Seller does not answer multiple queries

[zipmr]

Contacted seller with a question about a lens that is being auctioned. My decision to bid depends on the answer. After two requests, the seller never answered and the bidding ends in two hours. What can be done to make sure the seller behaves responsibly?

[fab_finds4u]

You and eBay can't make them reply to messages. If they aren't  helpful when there's  no problem I iimagine they won't  be helpful if there's  a problem after buying.

I wiuld find a better seller.

[mudshark61369]

@zipmr,

Sellers are not required to answer messages, but most will.  If you are worried about what will happen if you win the lens and it is not as described all you need do is read the terms and time frames of ebay's Money Back Guarantee in the link below.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

If you have questions about it come back and ask them.

[kensgiftshop]

Since sellers are not required to respond to massages, there's nothing to do but maybe find another seller that will answer messages.

If they are no help before a sale, they probably won't be any help after either.

[tinsoldierunderground]

@zipmr 

What can be done?  Absolutely nothing.  As everyone else has posted, sellers are not required to respond.

Most do, but there is no mandate in ebay policy that they do so.

[zipmr]

Thank you mudshark61369, kensgiftshop and tinsoldierunderground for replying with this information. I have never had any seller not respond to a question, especially for an auction item, which is why I felt the need to find an answer. By the way, after my third attempt with the seller just a few minutes ago, where I mentioned I had asked about unresponsive sellers, the seller did respond claiming that a reply had been sent sooner but that for some reason it did not arrive. Does this happen often? In any case, thanks again.

[mudshark61369]

@zipmr,

Your seller has a splendid reputation (100%) selling a wide range of collectible items, but not much experience with photographic equipment, which may be why they haven't answered.  If your question was about the lens, have you tried looking it up online? Maybe then you will get an answer.

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@zipmr wrote:

Thank you mudshark61369, kensgiftshop and tinsoldierunderground for replying with this information. I have never had any seller not respond to a question, especially for an auction item, which is why I felt the need to find an answer. By the way, after my third attempt with the seller just a few minutes ago, where I mentioned I had asked about unresponsive sellers, the seller did respond claiming that a reply had been sent sooner but that for some reason it did not arrive. Does this happen often? In any case, thanks again.

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No doesn't happen often.

Doesn't happen at all.

My opinion: Seller is lying and you are better off not dealing with this seller. You might get a rock. 

[zipmr]

Thanks for your interest. Yes the question was about the lens and it was very specific about what he had to look for. When he did finally reply, just now, he did answer my question. Thanks again.

[asset_liquidators]

"the seller did respond claiming that a reply had been sent sooner but that for some reason it did not arrive. Does this happen often? In any case, thanks again."

I wouldn't say it happens often but it absolutely DOES happen. 

[zipmr]

Thanks stainlessenginecovers, that's kind of the way I was left feeling. Doesn't instill confidence.

[12345jamesstamps]

'behaves responsibly'....a lot of sellers do have a life outside of eBay.

I wouldn't be surprised if you can bid again...on the item.

It depends on how friendly the emails were to the seller.

You always have an option of returning something 'not as described'.

[mudshark61369]

@stainlessenginecovers,

I've received messages late according to the time stamp, and I've had messages not delivered hours after being sent.  eBay messages are no more exempt from problems/glitches than any other ebay site function. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@mudshark61369 wrote:

@stainlessenginecovers,

I've received messages late according to the time stamp, and I've had messages not delivered hours after being sent.  eBay messages are no more exempt from problems/glitches than any other ebay site function. 

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and I never have and don't believe that 'everything' is a 'glitch'. 

[zipmr · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, I'm talking days, not hours of delay. It is now all resolved with the seller anyway, so no harm done.