I just got screweed on ebay...can he do that?!?

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:05pm

This morning I bought 2 tickets to see Bon Jovi at the Fleetcenter in Boston, ticketmaster had no good seats so I looked on ebay and was happy to find an amazing deal. I bought the tickets and paid for them via paypal. I went out for the day and just got back to my computer to find a refund to my card, and an e-mail from him saying he didn't make enough money on them and that I couldn't have them.

I though an e-bay auction was a contract. Is that allowed? Can he just decide he didn't make enough money and not sell me my tickets?

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:11pm

If he had it set at a "buy it now" price or it was a regular auction, it's legally binding. Contact E-bay.

If he had a reserve price set and you didn't bid high enough for that reserve, technically you didn't win the auction even if you were the highest bidder, and he's under no obligation.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:13pm

No reserve, simply a minimum bid.

I'm going to call ebay Monday morning.

[jasonf]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:24pm

Yeah, he has to give you the tickets unless it was a reserve...

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:24pm

Thanks guys :)

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:30pm

And if you get the chance, leave a big negative message, those red dots stick out like sore thumbs.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:31pm

That's a no-no. You need to make a formal complaint.

[DAME]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:33pm

Make a complaint and post negative feedback. Make your complaint immediately.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:39pm

Are they like open now?

Ohhhh feedback has been left...

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:39pm

double post

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 10:39 PM

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:46pm

Were you able to find a phone number for them? I would go into the Help section on Ebay and click on the contact us link.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 10:55pm

I couldn't find any phone numbers, I sent an e-mail, but I don't know if it's to the right department. I was able to find the ebay user agreement. It states:

5.2 Binding Bids. Except for items listed in a category under the Non-binding Bid Policy, if you receive at least one bid at or above your stated minimum price (or in the case of reserve auctions, at or above the reserve price), you are obligated as the seller to complete the transaction with the highest bidder upon the auction's completion, unless there is an exceptional circumstance, such as: (a) the buyer fails to meet the terms of your listing (such as payment method), or (b) you cannot authenticate the buyer's identity.

5.3 Fraud. Without limiting any other remedies, eBay may suspend or terminate your account if we suspect that you (by conviction, settlement, insurance or escrow investigation, or otherwise) have engaged in fraudulent activity in connection with the Site.

He said nobody bid because they "couldn't see" the item description, but that's rediculous as I viewed it on both MAC and PC. He has now gone in and removed the item description.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6566153735&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

I AM SO FLIPPING MAD!

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:03pm

I don't suppose you printed out the auction before or after bidding? Then you'd have proof that the description was visible. Ebay may be able to see the times an auction has been altered. Good luck and let us know what happens.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:07pm

You can still print it off. The auction stays on there for like 2 weeks later, it just says ended. Make sure you send them a copy of the email that he sent you!

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 11:07 PM

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:08pm

Of course this is the one time that I DIDN'T print it, because I was on my laptop.

I don't like this guy. And I was nooooot nice in my e-mail to him which will probably hurt me in the long run.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:09pm

JerseyGirl- he went in and edited it.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:10pm

meagan9848, I must say, I cracked up when I read "BUY FROM A TRUSTED POWERSELLER!" in the seller info.

Ok, I think I found the right place. When you're on your My ebay screen, there's the "My ebay views" sidebar on the left side of the screen. One of the last choices is "Dispute Consule".

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:10pm

JerseyGirl, he got rid of the description, so what she saw earlier is no longer listed. I'm surprised he was able to do that, though.

[zzannahk]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:14pm

A seller CANNOT edit the item once a bid has been made, there is some type of lock on it. impossible to do. i know, ive tried to edit after recieving questions so i wouldn't have to keep answering all the messages.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:22pm

I am sorry, I didn't read enough. I tried to edit something after a bid had been made and you cannot take away from it, only add something to it. Ohhhh, his item description was done in a pic. That was his mistake, not ebay's.

I can't see any way that ebay could make him give over the tickets. He gave you your money back. As horrid as it is, the most that they will probably do is suspend his account. I really hate this for you.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:26pm

Exactly. He can add something to it. All he had to do was add 1 character that would make his HTML code for the picture leading to the description not work.

skittles- you can't do that until the auction has been over for 10 days.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:55pm

if there was a reserve, and it wasn't met he coulnn't have paid..so, there was no reserve.....so I'd file a complaint with EBAY. He IS legally responsible for selling those tix, however not sure what else you can do.....except tell anyone you know his screenname, so they will not buy from him, AND....if you can leave VERY bad feedback

Updated On: 10/1/05 at 11:55 PM