Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anybody here ever had a seller bail after winning an auction?


I won an auction (non-Ric) and won it at a stellar deal, IMO......though there were many questions posted with answers, and obviously many people watching, I was the only one who dropped a bid and got it for the opening price, which was far less than the seller's BIN price.

Basically, I think the seller was hoping and expecting to get much more for the guitar.


I sent a couple invoice requests and messages, but he has yet to contact me at all in the past 24 hours since the auction end. He was quick to respond to questions before the auction end though...

This ever happened to anybody else?

I don't want to drop money down on something if the seller isn't being communicative with me, but I don't want to "pass" on a great deal if it does work out....hmmmm?

I did this on one of my auctions because I broke the item as I was packing it. It could go either way here because the circumstances do sound suspicious. Good luck.

Your auction was on ebay. Before you pay the seller, request that he send you an invoice. If there is no communication in 3 days, you could file a dispute with ebay indicating that you are reluctant to pay seller because you haven't heard from him or received an invoice. I wouldn't walk away from the deal without first applying a bit of "reasonable" pressure. As the winner of the auction, you also have the ability to leave the seller feedback reflecting your experience with him/her.

I have had some reluctant sellers in years past, but nothing recently. I think sellers these days are a bit better informed about what their stuff is worth, so less balking when it just gets the minimum bid.

Seller beware!

Cool, thanks guys.


I don't want to let the deal go, it is worth pursuing, but I will certainly wait it out with pressure for a couple days.

Honestly---this is exactly why I use the BIN format, sometimes with the "best offer" feature. No funny business, or surprises---take it or leave it.

Just why an experience seller should be surprised or upset (or worse) because their item only recieved the opening bid is beyond me.....everyone knows how the system works, and they are entering a "legally bound" transaction (even though Ebay does little to enforce that..).

I won and paid for a brand new FMR RNP a year ago for a really really low price ($250) and then I got this from the seller:

Hi, thanks for bidding on this. Unfortunately I got mixed up and screwed up the price, it was supposed to be $450. This is a consignment item and there's not much I can do about it. I'm going to have to refund your cash. I sincerely apologize!

There wasn't anything I could do, the price was indeed too good to be so I believe it was an honest mistake (it was a BIN price...).

Gil, you should have filed a dispute with Ebay. The seller entered into a contract with them when he listed the item.

beatlefreak wrote:Gil, you should have filed a dispute with Ebay. The seller entered into a contract with them when he listed the item.

In my experience, eBay sides with the seller, no matter what the facts are, unfortunately ...

doctorwho wrote:

beatlefreak wrote:Gil, you should have filed a dispute with Ebay. The seller entered into a contract with them when he listed the item.

In my experience, eBay sides with the seller, no matter what the facts are, unfortunately ...

From my experience, it's always the opposite..

For example, you sell something, buyer has ANY problem with it and files a dispute = instant catering to the buyer from Ebay, they freeze your paypal funds etc.

In any case, I have the guy's phone number, so if I don't hear from him tomorrow I'll try calling.

In my experience if I am the buyer eBay sides with the seller. If I am the seller eBay sides with the buyer.

No kidding. I think they hate me.

billydlight wrote:In my experience if I am the buyer eBay sides with the seller. If I am the seller eBay sides with the buyer.

No kidding. I think they hate me.

With a guitar that looks like your BB how could they possibly hate you?

doctorwho wrote:

beatlefreak wrote:Gil, you should have filed a dispute with Ebay. The seller entered into a contract with them when he listed the item.

In my experience, eBay sides with the seller, no matter what the facts are, unfortunately ...

Seeing he's the one paying them I can see why.

Update-----seller turned out alright. I guess he went in Monday morning for an emergency oral-surgery, and has been out-of-it since then (also explains lack of phone answer).

He's sending it two-day, and I'll give an update when I get it!

Oh good. Congrats Collin.

winston wrote:Oh good. Congrats Collin.

Paranoia sure is fickle business.....I gotta watch it!

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.