I think keeping the $250 would be completely fair, given the fact (I'm
assuming here) that he knew where the car was before bidding on it. Or at
least he knew the car was not in his neighborhood. It's his responsibility
to deal with the car's location and it's not at all upon you to get the car
to him at a price he feels is reasonable. You sold him the car at auction.
He could come and get the car himself. I think you already went beyond
your responsibility when you looked into shipping costs, etc.--although it
was mighty neighborly of you.
Auctions are supposed to be final deals, that's why you can find bargains.
But this also means dealing with some inconveniences. Having been to
countless antique auctions, I can tell you that when the auction is over,
they want whatever you bought gone immediately and no sympathy. It's par
for the course at auctions.
Plus, if he backs out of the deal--which is against standard auction
policy, including eBay--you're out the opportunity costs because he took
the car away from other potential buyers. Keep the ''$250 and tell him the
car is his to pick up. You'll keep your end of the contract, he should
keep his.
Alex Avery
At 09:43 AM 7/25/01 -0600, Grant Bush wrote:
>Adam brought up a problem that I'm having right now.
>
>My 1500 sold earlier this week on ebay for the reserve price of $1,000 (I
>think a fair price). After two days, the high bidder finally contacted me
>telling me how excited he is to get the car, and could I look into shipping
>for him.
>
>Well I did, I live in Edmonton, Canada (pretty far up there) and he lives in,
>get this DALLAS TEXAS, you can't get much further away from me than Dallas! So
>I phoned a few haulers and the best price I can get is $1500 US.
>
>So now here's my dilema, I'm sure he's just oing to say that he doesn't want
>the car. In his email he says he is sending the $250 (non-refundable) deposit
>today. I think I should wait til tomorrow, email him with the price of
>hauling, and when he says he doesn't want the car, tell him I will send back
>his deposit minus the $27.00 reserve price that I wouldn't have had to pay had
>he not bumped the price up to the reserve without first checking shipping
>price.
>
>My wife thinks we should just keep the whole $250, but I don't think that's
>fair.
>
>Any thought?
>
>Grant Bush
>68 1600
>64 1500 (apparently still for sale)
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