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Unpaid on Catawiki

Sunny-Delight Posted messages 5 Status Member -  
 razy -
Hello,

I won an auction on the Catawiki site, the problem is that the bid I made was much too high compared to the item for sale.
I haven't paid for the item yet and I've received an email from a collection agency asking me to pay, of course.

According to some forums I've seen, many users seem to think that it's just bluff and that the site doesn't respect our rights regarding online sales.

Has anyone ever been in this situation, could you tell me if I'm at risk of legal action? Apparently, the site identifies us by our IP address, is that true?

Thank you

9 answers

  1.
    Afrikarnak Posted messages 17653 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 14 519
     
    Hello

    What is the approximate amount of the 'debt'?

    For now, you are 'known' only by the IP used on this occasion. Unless you filled out the correct information regarding yourself, we don't know which form allowed access to the auction site.

    Tracing back to the user's machine address can only be done through a Judicial Request to the ISP, which means after a 'complaint'.

    A 'complaint' for a minor issue will probably be ignored, as the Police/Judiciary have other priorities right now. In addition, the complainant must provide admissible proof regarding the acquisition of the IP of the alleged offender.
    The Internet will tell you that this is not easy. The system must certainly be 'certified'.

    If you were bidding 'anonymously' (Address and especially name unknown) and the stakes are modest, the risk is quite limited. However, if you receive a formal demand for payment by mail (whether regular or registered, it doesn't matter), then you can start to worry.

    See you later.
    6
  3. Sunny-Delight Posted messages 5 Status Member 6
     
    No, I have never been on this site before; it was the first time I went there. I didn't understand the description of the ad, and I realized it too late.

    Given the forums and reviews about this site, I think I'm not the only bad payer, and maybe you're telling the truth and I have nothing to fear.

    I think our assumptions won't get us very far, so if someone has been in my situation or knows what the possible outcomes of this matter could be, I'm all ears.

    Afrikarnak, thank you very much for your attention and your responses; you reassured me, but I don't overlook the fact that I'm not invisible on the internet.

    I will keep you updated if one day I receive a letter, something, or if someone responds again; I have activated notifications, so I will know when someone posts.

    Thank you.
    2
    1. SIM047 Posted messages 1 Status Member
       
      Hi Sunny, have you heard any news from the court? Has there been any progress?
      0
    2. Popopopo
       
      You don't know how to bid. And what about the seller?
      It's easy to place a fake bid and not keep your commitments.
      0
  4. poodlefan
     
    If you do not pay for the item, they will cancel the sale but charge you the commission. Otherwise, they will close your account.
    2
  6. Sunny-Delight Posted messages 5 Status Member 6
     
    Thank you for your reply (the username is reassuring lol)

    So according to you, a lawsuit is probably unlikely, at least as long as I haven't received anything at home?

    When I registered, I provided my real identity (I have a doubt about the address) but after that, I changed it.

    The auction rose to €150 I believe.
    1
    1. Afrikarnak Posted messages 17653 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   14 519
       
      Re:

      The Batavians are tough in business, but initiating a procedure outside of Batavia for a relatively modest stake seems unlikely. If you hadn't provided any information at all, I would say the likelihood of prosecution is close to zero. But be careful, computers keep records of past activities (your personal info...).

      Between us, you are legally bound by what is stated in the general terms and conditions; moreover, you had a right of withdrawal of 14 days (§ 8.2 of the general terms and conditions...). Penalties ('Penalty Clause'): 9.5 and following.

      When did this story happen?

      Talk to you later.
      0
  7. Sunny-Delight Posted messages 5 Status Member 6
     
    This case dates back to 07/22/2016.

    Is it worth contacting the site, even if I have to make up a story, and try to get myself out of this, or should I just continue to remain silent?
    1
    1. Afrikarnak Posted messages 17653 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   14 519
       
      Re:

      If you contact the site, you're giving them a sign of life which will excite them and whet their 'appetite'. As for your 'story', I don't think they care about it at all..

      The best thing is to keep quiet in the hope that they don't come back to you. At worst, you will receive threatening letters from a Collection Agency. It will only be amiable and you won't be obliged to respond.

      If we estimate that the likelihood of legal action is low (minimal stake, high legal costs for a random result, cross-border dispute..), we can let it go. It's up to you to decide whether to adopt the 'talk to the walls' tactic...

      As for their T&Cs, as indicated in the links, one might think there's something to be gained in case of legal action. But this would involve a significant cost (specialized lawyer in consumer/Internet law).

      So it's a game of poker..

      Have you previously used this slightly dodgy site?



      A+
      0
  8. poodlefan
     
    C'est de votre faute, vous auriez dû bien regarder l'objet et lire le texte.
    0
  9. razy
     
    It shouldn't have been put up for auction; too many fake buyers don't pay for their purchases, and when you relist, the selling price is cut in half. This type of buyer should be permanently removed from the sales site.
    0
  10. Robinch
     
    Hello Sunny, I'm curious to know if there have been any legal proceedings after all.
    -1