Help with an awkward eBay seller?

[JLCooper]

I purchased an item about a week ago from a seller on eBay using 'Buy It Now'. The seller did not list postage prices to the UK, so I had to request it from them. After sending 3 requests for the postage costs and waiting 5 days, I finally gave up last night and sent another message saying as I've had no reply, when the seller finally gets this I would like to fill in a withdrawal form for the item as I don't feel like the transaction is right. Anyway, this morning I received 4 messages; 2 invoices, and 2 messages from the seller all with minutes of each other. The first message was a rather rude one saying they had in fact sent me the invoice many times (which is a total lie as I always check my inbox and junk mail on a daily basis and wouldn't have missed anything like that from eBay), and another rather short message saying "postage is free to UK, ok!?"

Anyway, I stuck to my guns about not wanting to continue with the purchase, as it's obvious the seller isn't very trustworthy even though he has high feedback, and I now don't trust him with sending off my item if he cannot even reply to a simple message regarding postage for it. Only problem is that the seller is adamant I pay as he has now sent me my invoice, even though it was after I requested withdrawing from the purchase.

I cannot withdraw the purchase on my own as it is a joint agreement or something from both the seller and the buyer, when I contacted eBay about receiving no reply after my messages and 5 days, they just replied saying have patience as it is a holiday season.

I don't know what to do about it all, I really don't trust the seller now I've seen first hand what he's like :/

[ACtheTROLL]

If the postage costs aren't shown it's up to you to establish what they are before buying (buyer beware)
free postage is generally clearely stated ... so ....

once you have pressed the button, confirmed the transaction, entered your password - I think it's pretty clear you intended to buy

>>as it's obvious the seller isn't very trustworthy
surely the measure of trustworthiness is if you receive the goods

assuming that this item is from china or hong kong - you must appreciate that they do not necessarily speak english or have a translator available (unless you sent your mail in mandarin?). and that goods take anything from 3 days to 3 weeks to arrive.

oh and don't forget that over a certain ammount they will be subject to import duty, VAT ... Admin charges from Royal mail ....

[Ethel]

I don't normally recommend not paying - after all, it is binding contract between two parties.
However, if you really are uncertain about it, simply don't pay.
If you pay by PayPal you should be covered if you don't receive the item, though.

[rojash]

I'm with ACtheTroll on this one. You entered into a contract - if you weren't sure of the terms, you should have checked before buying. As it is, you've now discovered that the terms are in fact highly favourable (the delivery is free). Sulking is not normally recognized as a valid reason for breaking a contract.

[mrbumblebee]

Tell him to post the item to you, take the chance, you will probably get it. Good luck.

[JLCooper]

I decided to not withdraw from the purchase and have now paid for the item. After paying I got an apology and a plea not to give him negative feedback lol. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if the item turns up now.