Date:         Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:54:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Lubin <visionwizard@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Lubin <visionwizard@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      e-bay trim rings...blocked by seller!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Here's my story, sad but true.

Last week, I bid on a set of the following 14" wheel trim rings on ebay
(if the link doesn't work, just go to ebay and search on vanagon trim
rings or item #230221818471)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-VOLKSWAGEN-VANAGON-VAN-14-TRIM-BEAUTY-WHEEL-RINGS_W0QQitemZ230221818471QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230221818471

After I was narrowly outbid and lost the auction for around $22, I
received a second chance offer from the seller, for my final bid
amount.  I declined this offer, replying to the seller that I wasn't too
sorry to lose at that amount, and that I'd prefer to rebid on the next
set, because:
1.  I had seen that other sets of his had gone for the opening bid
amount ($9.99), and
2.  They are available for $29.95 from GoWesty
(http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3433&category_id=220&category_parent_id=),
and since I need another part from them that is not available anywhere
else (an a/c switch) my marginal shipping costs from them would be
almost nothing.

I did not hear anything back from the seller, but last night, when I bid
on the next set in the series, I found that the seller had blocked my
bid!  As a result, they went to another bidder for $10.50, an amount
about half of what I was willing to pay!

I'm telling you this now for two reasons:
1.  In case anyone else wants these rings, maybe you'll have better luck
with this seller than I did.
2.  I'm wondering if this kind of thing has happened to anyone else
here, and if so, if there's any recourse on my part.

I've learned my lesson on one thing though:  If I ever get another
second-chance offer, I will politely decline without volunteering all of
my reasons.