Ethics on Ebay

NewParadigm · May 3, 2010 3:51PM

A seller had a BIN coin that was supposed to be, I presume, $999 and it was listed at 9.99 by mistake. It was a 1901 PCGS PR65CAM Indian Head Cent.

Question is, what do you do?

There are two sides:

1) If he put an auction up and got 999 for a 9.99 item... I dont see too many people returning it.

2) We all make mistakes - let him know of his mistake.

I went with option 2. As a seller personally, I would be devastated of that kind of loss.

djdilliodon · May 3, 2010 4:44PM

An obvious era in a listing is simply that an era. I wouldnt expect the seller to hold that BIN/auction as a valid sale but if the listing was over say 48 hours and running and was not corrected, I take that as not doing your home work on how much your item is worth which finally brings my point to this run on sentence as a valid sale and the deal of the day for the buyer

RedHerring · May 3, 2010 6:01PM

<< An obvious era in a listing is simply that an era. >>

You meant to write "error", not "era".

We're talking about a grand here and the seller should not be held to the BIN price IMHO.

Thanks for notifying the seller NewParadigm. A 1901 PCGS PR65CAM IHC should not be sold for $9.99 and if this did happen, $999 sounds good!

magikbilly · May 3, 2010 7:17PM

Option 2 is the ONLY thing to do. I love a bargain even a rip, but that is neither. I'd feel terrible. I am NO bible banger, but "do unto others..."

Best,
Eric

notwilight · May 3, 2010 7:38PM

<< Option 2 is the ONLY thing to do. I love a bargain even a rip, but that is neither. I'd feel terrible. I am NO bible banger, but "do unto others..."

Best,
Eric >>

Not quite the only thing. I would go one step further and hit BIN before someone interested in making life difficult did. they you two could cancel the transaction. --Jerry

magikbilly · May 3, 2010 7:46PM

Hi notwilight,

yes, of course. Good catch!

I am sleepy and chose from the options presented instead of thinking outside the box.

Best,
Eric

PerryHall · May 3, 2010 8:49PM

I would hit the BIN before anyone else could to end the auction and then I would give the seller a chance to cancel the deal.

Edited to add that I just saw notwilight's post and we both said essentially the same thing.

ProofCents · May 3, 2010 8:55PM

It's funny as a buyer your are required to complete a sale even if you made a mistake but as a seller you can back out of it?? How is that fair?

fcloud · May 3, 2010 8:59PM

I once hit the BIN on one of these types of errors and then told the seller about it, so we could just not complete the sale. He thanked me and we were both good with it. Eventhough he had to pay some small listing fee, he didn't have to deal with someone who wouldn't let it drop.

ricko · May 3, 2010 9:04PM

Excellent solution Jerry (and Perry). I normally do not open 'ebay' threads, but ethics questions always interest me (long history). This solution was not only ethical, but thoughtful. Cheers, RickO

johnny9434 · May 3, 2010 11:06PM

good people speak volumes. i woulda said something on it and have with dealers at shows as well

Frankcoins · May 3, 2010 11:56PM

<< It's funny as a buyer your are required to complete a sale even if you made a mistake but as a seller you can back out of it?? How is that fair? >>

Only the seller can make an error in the listing.

Teva · May 4, 2010 12:07AM

<< It's funny as a buyer your are required to complete a sale even if you made a mistake but as a seller you can back out of it?? How is that fair? >>

If the seller has a return policy than the buyer has options if they do not accept returns I don't bid on there items because I like options.

LindeDad · May 4, 2010 12:11AM

<< It's funny as a buyer your are required to complete a sale even if you made a mistake but as a seller you can back out of it?? How is that fair? >>

Actually I have had several bidders bid on the wrong item and ask me to cancel their bids. Wanted dimes and bid on nickels instead.
And yes you as the seller can cancel bids.

AUandAG · May 4, 2010 12:56AM

I saw a seller that listed a CC GSA for BIN $15 a few years ago. It was easier to just hit
the BIN button and send him a message to return my money and cancel the auction. He
was very grateful. I'm sure he would not have shipped anyway!

bob

TomB · May 4, 2010 2:45AM

I have twice done what Jerry has suggested in the past where I hit the BIN and then sent the seller a message about the error. In both cases the seller was quite thankful and no transaction took place. The second time I did this the seller confided in me that he was certain he would end up with his first negative feedback when he saw what had happened and before he read my note.

okracer · May 4, 2010 3:10AM

<< A seller had a BIN coin that was supposed to be, I presume, $999 and it was listed at 9.99 by mistake. It was a 1901 PCGS PR65CAM Indian Head Cent.

. >>

....I don't see anything like that coin currently listed on Ebay....maybe he got the message and cancelled the listing?

SaorAlba · May 4, 2010 3:15AM

Been there done that as a buyer, bought an item with a ridiculously low BIN and let the seller know that I didn't expect them to honour the bid. He kindly offered to, but I settled for a credit towards a future purchase on his online store.

joecopper · May 4, 2010 3:33AM

No. 2

Ethics should rule

Ethics on Ebay

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