I have just tried to sell an Ikea 2-year old Sofa on eBay.
First bit .01p
So far, so good.
Next bid £1.20p
Even better.
A few hours later, they write to me begging me to remove the bid (which had been at $6 [sic.]
I refuse point blank telling them they have entered into a contract and have to leave the bid there.
Half a day later, they somehow manage to wangle eBay into removing the bid and I am back to .01p
1 day before the auction ends the bidding goes:
£1.20
£5
£10 Bidder #3
£15 Bidder #3
£20 Bidder #2
£20.92 Bidder #3
£25 Bidder #3
£30 Bidder #3
£31 Bidder #2
£38 Bidder #1
£40 Bidder #2
£41 Bidder #1
Hooray. A great victory.
The following morning Bidder #1 pleads with me to remove their bid(s) because they thought it was a Sofa-Bed (inspite of it saying about 17 times in the advert that it is a Sofa not a Sofa-bed and in addition, imploring people to write in if they have questions and/or to come and physically view the Sofa if they live near enough, prior to bidding).
I immediately Write to Bidder #2 and offer it to them for £40. No reply.
I write back to Bidder #1 and tell them under no circumstances whatsoever am I going to remove their bid and please send me the £41 immediately. No reply.
6 Hours later I write to Bidder #2 and offer it to them for £31 which is the level it will be at if all of Bidder #1's bids are removed. no reply.
I write to Bidder #3 to see if they are interested at £30. This bidder has now left a bid on a different Sofa being offered for sale by someone else on eBay.
I have already paid eBay 10p to place the advert (I think it was as low as 10p) but now I will owe them, what 3% of £41 as well which I am obviously not going to get. I have to appeal against this in 7 days' time and reclaim the money.
I do not envisage trying to sell anything else on eBay in the near future.
Also, you can't exactly write in to them via email as they try to fob you off with a load of FAQs.
The whole experience has been (and continues to be) incredibly frustrating.
