The seller has tricked me and probably will sell the PM6303 to someone else when he gets the chance. He pulled it off with some help from eBay Customer Support.
Link to item:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140898370484Here is how he did it:
December 22. (D-day) I won the auction on ebay item 140898370484 with a bid of $89.88. Seller is cica93, alias Avstar Aviation LLC in Florida, alias Carl Weisse.
December 23. (D +1 day), I paid for the item and shipping.
December 28. (D + 6 days), USPS status page and tracking number shows that the items are being shipped with USPS
January 6. (D + 15 days), I informed the seller that " I have already ordered additional accessories (Kelvin clips and SMD device tweezers) to the PM6303 that you are about to ship. I am looking forward to you shipping the item soon." No change in shipping status. (eBay generated message title: "I haven't received my item yet: "nixxon" sent a message about Fluke/Philips LCR Meter #140898370484")
January 7. (D +16 days), I request seller's contact information based on the following explanation: Hi! I won an auction December 22 where cica93 is seller. (100,0% positive feedback and almost 700 items sold) I payed for the item + shipping soon after. I have emailed him multiple times about shipment method. I haven't heard from the seller since December 19. Should I regard this to be a possible problem? I want the seller to ship the item using USPS Express Mail International. December 28, I received a tracking number. Status today is still "The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on December 28, 2012 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date." Please let me know what is good ebay practice for me to do in this situation.
I really want the seller to ship this item. I have already bought complimentary equipment to be used with the won item as well. Best regards, "nixxon"
January 8. (D + 17 days), I open a case at Ebay Resolution Center: Here's what you need to do next:
Try to work things out with the seller. If you don't hear back by Jan 16, 2013, you can escalate this case to eBay Customer Support.
What you should know:
This case will automatically close on Feb 07, 2013 if the case is not escalated.
Details you've provided:
Problem: You have not received the item
You have already contacted the seller through eBay Messages
You paid on Dec 23, 2012
The seller has not responded to you
The seller isn't working with you to solve the problem
You entered the phone number of "+47 XXXXXXXX"
We can share your phone number with the seller.
Additional information:
"No reply from seller what so ever. I called (727)535-2600 multiple times, but only get a voice message telling me "You've reached a number that is disconnected or no longer in service".
I really want this item, as I have invested in other hardware that go with this item only."
The seller has provided the shipping information for your item. You can view the shipping information in the Resolution Center.
If you receive the item, you can close the case in the Resolution Center.
Seller's message to you:
"There was a problem with the shipping label, was fixed with paypal yesterday Jan 07, item will ship tomorrow Jan 09"
January 8. (D + 17 days), The seller answers for the first time and provides the following information: The seller has provided the shipping information for your item. You can view the shipping information in the Resolution Center.
If you receive the item, you can close the case in the Resolution Center.
Seller's message to you:
"There was a problem with the shipping label, was fixed with paypal yesterday Jan 07, item will ship tomorrow Jan 09"
January 8., (D+ 17 days) answer from eBay Customer Service regarding request of seller's contact information the day before:
Hello "nixxon",
Thank you for contacting eBay; it’s my pleasure to assist you today.
I understand that you are concerned because the tracking of your item shows no progress since the 28th. Usually it’s best to give it time (I know it’s already been about 10 days) as sometimes USPS tracking is slower to update. However, if you have not received your item by January 21st, you should open a case for your item. To do that, go to:
http://resolutioncenter.ebay.comKeep in mind that timing is important. You can open a case after the estimated delivery date has passed, or 7 days after you paid for the item (if no estimated delivery date was given). You must open a case within 45 days of making payment.
I know that it can be frustrating to wait that long for your item. However, as of right now I don’t see a reason to worry too much.
I hope this answers your question and I wish you all of the best with your future eBay experiences.
Very Respectfully,
Jerrick G.
eBay Customer Service
January 9., (D+18 days) Rather than shipping the items as promised this day, the seller contacts eBay and escalates the case:
Hi "nixxon",
The seller has asked eBay Customer Support to review this case and make a final decision.
We'll review the case details, such as messages sent in the Resolutions Center about this case and other emails sent through eBay between you and the seller. If we have questions, we'll get in touch with you. We'll get back to you within 72 hours.
You can view the details of this case in the Resolution Center.
January 9. (D+18 days), Message from Buyer Protection Team
Dear "nixxon",
We are sorry you are having an issue with the item you purchased. As a follow up on your eBay Buyer Protection case, we wanted to explain what you can expect from the process.
Important things to know :
The seller has been notified that you have not received your item and that you have opened a case in the Resolutions Center. Here are the next steps:
1.
The seller has a maximum of 7 days to respond to the case. Most sellers will respond with shipping status information or issue you a refund.
2.
If you are not able to work out a resolution with the seller, you need to escalate the case to eBay customer support to make a final decision.
For most items you can expect a final decision, and if we find in your favour, a refund within 3 days of making our decision.
3.
Your case will time out in 30 days from when it was filed, if we do not hear from you. Please return to the Resolutions Center before that to let us know that you and the seller worked things out or that you need eBay customer support to make a decision.
Action Required from you :
•If you are unable to work things out with the seller or do not hear back from them in 7 days, please respond to your case in the Resolution Center and choose the "Escalate" option.
What incentive is there for the seller to resolve your issue :
•Sellers have a strong incentive to fix your issue. eBay takes eBay Buyer Protection cases very seriously. Sellers who are found to cause repeated problems on the eBay site will be negatively impacted in their seller standings and possibly suspended.
eBay's Buyer Protection Team
January 10. (D+19 days), I write the seller: Hi cica93!I don't receive any replies from you regarding my Emails to you. Do you get my Emails?2 days ago, you wrote: "There was a problem with the shipping label, was fixed with paypal yesterday Jan 07, item will ship tomorrow Jan 09"The USPS tracking has not changed since December 28.Did you ship the item yesterday?Best regards,"nixxon".
January 10., (D+19 days) notification from eBay Customer Support:
Case # 5022130221: Customer Support made a final decision
Hi "nixxon",
Good news! We issued you a full refund of $164.51 on Jan 10, 2013. The refund includes the purchase price plus original shipping and has been credited to your PayPal account. Please log in to PayPal and view the History page if you don't see it in your PayPal balance.
Decision:
This case has been decided in your favor.Comments:
We didn't receive valid tracking information from the seller. We're sorry you had a problem with your purchase, and we're issuing you a refund for this case.
***************************
There you have it. Above you find the recipe on how a seller can get away with it, bridging a contract, cancelling a deal and not shipping an item if he does not want to fulfill his part of an eBay deal. This way, the seller runs no risk by not having a minimum price and getting a relatively low highest bid for his items for sale.
Now I just need to find another PM6303 for $164.51 including shipping. For your infomation current PM6303's on eBay have minimum prices that vary between $865 and $1750. The $164.51 refund is $1100 short of covering the average price of the other PM6303 LCR meters that are for sale at present at ebay. That is excluding shipping cost. "Decision in my favor", my ass
I guess cica93 never intended to ship the item. Maybe he will change his mind if I let him know that I am disappointed