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Seller Has Items Listed for Sale but After Purchase Claims They Are Out of Stock
Summary: alamo.heigh-93 shared their experience with a seller who listed high-end casserole pans at a reasonable price but claimed they were out of stock after the purchase was made. Despite this claim, the listing remained active, raising suspicions about the seller's intentions. eastlaneave advised against canceling the purchase to ensure the seller receives a defect mark and recommended using eBay's Money Back Guarantee policy to address the situation. alamo.heigh-93 later received a flawed item, contrary to its description, and eastlaneave suggested opening a return request for a refund or replacement. alamo.heigh-93 expressed appreciation for the guidance.
A seller, supposedly in California, has several of the same high end casserole pans in various colours listed for Buy It Now for a very reasonable price. I bought one.
In the wee hours of this morning, seller contacted me and claimed the item is out of stock and advised me to cancel my purchase. Yet, seller still has the listing open with all of the other casserole pans available for purchase. Something does not seem right. If your stock is depleted, why do you still have the listing open with "buy it now" so that more buyers can place orders and you will have to tell them that your stock is depleted?
I tried to contact eBay, but of course I cannot get past the AI. What do you think this seller is up to leaving multiple items on Buy it Now but then claims stock is depleted? Why would the listing still be open to buyers?
Gosh, I just had a terrible thought....do you think this seller is just using the listing to glean buyer names and addresses???
I just now received another message saying that the seller's "warehouse has just burnt down."
(I hate those AI systems with a passion. They are too cheap to employ U.S. citizens to handle customer service.)
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@alamo.heigh-93
I am sorry this happened
Do not ask to cancel. That lets the seller off the hook.
The seller can cancel themselves for 'out of stock' - that gives the seller a defect, which they deserve.
If the seller doesn't cancel and refund you, then
.
eBay's Money Back Guarantee should apply: https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/-/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
Here is how to formally request a refund of your full payment when an item doesn't arrive:
1) Look at your purchase history here: https://www.ebay.com/mye/myebay/purchase
- View Order Details
- Check the Estimated Delivery Date for your purchase, and
- Check the tracking for your purchase
When it is past the estimated delivery date (and there is no tracking, or the tracking doesn’t show that is close to delivery):
2) Open an "Item Not Received Case". You can do that right here by clicking on the photo of your item and following the steps: https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/-/reporting-item-didnt-receive?id=4042
(If it is not yet time for a case to be opened, it will give you the exact date after you click the photo.)
You will be able to select whether you want the Item or a Refund
-- You have 30 days from the estimated delivery date to open a case)
3) You can check the status of your case here:
https://www.ebay.com/help/ip?topicId=4667
The seller must respond within 3 business days to provide a delivery update, offer a replacement, or give you a refund. If the seller doesn't respond after 72 hours, ask eBay to Step In. You must do this before 21 days after the case was opened.
alamo.heigh-93
OP3 weeks agoThank you very much.
alamo.heigh-93
OP2 weeks agoI have a shocking update. First, seller said he was out of stock and asked me to cancel the order. Then, he claimed his facility burnt down, so he had nothing at all. Then, somehow, he managed to send me the item. I was naturally distrustful, and I was right to be. The casserole arrived tonight. At first, it looked okay. The box was definitely a Le Creuset box. Then, I opened it, and as I feared, the casserole was not a first quality. It is more a third quality. It is full of flaws both on the lid and the bottom piece.
Le Creuset inspectors would not let this be sent to retailers or sell it from their own website in this condition. I know. I own several pieces of Le Creuset. It is top quality cookware, and they only sell perfect pieces. Any piece that comes out full of flaws like this gets marked and set aside. MAYBE, just MAYBE it might be sent to a factory outlet store to sell at a reduce price IF it was not badly flawed, but this casserole is badly flawed. My heart just sank. Now, I have the trouble of packing it up and sending it back.
Right now I am not only deeply disappointed but also very angry. The lesson here is clear: if it seems too good to be true, it is.
eastlaneave
Mentor2 weeks ago@alamo.heigh-93
I am sorry that happened!
Be sure to open a return request
You can open your return request here. Just click the photo and follow the instructions.
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/return-item-refund?id=4041
The reason would be "Different from what I ordered > Didn't Match Description" if the item you got was not what was shown and described.
-- You can check the status of your case here:
https://www.ebay.com/help/ip?topicId=4667
If the seller doesn't provide a refund or a valid return label after 3 full business days; you will be able to Ask eBay to Step In
-- Here is a help page where you can learn more:
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/resolving-issues-sellers/checking-status-request?id=4667
Do not close your return request until you either have your refund in hand or you have the replacement item. Do not close it because the seller promises you something.
alamo.heigh-93
OP2 weeks agoThank you. I appreciate it.
alamo.heigh-93
OP2 weeks agoI have a bit more info to add. I snapped the best photos possible this morning in good light. I happened to notice two things that do not seem kosher, either.
Firstly, the package was address to a totally different name than mine. No one lives here by that (Spanish?) name. The package came from Olive Branch, MS, too, but according to the listing, these were supposed to be in California.
Secondly, there is a label on the box that says that the pieces was made in either China, Thailand, or France for William Sonoma. REAL Le Creuset is made exclusively at their plant in France. So, this is another big red flag that this seller is not being honest about what he is selling.
Just wanted to add this extra bit of information to help others. If you see Le Creuset pieces being offered at a fantastically low price on eBay, it is 99.99% likely that they are selling fakes and/or factory seconds. Do not waste your time and energy with these sellers. I know I wish I had not done so.
Waiting for a return label.