Im not sure if the term gazumping travels well but it basically means that someone agrees a sale and then backs out because a better offer is received. I suspect I have been gazumped on ebay.
I was the highest bidder on a lovely original Monroe photo and paid the £100+ straightaway. Three days after winning and paying I received a refund, an order cancellation and an odd message from the seller saying that the item couldnt be found. It had mysteriously gone missing along with a box full of other stuff. I strongly suspect that someone else made a higher offer (some Monroe photos go for crazy money like $1,500+), either because they forgot to bid or because they saw it while trawling through completed items. I have written to sellers a few times because of just those reasons, but I always say that the seller should only revert to me if the buyer doesnt pay or if a paying buyer would be interested in re-selling (with original seller and buyer each taking a cut of the instant profit). I have expressed my deep disappointment to the seller but have stopped short of making any direct accusations as yet. She now tells me that she suspects a break-in and also that many other sales had to be cancelled. I ask myself whether a burglar really would want a box of 10 x 8s but thats neither here nor there. I have spent considerable amounts with this seller in the recent and more distant past and have helped her as a highest under-bidder many times. It is likely that she will have more good stuff that I would otherwise have liked to buy in the future. I am thinking of asking ebay to intervene. They could check for other cancelled sales or even check for counter offers in the sellers message box. After that long introduction my questions are brief: 1. Has this kind of thing happened to other members? If so, what did they do and were ebay useful? 2. In this particular case (with a known seller and potential future business) how would other members take this forward, if at all. I am torn between feeling indignant and wanting my rights on the one hand and feeling like a moaning Minnie and wanting to keep the peace on the other. In the overall scheme of things I know we are not talking life or death but I still dont like people taking liberties with me. Any thoughts? Martin Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.