E-Bay purchase?

[irv]

I recently bid on a low value 52 Topps card on E-Bay and actually won it last Friday. ($11.00)

When I was looking over it again, I noticed a "poor" comment beside the title/description that I didn't originally recall seeing? I assume the seller can edit their ad anytime they like? Not suggesting they did, I just don't recall seeing it?

Immediately after I won the card, I requested a pic/scan of the back of it, to which I received no reply? I sent another 3 messages and still no reply??

Yesterday, I finally received my invoice from E-Bay to pay for this card, which seemed late to me?
Anyways, I wrote the people again, for likely the 5th time requesting a back pic/scan, info about the card.
I finally received a reply today which stated: "If a back picture is a condition of you paying, you need to say that before you bid, not after"
The reply still didn't show/have a scan/pic of the back of the card.

I am looking for some advice here? Am I obligated to pay for this card simply because I won it even though, after ignored multiple requests for more info about it went unanswered?
The fact they finally replied today but still didn't provide a pic/scan of the back?

Being fairly new to all this E-Bay/bidding stuff, it's likely a rookie mistake and something I'll have to learn from, but, like I originally stated, after not seeing the "poor" comment in their title, 4-5 message requests going unanswered, still no pic/scan of the back when they finally answered, leads me to believe something shady, unprofessional is going on?

I would appreciate any info you guys can provide about this situation I am in.

Thanks

[wilkiebaby11]

Originally Posted by irv

When I was looking over it again, I noticed a "poor" comment beside the title/description that I didn't originally recall seeing? I assume the seller can edit their ad anytime they like? Not suggesting they did, I just don't recall seeing it?

Once a bid is placed on the card, the seller CANNOT change anything about the listing. The only thing that they can do is append the description (which is obvious to see), but everything original will be there as it's locked by eBay when the user should go and try to make any edit. I think in this case, you must have missed the "Poor" comment.

Originally Posted by irv

Immediately after I won the card, I requested a pic/scan of the back of it, to which I received no reply? I sent another 3 messages and still no reply??

Not uncommon, but not the best practice by sellers. If it's someone who doesnt frequently sell on eBay, they probably would only check the site once they know all their items have sold and even then, they aren't in a rush. Customer service obviously isn't their #1 concern.

Originally Posted by irv

Yesterday, I finally received my invoice from E-Bay to pay for this card, which seemed late to me?

If I recall, this is actually the eBay default. Some users change their setting to send an invoice immediately, some after 1 day, and some even, say, a week.

Originally Posted by irv

I finally received a reply today which stated: "If a back picture is a condition of you paying, you need to say that before you bid, not after"
The reply still didn't show/have a scan/pic of the back of the card.

I am looking for some advice here? Am I obligated to pay for this card simply because I won it even though, after ignored multiple requests for more info about it went unanswered?
The fact they finally replied today but still didn't provide a pic/scan of the back?

Yes, you are obligated to buy it. You bid on the item knowing that there wasnt a back scan. Just because there wasnt and you missed part of the overall description, and they were slow to respond to your messages (which they technically arent obligated to do), does not mean you aren't contractually obligated to complete the transaction by paying for it.

We've all done this before, myself included (multiple times).

Pay for the item and consider it a very cheap $11 lesson.

In the future, either ask for the back scan before bidding, or just know that you are taking a risk. Most users on this site either demand a back scan or just skip the auction entirely.

Hope this helps

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by wilkiebaby11

Yes, you are obligated to buy it. You bid on the item knowing that there wasnt a back scan. Just because there wasnt and you missed part of the overall description, and they were slow to respond to your messages (which they technically arent obligated to do), does not mean you aren't contractually obligated to complete the transaction by paying for it.

+1.....As also mentioned, please consider it a lesson for yourself as something that you should do before bidding and not after. As a buyer, you are most definitely accountable for asking questions like this BEFORE the close of the auction, and NOT after the close. Please pay the seller ASAP to fulfill your obligation as, to this point, the seller has met his obligations.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by wilkiebaby11

Once a bid is placed on the card, the seller CANNOT change anything about the listing. The only thing that they can do is append the description (which is obvious to see), but everything original will be there as it's locked by eBay when the user should go and try to make any edit. I think in this case, you must have missed the "Poor" comment.



Not uncommon, but not the best practice by sellers. If it's someone who doesnt frequently sell on eBay, they probably would only check the site once they know all their items have sold and even then, they aren't in a rush. Customer service obviously isn't their #1 concern.



If I recall, this is actually the eBay default. Some users change their setting to send an invoice immediately, some after 1 day, and some even, say, a week.




Yes, you are obligated to buy it. You bid on the item knowing that there wasnt a back scan. Just because there wasnt and you missed part of the overall description, and they were slow to respond to your messages (which they technically arent obligated to do), does not mean you aren't contractually obligated to complete the transaction by paying for it.

We've all done this before, myself included (multiple times).

Pay for the item and consider it a very cheap $11 lesson.

In the future, either ask for the back scan before bidding, or just know that you are taking a risk. Most users on this site either demand a back scan or just skip the auction entirely.

Hope this helps

Irv,

Don't beat yourself up...you are doing the right thing and have acknowledged your mistake. I think Wilkie gave you good advice.

Also some sellers that don't sell on eBay full time probably have day jobs and generally can't respond to questions as quickly. I usually take this into account when purchasing or trying to communicate. The amount of items in their store and number of feedback ratings sometimes is an indication of this.


Best wishes,

Z

[irv]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Irv,

Don't beat yourself up...you are doing the right thing and have acknowledged your mistake. I think Wilkie gave you good advice.

Also some sellers that don't sell on eBay full time probably have day jobs and generally can't respond to questions as quickly. I usually take this into account when purchasing or trying to communicate. The amount of items in their store and number of feedback ratings sometimes is an indication of this.


Best wishes,

Z

Thanks, Zach.

I did remit payment right after Wilkie's post just after 9am. I apologized to the sellers and told them they were exactly right, I should have asked prior, not after I won the card.

I have not received a reply nor anything else to say my card was shipped, but I guess I can understand that at this point.

Not saying these folks don't have a day job but they do own a store and have quite a bit of (although somewhat smaller than others) cards and memorabilia for sale.

Like I said, I have written this off as a lesson learned on my part and I have no animosity towards them as I take full responsibility for how this all came about.
(I've had a run of bad luck lately when it comes to cards however!)

Just hope my card comes undamaged and the back isn't what I am anticipating at this point?

[Bestdj777]

I am sure it will be fine. At a bare minimum, for $11.00, you now have something you can carry with you as a reference if you go to shows, etc.

[JollyElm]

This thread is like reading a book, but you find the last pages have been removed. LOL.

You gotta tell us, what card did you buy???

[cardsfan73]

Do you have a link to the original listing? Who was the card of?

[irv]

Originally Posted by wilkiebaby11

Once a bid is placed on the card, the seller CANNOT change anything about the listing. The only thing that they can do is append the description (which is obvious to see), but everything original will be there as it's locked by eBay when the user should go and try to make any edit. I think in this case, you must have missed the "Poor" comment.



Not uncommon, but not the best practice by sellers. If it's someone who doesnt frequently sell on eBay, they probably would only check the site once they know all their items have sold and even then, they aren't in a rush. Customer service obviously isn't their #1 concern.



If I recall, this is actually the eBay default. Some users change their setting to send an invoice immediately, some after 1 day, and some even, say, a week.




Yes, you are obligated to buy it. You bid on the item knowing that there wasnt a back scan. Just because there wasnt and you missed part of the overall description, and they were slow to respond to your messages (which they technically arent obligated to do), does not mean you aren't contractually obligated to complete the transaction by paying for it.

We've all done this before, myself included (multiple times).

Pay for the item and consider it a very cheap $11 lesson.

In the future, either ask for the back scan before bidding, or just know that you are taking a risk. Most users on this site either demand a back scan or just skip the auction entirely.

Hope this helps

Great info, wilkiebay, and what I thought myself. I assume now, with the animosity between us, the card may come in not the condition I purchased it in or very well pkg'd?

Thanks

Originally Posted by cardsfan73

Do you have a link to the original listing? Who was the card of?

Not going to post it as there is no need to air their name/business on a public forum, when after all, they didn't do anything wrong other than being tardy with my message requests.

Like Wilkiebaby stated, they are not obligated too, I bid on it without seeing a pic of the back and they likely didn't edit their post?

Lesson learned for me, and hopefully the back of the card isn't as bad as I am anticipating?

[pokerplyr80]

I can certainly understand why you wouldn't want to pay with the level of service you have been provided. Especially since he still refuses to send a back scan. But I agree with Wilkie. Pay the 11 bucks and move on. It's more likely the seller doesn't think a small transaction is worth the time to get you a back scan than he is hiding something on a card already described as poor.

If there is something on the back that should have been disclosed once you receive the card open a case.

[D. Bergin]

As a seller, I would have acquiesced and just sent you a back scan.

Even if you missed part of the description, there's no reason to piss a customer off over an $11.00 card either.

The seller is escalating the animosity rather then providing service. Maybe they think they are going to lose a sale if they provide you with a back scan, maybe they just don't think it's worth their time, I don't know. I would rather my customer knew what they were getting ahead of time, rather then being surprised when it comes in the mail days later, and perhaps opens a case in response.

On the other hand, if I was the buyer I would just pay and consider it a cheap lesson, and an insight into not doing business with that seller again in the future.

[buymycards]

Why did you wait for an invoice before paying for the card? You can pay immediately without waiting for an invoice. If I was the seller, I would be wondering why you haven't sent payment. I normally try to pay within seconds of buying a card. If I make multiple purchases from a seller, I will usually ask for a combined shipping invoice right away.

I don't think the seller is at fault at all. You didn't read the description properly and you bought the card without a back scan. Don't blame the seller.