No response from eBay seller. ?

Question

I bought a used phone on eBay about 4 days ago. Before bidding I sent the seller a message inquiring about a few things (like if the phone actually works) because his listing was very vague. I didn't get a response but I went ahead and bid anyway and ended up winning.

Now, I REFUSE to pay for an item until I have heard from the seller. I have sent the seller probably 6 messages making sure he understood that I need a response or I will not pay for the item. I have received no response. He is not a new eBay user but has no feedback, no profile, no nothing.

Is there anything I can do? I got a really good deal on this phone and I want it. I am afraid to pay because I don't even know if this person is alive.

Answer 1

Don't ever hit the "confirm bid" button if you are not totally sure you want an item.  Hopefully you checked his feedback and found him to be a good seller with a great reputation.  I don't think it's the end of the world if you don't pay for the item, even though you're under contract.  For small amounts, they usually just give you a bad feedback rating and relist the item.  If the seller is not communicating with you, then you can always use that excuse in the dispute (if one is filed) and the problem usually just goes away.  I don't blame you for not paying, but you need to be very careful when entering into a legal contract like this.  Large issues would result in court battles and you most likely would loose.  

Answer 2

I would not pay until the seller contacts you. Don't get burned.

Answer 3

Have you tried posting this question on the ebay help forum? They're very helpful. Also once you click confirm bid that's a binding contract that you'll pay for the item. You will end up with a non payment on your record permanently. You shouldn't have bid if you weren't prepared to pay.

Answer 4

Either call the Better Business Bureau or find another seller w/the phone for around the same price.  I would highly not recommend not giving the person the money esp. since they have no feedback.  Worse comes to worse can you contact eBay?  (I believe eBay is independent of bidding/selling, but I am not sure what role they would have in this situation).

Answer 5

I'm afraid you can't do that.

When you clicked the button to submit your bid, you entered a legally binding contract. You promised that if you were the highest bidder at the end of the auction, you would pay for the item you were bidding on.

You did NOT promise that you would pay for the item you were bidding on ... but only if the seller answered your e-mail! There is no such button on eBay, and no such agreement exists between you and the seller, or between you and eBay. Let me be perfectly clear about this: the seller has ABSOLUTELY NO OBLIGATION to answer your e-mails. You had the option to choose not to bid. But you did bid, and now you should live up to your word. You clicked, you agreed to pay.

Sorry, but those are the rules.  

Answer 6

Don't pay! There are rules you can refer to on EBAY that explain what to do. You just need to wade through the sites. Basically you lose nothing if you don't pay so don't worry until he contacts you. He could be "on vacation" (looking for another phone). If you do pay pay through, PAYPAL. They insure your purchase up to $1000.00. You can file a claim through them and recover the money through his Paypal account.

Answer 7

I think you are doing the right thing...don't pay until you hear from him.  He could just not check e-mail frequently or could be out of town.  I would give it at least a week before you contact ebay or back out of the sale.

Answer 8

A lot of sellers are on vacation now...could have computer problems, etc. Go to ebay help pages and type in contact information or something of that nature...you  can get your sellers phone # and try that means. USe ebay live help if you can't find it.