I sold a item the other day to some one on ebay, the deal was done off ebay to save the large fees.

The guy came to my house agreed a price payed a deposit of £150 and was going to come back next day with a van and pay the other £350, but has now said he does not want item, and I can keep the deposit.

Al-tho this was only verbally communicated to me, and the dead line for him to collect the item has been and gone and no further contact from him, am now free to resell item (am I not)

technically yes. he has said he doesn't want it. but it's proving he said that. i'd try and either email or text and ask him if he wants it or not and if he replies then there's your non-verbal proof. or record a phone call or something like that.

Although I can't see how it would work, this has the feeling of a scam: why would someone just give away £150? I wouldn't sell it until you have confirmation in writing, or at least make sure you can return the £150 if asked.

Re-sell the item and make sure you keep hold of the deposit just in case he does turn round and ask for it back.
Leave it 28 days then treat yourself with your extra £150 profit.

If it was done off ebay, there's no proof he bought anything or paid a deposit anyway as there will be no records.

I would hang on to both for a while and try to get hold of him and get something in writing or recording, you have entered into a verbal agreement and why would anybody give you £150 just like that, play it for a while but make sure anything you say/do is recorded,

Maybe he came to your house to case it up and he'll be back soon to take the item and other things he's eyed up for free

Willo, you fail to mention wether it was cash or paypal?

Reason being is if he payed via paypal anything under £500 can be taken back for upto 3 months iirc.

If he paid by cash you are ok, just sell the item on.

Just be aware that he may crawl his deposit back via paypal at antime which could leave you short.



Chris, we have people leave deposits of £300 on vans then not come back or call saying they have found another elsewhere and to keep the deposit.

Sometimes its worth losing a few quid to gain a better item.

I Don't think there is any scam involved here.

Besides, thats the whole point of a deposit, so you know the buyer will not mess you around, they do mess you around and they lose their deposit, simples.

It was cash Ste, and i have heard nothing back from him as of yet, and item has now gone.

Check its not funny money

as a rule when i sell machinery i always state that for an overseas buyer their deposit will be kept for 6 weeks if in the uk then 4 weeks. I always put this in writing and inform them that after the time has elapsed their deposit will be used for remarketing costs and storage of the item. always cover yourself. there is loads of info on the uk business forums website that is always worth a look