Has Anyone Ever Pulled Out Of A Sale Of Something You Were Selling?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
April 30, 2011 4:54pm CST
I'm talking about pulling out at the last minute here.
In my case it was on Ebay. Someone bid for an item right at the death, won it, I sent an invoice..no payment.
Now, this person is a "newbie" so I gave them the benefit of the doubt but have had no communication at all..and that was after I'd taken the trouble to weigh it to find out what the exact postage would be.
Granted, the item wasn't brand new and cosmetically challenged but DOES work. I mentioned all this in the description so I wasn't being dishonest in any way. I have since offered the item to the next highest bidder but they didn't buy it either.
How much was the sale to the first potential Buyer? Around £25, not exactly a small fortune but to me, actually, a fair amount of money.
Serves me right for selling something for a wonderful amount of money in the past, singing Ebay's praises..then I'm brought back down to earth again with a big *thump*!"
Has this ever happened to you? It doesn't have to be an Ebay sale, it could be a "real life sale" of anything, really, including houses!
Serves me right for selling something for a wonderful amount of money in the past, singing Ebay's praises..then I'm brought back down to earth again with a big *thump*!"
Has this ever happened to you? It doesn't have to be an Ebay sale, it could be a "real life sale" of anything, really, including houses!3 people like this
14 responses
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
1 May 11
I sell on ebay and yes it has happened to me. Go ahead and file a claim with the resolution center on ebay. That way you get credit for your final value fees. No reason to have to pay them if the item didn't sell. You also might be able to relist the item for no cost. I sell mostly buy it now, when someone doesn't pay I file a claim. Fees on ebay are high enough, got to stay on top of it. Good luck if you relist the item.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
1 May 11
I relisted a couple of other items but they didn't sell for the second time, even though I was offering both for less money than I did the first time round. I am reluctant to go down this route again for that reason but may give it some serious thought later down the line...thanks.
Yes, I have gone through the resolution centre which gives the "Buyer" another 4 days in which to pay up. If that doesn't happen - like you say, I shall not be liable for fees.
I would never give a person the runaround like this, it's not as though the Ebay site is difficult to understand is it?
Oh, well, the item is at least wrapped up and ready to be posted if the person coughs up the cash lol.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
1 May 11
Gosh sorry to hear this and yeah on a larger scale actually. My house. I had it on the market for almost two years and two interested parties. One was going to be a brand new first time buyer while the other it was their second home. So long and behold my realtor thought the new owner would be best because they would likely be approved better base on their credit history. Okay hardworkinggurl patiently awaits and the closing was set for 3 weeks from the day and bam, she pulls out. Not a happy ending for me in the end either.
Not exactly on the same scale as Ebay but I do know the feeling of disappointment with a what was suppose to be a sure sale.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
1 May 11
Sorry to hear about your house, that must've been a frustrating time for you.
I have just contacted Ebay and they've sent her some kind of reminder that will expire in 4 days and if he/she doesn't pay up, I won't be liable for any fees, so that's something I suppose.
I'd prefer it if I received the £27 though, for obvious reasons.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
It's been a day already that I put the reminder in and still nothing..but I have another 3 days to go. Not hopeful though.
I am glad I've been able to help someone else (you) about all this so at least every cloud has a silver lining, as they say over here lol.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
1 May 11
I am glad though that you will not be responsible for the fees, I did not know this and thanks for letting me know as I am new at Ebay. I hope she decides to pay up, sadly it is Yeah, it sold and then nothing. 
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
1 May 11
Yes, Ive had this happen to me more than once. It's always a possibility that you'll get some deadbeat bidding on your item/s. You can of course submit a non-paying bidder claim to Ebay and get a credit for the fees. You can then relist the item and hopefully get a decent seller. You can also block all people with zero or negative feedback from bidding on your items which will help to weed out the timewasting deadbeats.
Hope that you have better luck next time! 
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
The thing is I don't think I can submit negative feedback for the deadbeat as my item was the first they bid on..therefore it shows 0 next to the name. Perhaps the person joined eBay for a laugh, then rubbed my nose in it, not paying up.
I have submitted a non-paying bidder claim and there are 3 days to go before the deadline is up. I'm not convinced the money will be forthcoming but if it isn't, as least I won't have to pay any fees.
@derek_a (10874)
•
2 May 11
Yes Janey.. Back in 2008 we were a week away from completing the sale on our house when it fell through. We already had another house lined up and gone a long way into getting it all signed, sealed and delivered, but of course we had to withdraw from that sale. The problem was that we had to find the money to pay for all the work the solicitors had done and we had problems with that. Luckilly because we left our house on the market, the solicitor agreed to wait until we did sell, which we did a year later and moved to a different house. The solicitor kindly reduced the fees for our first lost sale, so it wasn't so bad for us. Now we don't need to look back as we've got a better house for less money, than the first one we almost bought. Fate perhaps.. _Derek
_Derek@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
Hi Derek, yes it could well be fate my friend, something I am a great believer in. Of course, you wouldn't know that at the time would you and it's great your solicitor was the compassionate sort.
Good for you that you found somewhere better...it happens on "Location, location, location" all the time lol.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
1 May 11
Please file a non-paying bidder complaint with eBay. Being new to eBay does not excuse the lack of communication. This person may not even be new, but may be operating under several ID's. You will not be reimbursed for your fees unless you file the complaint, and by not filing, you are telling this person that what he did is acceptable. The only downside is that you won't be able to relist until eBay makes a decision, but that usually doesn't take too long. I have had this happen a couple of times in the years I've been selling on eBay and it upsets me a great deal as I count on the money I earn to help buy groceries and gas. I have always had better luck relisting than offering to the next bidder. With the current selling environment being so poor, if you have something that gets bids, get it listed again!
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
2 May 11
eBay is indeed a mystery in many ways...lol. They will, however, refund your initial listing fees if/when your bidder doesn't pay. Too bad people have to do that sort of thing. If something happened, they should have been adult enough to let you know, and take the hit for it.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
That last sentence is very interesting, thank you! I did indeed get other bids for the item but could only offer it (initially) to the second-highest bidder, who also didn't really seem interested.
Bearing that in mind, if it doesn't sell to the original winner (as I have filed a non-paying bidder complaint to Ebay) I will consider re-listing it.
It's already boxed up ready to go and I now know the postage on it so it may be a worthwhile thing to do. Why Ebay can't relist it for free though, is a mystery.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
1 May 11
That actually happens a bit on Ebay I think, but don't they have to legally buy it if they are the winning bidder? I thought that Ebay took care of that and could ban them if they dd not pay for it?
It has not happened to me at all and I am hoping that it does not right now as we have just sold our house finally. We are in the process of signing the contract now, so I am hoping that the timing of your discussion is not some sort of omen!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
4 May 11
I had the most amazing week. It was pretty incredible really and hard to explain how I feel. More relaxed about life's little problems I guess would sum it up. I am raring to go alright. I did barefoot running every morning at 6am in the mud and rain, followed by yoga and felt great by the end of the week. It was the first time that I had run for exercise since I was a child!
I am going to get back into yoga and get into running barefoot a few times a week.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
I have every confidence all will be well with you and the sale of the house my friend.
You seem to be luckier than me with selling decisions.
How did your little trip away go? Are you suitably revitalised and raring to go?
You seem to be luckier than me with selling decisions.
How did your little trip away go? Are you suitably revitalised and raring to go?
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 May 11
Well, that was one of the many reasons I quit selling on Ebay was due to people not wanting to pay. Even when you make a Complaint, etc. just the thought of someone not paying can be discouraging. That actually is one of the main reasons I have become a little leary about selling things online, and really wish that people could be a little more honest and follow thru for sure.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
30 Apr 11
You should raise a complaint with eBay. As far as I know, a bidder can't legally pull out. Have a look at the Terms (both for buyers and sellers). I think that you have some recourse (but I may be wrong - it's a while since I either bought or sold on eBay).
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Apr 11
I could complain, that is true but the one thing in the so-called Buyer's favour is the fact that they are new to Ebay. They could come up with allsorts of excuses. I asked, via a message on Ebay, if they were having trouble setting up a PayPal account, for example. I got no reply. Perhaps they didn't realise that winning a bid meant you had to buy the item, more or less immediately?
I dunno. It's even worse than selling something for 99p and yes, I've done that as well!
@Mickie30 (2626)
•
1 May 11
You need to contact Ebay and they will refund you of the listing amount. You should then be able to send out any second offers. Unfortunately there were no second offers. It is unfortunate that this has happened. Something similar happened to my mum and dad when they were buying their house. Someone tried to outbid them, but fortunately the seller gave the house to my parents.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
It was fortunate indeed what happened with your parents and the house. Good for them that they managed to win it in the end. I could do with some of their luck my friend.
@animegirl334 (3263)
• United States
1 May 11
I held a garage sale once and a person came by and said she wanted to to buy this basket. The basket was full and I emptied it for her but then she said that she didn't want it. 
Then she just left. I think that people should have the choice about what they spend their money on but they shouldn't tell someone that they are committed to a transaction unless they actually are.
Then she just left. I think that people should have the choice about what they spend their money on but they shouldn't tell someone that they are committed to a transaction unless they actually are. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
How frustrating that must've been for you..I'd have been livid if that'd happened to me.
A friend of mine once worked in a shoe shop and she told me it was a nightmare. One woman came in, tried on a whole host of shoes..then after all that she went for the very first pair she tried on..and in some cases not at all.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
I have taken up this issue with Ebay and the person has another 3 days now to pay up. If the payment isn't forthcoming at least I won't be liable for the fees of placing the item on Ebay in the first place, so I won't lose out financially.
I prefer the Buyer to pay up though, obviously.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
2 May 11
Well i usually the one pulling out of a sale(offline and online) But i usually say that even if i am interested in your product, I might pull out if i find something more appropriate or reasonable. And if somebody else got interested in that product then sell it to them and you will have no problem with me.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 May 11
Well, it was the lack of communication that upset me with this. At least you provide an honest reason for (maybe) pulling out of a sale and you have my respect for that.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Apr 11
I did sell something for a large amount recently so I was buoyed by the fact it went for what it was worth. I really thought I was on a bit of a roll. Since then, though I've not sold anything. Mum has a silver charm bracelet of mine that I shall pick up from her house the next time I see her and try selling that, as silver is becoming rare now.
I won't give up, that's for sure!
