I am so upset of this Ebay problem...

[zakatak]

Yesterday I caught a very last minute auction for 10 Disney pins. Since I had promised my DD to start her into pin trading before I realized my Disney Store stopped carrying pins , I thought this was a good idea... 10 pins for $19.99. So I bid in the last minute of the auction (when I saw it). After I bid, I reloaded the page and noticed that the origin was Belgium. I freaked because I do NOT want to accept any packages from outside the USA. Terrorism and my three little kids don't make for a happy match. So, I tried in the last minute to retract my bid. This all happened from when I saw the auction (2 min) to close. I couldn't retract the bid in time, so as soon as the auction ended, I emailed the seller and explained the situation and profusely apologized.

Well, his immediate email was rude and basically said, so what you won pay!. So, then I apologize again and attempt to explain again. He then sends this ebay email saying that I am playing jokes on ebay (I only have used ebay 22 times in 2 years - most of that is selling lol). That I did it because of Belgium's stance on the war (I have no idea of their stance... lol... I am trying to AVOID the war).

He keeps sending me nasty emails about this and leaving negative feedback (I could care less at this point as I think I am DONE with ebay!).

How can I stop him? This makes me so nervous... these people have my address. I am a complete wreck over this. Can sane people get so upset over $19.99? I offered to pay his relisting fee just so he leaves me alone.

Any words of advice or encouragement?

Panicking,
Karen

P.S. I know I was wrong, but I tried to retract, then apologized... I have been a seller... it is not the end of the world if someone doesn't pay, and at least he knew immediately, not two weeks down the road, you know?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I would contact Safe Harbor over this and explain your predicament.. if you have not paid him, he will not send you the item...that would be foolish... his only recourse is negative feedback and you can be one of many who just change their name if the negative feedback bothers you... I understand why you wanted to cancel your bid... Take care.

 

[epcotfan]

This is exactly why one must read the entire ad before bidding. I can also understand why the seller is upset. It takes at least 17 days before he can get a credit. A bid is a binding contract. I would pay the guy (then you fulfill your end of the contract) and wind up with some nice new pins for trading. I highly doubt the seller is a terrorist. Have you checked the person's feedback? He's more than likely frustrated because you sniped an item and now want to back out.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm agreeing with epcotfan. That is why you read the ad entirely, and carefully.

 

[Kallison]

I too think you should pay, if you don't want the pins just tell him to keep them. Like you said Would a sane person get upset over $19.99? I don't think it is worth all the agitation it is causing you. That is why I hesitate to use E-bay, I don't want anyone knowing my home address.

 

[sharbear]

I have to agree. Just pay for the pins and get it over with. I forget the exact wording on retractions but I am pretty sure that you cannot retract a bid in the final moments of an auction.

You cannot pay and get negative feedback, if that's what you want. Personally, I wouldn't worry about a package from Belgium any more than Detroit. I'll bet you there are more Arabic people in Detroit than the whole country of Belguim.

Now I am not knocking Arabic people, quite the contrary. We have a lot of people of Arabic descent in our community and they are great people who are just like you and me. I am just pointing out how absurb your comment is, to not accept a package from Belguim because of terrorists.

 

[swanmom]

Another suggestion...... I think anyone who is going to order from ebay more than once or twice should consider getting a post office box. I order from ebay sellers on ocassion but would only be willing to do this since I use my box address. Don't have to give my home address to anyone!

 

[caitycaity]

i agree that you should pay.

 

[MosMom]

Coming from a seller who has been stiffed one too many times it really is a pain to try to get your money back. Even when you DO get your final listing fee back you still can't get your original listing fee back. It is really frustrating to say the least. I don't harrass people for the money. I give them awhile then I file a Non-Paying Bidder complaint and negative feedback. If you don't mind taking those hits then don't pay him. Just remember some people make a living from selling stuff on eBay. Technically, it is your responsibility to fully read & understand the terms of the purchase before you bid. A bid is a legally binding contract and you bid 19.99. If you don't want a package from Belgium, that is fine. If you want the stress of it all to end, just pay the man and don't accept the pins if you are afraid of receiving the mail.

I know that doesn't sound fair to you but it certainly isn't fair to him either and he didn't make the bid.

 

[Planogirl]

Is there some problem with Belgium that I haven't heard about? I don't understand why the seller being from Belgium makes any difference.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

If he has already left negative feedback then the damage is done. You can block his emails from your server. And contact ebay if he continues to harass you.

He can only leave feedback once for an auction so I am not understanding the part about he keeps leaving negative.

I am not debating the merits of not paying but if the damage is done then well it's done.

Planogirl - she feels uncomfortable and that is her right. No debate just a statement of fact on her part. Each of us has a comfort level if yours is such that you don't mind then so be it but why try to berate someone for theirs.

 

[danacara]

Safeharbor won't help you because technically, the seller is right in this instance. You bid, you clicked the box that said you'd read the terms and conditions, and now you're liable to pay.

 

[caitycaity]

Each of us has a comfort level if yours is such that you don't mind then so be it but why try to berate someone for theirs.

i don't think planogirl was berating anyone. she was just asking a question.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I have to agree that you should pay.

 

[disneychrista]

The only thing I think you can do is to contact Ebay and explain to them that you bid in error and that the seller is harrassing you. Be sure to include the sellers name and the auction # if you do email Ebay. I am sure you are not the only person who has bid on something to only realize after the fact that the auction was not from the US. Good Luck.

 

[dandave]

Another agreement that you should just pay. I'd send the $19.99 to the seller and tell him to keep the pins.

 

[zakatak]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will just pay for the pins... it will be fine, I guess. At least it will be fun getting rid of them at Disney, eh?

ok...

P.S. There is nothing wrong with BELGIUM, in upon itself... it is just a country outside the USA. Other than Canada, I would have a problem with any country. Just petrified, is all.

Thanks,
Karen

 

[Mom-to-3]

I always look carefully when I see an auction ending with a very low price and/or few bidders. Sometimes it's because something good is slipping by -- other times it means that everyone else has read/looked carefully and didn't bid for a reason. I would accept the package, enjoy the pins, and try to move on.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by TIGGERSMOM
Planogirl - she feels uncomfortable and that is her right. No debate just a statement of fact on her part. Each of us has a comfort level if yours is such that you don't mind then so be it but why try to berate someone for theirs.

I wasn't trying to berate anyone. I thought maybe something had happened in Belgium that I wasn't aware of. So in turn kindly please don't berate me for asking a simple question.

Thanks caitycaity. And good luck Karen.

 

[lynxstch]

contact ebay if the seller has sent you emails threatening you with negative feedback..forward the entire mail to ebay..that is against ebay rules..the reason you couldn't retract your bid..is that no retractions are allowed within 12 hrs of the end of an auction..also..your reason isn't an allowable one..the really only acceptable one they will take is that you bid the wrong amount..and you have to rebid in the correct amount..retractions stay on your record for 6 months I believe
now as far as paying..you are responsible for the auction..you bid..whether or not you read the auction terms at the time..the seller is within his rights to file a non paying bidder alert against you and to leave you negative feedback..however you may also leave negative feedback for him..first try to settle the matter with him..make sure that he marks the package clearly so you know what you are accepting..and if possible..have him send it some way that you have to sign or have confirmation of the delivery..then if he doesn't send it..you will have recourse with ebay..
Lastly..if you use paypal and the seller accepts it..use a credit card to pay..then if the seller falls thru on his end..you can do a charge back with paypal..and if that fails..with your credit card company..I really don't think that $20 for 10 pins is an outrageous price for Disney pins..
Please read all auctions carefully before bidding..I am a seller and a buyer both..and have been on both sides of the situation..
Good Luck!..let us know how it turns out!!