Why do people ask for deposits on EBay?

[Raize]

I don't understand the point of the whole "You must leave a 10% deposit as soon as you win the auction" stuff. Surely:

1. If someone gives them a higher offer before you collect the car, they will just accept the higher offer and refund your non-refundable deposit?
2. If you don't pay the deposit they surely won't refuse to sell the car to you if you turn up with cash in hand?

Can anyone shed any light?

[Joeguard1990]

Because they know if you pay the 10% right away your serious about buying the car.

The problem with eBay is too many time wasters. Chances are the person who won it will give the usual bs about I'll have the money next week blah blah blah and in that time the seller could have re-listed instead of wasting his time.

Short Answer - To prevent time being wasted

[sherbertdip]

Yup shows commitment from the buyer, usually paid via paypal, with the balance paid by cash on collection or such like to save the robbing bastaerds at paypal raping you in fees.

[Renovation]

It's in an attempt to stop morons bidding OR because the car doesn't match their description and they want to force you to buy it despite the flaws they forgot to mention.

However it's pointless as Paypal always side with the buyer so the Buyer can say he didn't buy the car as it didn't match the description and get his 10% back off Paypal - whether he turned up or not.

[k-ink]

Selling any car on an ebay auction is a waste of everyones time. Far better to treat it just like any other advert seen in a magazine etc. You see the car advert, you arrange a viewing, you turn up to view it, buy or don't. No need to overly complicate life by attempting auctions with total time wasters.

[surveyor]

I'm wary of deposits. Too
Many sellers pushing their luck. It puts me off.

[I'm Rick james]

eBay is unfortunately full of timewasters it seems when it comes to selling cars. I have had an auction end for a car I was selling at the weekend and asked for a deposit in the bottom of the listing.

Chap wins it then doesn't get in touch for two days, when he does he says I can't collect at all until the 18th of this month. I of course say that's fine. Just pop a deposit in PayPal and I'd be happy to hang onto it. Then he goes into full rage mode and says I'm apparently wasting his time! Claims he won it fairly and squarely and says I should trust him enough. Refused to even give me £20 through PayPal on a 2k+ car.

Cost me £10 listing fee now and has delayed it all by another week and people see the car come back up on eBay etc. Just frustrating!
Rj