Buyer beware

[graeme7518]

I bought a complete kitchen on eBay.  It was expensive. I then spent a day organising people to help me dismantle it, transport it and reassemble it.  I entered into a contract to sell it and install it. I spent hours measuring and planning. The seller then cancelled and refunded.  I am several thousand dollars out of pocket.  EBay said that because I got a refund - maybe I did, but it seems likely to take five days or so to happen - I have no rights. Ebay threatens buyers that they are entering into a contract that they must honour. There is no means of contacting them except by chat because the 'purchase was refunded'. Ebay's chat doesn't work - the minutes count down then when it gets to 1 minute it freezes. There is not even an email address to record disappointment. Be aware that when you purchase on eBay you are on your own.  There is no redress other than refund. In any legitimate market the law of contract would allow redress through the courts.  eBay is designed to ensure that can never happen. Draw your own conclusions, but beware.

[domino-710]

---

@graeme7518 wrote:

I bought a complete kitchen on eBay.  It was expensive. I then spent a day organising people to help me dismantle it, transport it and reassemble it.  I entered into a contract to sell it and install it. I spent hours measuring and planning. The seller then cancelled and refunded.  I am several thousand dollars out of pocket.  EBay said that because I got a refund - maybe I did, but it seems likely to take five days or so to happen - I have no rights. Ebay threatens buyers that they are entering into a contract that they must honour. There is no means of contacting them except by chat because the 'purchase was refunded'. Ebay's chat doesn't work - the minutes count down then when it gets to 1 minute it freezes. There is not even an email address to record disappointment. Be aware that when you purchase on eBay you are on your own.  There is no redress other than refund. In any legitimate market the law of contract would allow redress through the courts.  eBay is designed to ensure that can never happen. Draw your own conclusions, but beware.

---

From where I sit - the red is the only information pertaining to eBay.

[janeababe]

I’ve kudo’d the OP hoping it will bring him back, because this scenario intrigues me. 

I’m wondering if the seller got wind of the on-sell? (Probably at a huge increase in price, too, no doubt) and wasn’t keen to sell then. 

Im also wondering if the seller wasn’t keen to have a heap of ‘unknown’ guys in their home to dismantle a kitchen. It only takes 2 people to dismantle a kitchen, in all honesty.

…And as for moving heavy pantries and cupboards, that’s what trolleys are for!  Lifting straps for granite bench tops etc….. really, just two people and half a day-3/4 day. (And a truck with an electric  loading ramp)

Would really like to know more about this scenario.  Hope he comes back 😁

[graeme7518]

Thanks for your reply.  I presume the buyer cancelled because they got a higher offer from elsewhere, but have no way of knowing for sure.  There was contract at law inasmuch as there was offer, acceptance and consideration.  If the vendor had advised immediately there was no intention of going through with the sale, it wouldn't have been a problem. The delay in cancelling was the problem.  If you look at any page on EBay when you click on the buy button there is a warning that you are entering an agreement that you are obligated to pay for. Presumably EBay's system has some means of enforcing this. That was the threat to which I referred.  I am aware that the money will find its way back in due course, but I am out of pocket in the meantime.  We are not talking about ten or a hundred dollars.  In any other marketplace, if I buy and pay for something there is expected to be supply (performance).  That has nothing to do with warranty.  Are you really arguing that it is acceptable to sell a high priced item on EBay, take payment, not supply and then at some point in the future simply cancel and refund presumably because someone else came along and offered more? Or because the vendor had no intention of selling for the starting bid, and just started low to get people interested. That is simply dishonest.

[repentatleisure1952]

"Presumably EBay"s system has some means of enforcing this".

Well no they don't.

How could they force a buyer to pay or a seller to complete a sale?

Sorry this happened to you.

[graeme7518]

That is fairly accurate.  The onsell was not for profit, it was to be installed at cost as a favour to a disadvantaged community member as a service. Having told that person that a kitchen is to be provided I feel obligated to follow through and will have to start again. The 'thousands' was bit hyperbolic, but the time of the various people involved would certainly be costed at more than a thousand dollars. Your point about onselling without taking possession is valid, but the flip side of that coin is that I would run the risk of having an unwanted kitchen sitting in my lounge.

I would take legal action, but there is no way of identifying the vendor.

My point was that there are risks inherent in such a purchase that I had not properly thought through and to warn others of that. I am also appalled that there appears to be no way of contacting eBay to even discuss it.

[graeme7518]

You transported it yourself without help? Did your own plumbing and electricals? Impressive but a bit illegal. I too have successfully bought and installed kitchens from eBay, but the nuisance value of this one has more than negated the benefits of those successes. Cheers

[graeme7518]

No the buyer was to dismantle and remove, but because the sale was cancelled it didn't happen. Once the sale is cancelled, feedback can't be left or it would have been blistering. That is part of my point - vendors can behave badly and it doesn't even show on their record.

[padi*0409]

---

@graeme7518 wrote

Once the sale is cancelled, feedback can't be left or it would have been blistering. That is part of my point - vendors can behave badly and it doesn't even show on their record.

---

So who was the neg for that you left if it wasn't for this transaction ????

[graeme7518]

If I buy something and pay for it, surely providing the item I paid for is covered.  It is 'special treatment' to get something I paid for? Yes chat was in operational hours.  Time counted down and then froze at 1 minute repeatedly.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

---

@graeme7518 wrote:

That is fairly accurate.

---

nailed it! (doing the happy dance)