yo people!

had an ebay buy go bad, non-box related, it was for a bike.

its a bit long winded for the sake of accuracy, so bear with me...

so it goes like this. 

the bike was bought on ebay for £42 i was the highest bidder - 0 feedback seller - figured this is ok as it was a collection. 

emailed to ask when it would be ok to collect friday or saturday, reply said to arrange by sms and gave his number.

so same question by text message, replied saying "saturday but wont be there but happy leave the bike in a box outside.  have you paid yet? paypal only - ill give you my address when paid".

i replied along the lines of "ok but how do you know it would be me whos picked it up from outside your house and not someone else?"   (keep in mind i would have paid in advance by paypal)

no reply.

next day - "no payment received, please sort asap and when will you be here?"

my reply - "happy to pay asap but concerned it will be left outside unattended after being paid for, would rather meet you face to face so it doesnt go missing"

no reply

phone call 8 hours later from seller - "whats the hold up, why dont you trust me etc pay me with paypal it wont go missing, i'll refund if it does"  

(all sounding a bit odd right?)

so anyway i pay with paypal after a lot of grief with it adding £25 postage, tell seller by text to sort it, eventually does and i pay with paypal.

then he texts address and that bike will be outside, with a note on the front door.  

the address he gives is not were he stated on the auction, its another half hour away.

double check with him its the right address and not a typo as i dont want to go to the wrong place.  

no reply.

so i check its right on google maps, postcode and road match up, so yes, right address just further than i expected.

next day, go there (40 miles from home so long enough drive), and no sign of the bike in a box, no note on the door, nothing...   i had paid for this bike already.

no reply at the door, he said he was out, i rang him, no reply, left a message.   he called back saying i had been winding him up with all the questions and clearly said i wouldnt be going as i wasnt sure of the address. he didnt leave the bike outside because he didnt give a reply to say the address was right and he will refund the money. and hung up.

i did get a prompt refund but pissed off at the wasted journey/time/petrol.

ive put down all my correspondence with the guy above, so you can see to judge.

i was getting vague responses at best from the guy, who only communicates by text, with holds his address till payment is made by paypal etc.    am i being unreasonable?

i said i at least want £5 compo from the guy when on the phone to him.

this was also the note on the refund -

"Sorry this didn't work out. Your most recent sms clearly suggested you would not travel for collection until receiving extra confirmation from me (ie. beyond the confirmation I had already sent) which I didn't give."

poor coms from this guy is the main issue i think.

ultimately if he gives me a few ££££ for the petrol ill drop it.

what are your thoughts?

Sounds like a right old song and dance.  People are weird, never judge them by your own set of standards however high.  Some folks operate like this, they can't help it.  Sadly you can't do much more, take the cash, leave neg feedback and put it down to bad luck.

At least you got a refund.....id be happy to cut my losses and thank the big fella in the sky ............

could have been a lot worse

Moving on swiftly

yeah its a pigs ear and youre right it could be a lot worse.

what a carry on take the money and run , ebay can be a pain in the neck at times .

Well at least you got a refund.

yeah cheers guys, just wanted to check i wasnt going mad.  i feel pretty stupid writing that crap out

You are lucky to get refunded. This guy doesn't happen to be the worst type and has a tiny bit of moral.