Ebay scamming sellers - what can be done?

Question

My husband works for a large company that assembles computers, televisions, and other assorted small electronics. They also do repair work.
Anyway, my hubby's job is to run their Ebay account. He puts things in for auctions and deals with the customers.
Last week, he put a brand new T.V. up for auction that costs about $1,300. He was going to put it in for $1 starting bid. They do this often and the auction usually rakes in around $800 - $900. Well, there was a glitch in Ebay's system and it put the T.V. in for $1 BUY NOW option instead. Obviously a bidder snapped it up immediately. My husband tried calling Ebay to resolve it and got nowhere. Fortunately, he was able to speak to the bidder and explain what happened and the man said he understood and it was not a problem.
On Friday, my husband had to put in 3 more T.V.s of the same price. Again the Ebay system glitched and put all 3 T.V.s for the $1 BUY NOW option. One lady bidder snapped up all 3 T.V.s for $3! Continued...

My husband's co-worker was sitting there at the desk and witnessed the Ebay glitch. My husband tried again to contact the bidder and explain what happened. The lady didn't care and now she wants her T.V.s.
Ebay told him that there was nothing they could do about it, he had now entered a legally binding contract and has to hand over the T.V.s for $3!
How can that be possible? Shouldn't Ebay be held responsible for their system messing up? My husband did NOTHING wrong on his end. The company could lose $3,900 because Ebay messed up. My husband could even lose his job if this doesn't get sorted and his boss catches wind of this.
Anyone have any advice on what we can do? Thanks!

Mr. E - He can't cancel the auction unless it is in progress. It was over in 10 seconds when the lady clicked the BUY NOW button.
Chuck - The T.V.s are already sold for $3. That is pretty much the whole problem.

fire - I don't think you really understand what I am trying to say. My husband did everything right with listing the auction. He previewed the auction and it was all okay and he had a witness that was sitting beside him. When he hit the submit auction button, Ebay's website program completely messed up and listed the item as a BUY NOW auction instead of a bidding auction. He isn't mad at the customer who bid on the T.V.s, he is mad at Ebay for saying he is responsible for a software glitch in THEIR program.

Answer 1

Well, I believe you because I have discovered one Ebay glitch and two PayPal glitches. I don't know what to do, but you have my support.

Answer 2

There are two sides to every story, and the buyer made a good faith purchase! If you go into the store an item is priced at a very low price, would you go to the management to ask if it was correct, or would you take advantage of the deal? I know I would be taking advantage of the deal!

Before you submit a listing on EBay, you have a chance to preview your listing.Did your husband do this, or did he just use his normal template and list the TVs in error?

Seeing as EBay has no record of the problem, I would think that he made the mistake.

There are several choices here. He can refuse to sell the TVs at the listed price, and most likely get negative feedback and a possible suspension from EBay. He can sell the TVs for the listed price. He can see if the buyer will cancel, but in this case the buyer is not willing to do so.

There is no way that the buyer can force the sale. There was no actual meeting of the minds, so there was no valid contact! No court is going to require that the TVs be sold for $1.

The buyer is not a scammer! The buyer is someone that saw a good deal, and was willing to take advantage of it! Do not blame the buyer for the situation, they did nothing wrong!

Answer 3

Cancel the sale and take a negative feedback hit, then explain in the feedback what happened.

Answer 4

Don't sell the tv's. It will all work out ok.