Sigh of relief
As people may have gleaned, I buy off E-Bay. Wonderful site, never any problems, until Monday. On Sunday I had 'won' a highchair for Amy's Mummy, nothing special, it's appeal being that it folds completely flat and so it will suit their diminutive house. Being the prompt payer that I am the transaction was complete within 10 minutes of the sale, paypal sent me the confirmation, as did the seller. Monday morning, checked my E-Mails, one from E-Bay telling me that the item had been withdrawn, by them, and so not to pay for it. S**t. I immediately e-mailed them with a response expected in 24-48hours. I also e-mailed the seller, hoping for some enlightenment. A tense 24 hours followed. I scoured paypals pages on disputes, I am obviously really thick because I ended I none the wiser about what might happen, and E-Bay had completely vanished the original listing so I couldn't check verification thingies. Tuesday, E-Bay sympathise with the situation, wait and see and then click on these links if the item doesn't appear. I e-mail seller who replies that he hopes to ship the highchair tomorrow. I was a secretive woman, who could I reveal my plight to? Hubby would just raise an eyebrow and chunter on about knew it happen, shouldn't trust computers etc. Wednesday morning, e-mail from seller to say that he had just shipped item. By then my confidence in this transaction had hit rock bottom. Two hours later, front door bell rings, and..........it's the highchair, as described.
What have I learnt? Do not pay immediately. In future I shall leave it 36 hours before my money goes zooming down the line. Whose at fault? I would say E-Bay. They let the auction take place, the bidding close, informed me I had won, sent an invoice and then 18 hours later tell me they have withdrawn it. I feel sorry for the seller, I can't leave feedback for him about what was a fast, honest transaction.
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(11.11.05 08:24) Wha? Why did they withdraw the sale? Do you think, perhaps, the seller sent the goods because he/she realised that EBay was taking an interest in their affairs? All very worrying. Note that I still seem to have resisted the temptation to use EBay in any way whatsoever - not even to browse in case I fall into the trap of seeing that "must have" item that I'll end up buying...I'm so weak. :-) |
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(11.11.05 17:02) Ian - E-Bay will not disclosed why the item was withdrawn. It was possibly some 'small print' issue brought to their notice. That or I am going to be done for receiving stolen goods! Glad you are still logging on, keep in touch. |
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(12.11.05 21:05) I have experienced similar problems with ebay in the past and found them to not be very helpful, so you were lucky!! Im always v cautious now. |
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(12.11.05 22:54) I bought something off ebay once and never got it, never got any answer from the seller either. Paypal and ebay were no use at all - they won't investigate whats basically a theft, unless you pay them something like £30. My paypal account is paid by my credit card which has fraud protection so I just rang up my credit card company and told them I wouldn't be paying that transaction - sorted! |
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(14.11.05 11:07) I buy absolutely loads off ebay - in fact virtually all the children's clothes! plus climbing frame, all baby goods, anything else I can find... I've had one problem when a dvd was withdrawn - but I hadn't paid - and i found it confusing as the seller has really good feedback from all his other customers. Mostly I think ebay are really good. |