Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

[Leong]

Hi pipers

I'm so sorry my first post in these forums is of this nature. I've been lurking here for a little while now, just absorbing the collective wisdom and educating myself before posting. I'd thought I was going to be able to post on my recent purchase. The fates intervened....

This is the auction:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Full-Set-of-Vintage-Gillanders-McLeod-Bagpipes-/261451635932

The auction ran its normal course, closed normally, and lo and behold I won. I requested an invoice, but no reply. Requested another one and then I get this:

Dear sc4092

I regret to inform you that this set of pipes, were withdrawn from sale on Tues 22 April, subsequently any bids after this time should not have been accepted, I have informed eBay of this error, however the end result remains that the pipes are no longer available for sale, I regret any inconvenience this causes you.

Regards

Iain8072


Long story short, I have reported the seller to ebay, they agree with me on the issues, but all they can do is take unspecified action on his account. By the sound of it, he's going to resurface and possibly repeat this tactic when things don't go his/her way. I just hope he/she is not a member in this community.

[Wulls]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

The bottom line is a completed sale on Ebay is a legally binding contract
If you choose to pursue it eBay has to provide you with the sellers contact details.
Good luck with that though.
I had a similar experience a few years ago and only got the issue sorted when the idiot relisted the item.
I threatened court action under the completion of contract or service legislation
It took a while but it was successful. The guy claimed it was two different items despite the photos being identical.
If you feel strongly don't drop it.

[Leong]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

Wulls

I took the completion of contract line with ebay, but their riposte is that the seller is no longer keen to sell ("since the seller refuse to sell the item to you and we don't know them personally we can't force them to sell the item to you", and what they can do is take appropriate action on seller's account (or words to that effect).

This has never happened to me in all my years on ebay, but my experience today tells me ebay can't or won't do much unless an item is paid for or is not delivered (at least going by my e-chat with them today).

Wulls, was your seller located in the UK? And did you threaten legal action thru ebay or directly?

[DanC]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

It's pretty shameful, looks like the guy didn't get the money he wanted so he cancelled the sale. Now if only Ebay had a way that you could set a minimum acceptable bid, lets call it a reserve....

[Leong]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

It's pretty shameful, looks like the guy didn't get the money he wanted so he cancelled the sale. Now if only Ebay had a way that you could set a minimum acceptable bid, lets call it a reserve....

Haha, good one, Dan

I will absolutely have no problems if he cancels the auction part way through (because of a listing error), but to let it run its whole course and being disappointed with the results, then weasels his/her way out is beyond the pale.

[Wulls]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

Seller was in Scotland.
I contacted eBay and told them I would be taking legal action, they suddenly became more cooperative.
I contacted the seller through eBay and sent him the small claims paperwork by email.
Suddenly he was prepared to negotiate.

[Leong]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

Seller was in Scotland.
I contacted eBay and told them I would be taking legal action, they suddenly became more cooperative.
I contacted the seller through eBay and sent him the small claims paperwork by email.
Suddenly he was prepared to negotiate.

Thanks for the info, Wulls.
I will take this up with ebay.co.uk, and see what gives.

[Kyle C.H.]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

Yeah, eBay has caused a lot of stress for me before. I'm sure they'll get it sorted out.. I've never been cheated out of money permanently on eBay because of their great customer claims support.

[Craic Piper]

Re: Watch out for this ebay seller for G&M pipes

same thing happened to me with a bass guitar once...guy wasn't happy that it didn't go for more...that's what reserve/starting bids are for...but like my dear old cousin Miles used to say "No one needs a license to be an ahole"