S/O: Am I in the wrong?

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

So. I posted up a rather expensive amplifier on eBay. Someone won it at auction, kept in contact. Then suddenly, they went silent, refusing to respond to messages. After a week, eBay cancelled the transaction automatically. The buyer was furious one week later on. I told them, I will relist the article at Buy It Now at time X so they can buy it easily (I'm sure there's a better way of doing it, but I don't know how). Someone else jumped right in and bought it outright. Now the initial buyer is angry. I can't go back on the second transaction. Thing is, if only the initial buyer had paid on time, we wound't be in this mess. I have recommended a superior amp at the same price.

I feel guilty, probably for good reason.

 

[Smugpugmug]

As a fellow ebay seller, I don't think you're in the wrong. The initial buyer refused to keep in contact with you and did not pay in time, so they were not entitled to that item anymore once you relisted the item. This is why I usually just stick to listing items as Buy it Now. They don't sell as fast from my experience but it saves a lot of the headache that comes from auctions.

 

[fla4fun]

I don’t see where you were in the wrong as far as the initial transaction, as you stated eBay cancelled it automatically when it wasn’t completed by the buyer. The fault lies with the buyer.

As far as the second listing, again, I do not see where you are at fault. I would not recommend taking a transaction outside of eBay, because you have no protections or recourse if the buyer is involved in fraud. That could be why they were so upset. If they really wanted it, they should have been logged in and refreshing for a few minutes prior to the time you were relisting the item. If they weren’t willing to do that, and another buyer snapped it up, well, that’s on them, not you.

You did all you could do as far as giving them the relisting info, so don’t feel guilty. If a person needs to have guaranteed access to an item, they need to go to a brick and mortar store, not an auction website.

 

[KayMichigan]

Yeah, ebay's pretty clear to buyers that they have a deadline to pay or forfeit the purchase.

Did they ever say why they went silent?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Yeah, ebay's pretty clear to buyers that they have a deadline to pay or forfeit the purchase.a

Did they ever say why they went silent?

Nope. And it's not like I didn't try to get a dialogue going - I sent two invoices, numerous pings, numerous messages... he only got in touch a week after eBay closed the transaction.

 

[ronandannette]

So. I posted up a rather expensive amplifier on eBay. Someone won it at auction, kept in contact. Then suddenly, they went silent, refusing to respond to messages. After a week, eBay cancelled the transaction automatically. The buyer was furious one week later on. I told them, I will relist the article at Buy It Now at time X so they can buy it easily (I'm sure there's a better way of doing it, but I don't know how). Someone else jumped right in and bought it outright. Now the initial buyer is angry. I can't go back on the second transaction. Thing is, if only the initial buyer had paid on time, we wound't be in this mess. I have recommended a superior amp at the same price.

I feel guilty, probably for good reason.

Totally not in the wrong. Don't give it another thought.

 

[KayMichigan]

Nope. And it's not like I didn't try to get a dialogue going - I sent two invoices, numerous pings, numerous messages... he only got in touch a week after eBay closed the transaction.

Hmm! Well, he had his chance!! He's lucky you tried to fix it by posting it again, that was nice of you. But he's the one that blew it.