16-04-2026 6:07 PM
I would appreciate some advice, or even help please if that is possible.
I have a buyer for an old sailing dinghy and trailer. The sailing dinghy was in need of significant repair so I was giving that away free with the trailer. The buyer collected the trailer and boat Thursday 2nd April at 10:30am. He did not have a QR code or the six digit number. The cable for his light board with brake and signalling lights was too short to reach from the plug on his car to the end of the dinghy so I lent him my light board.
I realised that afternoon I would need the six digit QR code number to complete the transaction on ebay. He had given me his mobile number and his email address so I sent two emails firstly asking when I could collect my light board and could he send me his address. The second email asking if he could send the six digit QR code so I could complete the ebay transaction, or at least an email confirming collection. I had no response so after Easter I sent an ebay message and the same text as an email. Still no response. I repeated the email and ebay message on the Monday of the following week and called his mobile leaving an answer phone message. As of today still no response.
While I would like to have my light board returned I would also like to be sure that ebay will not decide to refund the money paid if the QR code is not entered. I have no address for the buyer who, according to ebay, lives in a village only 12 miles away.
I need some advice on what I can do to ensure I don’t loose the money paid by the buyer and, is there any way I can get the buyer to respond so I can collect my light board? I have wondered if this is a ‘scam’ and I should report it to the police scam department and Which but perhaps ebay would be able to help first? Perhaps he is not very good at picking up emails and ignores answer phone messages?
16-04-2026 6:20 PM
I am not sure the police would be interested as you allowed the buyer to take the item, which was still yours and so was a loan, away from your property.
The buyer will be able to open a case for 'item not received' as you have no proof that they have collected the trailer/dingy which they paid for.
However, as it is two weeks since they collected it, it seems unlikely they will go down that route, in my opinion.
There is nothing you can do through Ebay - this is not a scenario where they can intervene.
if you have a phone number for the buyer, keep ringing them and reminding them you want your lightboard back!
17-04-2026 4:42 PM