Bought a MacBook through eBay and Seller Might Not Follow through

che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 21:12
Last edited 26/11/2016 - 11:19

My mum has been looking for a new MacBook since hers broke and I've been keeping an eye out for deals.

I found a store on eBay that had the 2016 non touchbar MacBooks for $1840 [Down from 2299]. The store had a high rating so I made the plunge and bought the laptop with Mums card through my PayPal and eBay account. Purchase was made on Monday 21st.

The estimated delivery date was today Nov 24th. Mum hasn't received anything and I hadn't received any communications from the seller to let me know it had been shipped.

So I go back to the listing and the price has gone up to $2600 and the seller is now out of stock. At this point I'm figuring they didn't think about this item before the %20 eBay sale.

It's now I notice that the seller has several bad reviews from today from other people who have had their orders cancelled. A few of the complaints are for apple products and two are for the same laptop.

My order hasn't been cancelled and I haven't heard anything from the seller. What measures can I take so that the seller follow through on the order.

Tldr: Ordered a MacBook through eBay sale and it looks like seller might not deliver. How can I prepare myself?

Update: wrote to seller asking about the situation and got a response late yesterday explaining that I would still be receiving the goods. Apparently a lot of people got automated cancelations. We shall see if they deliver in the end.

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Comments

  • chu-oh on 24/11/2016 - 21:26
    +3

    Contact them? But if they cancel and refund there's not much you can do.

    • che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 21:27
      +1

      I wanted to ask around here before I contacted them. My thinking is that if I contact them I may just remind them to cancel. I know it's silly but I want to be armed with knowledge should it fall through.

      If they do cancel, do I have no recourse ?

      • currentfad on 24/11/2016 - 21:31
        +4

        You paid with Paypal. Everything is gonna be fine. If they cancel, you get your money back. If they don't respond, you get your money back.

        • che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 21:34
          +1

          Good point. I do get my money back. However there is the issue of failure to fulfil a contract and the fact that the eBay sale will be over tonight and I'll have missed the opportunity to secure a deal for Mum. I'll get the money back but that same money won't get me the same product :/

          Thanks for the feedback though.

        • currentfad on 24/11/2016 - 21:40
          +4

          @che_97: I feel like that deal was never going to come through. It was one of those "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" deals. Does your mum need the power of the new MBP or nah? Maybe she can look at the other models/older MBPs which are much cheaper.

        • che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 21:45

          @spaghettiman: I felt that way initially but it was only a little cheaper than the good guys deal a week or so ago.

          As for the computer itself, Mum likes macs and this was too good to pass up (i missed out on TGG).

          She doesn't specifically need the 2016 model but she liked the look of it and the larger touchpad.

          I'll update the thread when I have more info. I suspect I'm not the only Ozbargainer to have been duped. Reading the negative comments on the sellers page, all 7 of them were from today and yesterday 6/7 of them were apple products. Sounds to me like the seller forgot to update pricing before the sale.

        • holdenmg on 24/11/2016 - 21:56

          @che_97: TGG are having a Black Friday Sale from Midnight. https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/black-friday

  • holdenmg on 24/11/2016 - 21:53
    -5

    Hi,

    I'd suggest in future to avoid issues with PayPal (and eBay) that if you are going to use your Mum's Credit Card, that you set up a PayPal and eBay Account in her name.

    Buying things with your eBay Account and your PayPal Account (funded by her Credit Card) could lead to all sorts of complex problems if things go wrong and you could be exposed to not being covered by Buyers Protection.

    • che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 21:56

      You've just described exactly what I've done. As far as eBay/ PayPal knows, I've ordered it and mums paid. It's all in my name as far as the seller can see.

      What kinds of things can go wrong? How can I protect myself now.

      Why would it matter which credit card I've paid with ?

      • holdenmg on 24/11/2016 - 22:03

        Well, maybe that is how it looks to the Seller…

        How would you feel if PayPal had cancelled or held the Payment because the Credit Cardholder doesn't match your PayPal Account name or details?

        Do you know if PayPal Buyers Protection extends to you using funding sources other than those in your own name?

        I'd suggest you ask PayPal or get a Second Card with your name on it, at least then you would be seen as an Authorised user by PayPal and the Card Issuer.

        • che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 22:19

          I get why paypayl might find it suspicious but mums last name is the same as mine and I'm sure it's common practice.
          Also my address and mums address is the same so that's another point for not being "suds"
          The funds have already been taken from mums card so the sellers already been paid. Also. The seller can't see which card I've used. It would just say "PayPal" in their terminal.

        • holdenmg on 24/11/2016 - 22:37
          -1

          @che_97:

          But, having said all that, you can only assume PayPal will honour PayPal Buyers Protection.

          If the eBay Sellers Account or their PayPal Account were hacked, some random could have listed a cheap MacBook or two on eBay and established a PayPal account using a Rechargeable Card with BSB and Account Number.

          Well then your, sorry your Mum's money would be gone.

          Then you and your Mum have to hassle PayPal and her Bank, maybe fill out Police Reports etc.

          Do you think PayPal would try and find a reason not to reimburse you?

          Really, I'm trying to help, I have seen it happen and PayPal could just say their Buyers Protection only extends to you and cards with your name on it.

          Just get a Second Card or set up PayPal and eBay for your Mum or sweep the funds into an Account with your name on it and as long as everything else is in order you can rely on being afforded the protection you deserve.

        • che_97 on 24/11/2016 - 22:47

          @holdenmg: let me just start with I appriciate everyone's feedback and I'm not taking anything said as an attack.

          I'm not currently worried about not getting the funds back. It's more a case of the inconvenience and opportunity cost.

        • holdenmg on 24/11/2016 - 22:51

          @che_97:

          No wories, I hope it all goes smoothly.

          Have a look at TGG link (above) in case there is a MacBook deal after Midnight. :+)

        • isthisreally_me on 25/11/2016 - 00:23

          Cancel the sale now as it looks like it wont go through and buy another while the sale is on still.

  • rollypollym on 25/11/2016 - 07:35
    +1

    Im waiting for them to go 10% off again at a store. JB had it after TGG. Get officeworms to price beat or Harvey Norman particularly if you can use Amex credits. Better to have Aussie stock and protected by consumer law in any event.

  • rollypollym on 25/11/2016 - 07:49

    I just saw JB has 10% off. So if officeworks price beat by 5% then you should be able to get for around $1890.

    • che_97 on 25/11/2016 - 07:51

      Great tip. I'll contact the seller and see if they are going to follow through with the order or not

      • rollypollym on 25/11/2016 - 07:59

        No worries. Good luck with the seller. But this might be a good option if they don't. If Officeworks play hardball around the 5% try another store. They advertise price beat so should follow through.

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