Ebay Query

[wiltsman]

I recently 'sold' a television for collection, for over £200 on ebay, but never got paid. I contacted the 'buyer' immediately on selling the set; she eventually replied that she was ill, still wanted the set, but couldn't pay for 3 weeks. I let a little time go by but then tried, politely, to push her to pay me. I got a reply from someone claiming to be her 'mother', saying her daughter was now an in-patient in hospital and no longer wanted the TV.

I was offered the chance from ebay of re-listing it but, as by that time I needed money quickly, I sold it at a lot less money via the local press.

What I need to know is, why is my account now going to be invoiced for fees on what was a non transaction? Also, when selling I noted the buyer had 100% ratings, although was only on three transactions, as they were relatively new to ebay. When I looked further at the actual feedback, not one seller has made positive feedback in writing?

I find it frustrating that when you go on ebay to let them know something like I've stated above, it's very difficult. You basically have to manoeuvre through a load of tick boxes, or as is the case with ebay, tick circles! Nothing seemed to fit my actual circumstances

Has anyone had a similar story to mine and did you get ebay to back down? I don't mind paying fees when I've actually sold something, but not on this occasion.

[MadMen]

I think you need to open a dispute with Ebay, to inform them that the sale did not go through and the buyer no longer wanted the item.
It is frustrating, I agree. This also seems to happen more and more now that only buyers can leave negative feedback.

[MadMen]

They do have days when you can list for free. They are pretty good.
It's the Paypal fee's that do my head in.

[DJHawkes]

I know madmen, I've sold something for £1 plus 50p postage, the buyer paid via paypal and I've ended up with £1.20! what kind of a deal is that? By the time ebay take their fee for selling I'm at a loss

[MadMen]

I totally agree. I sold something recently, and was quite chuffed at the final price and postage... until I saw how much Paypal had taken off for themselves.
I think the days of people having successful businesses via Ebay are long gone. The fee's are just too high.

[wiltsman]

Thank you all for your replies.

Thank you MadMen, I've delved into ebay further and started to open a dispute. The section I went into is not ideal, as it's intended for disputes where the item has been posted and things have gone wrong from there. Hopefully I will get a result, for they're trying to charge me £22.59 because their buyer refused to go through with the transaction.

I've also noted to myself, that in future I must not only look at the percentage rating, but actually look at the written feedback given by the sellers, now they're not allowed to give feedback that would affect the percentages.

[MadMen]

No problem Wiltsman.
There is a setting when you sell an item that may be of use. I think it's called something like Buyer Requirements. You can basically make sure they meet certain criteria before they're able to bid and purchase your stuff.
Things like not having enough feedback, having unpaid item strikes, that kind of thing.

Hope that helps further :-)

[wiltsman]

It does - Thank you.

[heathfield]

In this sort of situation I'd advise everyone to always use eBay's 'Contact Buyer/Seller' system. Your back and forward contact messages are held by eBay, and they can refer to them to check on the validity of what you claim was said between buyer and seller. If you don't use this system, and simply email a buyer/seller, ebay will have no record, and there may be no way you can validate a claim.

[wiltsman]

Thank you.