eBay Sellers

[Mr. Scruffy]

Remember the guy who thought he could sell a double ring for $2,000?

Well, it seems that his foolishness has claimed me as a prize.

This "person" appeared to have become rational and had lowered his BIN to $350.00

After a series of messages with this guy, he says his rock bottom price is $325

I go up to $280. I offer, he counteroffers and after having too many adult beverages this afternoon I decide to offer $300, but I can't because eBay only allows "x" counteroffers.

I PM him that I'm willing to do $300.

Later today the razor is re-listed as an auction with opening bid of $300.

I bid $300 and PM this guy about my bid and ask him to close the auction and sell to me.

He says "thanks but others have expressed their thanks at my listing this razor for auction".

Am I stoopid or what?

Please be harsh.

 

[brianw]

Quick answer.... Not enough Dirty Martini's..... God do I hate Flea Bay

 

[Ride4TheBrand]

Patience, amigo. Others will come along.

 

[GentsInstinct]

I personally hope no one from B&B buys it. The way he has bounced that razor around Ebay the last month is disgusting and nothing resembling gentlemanly or even ethical. He's out for the $$$$$.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Patience, amigo. Others will come along.

I have other DR's, so that's not what irks me. I thought I had deal. Guess not.

 

[Loric]

When you play with a rattlesnake you might get bit.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

When you play with a rattlesnake you might get bit.

I certainly did.

 

[Nadir M]

I'd be skeptical in dealing with somebody like that. You already have other DR's...nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

10-4

 

[BladeRunner001]

Why are you doing this to yourself my friend? Is this going to be the last time you will ever see this item on sale?

This guy probably thinks he can play with you for a little while.

 

[DFrancis]

Don't let it get to you Harry, life is too short to be overly bothered by some people.

 

[Walker]

It's fate my friend. Things happen for a reason, when one door closes others open.

 

[sam o'reilly]

Am I missing something? This guy is trying to get as much as he can for his goods. That's what ebay is all about. If he'd agreed to sell you the razor, then reneged on that offer, that could be seen as unethical. But as far as I can tell he's just maximising his profits. Why not put a similar request on BST offering the same amount.

 

[Speedwell68]

Am I missing something? This guy is trying to get as much as he can for his goods. That's what ebay is all about. If he'd agreed to sell you the razor, then reneged on that offer, that could be seen as unethical. But as far as I can tell he's just maximising his profits. Why not put a similar request on BST offering the same amount.

QFT. I can't see that anything he has done warrants being called a scumbag. He hasn't ripped anyone off, he is just maximizing he profits. If you don't like his price then don't buy from him.

 

[Never2Late]

For me, the chase is as important as actually catching the prize. Who you go with... and how you get there... are things often considered too late in the game.

 

[moshulu]

I don't think it's right to call someone a "scumbag" on a public forum. The guy just wants to sell his razor for the highest price he can get. Let him.

A couple of days ago, someone here referrred to people who are wealthy enough to win ebay auctions as "wankers". That isn't right either. These people have money - what are they supposed to do: not buy stuff because others have less? Most of the wealthy people I know got that way through hard work, ingenuity and risk-taking. Don't they have a right to profit from their success?

Sometimes I think that ebay brings out the worst in people. I have lost more auctions than I can count, but I hope it never makes me lose my cool as well.

 

[maxman]

I'd start exploring if there is anything you can do to get out of this.
Maybe ebay has a loophole for you.
Do you think he'd use a shill to try to drive it up higher?

 

[Slowhand]

Because I'm new, what exactly is a double ring?

 

[Legion]

Because I'm new, what exactly is a double ring?

A double ring is the first ever model of Gillette razor. If it is the auction I noticed this afternoon, the one in question dates from 1905 and is in a box. As you can imagine, they are quite rare and sought after.

I'm in two minds about what this seller has done. On the one hand, I believe a man's word is a contract, and if he said he would sell to you then he should. On the other hand, changing his mind when he realises he can get more money for an item is really no less ethical than quietly arranging for an auction to end early so you don't have to bid against other people to win the item.

I guess if no money has changed hands you are really not in a position to cry foul. If you really want it, bid for it at the end.

 

[DE Shaver]

Am I stoopid or what?

Please be harsh.

I'm going to be very harsh and not because I'm mean spirited. It's because you requested a strong opinion, so here goes...

Warning: Harsh Opinion Ahead

It seems you were intentionally circumventing the eBay TOU, which in my view is questionable in terms of ethics and certainly against the spirit of using eBay. If eBay only allows "X" counteroffers, a PM with a counteroffer going beyond what is permitted in my mind violates TOU. Backdoor offers are frowned upon. However, what is more reprehensible is that you are smearing this seller, which is not very gentlemanly at all. All he wants to do is sell a razor at a price he wants. He has the right to sell his items to his satisfaction and doesn't have to consider your personal feelings.

If you performed similar actions here on the B&B, there is a strong likelihood would have risked being banned, especally for labeling him "scumbag". All-in-all, there was no deal except perhaps maybe in your mind, as you've not indicated the seller has confirmed acceptance of your offer. If you tipped your hand, well, that's your mistake. You may have the support of you folks here at the B&B because many people do not like eBay and you have friends, but you certainly don't have any moral ground to stand upon.

Now that's over with, I can offer a more moderate position. I can appreciate its frustating dealing with some people, especially if you feel you were being fair with them. Sometimes, there no ability to do business with someone so the only thing that is left to is to move on. There is no controlling other people but you still need to live with yourself.