PLease give me a half hour with this one. Ebay seller says he wants out, what to do?

[lendaddy]

The seller claims he can't sell it('00 A6 2.7T) for that price. What do I do? Just let it go or fight? Seems like a no win situation that you guys may have been in before. I was the only bidder on a no reserve auction with a starting bid of $15,500. Now he says he can't sell it at that price as he would take a loss.

I know my other post got moved but I really am lost here and have limited time to act. Thanks and if you have to move it I understand.

[emcon5]

F--- him.

He knew the hazards of posting a no reserve auction.

Tom

[andrew15]

If he didn't want to sell, he could have cancelled the auction before it closed with no penalty from eBay. Now that it's closed he has the obligation to complete the deal with the high bidder. I'm pretty sure there is some fine print on eBay about a completed auction being a contract of some kind.

AM

[lendaddy]

I agree but really what can I do? A nasty on his feedback hardy makes me feel any better. He claims he didn't understand how no-reserve works and said he would give it to me for 17k.

[lendaddy]

here is a link to the auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2425895596&category=6004

[RickM]

How many positive feedbacks does he have?

[RallyJon]

Absolutely--go after him.

I have no patience with people who abuse others through Ebay. I know lots of people on this forum regard the agreed terms of an auction to be trivial, but I'm not one of them.

[TMH]

I don't really think that there is much you can do when no money has changed hands. Sure, you can give him one negative feedback. Not that big a deal when working with someone who compares this to taking a big financial hit on the sale. Although through bidding both parties enter into a "binding contract", it would most likely not be worth your while to hire an attorney to make the other party go through with the transaction, and even then you might not win. No money is involved yet, so no outright fraud.

Looks like you won't get the car for that price, and the seller only risks a negative feedback. Sorry.

[ruf-porsche]

Seems like he has seller remorse.

Probably hoping to get a higher price, but didn't want to pay a higher fee for having a reserve auction. He knew about reserve auction because his last sale was a reserve auction. Bunch of bull that he didn't know about reserve auction.

Talk with eBay and see what are your options, bottom line if the seller don't want to sell what can you do?

[lendaddy]

looks like I can report him and he may get a temp to permanent ban. Big woop.

"If a seller has refused to complete a sale and payment has not been sent or payment has been refunded, report the seller . Make sure to include a copy of the email documenting the seller's refusal to complete the sale with the full message text and complete email headers when making your report.

After receiving your report, eBay will consider the circumstances of the alleged offense. Disciplinary action may result in a formal warning, a temporary suspension, or an indefinite suspension. If a complaint cannot be proven with certainty, it is possible that no action will be taken. Due to privacy issues, eBay will be unable to discuss the result of the investigation."

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by lendaddy
I agree but really what can I do? A nasty on his feedback hardy makes me feel any better. He claims he didn't understand how no-reserve works and said he would give it to me for 17k.

The guy is lying to you, he apparently is in the business of selling used cars. Look at his feedback:
Left by Date Item# S/B
spdickey( 22) Jul-03-03 15:06:16 PDT 2420383919 S
Praise : GREAT PRODUCT, SERVICE, SHIPPING, COMMUNICATION!!!! THANKS!!!!!
emerillaggase( 98) Nov-01-02 20:21:42 PST 1870782731 S
Praise : Honest description, pleasant to deal with. Quality used car! A+++++++++++++++++
juanfan19( 1374) Jul-25-02 17:37:02 PST 1841966804 S
Praise : HIGHEST PRAISE! Noel's Auto sold me a $48K Viper! Car is everything I dreamed!
putterr( 43) May-12-02

[RickM]

This guy has been an EBAYer for over a year...and he sells used cars! I think he's playing you. I'd talk to him on the phone and tell him that you expect to get the car for the agreed upon price. Subtly explain that a negative feedback (especially in his business) will force him to start over....a big setback.

[Hetmann]

A listing is a contract to sell at the bid price. He should learn the rules. Ignorance is no excuse. Go after him big time.

[echrisconnor]

If you look at the seller's history, he's only done a few transactions, but the one prior to this looks like it was a no-reserve, fixed starting bid auction. He understands.

You might check with "Squaretrade" they're eBay's dispute resolution partner.

[Jdub]

Len:

If you like the price and the car, then purchase it. He has sold through ebay before (a Viper?) and knows the rules. If the car is a distance from you strike now and get on a plane to be sure the car is not screwed with between now and purchase time.

If you are lukewarm on the price or car, you can back out.

John

[Jadams1]

On the bright side, at least you know you did get it for a good price. That really stinks!

[targa80]

If he wanted 17K then he should have set a reserve. I don't use E-bay but I would believe the auction is final and he is required to deliver if you have fulfilled your part (deposit as required on post). Let him off the hook for a monetary fee, that will make him smarter the next time around.

[lendaddy]

Should I just e-mail him that I expect to get the car for the agreed price and will report him if he backs out and see what he says? Is one negative feedback and a potential suspension worth 1500 to him? I agree though I can't make him sell it.

[RickM]

Wayne is right. You lost nothing except for some time.

Again, talk to him as I posted above. If he's a hole then let go.
Posting neg feedback may result in him retaliating and doing the same for you... ahhhh the fun.

[ruf-porsche]

You can do onto him what he has done onto you. Bid on all his future auction and then cancel out, just get another ebay identity.