Seller accepts offer for 2 items, then sells to someone else

[etrozzi2013]

Hello.

A seller advertised 1 item. I wanted 2 of the same items. I asked the seller if they had another, and they replied yes. Seller told me 2nd item was not on eBay. Since this is only my second purchase on eBay, I didn't know that it wasn't allowed to sell something away from the eBay site. I offered an amount for the 2 items, which the seller accepted.  We exchanged many emails regarding shipping location, costs etc. I asked them how should I proceed, as only one item was on eBay. They said that they would send a PayPal invoice, which never came. After not hearing from them for 3 days, I received an email from the seller saying that they had sold the item to someone locally. I tried to tell them that as soon as they accepted my offer, that we had a contract. They said no we didn't. What do you think, was this a contract? Do I have any recourse? What do you think?

etrozzi2013

[pierrelebel]

Please take a look at : http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y13/m11/i12/s03

It explains that the eBay Beta program for Best Offer has been ended.

Under the pilot program, which was available in Computers & Tablets, Jewelry & Watches, and Art categories, if a seller accepted a Best Offer, it was non-binding - the item actually remained for sale until the shopper paid for the item (if the shopper paid for the item).

Sorry, you have no recourse.

Next time you see something you like, buy it, pay for it immediately, and everything will work out as it should.

[etrozzi2013]

Hello,

Thank you for your input. I asked the seller if they had 2 of the items offered, and they said that they did. I item was being sold on eBay, and the other, was not. I didn't know how they were going to handle the situation. I specifically asked them if I should go ahead and purchase the first item through their ad, they said they were going to send me a PayPal invoice which never came.

Should I report this seller for attempting to sell away from eBay?

I will make note of this seller's ID and avoid them like the plague!

etrozzi2013