Ebay seller raised the price after auction

[firefighterwat]

What is the name of your state? Oregon

I was the winning bidder of a "no reserve" auction on ebay motors. The bidding started at $500 and I ended up winning the bid for $21,201. I felt secure about the transaction process because the seller was a licensed and bonded auto dealer in my nieghboring state. The seller informed me that the vehicle I won had mechanical issues that made it unable for him to sell the vehicle. He then put it up for auction under a different name as well as put it for sale locally on craigslist. I called him on it and advised him that I was going to travel to him, inspect the vehicle, and purchase it. After inspecting and driving the vehicle(finding no problems), I advised him that I wanted to proceed with the purchase. He advised me that it was now going to cost me $27,000! Do I have any legal recourse? Is there anyone who can help me? I have many emails and both of the listings(as well as a craigslist listing after I won). Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Sean

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Start with a complaint to eBay ... not just a complaint on his seller. If you seller LIKES to sell stuff on eBay, he'll not like it if they pull his ability to sell on their site.

 

[BoredAtty]

What is the name of your state? Oregon

I was the winning bidder of a "no reserve" auction on ebay motors. The bidding started at $500 and I ended up winning the bid for $21,201. I felt secure about the transaction process because the seller was a licensed and bonded auto dealer in my nieghboring state. The seller informed me that the vehicle I won had mechanical issues that made it unable for him to sell the vehicle. He then put it up for auction under a different name as well as put it for sale locally on craigslist. I called him on it and advised him that I was going to travel to him, inspect the vehicle, and purchase it. After inspecting and driving the vehicle(finding no problems), I advised him that I wanted to proceed with the purchase. He advised me that it was now going to cost me $27,000! Do I have any legal recourse? Is there anyone who can help me? I have many emails and both of the listings(as well as a craigslist listing after I won). Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Sean

Contacting eBay is fine, but because of the amount of money involved, I would begin taking matters into my own hands.

Start by attempting to pay in the method required by the terms. Then write a letter to the seller to inform him that at the completion of the eBay auction, a contract was formed between you and he, and that if he refuses to sell the vehicle to you at the auction price, then he will have breached the contract, and that you will sue him for money damages. Hiring an attorney to write the letter would be even better as it would show him how serious you are (though it may cost you anywhere from $200-$500).

If the dealer still refuses, you will have to sue him. The bottom line, though, is that you have a case.

 

[firefighterwat]

Additional info on attempted sale

Origianlly the buyer was out of town, immediately followed by being out of town myself. Due to these circumstances, the seller advised me that a down payment was not needed(which I have in email). I had already secured my financing through my credit union. I asked him to send a PO to the credit union, which he did, but did not put any routing numbers for the payment to be sent to. Immediately following this part of the transaction is when he notified me that there were "mechanical problems" with the vehicle. Thanks for the info. Do you know a good lawyer?

 

[BoredAtty]

Do you know a good lawyer?

Not in Oregon. The good news, though, is that even a bad lawyer should be able to win this case (or even you, if you act as your own atty). It seems like a fairly simple case of breach of contract.

Be sure to save the eBay auction and/or print out copies of it before it's removed so you have evidence.