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eBay seller is saying he will take me to small claims court.

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woodsz

Member
Washington state.
Hello,

I need some help. I purchase items on eBay.

I accidently placed a $700 offer for an item that should only cost $70. The seller accepted the offer and is now trying to force me to purchase the item or else he will take me to small claims court.

I sent a cancelation request seconds after I made the mistake and told the seller I made a typo in the price.

The seller decided to ship my item even though I said I wouldnt pay for it. He is saying I owe $700 or he says I can pay half for him to cancel it.

I don't have the item yet.

The seller is in another state.

What should I do?

I already contacted eBay and they said there is nothing to worry about and I would not have to pay for the item if I received it.

Thank you kindly,
 


quincy

Senior Member
Washington state.
Hello,

I need some help. I purchase items on eBay.

I accidently placed a $700 offer for an item that should only cost $70. The seller accepted the offer and is now trying to force me to purchase the item or else he will take me to small claims court.

I sent a cancelation request seconds after I made the mistake and told the seller I made a typo in the price.

The seller decided to ship my item even though I said I wouldnt pay for it. He is saying I owe $700 or he says I can pay half for him to cancel it.

I don't have the item yet.

The seller is in another state.

What should I do?

I already contacted eBay and they said there is nothing to worry about and I would not have to pay for the item if I received it.

Thank you kindly,
If you receive the item, send it back.
 

Taxing Matters

Overtaxed Member
The seller is in another state.

How far away is the seller? The costs for the seller to travel to your location for the small claims court hearing are not something the seller may recover unless the contract between you provides for it. So chances are the seller won't bother suing if he or she is a considerable distance as the costs would outweigh whatever he could win.

And what could he/she win? Probably not $700. Under the circumstances it's pretty obvious that the bid was a typo and the seller should have known that it was a mistake from the start. Under those circumstances courts generally would hold that there was no contract — no meeting of the minds on the deal.

I agree with quincy, if you receive the item just send it back.
 

woodsz

Member
How far away is the seller? The costs for the seller to travel to your location for the small claims court hearing are not something the seller may recover unless the contract between you provides for it. So chances are the seller won't bother suing if he or she is a considerable distance as the costs would outweigh whatever he could win.

And what could he/she win? Probably not $700. Under the circumstances it's pretty obvious that the bid was a typo and the seller should have known that it was a mistake from the start. Under those circumstances courts generally would hold that there was no contract — no meeting of the minds on the deal.

I agree with quincy, if you receive the item just send it back.
What if the seller says he did not get the package back if I send it back?
 

quincy

Senior Member
What if the seller says he did not get the package back if I send it back?
You can get package delivery confirmation.

I have a feeling, though, that the seller will not send you anything. You have already told him you weren't going to pay. It would be a silly waste of his time.
 

Mass_Shyster

Senior Member
Refuse delivery. Hang a notice on your door that you will not accept delivery on any packages left unattended.

If someone leaves a package, return it to the carrier, unopened, and tell them to return to sender.
 

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