that wanted to buy today, and asked what the extra was for.

The seller responded that there was no extra charge. The extra cash was because sending it as one parcel would be more expensive than 6 packs, and they were adding £1 for sending signed for, but they could send them as 6 parcels if I preferred.

I was confused that it would cost more to send 1 large parcel than 6 small packages (each pack of 6 is around 500g), but said I was happy to go with the smaller packages if they were cheaper as per the listing.

No word from the seller.

Just received a cancellation saying the items are no longer in stock.

Happily, managed to place an order with an alternative seller (which should just get here on time), for a little less, but I'm very irritated at this first seller.

I have the messages in ebay saying ready to post and to pay extra via paypal... don't think I can leave a negative if they cancelled?

Or is part of this my fault for being confused about the arrangement and not wanting to pay the extra?

WWYD?

sportsarb

I'd probably admit defeat and stop using ebay.

Not sure what the more constructive reply should be.

KRDmum

To be honest I got confused from just reading your post with all the extra payments. Why can transaction not have been completed in a one payment at the time of the agreement and just delay the despatch date?

mrcol1000

I think the seller is at fault here. If it is cheaper to send separately, then they should Rather than expecting the OP to pay extra. It is no different than buying something and then being asked to pay more postage because the seller under-estimated postage. I sell something which can go singly as a large letter but more than two is too big. Therefore it is cheaper to send them separately but I warn the buyer of this.

Personally I'd leave neutral saying the seller messed me about and then cancelled the order.

NewShadow

Okay, short version:

We agreed a bulk discount price in advance.

When it came time to buy, the seller had reduced the price due to christmas.

I thought I was buying at the new price, the seller evidently expected me to pay the agreed price.

The seller denied the extra cost via the message system, but then cancelled the order with no further comms.

19lottie82

If it's any consolation, if the buyer cancelled the order due to not having stock, they will have recieved a defect on their account for that. Few free to leave appropriate feedback.