Hi Everyone, 
I have a problem on eBay, and I think I've decided on how to handle it, but I wanted opinions first.
So a bag comes up that I really like. It's a 10-day listing, and I've been so desperate for the bag that I decided to send the seller a message asking if they had an extra that they would be willing to sell for a fixed price. They get back to me in a slightly arrogant tone, saying, "Dear buyer: As we said in the listing this is the last one. But if you make me an offer that's reasonable I can end the listing anytime 24 hours before it ends and make the deal." First of all, I thought it was a bit unethical to end it when there were already 3 bidders. It started at $9.99 and had gone up to $26. I offered them $105 + their $16 shipping charge (this is not an expensive bag so I do think that was reasonable). The total would be $121, but I did not state that, as I did not think it was necessary. I thought they could do the math. They replied with, "A little bit lower. How about $130 including shipping?" That was so close to my $121 total that I thought they may have misunderstood and thought I only offered $105. I sent them a message clearing that up, but didn't agree yet to pay $130. They never got back to me.
I sent them another message asking whether they had gotten my last message, and again cleared things up. They responded only with, "Sorry, we cannot accept your offer." I sent them a message finally agreeing to pay $130. At that point there were about 6 or 7 days left in the auction. They responded, saying, "We are very sorry that we can not accept your offer now because it has been 3 days. If I finished the bid now, it will be unfair to the other bidders." Whoa! So it wasn't unfair to the first 3 bidders, but now it's unfair?? I responded, explaining that they set the price at $130 and I was now willing to pay it, and said they could end it anytime 24 hours before the ending. They didn't respond. That was September 18th. They get back to me this morning, the 22nd, when there are less than 3 days left in the auction. The price was at $76. I will copy and paste their response.
"Acturally thank you very much for your understanding! We have ended the list. If you still want it, please give us a message and your paypal address, we can send you the invoice through paypal. Thanks and have a nice day!"
....wait a minute. So it's fair now, with MORE bidders than before, to end it? What, just because they didn't get enough money for it, and they were afraid it wouldn't get any higher? So NOW they want to accept my offer, after previously ignoring me?? And I noticed that a lot of the bidders had only 1 or 2 feedbacks, even one with 0. I know this doesn't mean anything for sure, but considering the games this seller is playing with me now, I wouldn't be surprised if they are shill bidding with different accounts. And not only that, but they ERASED all the bids! I looked under Completed Listings and there are now 0 bids for it, and it says the seller ended it early because of an error in the listing. Yeah right. I feel this seller is going back and forth with me, and I don't think I can trust them, even if I do want the bag really badly. I sent them a message asking if they wanted my original offer or just above where the bidding was at (even though I know they purposely ended it because it wasn't high enough - and I was their last resort), though I'm no longer serious about the transaction. I know they wouldn't have said a word to me if it had gone to $130+. I feel like, with their fake little apology, they're being a kiss-@** (sorry for the language). I know if I keep trying, I can find it somewhere else for a better deal. What do you guys think of all this?
I know this may not seem like that big of a deal, but I've never had an encounter with this dishonest a seller before. I appreciate your taking the time to read this, and any advice you can give. Thank you!
I have a problem on eBay, and I think I've decided on how to handle it, but I wanted opinions first.
So a bag comes up that I really like. It's a 10-day listing, and I've been so desperate for the bag that I decided to send the seller a message asking if they had an extra that they would be willing to sell for a fixed price. They get back to me in a slightly arrogant tone, saying, "Dear buyer: As we said in the listing this is the last one. But if you make me an offer that's reasonable I can end the listing anytime 24 hours before it ends and make the deal." First of all, I thought it was a bit unethical to end it when there were already 3 bidders. It started at $9.99 and had gone up to $26. I offered them $105 + their $16 shipping charge (this is not an expensive bag so I do think that was reasonable). The total would be $121, but I did not state that, as I did not think it was necessary. I thought they could do the math. They replied with, "A little bit lower. How about $130 including shipping?" That was so close to my $121 total that I thought they may have misunderstood and thought I only offered $105. I sent them a message clearing that up, but didn't agree yet to pay $130. They never got back to me.
I sent them another message asking whether they had gotten my last message, and again cleared things up. They responded only with, "Sorry, we cannot accept your offer." I sent them a message finally agreeing to pay $130. At that point there were about 6 or 7 days left in the auction. They responded, saying, "We are very sorry that we can not accept your offer now because it has been 3 days. If I finished the bid now, it will be unfair to the other bidders." Whoa! So it wasn't unfair to the first 3 bidders, but now it's unfair?? I responded, explaining that they set the price at $130 and I was now willing to pay it, and said they could end it anytime 24 hours before the ending. They didn't respond. That was September 18th. They get back to me this morning, the 22nd, when there are less than 3 days left in the auction. The price was at $76. I will copy and paste their response.
"Acturally thank you very much for your understanding! We have ended the list. If you still want it, please give us a message and your paypal address, we can send you the invoice through paypal. Thanks and have a nice day!"
....wait a minute. So it's fair now, with MORE bidders than before, to end it? What, just because they didn't get enough money for it, and they were afraid it wouldn't get any higher? So NOW they want to accept my offer, after previously ignoring me?? And I noticed that a lot of the bidders had only 1 or 2 feedbacks, even one with 0. I know this doesn't mean anything for sure, but considering the games this seller is playing with me now, I wouldn't be surprised if they are shill bidding with different accounts. And not only that, but they ERASED all the bids! I looked under Completed Listings and there are now 0 bids for it, and it says the seller ended it early because of an error in the listing. Yeah right. I feel this seller is going back and forth with me, and I don't think I can trust them, even if I do want the bag really badly. I sent them a message asking if they wanted my original offer or just above where the bidding was at (even though I know they purposely ended it because it wasn't high enough - and I was their last resort), though I'm no longer serious about the transaction. I know they wouldn't have said a word to me if it had gone to $130+. I feel like, with their fake little apology, they're being a kiss-@** (sorry for the language). I know if I keep trying, I can find it somewhere else for a better deal. What do you guys think of all this?
I know this may not seem like that big of a deal, but I've never had an encounter with this dishonest a seller before. I appreciate your taking the time to read this, and any advice you can give. Thank you!
