eBay shenanigans - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 04:29:46 pm
content: I'm interested in others opinions about a recent eBay experience.I recently wonthis oscilloscope calibrator on ebay. The seller accepted my best offer of $100. Shipping was $50. After 5 days I had heard nothing so I messaged him asking when it would ship. He said he was moving and could not locate the item and wanted to cancel the transaction. He refunded me my $150.Then, a day later he re-listed the item - again for $170 but this time with $150 for shipping. He said that he would sell it to me for $100 but now shipping would be $150 and that he had made a mistake on shipping cost before. I told him I thought that what he was doing was against ebay policy. He then said I was accusing him of being dishonest. I told him he might be honest (I don't know) but if he had made a mistake it was his responsibility, not mine. In any case I was not willing to pay $250 for the item.I see now he has changed his re-listing price to $470 and ended the auction.So - should I report this guy? It all seems rather fishy to me...Just curious what other think....

author: tjb1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 04:41:55 pm
content: Yes, get rid of as many weasels as possible.I am currently dealing with one that signed me up for their store newsletter hours after I completed the ebay/paypal transaction. I've told them to remove me and they keep telling me I need to contact ebay about it even though these emails are coming from their own website address. I was getting a response every 2 days from my messages to them so I said screw it, opened a case and now they are ignoring that so I will escalate it to ebay. I am tired of wasting my time with the spam email so I will make them pay, I've found numerous complaints about paypal providing the email address to sellers which is then skimmed and dumped into the newsletter program.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 04:53:08 pm
content: yeah screw him for the BS.I once had a seller mess up the postage price. He realised after I paid for a scope plus the postage. He sent me a message explaining the error, the correct postage and offered a refund or me paying the extra postage. Admiring the honesty I proceeded with the transaction, paying the extra postage

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 04:54:52 pm
content: His previous feedbackhttp://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=marc-star&Dirn=Received+by&ref=homesuggests he sells marginal equipment that may not be fully tested and possibly relies on high shipping costs back to his country as a deterrent for any type of refund.Since you are in the USA, I suggest your best bet is to buy within your country and avoid international transactions unless the seller is absolutely 100% proven (like Franky).PS. I hate buyers that play games with a high BIN price and a make offer button making you think you got a great bargain. For example, he listshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/221349432248for $610 BIN? Yet, he sells for $200 via make offer.http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&item=221349432248

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 05:36:49 pm
content: Oh I agree about international sales - especially for high priced items (I have made exceptions for Franky}I was willing to make an exception in this case due to the rarity of the item and the low cost. I was willing to take a gamble for $150.Thanks for the links to another of his suspect sales - It looks like he has taken others for a similar ride...

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 05:59:28 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on August 14, 2014, 05:36:49 pmA few years ago, I bought a "great working" Fluke 89IV from an international seller (same region as your case). It was listed at $100 BIN + 25 s/h with an make offer. I offered $75 USA and it was accepted.When I received it, it was clear the seller, who resells other electronic devices/gear, had no clue how to test it. None of the soft buttons worked, all readings on the 89 IV showed 0.0000 regardless what setting it was on. It didn't measure voltage, resistance, continiuty, etc. In addition, the battery compartment had obvious battery leakage.When I contacted the seller, they begged me not to open an ebay case and would refund my money if I sent back the 89IV.Naively and stupidly, I agreed even though their previous feedback was suspect. At this stage of my ebay buying career, I had never opened a paypal/ebay resolution case.Going to Canada Post, I asked for the shipping prices. With a tracking number, it was $65 CDN. The cheapest way was $21 with no tracking number so I went with the cheapest. Of course, the 89IV "never arrived" according to the seller. When I tried to open a paypal/ebay case, I didn't realize I was outside the 45 day complaint window. The seller refused to refund my money because they "never received" the 89IV.I had to go to Canada Post and open a case with them and provide documentation, which I thankfully kept. Eventually, I got my $75 + $21 shipping back via Canada Post (via Canadian tax payers).Thus, another "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" lesson learned.

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 06:03:22 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on August 14, 2014, 04:29:46 pmI buy/sell quite a bit on eBay and I have run into a few people that have been a bit fishy. It sounds to me like he is an amateur seller that has no clue as to what he is selling. I usually look at their history, feedback and what they have sold in the past before creating a report. I don't like to report people unless they really deserve it, likewise, I don't give negative feedback unless it is truly warranted.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 06:56:33 pm
content: Quote from: Terabyte2007 on August 14, 2014, 06:03:22 pmI also try to give people the benefit of the doubt and you may be right about his being just incompetent. Though something tells me there is more to it- which is why I thought I'd get others opinions. If he had contacted me right after the sale to tell me he made an error on the shipping cost - I never would have doubted him.. I can't open a case against him or leave feedback since the transaction was cancelled. (and BTW he did not leave me feedback despite my prompt payment) but I could contact ebay and report the issue.Thanks for everyone's input.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 08:15:22 pm
content: Quote from: tjb1 on August 14, 2014, 04:41:55 pm+1. Negative feedback is just as important as positive. Otherwise the reputation system does not work.BTW, if the deal was canceled, how do you provide feedback?

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2014, 08:37:21 pm
content: QuoteNegative feedback, if the seller is genuinely deserves it, is useful.However these days it's the "detailed seller reports" which hurt (where sellers get scores of 1 or 2 on a transaction), as well as opening cases.