Bad eBay Experience
Saturday, August 5, 2006 by darcoPosted in Unfiled
This post is documentation of an unfortunate eBay experience. I have removed any reference to his name in this post because this is not an appropriate medium to identify this person.
The item I was auctioning was my old powerbook, which I mentioned here. This guy (unfortunately) won the auction. What follows is our email exchange, via the eBay message system.
Buyer (July 18, 2006 1:08:39 AM GMT-04:00):
Peaceful Greetings Friend, Please do not be upset with me, but I will not be able to purchase your Powerbook. If you are not able to complete a transaction with another bidder and instead relist it, I would fully expect to pay for your incurred expenses.
I recently purchased a Powerbook with a DVD and display problem I thought would be simple, but it turned into a large headache. Therefore I was going to relist it as is with the intent of your Powerbook to replace it as my replacement for my Sony Vaio. However I also have to sell my Sony, and so I simply do not have enough funds to cover the cost of your Powerbook if I am to keep the one I now have in hand. Thank You for your understanding. Again I am sorry for my hinderence of your auction. May GOD Bless You Greatly! Peace Always, [name removed]
Me (July 18, 2006 11:03:23 AM GMT-04:00):
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm going ahead and offering the machine to the top three buyers.
Me (July 20, 2006 2:30:08 PM GMT-04:00):
I just wanted to let you know that I intend to leave you negative feedback (Because you did break the ebay contract), and that I expect neutral feedback in return(Because there was no transaction for you to base your feedback on). Your feedback will read:
"Unable to follow thru with purchase. Offered to pay re-listing fee."
There is one day left on the ''second offer'' bids, and if that fails then I will ask that you send $22.70 via paypal to darco@deepdarc.com for the re-listing fee. I will let you know when this happens.
If you would like to avoid negative feedback, I am still willing to follow thru with the sale, if you are able/willing to do so.
Buyer (July 21, 2006 7:58:14 PM GMT-04:00):
Greetings... Sir, leave a Negative feedback if you feel that is what is best, but the truth is you should do what you would expect others to do for you, or don't do anything at all.
$22.70 is far beyond what your relistment fee would be, and so is far more than I agreed to pay. Also if your item sells the second time, all re-list fees are credited back in full to your account.
Which by the way, payment of a relist fee not something I had to offer, but I did because it is what I would hope aother would offer had they had the winning bid on a listing of mine, and than so whatever reason it may be, could not follow through.
As I have said sir... do whatever it is you feel you must do, and as you do it.... May GOD Bless You. Peace Always, [name removed] <><
Me (July 24, 2006 3:34:25 PM GMT-04:00):
$22.70 is exactly what it will cost to relist the item. I just copied and pasted this from the relisting page:
Listing fees
Insertion fee: $ 2.40 Gallery: 0.35 Featured Plus!: 19.95 Total added listing fees: $ 22.70As you can see, it was the ''Featured Plus!'' that added the extra $20. I used ''Featured Plus'' on the original listing, and since you failed to complete the transaction and offered to pay for my listing fee, this is what the cost is. I'm not trying to rip you off. This is what you said you would do.
I did forget that upon successful sale of a relisted item that re- list fees are refunded, so we can wait until the relisting is complete before discussing this specific issue further.
In terms of doing to other what they would expect of you, I'm not the one backing out of a deal here—and if I ever did, I would absolutely expect negative feedback. That's just how things work around here. If you can't accept the responsibility of paying for what you say you will purchase, THEN DON'T BID.
Buyer (July 24, 2006 7:50:30 PM GMT-04:00):
Look Friend... You are getting so upset for nothing. You certainly have not monitored the sales of these Powerbooks for any leanth of time, because if you had you would nknow that you will not have any problem at all selling it by relisting it.
In fact rather thasn becoming so pissed off at me, you would problably be thankful because of the REAL Possiblity of selling it for an even higher amount. My suggestion to you is to spend a little time researching the current listings for Powerbooks, and become aware of when most are listed and are set to end. Then Submit yours to run during a time when there will be a lot of people watching. But as I have said... do whatever it is you feel you need to do. You need not worry... I will not be placing any bids. GOD Bless You.
Me (2006-06-28 14:44):
- Left Negative Feedback: Refused to complete transaction. Offered to pay relisting fee.
Buyer (July 30, 2006 1:32:32 AM GMT-04:00):
I have to say sir, you did not have to leave a red mark along with the comments you have left for me as feedback.
You could have left the very same words with the mark you actually stated to me you EXPECTED from me... but you didn't.
Although i wanted to leave a reply today as well as feedback for you, I have decided to wait and think about what it is I should say when I do leave feedback for you, rather than > simply react by stating my first thoughts on the matter.
Buyer (July 30, 2006 1:37:49 AM GMT-04:00):
Like do I have to play this Ebay game... The way you did by trying to coerce me to purchasing your laptop with a threat of a red mark, which by the way was the very reason I decided NOT to purchase it.
Before that I was still thinking of doing so. I was simply unsure because of your low number of feedbacks all of which were as a Buyer, not a seller, and your constant repeating in your listing about the chance it would arrive DOA.
That was uncomfortable, but your threat sealed it. So do I leave you a red mark? So that then we both have the oppurtunity to remove the red mark left by mutual agreement.
This since unless I do so you can not make any changes... and really it was not something really needed to be done in the first place.
You did not even wait to see the amount you will receive from listing your Powerbook the second time...
EBay games... Really.
Me (July 30, 2006 1:49:48 AM GMT-04:00):
It was never my intention to threaten you with anything. What you intended to do or not doesn't really matter to me. I simply told you what I was going to do so you wouldn't be surprised, and added that if you felt like reconsidering that I was still open to moving forward with the transaction. Apparently it was interpreted as a threat. Again, this was not my intention.
That you backed out of the transaction after bidding (which was a legally binding agreement, btw) is more than adequate justification for negative feedback. How you could expect anything else is beyond me. In your feedback, I simply stated the facts in the feedback that I did leave. I did not say ''Avoid this person'' or any such nonsense. I just think you need to take your bidding more seriously.
Me (July 30, 2006 1:51:45 AM GMT-04:00):
One more quick observation... If you examine my feedback carefully, you will see that I have in-fact sold things on eBay. My feedback rating is not entirely based on purchases.
Me (July 30, 2006 2:06:04 AM GMT-04:00):
And, as another observation, regarding the whole DOA thing... I was saying that I would accept a return if the machine turned out to be DOA. I was making an exception to the ''sold as-is'' policy. I have no intention of ripping anyone off, so if the winner received the machine DOA, I'd happily refund them the winning amount plus whatever the cost for them to ship it to me. Why this made you uncomfortable is puzzling, as my intention was the opposite.
Me (July 30, 2006 2:17:13 AM GMT-04:00):
Sorry for the deluge of messages... I just noticed that for some inexplicable reason the buyers tab on my feedback is empty. To make things stranger, the sellers tab contains only 5 feedbacks, yet I have 11 feedbacks total. Very strange.
I just wanted to mention this because I said that if you examined closely my feedback that I have indeed sold items on eBay. After examining it myself, I now see how easy it was to get that impression.
I believe one of my feedbacks reads ''good package and response'' or something of the sort. I have no idea why it isn't in the buyers tab.
Meh.
Buyer (July 30, 2006 2:21:12 AM GMT-04:00):
I was simply sharing with you what I noticed that day.
Anyway... any transaction should be based upon a feeling of Trust between the parties, and although I am nott saying you can not be trusted, I am saying that by the words I had read from you both in your listing and written to me directly, I did not feel comfortable enough to send a payment of over four hundred dollars, which for me may as well be $4000 dollars.
If I would have done so and for whatever reason I came to be disappointed it would have been a serious disappointment money wise for me.
That is not to say you would have disappointed me, but until a transaction has transpired between two people, neither one can really be sure how it will go, and it is a Buyer to is more at risk for disappointment than a seller.
My Hope is you understand what it is I am sharing and know I do not mean anything personal towards you.
The result of a red mark is the change of rating, and if mutual, the door to be open for retraction.
Buyer (July 30, 2006 2:35:54 AM GMT-04:00):
You don't need to worry about the number of messages, for it they are a means communication, and communication is a means for Peaceful Feelings.
As I have said, it was not you but my own sense of feeling based on our brief communication that kept me from following through in purchasing your Powerbook.
Based on the communication between us now, if I had the funds, I would purchase your Powerbook without any reservation.
I just did not feel that way before, and could not afford to take a chance regardless of how I felt.
No matter what, it is my intent for there to be a sense of Peace bewteen me and all those I come to meet and share with in communication.
This most definitely includes you Meh.
As I said, I believe you shall come to see that at the end of your current listing, you will sell your Powerbook for just as much if not more.
But if I was you, I would edit your text and mention DOA only once.
It is not what you meant to say, by how others may understand your reasons. <><
Buyer (July 30, 2006 2:38:41 AM GMT-04:00):
I ran out of charactors in my last message.
I just wanted to say... It is my Hope that GOD Blesses you with an Amazing amount for your Powerbook. But more than that, May He Bless You Greatly in all areas of your daily life.
Peace Always, [name removed] <><
Buyer (August 2, 2006 1:02:50 AM GMT-04:00):
Peaceful Greetings Friend, I am writing to ask you now that you have sold your Powerbook for a profit higher than my winning bid was as well as having your listing fees credited to your account, are you willing to withdraw the negative feedback you left against me?
The purpose of a red feedback mark is to express a disappointing transaction, however considering you can not possibly be disappointed with an increase in the amount of the final sale price for your Powerbook, i would believe you would be agreeable to remove the redmark you have placed against me in haste. Please let me know if you intend to do so, or if you intend to leave it as it is. Thank you and may GOD Bless you even more than He has already. Peace Always, [name removed] <><
If your intent is to proceed to withdraw the current feedback you left for me, you can do so at the following link... http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MFWRequest
Me (August 2, 2006 12:49:27 PM GMT-04:00):
Just so you know, my negative feedback was not an emotional decision based on any personal desire to punish you. In fact, I wouldn't have any problems doing business with you in the future as long as you take actions to make sure that when you bid that you are in a financial position to execute that purchase.
While I am happy that my re-listing was successful, it does not change the fact that you did not follow thru with your original legal obligation—which is the sole basis for my negative feedback.
That being said, I am not without compassion. If you can assure me that you understand my reasoning and that you will bid more responsibly in the future, I will go ahead and execute a ''mutual feedback withdrawal''.
Buyer (August 3, 2006 8:17:31 AM GMT-04:00):
Peaceful Greetings once again, I realize your action of leaving a red mark along with your feedback may not have been an attempt to punish me, but your words you have just sent make clear it was meant to Teach me in the way I am to proceed with my bidding in the future.
My Friend, i am not appling to your sense of compassion. In fact I am not appealing to you at all. I am simply asking you to do what is right since I have not done anything to cause a Negitive sense of a Transaction.
I have explained in detail exactly why I did not continue with the transaction... quite frankly I did not feel comfortable to trust the transaction.
Whether you realize it or not, among the many Trustworthy EBayers, are many simply waiting to steal what they can.
The question that remains to be answered is if this is going to be a Negative experience for me in that we are not able to agree concerning this matter.
You are free to agree or disagree... my Hope is you choose what is fair. Peace
Me (August 4, 2006 10:59:59 PM GMT-04:00):
From your original message:
I recently purchased a Powerbook with a DVD and display problem I thought would be simple, but it turned into a large headache.
Therefore I was going to relist it as is with the intent of your Powerbook to replace it as my replacement for my Sony Vaio. However I also have to sell my Sony, and so I simply do not have enough funds to cover the cost of your Powerbook if I am to keep the one I now have in hand.
Sounds like you pulled out for a financial reason rather than any personal reservations. Either of these could have been avoided with proper due-diligence on your part. Either way, you pulled out after bidding (and winning) in a legally-binding auction, which is BAD. Why you refuse to acknowledge that you did something wrong is beyond me.
This is not a matter of right and wrong, this is a matter of you not fulfilling your legal obligation. This, in and of itself, is a negative experience worthy of documentation.
Like I said earlier, this is not personal. It's not about punishing you or teaching you a lesson. You either know you did something wrong or you don't. And if you really don't think you did anything wrong (which seems to be the case) then it is my duty to let other people know. That is how the feedback system is suppose to work.
My experience with this (attempted) transaction was negative, and it was your fault that it failed to happen. Thus, my feedback stands unless you can convince me why I should retract it.
Buyer (August 4, 2006 11:45:47 PM GMT-04:00):
Very well then, I agree it has been an Negative experience regardless of the number of attempt of communition between us... therefore i accept your current feedback left for me, and I shall proceed and leave feedback for you reflecting this failure to communicate.
This is sad since this is the very first time I have ever had a differcult experience communicating with anyone here at Ebay.
I shall not make any attempt to convince you of anything because you have made clear your mind is already been decided.
For the record, my words you have just flash in front of my face was what the issue was, until Apple told me it would cost over $900 to fix my display. I then did sell it, and was debating the purchase of yours, until the message you sent me with your statement of expections, to which i replied Do unto other as you would have then do to you. I sent the withdrawl agreement without have made any feedback for you. Now to close this matter properly i will do so shortly. Peace
Buyer (August 4th, 2006 11:55 PM GMT-0:400):
- Left Negative Feedback: A Complete Failure of Communication despite many attempted messages between us
Me (August 5, 2006 12:20:07 AM GMT-04:00): (Hadn't noticed the negative feedback yet)
Just in case I didn't make myself completely clear, I'll just say it one more time. If you read nothing else in this message, make sure you read the next paragraph.
If you would only admit your mistakes then I would have no problems retracting my feedback against you. Your actions directly contributed to the failure of the transaction that you were legally bound to complete. If you could only express to me that you acknowledge and understand this, and won't do it again (by doing proper due diligence before bidding), then we wouldn't have a problem.
If you feel you must leave me feedback describing your frustration with our communication, then that is your prerogative. I only ask that you ensure that your statement is factual and not emotional.
Buyer (August 5, 2006 1:30:25 AM GMT-04:00):
I have indeed been as humble as I possibly know how to be with every word of comummication I have shared with you.
The mistakes I make in Life are truly more than I could ever possibly describe here. What I find interesting is your determantion for me to admit what you point out as a mistake. Pehaps you should look yourself in the mirror and be at least half as concerned with the speck in your own way of being. I am content to leave your feedback just as it is, if that is what you feel so strongly in your heart it should be, even as it is not at all how i agree. I am just as disappointed with our failure to communicate if not more, than if I would have purchased your Powerbook, and it arrive here damaged. Which as i explain as well, your words lead me to believe was possible by your repeating it again and again in your listing. I wish no ill feelings so let us leave it as it is, since this is what you seem to perfer. Thank you for your time. My Hope is for GOD to Bless You!
Buyer (August 5, 2006 1:49:59 AM GMT-04:00):
You know what my Friend,
the LORD just spoke to my Heart... and so now I am writing to you.
But before I say what it is i am about to say, i want you to know I want the feedbacks left as they are.
What I am sharing now is not for the sake of a truly meaningless reason considering what is occuring in this world these present days. I agree completely... i should have waited until I had the funds in my hands before bidding on any auctions.
You see i had been watch actions for Powerbooks for several weeks, and most of them sold for close to $1000. I was so happy to get the one I got for far less, but when it arrived it did not works right. I had already listed my Sony in a local paper for $450. Someone called to come and get it. I than assumed I would have the money and bid on your Powerbook. The man did not show up. I should not have assumed, as you may know what they say about that... That being said, I believe I was straightforward in contacting you directly and quickly.
Buyer (August 5, 2006 1:56:35 AM GMT-04:00):
I believe I have tried to hadle this situation between us in the most respectful way I possibly could considering I can not go back and retract my bid since the listing closed. That door is no longer open for me as an option, otherwise i would have done so simply to avoid any problem for you. You wanted me to admit my mistake... Brother, I wish this was the only mistake I am guilty of. Thank GOD I do for His Patience with me as I continue to walk upon this earth. But as i have said before, even with my doing what it is you have asked of me, let us leave things exactly as they have already come to be, but let their be Peace between you and me. My Hope is as it has been and shall continue to be, That the Same GOD who is so very Patience with me... May it be His Will for you to be Blessed continuely and Greatly. Peace Always, [name removed] <><
Me (August 5, 2006 2:09:01 AM GMT-04:00):
Too bad we couldn't have come to this understanding sooner.
It wasn't so much that I wanted you to admit your mistake that I wanted to make sure that you understood what you did wrong.
No worries.
Buyer (August 5, 2006 2:28:39 AM GMT-04:00):
Yes... there are times I in haste without waiting or even asking GOD within my Heart what it is i should conveny.
I realized what it was you wanted that would have brought the result I wanted several messages ago, but I reacted with my flesh rather than my Spirit with the words I then sent to you. For this I am sorry and Hope for Peace to Be.
I see you have been a memeber since 1999, which is a long time, but please do not think I am new to Ebay. [account name removed] is my personal account which I created near the beginning of this year, however I have been trading here with my partner in Life since 2003 and with that account we have over 185 Feedbacks. Only 2 redmarks... 1 as a Buyer because I did not purchase an item.... the reason being I did not realize the seller was in Cannada, and so I felt uncomfortable. The second was as a seller because the item was too large to be accepted by any of the shippers, FedEx, UPS, USPS. His moeny was refunded, but he was upset just the same.
Buyer (August 5, 2006 2:40:56 AM GMT-04:00):
Anyway, i just wanted you to know I am not new here to EBay, yet I admit I have a lot to learn.
But with every transaction, I follow a simple rule... Try to do as you would Hope they would do for you.
I have never cheated anyone, nor have I ever been cheated by anyone else here.
I do not intend to cheat anyone, and I firmly believe I shall not be cheated, however I am to be diligent in the transactions i enter into.
If I am not, than it would only be my own error if i am deceived.
I have to say i now feel bad for leaving a red mark rather than a grey mark... this a reaction of my flesh. I am sorry for doing so.
Thank you for your time. Blessings are sure to come upon you... Be sure to Give Thanks to GOD for them, for All GOOD Things come from Above, however not all the things we may think are Good Really are.
GOD Bless You Friend,
Peace Always,
[name removed] <><
And that's that.