Selling stuff that you don't have.

[tonytot350m]

Why does eBay let you sell stuff here that you don't have. Lots of listings are the same photo cut out of a book for different size items that are clearly not held in stock. I am talking about Sealey Tools and Electric Motors to start with?

[red_magpie]

Using a standard photo doesn't mean that the seller doesn't have the item in stock. You wouldn't expect John Lewis to photograph the actual display model on the shop floor when placing advertisements, would you?

In any case, what counts is whether the seller is able to deliver the item on time, not whether they have it in stock. Some sellers use "drop shipping", i.e. fulfilling an order by having the item dispatched direct to the buyer from another stockist.

[corred]

@tonytot350m

Business sellers are permitted to do what is called Drop Shipping

This means they have a supplier & when you order from them....they order from that supplier who then fulfills the order

As I said it is a legitimate practice but the seller risks their account as they are putting their trust in the 3rd party to complete the sale

[arkwebus]

With new items it is permitted to use "stock photos".  I doubt that you can say - with certainty - that the seller does not have the items.  They may simply pass on an order to some other business.

If items are bought and do not get delivered then the buyer opens a "non-received" case for a refund.

@tonytot350m