Ebay advice needed - what would you do?

[Golfgirl]

I'm getting sick to death of Ebay to the point where I don't think I'm going to sell anything again.

I listed a load of stuff (mainly clothing) on 10 day auctions and one of my items sold for £11.70 plus £4.00 postage.  Very shortly after the auction ended I got a message from the winning bidder saying

Hi, I've just realized that the postage is £4 and I
could only afford £12 in total. I'm really sorry but
I don't think I can afford it. Can I cancel the
purchase please? Thank you.

I replied saying

The postage cost has been on there for 10 days since I listed the item. When you win an auction it is considered a contract and you are obligated to buy the item. It's against eBay rules to withdraw from a purchase after the listing has ended. So I'm sorry but I will not cancel the bid.

Now she has replied saying

Hi, right, I see that you are using first class
recoded post. Maybe you can use second class post
for it and charge a cheaper postage price? I'm
really sorry but it was my mistake for not
realising the postage price earlier.

So what do I do? If she can't afford it then she shouldn't have bid or put in a lower bid.  And even if I do change it to second class postage it's only 29p less than first class.

So do I:
a) Change it to second class to keep her happy but risk that she still doesn't want the item as it's only 29p cheaper.
b) Say that it's first class or nothing as stated in the auction and risk her leaving negative feedback (which I MAY be able to get removed if I file a non-paying bidder dispute?)
c) Offer it to the next highest bidder instead.

I'm tempted to say first class or nothing to try and teach her some Ebay ethics.  The postage is clearly stated in the listing, which has been up for 10 days.

She's getting a bargain anyway as it's a brand new, unworn item with a RRP of £40.00.

[Saint Steve]

For future ref claire, put your clothes on Gumtree, free to sell on there

[Golfgirl]

They're going to the charity shop next time

[Saint Steve]

They're going to the charity shop next time

Perhaps suggest a hot spin wash, with the item of clothes that youve sold, so they shrink abit so she gets less for her money 

[Greeners]

I agree it's wrong for her to now try and back down, but is it really worth the hassle Claire? I'd either cancel the bid and report her to EBay, or accept the lower bid and move on. Depends on the sort of day I'd had and how evil I was feeling! 

[stealthwolf]

I haven't used egay for several months now because of this kind of issue.

[Top Cat]

I haven't used egay for several months now because of this kind of issue.

well stop buying womens clothes then. 

[stealthwolf]

well stop buying womens clothes then. 

But what are you gonna do with your used crossdressing stuff if there's no one to buy them?!?!

[Mandy]

Claire, if it was me, I'd cancel the transaction with the winning bidder, then second chance offer it to next person or just re-list.

[edd666999sMrs]

Claire, if it was me, I'd cancel the transaction with the winning bidder, then second chance offer it to next person or just re-list.

If a few people bidded on it then i agree with mandy.

If that ebayer was the only bidder then i'd just take the 12.00 tbh... keep em happy  atleast you'd get good feedback

[LouCyffer]

I had a similar issue. Listed an item and specifically stated UK post only. With 20 seconds left, a Lithuanian bidder won the item, then threatened negative feedback if I didn't send it there. The ebay help centre was as much use as an ash tray on a motorbike, and the deck is always stacked against the seller. I got screwed with negative feedback because the bidder wanted to make his own rules. If you start a dispute, the only help you'll get from ebay is no doubt to settle for when the buyer offers.

Me, I'd give em 48 hours then list them as a non paying bidder. All the transaction detail were clear on the listing. If she can't afford more than £12 tell her to sell something on ebay

[Sunglasses Ron]

I haven't used egay for several months now because of this kind of issue.

well stop buying womens clothes then.  

 


Regarding the topic.. I'm sorry but who bids for an item with only £12 in their bank account?   Or if they have more than that then pay the agreed price you cheap, scabby jippo.  

Feel for you Claire, as I have been there. Just bugs the **** out of me people like this. Just sounds to me like they're trying to get the item as cheap as they can..

[Moschops]

Claire, if it was me, I'd cancel the transaction with the winning bidder, then second chance offer it to next person or just re-list.

What Mandy said...

Don't some people try it on...

[joesgti]

just leave it in awaiting payment, then open a 'unpaid item dispute' then you get your fee's back, she gets a strike, and you can relist it.