Bait and Switch on Ebay

[DeeVeeEight]

I found what I thought to be a good deal on Ebay for 2 new in the box front Bilstein Sport shocks (item # 370195097981) for $79.38, so I used the Buy it Now feature and paid for them right away using my Pay Pal account. The next day I get a phone call from the seller asking me to contact them so I do, I get some guy named Brian on the phone and he informs me that they "Happy Motoring" AKA Just Suspension out of Denver, North Carolina posted the wrong price on Ebay and that he wants another $100.00 plus to complete the deal. I immediately informed him that this is known as "Bait and Switch" and is an illegal practice. He insisted that he needed another $100.00 and offered me free shipping if I agreed. I refused so he went on Ebay and canceled the deal and refunded the money to my Pay Pal account.
This is a blatant attempt at bait and switch and he got caught.

I know that he made a mistake on the advertised price. I have made mistakes in business and had to take a loss to maintain my integrity. I feel that he should complete the transaction at the advertised price, take the loss and chalk it up to experience. I would if I were in his place.

Maybe he didn't make a mistake and this is how he sells slow moving items?

 

[Twin_Turbo]

check if he re-lists with the same price and if so contact ebay.

 

[redvetracr]

did you check his feedback rating before you bid?? your negative makes 17 this month in addition to 7 neutrals.....I think I would still complain to ebay, they won`t care but at least you might feel better......

 

[DeeVeeEight]

I did check his feedback and yes, he is less than up to par. He especially seems to have trouble shipping to his customers in a timely fashion. I also checked to see his other current listings but ALL of his listings have been deleted.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

He'll close shop and start under a different name. The price on those bilsteins was too good to be true anyway.

 

[mrvette]

Had a ebary conflice over my green paint for the vette....

but supposedly resolved.....will see....

I will post of my experiences when the circle is closed....

or if any stupid delays over what I NOW think is settled....well....

the post will go another way....will see in a week or so...

:stirpot:

 

[DeeVeeEight]

He'll close shop and start under a different name. The price on those bilsteins was too good to be true anyway.

Of course it was! I was hoping that someone was trying to blow out some old stock. We have all sold stuff "short" just to be rid of it. I sold a used C3 rear for only $100.00 on Ebay just to clear some space out.

The upside to this is that I purchased a complete set of used Bilsteins for $100.00 about 2 hours before I tried to buy the new ones, so I am not totally without Bilsteins for the front of my 'Vette.....:noworry:

Anyone interested in a used pair of Bilsteins for the back of their 'Vette?

 

[DeeVeeEight]

Update - Ebays response

Surprisingly enough, I received this communication from Ebay.

Dear Lee,

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to happy.motoring demand for an
additional $100.00 above your winning bid amount.

I'm sorry to hear that this transaction has not gone as planned. To be
clear, the seller did not actually cancel the transaction. They
attempted to do so via the Dispute Console, but since you rightfully
declined their request, it was not canceled. The seller is still
obligated to sell the shocks to you for $79.38 plus $9.95 shipping.
However, we cannot compel them to do so.

In order for us to take action in these situations, we need verifiable
proof that they are refusing to sell the item, such as an email with the
full headers from the seller. Please realize that as an internet-based
company, eBay simply cannot verify that this seller has stated over the
phone that they refuse to sell you this item. However, I will note their
account regarding this matter for any future investigations of this
seller.

If you receive an email from the seller in the future, or a PayPal
refund notification, please send us a copy of the text of that email
along with the full headers. The headers serve as our proof of the
email's path and allow us to fully identify the sender.

I would also encourage you to leave appropriate Feedback to educate
other members about your experience with this seller.

Thank you for using eBay for your online trading needs.

Sincerely,

Darell
eBay Motors Customer Support



I forwarded a copy of the Pay Pal refund from Happy Motoring (aka Just Suspension) to Ebay.

 

[redvetracr]

In other words as long as he pays his monthly fees to ebay we won`t do a thing...ebay can`t compel him?? they could suspend him for a month, that might get his attention although from the looks of his feedback he doesn`t care.

 

[Douglas Mariani]

In other words as long as he pays his monthly fees to ebay we won`t do a thing...ebay can`t compel him?? they could suspend him for a month, that might get his attention although from the looks of his feedback he doesn`t care.

I agree......from the looks of there feedback a person has a 50-50 chance of getting screwed.

DeeVeeEight give them HELL:thumbs:

 

[redvetracr]

I agree......from the looks of there feedback a person has a 50-50 chance of getting screwed.

That rubs both ways...there are plenty of bad buyers as well as bad sellers out there but thanks to ebay feedback you never hear about the bad buyers. People who bid or hit the buy it now button only to have buyers remorse and fools that ask questions, get answers then bid anyway,,,,then complain. Add in the fact ebay no longer allows any paper payments which means another 3% in pay-pal fees or about 13% to sell almost anything. As a buyer and seller my opinion is that EBAY SUCKS but it`s the only game in town.