Item unavailable -- cancelled transaction can still cost you

[turquoise712]

I paid for a "buy it now" item, only to be told item was unavailable. I lost the chance to bid for other items, which was extremely annoying and disappointing. I heard of sellers listing items they dont have. Not only is this a lost opportunity, but it could cost you.

Because seller didn't cancel the transaction right away, Paypal still proceeded to charge my account a week later. But since I thought it was cancelled, I made other purchases, and used the money instead to pay for these. So my account had insufficient funds to pay for this canceled transaction, and I was charged a dishonour's fee plus exchange rate/bank fees. It took another week before I got my refund from Paypal.
Lesson here: beware of cancelled transactions. Depending on yr payment method, you may have to pay for it first. I heard of some people who had to pay bank remittance fees, only to be told by the seller the items were out of stock or unavailable.

Don't you think sellers should be made to reimburse buyers for costs due to their negligent listing?

[foxette-in-sox]

If an error was made in a store,you would have to wait for the money to go back on your card.You are told that when they process the refund on the machine right in front of you-it is not instant.

Why would you think Paypal should be any different ?

Make sure you have sufficient funds available to pay immediately for items & NOT rely on refunds that can take days to 'bounce' back.

That is just common sense.

[phorum_junkie*]

That is just common sense.

Unfortunately nobody has been able to bottle that and sell it on ebay or anywhere else;-)

[belindabargainhunter]

Yeh I am over sellers pulling out of sales when it means I have missed out on another item I would have had instead. But I think that its your own job to check and make sure funds have been returned before spending it.

The only thing I can suggest report the seller for not going through with the sale.

[dearlybeloved88]

Nothing to do with common sense.  Some, like my first timer 70 y.o. Aunt, don't know how they work, So she has fees to pay but no item. Good reminder for those unfamiliar with cancellations.  Depends on timing of payments and notices, even businesses get stuck with transaction fees. You also pay for sending payment overseas And then all for nothing. So many inexperienced.

Yeah I won an item, then it's not there.  Why will you bid for another similar at the same time  when you thought you just won one?  Then now you have nothing.