HELP..DS just ordered something on Ebay!!

[imsayin]

i thought you could go into my ebay and cancel a bid if you needed to? it should have been in the congrats email you got. You arent supposed to you it unless it was an accident and since this was, i would try to use it....

That is for bids, not buy it now purchases. Once you bid on a buy it now, it is yours. I have to side with the seller on this one. As an Ebay seller, it gets very frustrating at Christmas time with a lot of non-payers and new Ebay buyers making mistakes. This is only made worse by the fact that if you are trying to complete your sales before the holiday, these transactions eat up time and potential profits.

 

[barbeml]

Wow, bizarre story.

Maybe it was a "Buy It Now" transaction? That still involves at least two clicks in just the right spot. Maybe your kid is a genius!

 

[poohfriend]

then he could have just hit the enter key TWICE.

it's hard to mistakenly order something. there are warnings and verifications. this is why the seller is having difficulty believing your story.

i believe you. hey, just the other day my 2 year old climbed up on the counter top, opened a "child proofed" cabinet, opened a rubbermaid container and poured 5 lbs of flour all over the floor in about 2 minutes. It took 45 minutes to clean up because as I swept part of it, he would run through it...(we live in the South..that's about as close to snow as he'll get!) In the end I just got out the camera and laughed. It was EVERYWHERE! Kithchen and the nearby den.

Hope this will be one of those stories you laugh about with him when he grows up.

I'm sure you don't have the extra money this time of year. If you really don't want to mess with re-listing, offer to paypal the seller $6 and let him re-list. I'm guessling his listing fees are less than $2 and selling fees about the same. If he has a store his listing fee is pennies! Anyway, $6 should cover it and give him something for the aggrevation. He'll probably still file for his fees back with ebay (and just say it was mutually agreed on) so he'd be $6 ahead and sell the sleeping bag again. (I think you might not get the full price back on the sleeping bag by the time you consider selling fees.)

Like others on this board I question someone who charges a lot for shipping. He's trying to sap handling fees. I'm guessing the sleeping bag would be at least half of what he's charging. He's not likely to let you "off the hook for nothing." In his mind, dealing with all the hassle of re-listing is worth something for his time.

Good luck!

 

[Blondiex46]

this is what we did when I bid on something (disney world tickets and wanted a 2 day not a 3 day and bid on a 3 day) I apologized profusely, tell them that it was an honest mistake.....and they told e-mail that we mutually agreed not to sell/buy and they didn't have to pay anything and I got no negative feedback, maybe the seller doesn't know that. If he makes you pay it YOU can leave feedback also, explaining what happened for all to look at...

 

[ceecee]

What I don't get is exactly how he did this if he can't read. You usually have to type in a bid amount, and when I'm buying on Ebay I always get a prompt to re-enter my password when I bid...

Exactly....How did he know your password? Anyway if it was my DS who did that, we would be the proud owners of a new Power Ranger Sleeping Bag!
As a seller I too would not be pleased, I have heard that excuse just too many times (another one is the sister in law, girlfriend, friend). It is a contract once you bid. I would pay him and have a talk with your DS. Then maybe you can resell it. At the very least pay the fees he is out.

 

[summerrluvv]

How did he actually get to the power rangers sleeping bag? I would've thought something had to be typed in to get to that particular item or even to the guy's store, no?

I would just pay the seller's listing fee and be done with it. If he leaves you a negative, just make a new ebay name. You shouldn't have to purchase anything else out of the store to appease him. I think your offer was fair enough.

 

[shades]

How did he actually get to the power rangers sleeping bag? I would've thought something had to be typed in to get to that particular item or even to the guy's store, no?

I would just pay the seller's listing fee and be done with it. If he leaves you a negative, just make a new ebay name. You shouldn't have to purchase anything else out of the store to appease him. I think your offer was fair enough.

The guy lost his time - that's it. He can get his fees back by filing a non-paying bidder or cancelling the transaction. If he leaves you negative feedback, then start over with a new ID. Mistakes happen and this guy is trying to guilt trip you into spending $ at his "store." This is all a part of doing business on Ebay. I believe it is possible for your son to click his way through a transaction without being able to read. Once you are logged into Ebay, you do not have to re-enter your password and with a "buy it now" - there is only one more "button" to push and computer savvy kids know to push buttons to get to where they want to be. My 15-yr old nephew recently purchased something off Ebay by "accidentally" (that's his story and he is sticking to it;o) clicking through too many buttons and he immediately had "buyer's remorse" because he didn't have the funds to cover his purchase and got into big trouble;o)

Anyway - my point is - don't let this guy guilt trip into spending $35 plus his shp/hldg fees when it was a mistake in the first place.

 

[Bevin]

Like others on this board I question someone who charges a lot for shipping. He's trying to sap handling fees. I'm guessing the sleeping bag would be at least half of what he's charging. He's not likely to let you "off the hook for nothing." In his mind, dealing with all the hassle of re-listing is worth something for his time.

Good luck!

Actually, I just sold a children's sleeping bag on ebay and charged $9 for shipping. It actually ended up costing $11.20 Fed Ex ground from Tx to MA. So $12 for shipping on a child's sleeping bag is not unreasonable.

 

[mum4jenn]

I can understand the seller not believing the story though because every 7 year old I have been around (I work in a school) knows how to read at that age!!

 

[summerrluvv]

I can understand the seller not believing the story though because every 7 year ol I have been around (I work in a schol) knows how to read at that age!!

I know quite a few 7 year olds (and almost 7 year olds, mine included) that can't read well enough to understand an ebay auction.

 

[imsayin]

The guy lost his time - that's it.

I disagree with this. First of all, he lost his listing fees. Secondly, at this time of year, you can get a higher price for your merchandise, so if he can't relist the item in a timely manner before the holidays, he may lose money in product value. JMO.

 

[hsmamato2]

Eaby works best when people who sell and or bid are trustworthy, and follow through on their obligations. (not saying you're not trustworthy)The op's son bought- she's obligated to buy, even if it is overpriced. Good advice, log off before you let a munchkin play with the buttons. I buy and sell, and have been in both places, when I get something i don't want, I list it again the instant I recieve, and at least recoup some money on an item i didn't want- but if I bought it, I know i have to pay. it's the right thing to do.

 

[CheapMom]

I would just pay the seller's listing fee and be done with it. If he leaves you a negative, just make a new ebay name. You shouldn't have to purchase anything else out of the store to appease him. I think your offer was fair enough.

I totally agree- it is a brand new account- it is not like you are messing up a great feedback rating that you have worked hard to create- your offer is fair.

 

[DMRick]

The guy lost his time - that's it. He can get his fees back by filing a non-paying bidder or cancelling the transaction. .

No, he can't get back his listing fees, unless this resells on the second try. And then, it's just the listing fee, not the gallery, or buy it now or any other fees. And of course he has to file to get the end of listing fee back. And time (even if that were all he lost) can be valuable..now he has to relist, prob sent you a note about the end of listing, may have removed it from his inventory. It's a pain.

I am always logged into eBay, (I click the keep me logged in) and even if I just placed a bid, it still asks for my password for each and every bid. It really isn't that easy to make a mistake and bid, so I can understand the seller's frustration.

I think he was nice to offer you something comparable, since it still means extra work for him. The bid was made, and if the seller isn't agreeable to you paying just the listing fees, then, the responsibility is yours to purchase. You could start over, but that doesn't erase the unfairness to the seller.

 

[bgirldeb]

Wow- you have a smart DS!

If this guy's only issue is because it was a contract- a 7 y/o can not legally enter into a contract. That would not hold up in a court of law.

I wouldn't buy the sleeping bag- certainly not for your DS, since he needs to learn that he can't just go buy things on the computer. I also wouldn't buy anything else from the seller. Paying the seller his fees is more than enough to be fair on your part. You could have DS "pay" you then $ back through extra chores, etc.

And, like the others mentioned, if this affects your rating, just open up a new account. I think you would have done more than enough to reconcile. You should not be pushed into buying something from his store.

 

[Brier Rose]

Believe me, I know this may be hard to believe..heck, it;s even hard for me to believe, but regardless this IS A TRUE STORY!!

Thank you to those that believed me. I mean really..WHY would I just make this up, and then post it here???

Like I said I am VERY new to Ebay. I have never even been on Ebay until yesterday, so forgive me if I was stupid enough to not have my guard up around my DS.

I didn't even know I was logged in! All I know is, I checked my email. I had received my confirmation registration email, so I clicked on the link to fiinsh up the registration process, which then took me back to ebay, and I started looking around. My DS came and got in my lap, and we were looking at pictures together in the buyer ebay store. I had to leave the room for a minute, and sat the lap top down. The was a line of rotating pictures at the bottom of the screen that you could make stop by placing your cursor over it, and then if you wanted to see the bigger picture you click on it.

That is what he did, and then apparantly when he couldn't get back to where the rest of the pictures were, he started clicking buttons. I went back and looked at the page, and the buy it now button is a big gray button beside the picture. I can easily see why he would have clicked on it!

I could NOT careless about the negative feedback issue. I have spent a many a year without ebay, and don't plan to become an ebay shopper now. I only registered yesterday because there was something I wanted to purchase for DS that I couldn't find in the store.

And yes...my DS is 7, and cannot read yet. He just turned 7, his bday was the end of OCT. We homeschool (bring it on ), and made the decision to not start K5 until he was 6. He is doing great so far, but no he cannot read.

I know it was a accident, MY mistake, and I could even see why the seller would not believe the story, but I know that it's true, and that's all that matters to me. Geez is a little compassion really that much to ask. Believe me, I run my own business, as well as my DH. Things don't always go smoothly. I am just shocked that this is such a big deal.

I have decided to send the seller a check for $15.00. that's half the price of the item which he will still have and be able to resell.
I feel responsible for this mess, but not so much so that I'm going to be guilted into doing something that I don't want to do. He can take the check if he wants, and give me all the negitive feedback he wants. Guess I'll be banned from ebay forever..how will I survive???

 

[ohiominnie]

And yes...my DS is 7, and cannot read yet. He just turned 7, his bday was the end of OCT. We homeschool (bring it on ), and made the decision to not start K5 until he was 6. He is doing great so far, but no he cannot read.

I'm trying to think back....I don't think my ds was a great reader at 7. We also homeschool and he was an "almost 6" when we started kdg. He could read *some*....like the beginning reader books, but only those short words that followed every rule. I think, statistically, that boys are later to read than girls and while my dd as reading fluently at age 7, my son was not.

I hope that no one turns this into an issue about homeschooling and kids being able to read. That has nothing to do with it. My nephew struggled to read until he was about 12. Now he's an honor roll student. Public school, btw!

Brier Rose, !! Do what you can do. If need be, start over on ebay. Talk with your ds about clicking on things he doesn't know what they are (as someone mentioned, adult sites are too easy to get to on the net)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A few years ago my late wife received an e-mail for something similar. Here is what she received, her response, and the reply. The situation is not quite the same, but think about it.
---------------------
dear judy,

i wanna first thank you for selling my daughter the winnie the pooh ornament.... but i have a problem i let my daughter use ebay to buy one thing she wanted but she went on last night and buy 3 items and she dont have the money to pay for them... i told her before that this isnt a game that she can play around with... so i was wondering if you can do me a big favor and let my daughter go and relist your item im really sorry about all this trouble please forgive my daughter.... i dont think she really realize what was going to happen. i hope you understand what happened and do me this really big favor

please let me know how you feel??

steve x

------------------------------

Dear Mr. X:

I am sorry that you feel you are unable to honor your obligation. You have asked that I relist the item for sale. As you may be aware, I have already paid eBay the listing fee, gallery fee, and commission on sale. As the sale has been made, to list this again I would have to pay another listing fee, another gallery fee, and IF it sells, another commission. This is a Christmas-type item, and we basically have passed this year's Christmas season.

My husband, who is the security officer for a large federal accounting system, has told me that normally a person is held responsible for any actions taken with their User ID and Password. If another person enters the system with their User ID and password, it is either with the expectation that the owner will take full responsibility, or that the person hacked or stole the password and will be subject to criminal action. We assume that you do not want to take criminal action against your daughter, and so are willing to accept full responsibility for her actions.

At least she has only obligated you to a small ($9.99 + $5.00 shipping) amount, rather than something in the hundred dollar range. This may be a good time to give her a lesson in taking responsibility for one's actions. We assume that she receives an allowance, and/or has also been putting money away for a particular purpose. She should be aware that she has to use her own money to make the payments, and thus do without something else she wanted to spend money on.

I have noticed that you are a new user, with a positive feedback rating of six. I would hate to have to give you a negative feedback with a statement such as: "States daughter made bid. Refused to pay." as well as reporting this correspondence to eBay's Safe Harbor.

As I said before, I will not release you from this obligation. Please let me know promptly if you will be sending a check, a money order, or making payment by PayPal.

Sincerely yours, Judy T

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dear judy

first i wanna thank you for being so kind and understanding!!! second ill handle my daughter the way i want ok!!!! you will get you check

merry christmas thanks for being so nice!!!!!

Steve x

 

[bgirldeb]

A few years ago my late wife received an e-mail for something similar. Here is what she received, her response, and the reply. The situation is not quite the same, but think about it.

I think that letting your child use ebay to buy something versus them getting on it and clicking on pictures and buying something without your knowledge or their intention should have very different consequences.

 

[DMRick]

Thank you to those that believed me. I mean really..WHY would I just make this up, and then post it here???
:

I don't think you made it up that your son somehow placed a bid. I do wonder if perhaps he reads more than you think though, and saw you put in your password.
I understand you feel bitter, but believe me, you are hearing from sellers that get that said to them all the time, so we are explaining to you why the person on the other end is finding it hard to believe. I've had people who had a sudden death (and yet they continue to bid under the dead persons name), their cat pushed the button, their account was stolen, their child, sister aunt, etc bid without permission, etc. Just this week, I had a girlfriend bid (according to the bidder) and he was mad at me, for sending a npb notice. I had no idea..I assumed it was him (he did pay, he'll give the item to her for Christmas). All of these do after a while add up, and so it's hard to know who to believe and who not..so the seller decided he was holding you responsible. I would have just asked for selling fees, and I think you are being more than fair. However, I don't know what has gone on with this seller recently, and for him you may have been the one he decided to make keep the contract (the contract isn't the 7 year old, but the registered ebayer whose password it is). Sorry this has ruined what could be a fun time on eBay for you.