My landlady and I are, as anyone who reads my posts knows, having a really tough time financially. What with me having been unable to pay rent for a while and my landlady unable to get any other lodgers, straits have become dire. So much so, in fact, that recently she decided to sell some items on ebay. I listed them for her on my account since she doesn't know how.
We looked through the house and could only find 4 items that we thought might be worth anything, some sealed Pokemon card boxes that she'd come into possession of a while ago and was saving for her grandson's birthday. So I listed these 4 boxes on ebay and all sold just now for between £24 - 44 each. What a relief, £139 to put towards one of the many bills and debts that are piling up. Except immediately, as soon as one of the items sold, the buyer requested a cancellation. And I can see why, the same item is available cheaper on "buy it now" from another seller. But then why bid? He pushed the priced up and won and then cancelled immediately. He must have already known it was cheaper elsewhere. Why do that?
I accepted the cancellation because otherwise he'd probably damage the item, claim it was damaged in transit, return it and then we'd have an unsellable item. I've relisted it but now my landlady has to wait longer for the money and will probably get less for it. All because of one selfish idiot. Not only that but judging by his username and items for sale, he is a reseller who just wanted to get this cheap and resell for more and has realised he won't be able to sell it for more.
Not only that but the listing was originally free but ebay says we'll be charged 35p to relist it. Really annoying when every penny counts.
Of the other buyers, one has paid but another bought the other two items and is demanding a combined postage invoice. However ebay won't let me do that for simple delivery. So the buyer hasn't paid and I don't know if they're going to be a nuisance about it too. Why does everything always have to be difficult? We stayed up late tonight, were thrilled and relived to see she'd be getting £139, and now she only has £44 and one cancellation and one difficult buyer who won't pay without an impossible combined invoice. Should have just used gumtree I suppose.
I'm sure I remember it being very different in the early 2000s. I recall buyers constantly saying changing your mind wasn't a valid reason for a cancellation, and many of them would revoke your bid if you didn't have positive feedback from at least 5 sellers.