Seller decides after the auction they didn't get enough money and withholds portions of the item

Question

Seller decides after the auction they didn't get enough money and withholds portions of the item I bid on. Tells me since they paid more for the item previously they will keep items that were part of the original auction. I reported this to ebay and have screenshots of the conversation. Do I have no recourse until half the item I paid for arrived?

I am very disgusted that this is even possible.

Am I right to assume that if you list certain items in an auction and then withhold portions that this is a scam? Also against ebay policy.

Thanks

woodland_gnome · Answer

You have 30 days from when you received the items (or from the estimated delivery date you were given when you paid, whichever is EARLIER) to file under the Money Back Guarantee for the lot you received being significantly not as described (i.e. missing pieces). Do not let the seller string you along into missing that deadline (it is important to do it on eBay since they require the seller to cover any return shipping if s/he wants what you did get back; note that eBay cannot force a partial refund or force him/her to ship the remaining portion--eBay can only force a full refund, and a prepaid return label if s/he wants what you already got back).

And if you are asking if you can take action before you get the item, no. (You can file for Item Not Received if you don't get something by the end of the estimated delivery date/range you were given when you paid, but if you know part of the order is coming before the 30 days will be up doing so will just make more work and headaches for you. On the other hand if s/he is waiting on you to say which parts you want or the like before s/he ships, definitely DO file the day after the delivery estimate passes.)

Don't stress over reporting the seller for policy violations at this point. The strongest action you can take is to get your money back or your items as described in full, that is what eBay is looking at to weed out bad sellers. After you get either your money back or your full order, come back for more help if you wish to leave feedback for the seller.