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View Full Version : What would you do? Aquabid buy...


platytudes
02-26-2010, 8:51 AM
So, I took a chance and bid on a filter from Aquabid from a seller with no feedback. (I only have 2/2 feedback myself.) It's an Aqua-Tech 30-60, the kind of filter Walmart sells with its 55 gallon kits.

The filter retails at Walmart for $35, this guy started the bidding at $14 with Buy It Now for $20. I suspect since he had no feedback, no one bid on the filter - and I got it for $14! The auction said "Will Ship Internationally Seller Pays Shipping"

So now I get an email from the seller saying "my patpal is flower horn farm at yahoo dot com and shipping will be $5.99" (**Edited to avoid attracting spam bots.**)

I know what you're thinking, right? Oh, this guy is from abroad...he doesn't speak much English. Well here's the thing, he's from Indianapolis. His name is the same as a certain very heavyset, baseball cap and glasses wearing, liberal, political filmmaker. ;) So a very Anglo Saxon name...

What would you do? Would you pay the $6 ($20 for this filter is a good deal, IMO) or would you insist he ship it for free? Would you just say, "This is too weird" and ask to drop the whole thing? Since he apparently accidentally posted that he would ship for free, I am thinking he would love to be done with the deal and just forget it ever happened and relist it, specifying that the buyer would pay the shipping this time.

Just curious at to your throughts everyone! :hang:
FastFly67
02-26-2010, 9:14 AM
Politely point out that it states the seller to pay shipping in the auction.
Bubbles2112
02-26-2010, 9:18 AM
Politely point out that it states the seller to pay shipping in the auction.

:iagree:
platytudes
02-26-2010, 9:30 AM
Thanks! I did do that already, and am awaiting his response. I do feel a bit bad about it though, like I'm trying to take advantage of him...

I'll let you know if he replies, I wouldn't be surprised if he just ignored me at this point.
dundadundun
02-26-2010, 9:32 AM
hold him to his original offer. on ebay it's hard to maintain your seller ratings. he's a new guy so he needs people to be happy with his service. i would take precaution to be as polite as possible though.
FastFly67
02-26-2010, 9:38 AM
Thanks! I did do that already, and am awaiting his response. I do feel a bit bad about it though, like I'm trying to take advantage of him...

I'll let you know if he replies, I wouldn't be surprised if he just ignored me at this point.
It's called an auction for a reason. ;)
HE dictates the terms of the auction (the starting price, a reserve, shipping conditions and who pays for it) when he lists the item. If he messed up, that's not your fault. You read and agreed to the terms of the auction by bidding. You're not taking advantage of him in the least.
platytudes
02-26-2010, 9:51 AM
Thanks, I'll stick to my guns then :)
NYCguppydude
02-26-2010, 10:28 AM
Why not give him a chance. It most likely was his first auction(0 feedback) A very important question to ask yourself is how would you feel if that was you? Another would be is $26.00 dollars for this item delivered to my door worth it? Or you can meet halfway and offer to pay half the shipping charge as an act of good faith. This is just my opinion based on my recollection of my first few auctions which I screwed up.
duke33
02-26-2010, 10:33 AM
Wait and see what his reply is and go from there. Myself I would be leary even if it is a good deal. You pay the extra and he might not even ship it. Are the e-bay police goona get him. NO.
petluvr
02-26-2010, 10:42 AM
WOW I just packed up several of these today that are old and I am not using, I coud have sent you one for shipping. Good luck with transaction.
platytudes
02-26-2010, 10:49 AM
WOW I just packed up several of these today that are old and I am not using, I coud have sent you one for shipping. Good luck with transaction.
Heh! Well if you're really not using them, I'd be happy to buy one off you if this deal falls through...as it well may.

NYC guppy, it would be $20 shipped since I paid $14 for it - and $20 is not a bad deal at all, really, for a brand new filter.

I would be feeling less weird about it if he had written a better email. But one sentence, and misspelling the word PayPal, makes me think he either a) wrote this on his phone or b) is not a native speaker of English. If his name were Prakash Patel or something, I would understand - but Michael Moore? I just find it odd :screwy:
petluvr
02-26-2010, 10:58 AM
Heh! Well if you're really not using them, I'd be happy to buy one off you if this deal falls through...as it well may.

NYC guppy, it would be $20 shipped since I paid $14 for it - and $20 is not a bad deal at all, really, for a brand new filter.

I would be feeling less weird about it if he had written a better email. But one sentence, and misspelling the word PayPal, makes me think he either a) wrote this on his phone or b) is not a native speaker of English. If his name were Prakash Patel or something, I would understand - but Michael Moore? I just find it odd :screwy:
If it falls through give me a shout and I will get some model numbers together for you.