Seller's last item but it wasn't - could it be false advertising?

[diytoolbox]

I bought an item which was listed as the last item out of so many of the same item on eBay by BuyItNow, thinking, if I didn't get it, then someone else will buy it, and I will not get it at all.  It was more than my budget, but the listing saying that it was the last item, I bought it.

But as soon as I bought the item, the seller put out the same item for sale BuyItNow again listed as the last item.

So it seems clear that it was not the last item as the listing, but it was a market ploy trying to sell the item under the false information.  I feel that I was cheated by the  false listing.  I could have waited for better deal on the same item from other sellers taking time. 😞

Is this allowed practice on eBay?

[ett1954]

It is eBay that mark the item as the last one; not the seller.

There are good reasons the seller may have taken the action you state.  If selling collectables, books etc; or even any second hand item it is not unusual for a business to have more than one of those items however the condition may vary slightly.  After selling the item to you the next item may have required the condition to be amended and the photographs changed although the general description of what the item is can be left as it is.

Changing photographs and condition on each of multiple items is something I do often.  The only way to do this and prevent a customer buying an item with an incorrect condition description is to list as one item and when it sells photograph the next one, revise the listing by changing the photographs and amending the condition before resetting the stock level back to 1.  It is eBay marking my listings as 'last one', not me.

Hope this explains what may have happened.

[diytoolbox]

But the new listing which came out as the last item out of 50 sold was not different from the previous listing on the same item.  The photos, descriptions and everything in the listing was same as before.  Even if there were minor changes in the details of the listing, if it is the same item from the same seller coming out as the last one from the item just after I bought the last one, I would feel something is not right there.

[insidethe93]

If my nerves can stand it I try to ignore "last one" or "only 2 left" etc as I've seen it on at least one other platform (let's call it "A"). I don't buy much on "A" now but infrequent recent use makes me believe it still tends to state if stock is running low e.g. "only 10 left" (sometimes adding "more on the way"), but several times I've bought the last item, only to discover within minutes that it's available again, often in plenty, exact same description and photos, but at a different price (usually higher) and sometimes, not always, from a different seller.

So what "A" means is: last item available at this particular price and from this particular seller. The problem is that on eBay you don't know if there's really more available, albeit at a different price and/or different seller. You can on "A" as they compare different prices/sellers for the exact same item ON THE SAME PAGE (you click a link that opens a slide-in half-page listing your buy options).

I suspect that a seller on any platform who has a large number available to sell won't show that number but sell off in smaller groups, because "only 10 available" or "last one" seems to sell more than "only 50 left".

It's different regarding sellers who make-to-order (or customise to order) (there are a lot on eBay), as eBay's "only [number] left" doesn't really work. Even if the seller's already made some up ready for immediate despatch, "only 1 left" has no real meaning as they can then make more. With sellers making to order, small numbers available at a time is understandable anyway, as you don't want to make dozens then find you can't sell them all.

[ett1954]

I did say ".... what may have happened."

Did you purchase from a business seller or a private seller?

If it was a business seller and you are so upset about it you have the option to return it within the period of their returns policy.  As a remorse return you may have to pay the return postage; that will depend on the seller's return policy and their attitude to your dissatisfaction.  As a business seller yourself I presume you are familiar with eBay's implementation and procedure for returns.

Even if it was a private seller - one who has 50 of one item - it would suggest he could be a business seller masquerading as a private seller and may have a return policy to accommodate you.; or he may wish to do so if you approach them in the 'correct' way. 

Failing that you could try complaining to eBay as they are responsible for the addition of 'last one' ...... however I don't think you will get any satisfaction there.  The wording added by eBay could be construed as being deceptive however this is eBay and I don't believe it is breaking any advertising laws.

[nigel_paul_wright7557]

A seller can only put up one item at a time if they choose.

I cant see any skullduggery in this.

Maybe they dont want to cart 10 items at once to the post office ?

[krafty-kreations]

But the new listing which came out as the last item out of 50 sold was not different from the previous listing on the same item.  The photos, descriptions and everything in the listing was same as before

Maybe they sold one previously and the buyer cancelled or returned and it wasn't added back in stock, when they sold to you they realised they still had one more left to sell.

[papso22]

When you list ebay asks you how many you have, a seller may just say '20' because it's easier than  saying 427, or whatever.

Then ebay will say there is one left when they get to 19.

It's basically the last one in that listing, it's ebay that puts the spin on it.

[swans_n_crocodiles_58]

Maybe the store was restocked. Maybe seller tricked.

[ile136yz]

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@diytoolbox wrote:

I bought an item which was listed as the last item out of so many of the same item on eBay by BuyItNow, thinking, if I didn't get it, then someone else will buy it, and I will not get it at all.  It was more than my budget, but the listing saying that it was the last item, I bought it.

But as soon as I bought the item, the seller put out the same item for sale BuyItNow again listed as the last item.

So it seems clear that it was not the last item as the listing, but it was a market ploy trying to sell the item under the false information.  I feel that I was cheated by the  false listing.  I could have waited for better deal on the same item from other sellers taking time. 😞

Is this allowed practice on eBay?

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As a Seller, I agree that Ebay adding 'last item' to the Seller's adverts may give the wrong impression to the Buyer. Perhaps eBay needs to word it better.

It happens to my adverts when I decide on the different amounts I want to sell on each listing.  I have my listings set on restocking which I can top up at any time or when the last item listed on view has sold which is very handy for me (the seller).

[naughty_neena]

Isn't it a bit like looking for holidays online and there's only 2 rooms left

[moldosgifts]

I do it i have an item say a Nordic patch I have 20 of them they sell then i have another 20 its called restocking.

Its an ongoing process get 20 when you get down to say 5 order another 20 and so on.

Only change will be the price.