posted on October 25, 2000 11:37:51 AM new
Last night during the turmoil just so happened I had a bunch of auctions to close. I was swamped with emails from people wanting to make bids and couldn't. And of course their bids were for higher than what it actually closed for. I went to Ebay cafe and asked for advise. I was told since it wasn't a Major 2 hour outage I had to go with what happened. One bidder doesn't see it that way. She wants the item and wants to pay $20 more than the auction closed at. Another item sold realllllll cheap and of course I have to mail it to Japan. Question is do I even consider contacting ebay to see if I have to honor these closed auctions? is it worth the time?
Helpppppp!
posted on October 25, 2000 11:46:58 AM new
I feel so bad for you. I know these outages are out of control. I would email eBay for a refund. I also would not sell any item you do not feel comfortable selling for a low price. I suggest you set up an account on Yahoo, because these outages wont stop anytime soon. I suggest any person that eBay wont refund their fees contact better business.
posted on October 25, 2000 11:55:08 AM new
TnGiGi...it depends on how many negs you are willing to recieve.
Since eBay is not extending the auctions, the final bid is what they accept. If you can find some sympathy from the high bidders, then you can relist them with a clear conscience. However, if the high bidders want the item and you don't ship, then they can leave you a negative.
As far as the high bidder from Japan, do your auctions state no international bidders?
As far as the bidder that wanted to bid but couldn't get in, well that's what can happen when you wait until the last minute. If you decide to relist, you may want to let them know the new auction number and encourage them to bid their max and to bid early.
**********************
That's Flunky Gerbiltush to you!
posted on October 25, 2000 12:04:16 PM new
Don't bother asking ebay, their response is "a closed auction must be honored".
I hate to say this, but sellers either need to leave ebay, use higher minimum bids/reserves, or be prepared to have this happen. I really can't see giving sellers the option of when to honor auctions or not, since that will really destroy the "honor system" that ebay is (sort of) built upon. Once you give sellers sole discretion in choosing to sell an item or not, it all breaks down. After all, in this case, while ebay may be "at fault" for their poor system, but on the other hand(s), perhaps the buyers are "at fault" for not bidding early (one negative consequence of the sniping bidding strategy), and perhaps you are "at fault" for not using a reserve.
I'm sorry for you and the bidders who want to pay more, but that's just life at ebay sometimes. If you don't sell, expect a rash of negative feedbacks.
posted on October 26, 2000 12:50:33 AM new
Thank you for all the input. It really worked out fine. I emailed high bidder and told her about the emails. Told her she could even sell to the one of the ones that wanted to bid. Nah..... something she collects. Fine with me. I was happy with winning bid anyway. I just had to experience it. LOL. You are right about "seller-power".
I agree. Everything is worked out: I sold as Ebay closed it. - A bidder learned to bid earlier in the ball game. - I learned what to do next time. - Winning bidder has lovely Butterfly quilt top.
posted on October 26, 2000 03:42:57 AM new
It was possible to get to everything using http://www.ebay.co.uk/
If you have really bad bids near closing next time go in that way and cancel your bids and relist.
posted on October 26, 2000 05:03:16 AM new
Since the outages have become more frequent, I will add the disclaimer to my auctions "Due to the recent eBay outages difficulties, I reserve the right to nullify any auction that ends during one of the recurring outages. I hope that you understand (you could have been the bidder unable to bid)and please accept my apology for any inconvience caused by our eBay friends. I realize that the high bidder can neg me but I ask your forebearance in this matter.
You realize that putting that disclaimer is likely to tick off buyers, and reduce your bids? I sure wouldn't bid on your item, knowing that you, at your sole discretion, could refuse to sell to me, in direct contradiction to ebay rules. In fact, I don't know that you aren't putting yourself in danger of being sanctioned by ebay if you get turned in. Ebay's response will be "use a higher starting bid or a reserve"....
posted on October 26, 2000 06:32:00 AM new
CaptainK,
Your points are both well articulated and factual and I have carefully considered my choices. I'll take my chances with ebay and my bidders and my disclaimer until ebay can supply a more stable auction venue that sellers/buyers can have confidence in.
