OT... ebay RANT 'o-the-day

I was watching a 7-day auction for some "oddball parts" I REALLY needed and was expecting to "pay dearly" for them when I entered the bidding just before the end of the action.

I think the auction should still have 2 days left; but when I went to check on it a little while ago it had ended; with the note "The seller ended this listing early to sell to the high bidder(s) at current bid price." (ONE bid; about 1/10TH what I was prepared to pay for the parts; on behalf of a customer.)

So; now I get to deal with a "P.O.'ed" customer who was "tickled" I had found the parts and thought we had a "fair shake" at having a chance to bid on them.

I thought when you put up an auction on ebay it was for a fixed duration and couldn't be ended early except for a few "special" reasons.

Am I the dummy here; or is this a pretty "sucky" way to run an auction site; to permit stuff like this to go on; and the seller to remain in "good standing" on ebay?

I DID email the seller (not that that will serve ANY purpose other than to "get it off my chest").

Below is a copy of the email. Do you guys think I'm "out of line" here?

((((((Thanks for ending the auction early! I REALLY needed those parts and was expecting to get into some heated bidding before the end of the auction!

You probably saved me a lot of money!

I can't believe ebay lets crap like this go on. Every time something like this goes on my faith in how ebay works is further shaken and I don't have much faith left in ebay!

Thanks again and have a GOOD day.)))))))

First, I think anyone that doesn't bid what their maximum is right when they deiced that they're going to commit to bidding is falling into the "eBay Money Hole". The best thing you can do for your self is to know your limit, bid and then walk away, don't even watch the last day. It's crazy what some people will do when they get wrapped up in a bidding war. If you lost an item, and you really bid your maximum then you shouldn't feel bad.

Second, I think the "right" thing for a seller to do is be upfront about an item being for sale locally. What I mean is put it right in the listing, that way all the parties involved know what's going on.

Of course; if someone has put in a higher bid than your's early in the auction; or as a "snipe" you will not "win" the item NOR will you exceed the max amount you were willing to pay.

I can't see ANY way that "jumping in early" and revealing your interest to any other bidders early does ANYTHING except "fan the auction frenzy" and MOST Likely increase the final $$$$ of the auction.

kopeck;

How do YOU figure "jumping in early" increases either your chances of "winning" the auction OR getting the item "at the best price"?

(ASSUMING the seller has the integrity to let the auction run it's course... and if he doesn't maybe there's something else about the item he's not being "up front with" either.)

As far as tipping my hand, well I really don't care. Is there a chance that I could get item "X" for cheaper by playing the sniping game, sure, but by doing what I'm doing I've set my limit and pretty much knocked out anyone else from getting a steal.

It's an ugly game, there's more then one way to play it.

K

If something is offered on an auction then the auction should run to its scheduled end.

If someone has a price "they would take" for the item that price should be their "Buy it Now" price.

If the seller knows what he wants why not offer a "Buy it now" price.

He seems to have more moral character and integrity than a good percentage of the sellers on ebay!

"If the seller knows what he wants why not offer a "Buy it now" price."... WELL... epay charges for that option; too.

I just depends upon how much the seller wants to give up to epay in fees for every option.

I simply cannot understand what is so tough about letting the auction; for which fees have already been paid; run it's full course.

If someone local wants the item; why can't they bid on it like everyone elese? That would pretty much insure the seller getting the most out of the item; which you would ASSUME is why they listed it on ebay in the first place!

You posted:

"If you have it for sale elseware then IMO it should NOT be on Ebay at the same time!!!!! " I agree with you 100%.

The same thing (sort of) happened to me at a real auction Saturday - they ran a nice Massey Harris tractor through the ring - but no one bid including me - after the sale I tried buying it from the owner, but he wanted $1500 instead of the $500 opening bid I could have bought it for then...

That's his prerogative and my bad luck for not bidding when I had the chance...

Howard

He was reducing his farming operation and had just bought the auction company and appears to want to run a nice, honest, auction house...

HH

He DID answer my email... he said he shut it down early 'cause a local person... a good; regular customer wanted it.

Here's my "gripe".

It seems to me when an auction is listed on ebay it should HAVE to run it's course.

And; why should when a bid is placed; within that scheduled timeframe have ANY bearing on ebay ALLOWING the auction to be shut down early???

EXACTLY. I don't know why some of the other guys "don't get it" that these guys ending an auction early is really a form of "jerking around" interested buyers and wasting our time.

SOME of us expect folks to "follow the rules" and let the auction "run it's course".

If everyone on ebay screwed around like that and "chose their own auction length" it would sure be a mess!

I don't get why you think any rules were broken - Ebay's selling policy plainly states:

"If you cannot complete your listing as planned, you can end your listing before the scheduled date. If there are bids on your item, you can cancel them.

Reasons for ending listings early include:

The item is no longer available for sale. There was an error in the starting price or reserve amount. There was an error in the listing. The item was lost or broken."

It doesn't define a list of valid reasons on why an item may no longer be available...

You asked for folk's opinions - and my opinion is they could have ended the auction early, thrown it in a scrap barge to China just to get it out of the barn, and not owed anyone anything - if that's what they wanted to do with it...

Howard

You say: "I "get it" that you are mad you didn't get the item"

Actually YOU "don't get it". I'm NOT the LEAST BIT mad over not GETTING the parts. They are pretty hard to find; but there will be others! There was another auction of similar parts not too long ago; and I was outbid. Someone REALLY wanted them; and I have NO problem with that. The auction ran it's course and I was outbid. NO big deal. That's the way it works with an "auction". What I am MAD about is this auction being "pulled" before the alotted time for bidding was over.

There's a BIG difference between "CANNOT complete your listing as planned" and CHOOSING to jerk people around by ending the auction early just 'cuz you FEEL like it.

I understand there has to be a "way out" for the seller if the item is lost; stolen; or broken. That's NOT what we are talking about here.

As another poster said; how would the seller have liked it if I had "won" the auction and found the items from another (local) source; then told him "heck; I made other arrangements and I no longer want your items". BINGO!

Why should the seller be allowed to "back out" of the terms under which the auction was listed and remain in good standing on ebay; yet a person BIDDING on the auction is held to the terms of the auction???

Ebay states "your bid is a binding contract".

So why should LISTNG an item on ebay; under the terms you agree to (auction duration) when you listed it; be ANY LESS "binding"?

In other words; if it ain't REALLY for sale under the terms of the auction DON'T LIST IT!

Simple; Eh?

Just my humble opinion...

Howard H.

However; judging from some of the posts here; and emails I have received I am NOT alone in thinking items listed on ebay should REALLY be for sale; under the terms as listed.

"The seller ended this listing early to sell to the high bidder(s) at current bid price"

Sounds like the other guy that actually bid - got the item...

HH

I think ebay is way to lax with it's rules all the way around. And the dispute system is about as binding as a un security resoloution...

In other words.. ebay functions like sausage being made... after seeing it.. you don't want any part of it..

Soundguy

Just curious... what did you GAIN by pulling the auction early and selling the items just a day or two before the auction would have "run it's course"?

Wouldn't the guy have understood; and waited those couple of days for the item to come legitimately available?

I have been in the same situation and would have told the guy "I am in a commitment now; having listed them on ebay; but if they do not sell by (date) and the auction ends; they will be available for sale to you".

Call me stupid if you want; but that's how I was raised.. "my word is my bond".

I personally would NOT list something for sale unless it IS available for sale; under the terms listed (duration of auction).

I'm REALLY SURPRISED at some of the posts here.

You guys often complain about what goes on on ebay; yet if some of you were SELLING on ebay you would condone the same sort of "screwing around" that pi$$es off the rest of the folks around here!

On a similar note; a friend of mine has a (rather) valuable piece of farm equipment ($25000 to $30000) he no longer needs and listed it on an upcoming consignment auction with a local auction company.

Within a day or two; he was approached by a neighbor who hadn't realize it was for sale; with a GOOD offer.

He contacted the auction company; and was informed he had signed a "binding contract" for the piece of equiptment to be on the sale and he'd pay a good percentage of it's "estimated value" in "liquidated damages" if he sold it before the auction.

NO screwing around there!

WHY does eaby allow that???

He ended the auction with a bid of $49.95. Obviously; he didn't end the auction early to sell the good used items (which HAD to be worth at least $500.00 on the open market) for $49.95.

Not that it's MY concern; but ebay got screwed too; on the "final value fee". THAT is the part that usually "ticks off" the "fine folks" at ebay.

That's my point... there was more going on with that auction that "meets the eye".

Why does the SELLER get to "play games"; but the "buyer" is not supposed to???

If you don't complain to the source of the problem, there will not be anything done differently.

Since this was NOT a "best offer" auction; making him an offer DURING the auction to buy it "outside the auction" would be against ebay rules.

But; I guess this in NOT about "playing by the rules" or personal integrity; just what folks can "get by with".

The only drawback is will you get it? I purchased (won and paid for) a hydraulic cylinder that is about 120 miles away. You would think that after 7 days (per the seller it was dropped off and sent parcel post on the 21st) it would be on my doorstep.

Insurance (or the option to purchase) wasn't offered by the seller, and while we have had a great rapport over the past week I still don't have the cylinder I paid for. In all the dealings with sending/receiving items sold/bought through Ebay I've never had any problems. I've even had a return after the item wasn't as described... in this case seller has a great feedback rating and has replied to all of my emails. I wouldn't guess he has anything to hide so I have to believe he did ship it. He even claims to have put the addy on the cylinder should it break out of the box. Unless he put the wrong addy on it... but even if he got the state wrong the zip should steer it towards the right direction.

Parcel post has up to 9 days to deliver, so I'm going to give it a couple more. Still I'm going to guess item isn't going to show and I'm probably out $90. I guess there's a first for everything. I paid by credit card via paypal so I guess I could always dispute the charge.