Thread: Dec/15/11 - Does anyone know this Bella?

Because I placed the bid, but I can't get the seller to respond to me AT ALL.

The auction ended 3 days ago and I've requested invoices twice. The money is burning a hole in my pocket and I'd jump on Sahailas turquoise costume if this falls through.

What to do next?

bella belly dance costume | eBay

Honestly, I'm not an expert and I've only owned a couple of Bellas, but I've got to say this looks more like a Pharaonics with some additional alterations to me, if the seller is being unresponsive you might want to hold onto your cash for a bit and request a few more detailed pics, including a picture of the Bella tag. Maybe some of the more experienced Bella owners will chime in with some advice. I hope it works out for you!

It must be that I am missing something (I do that, often ...), but if you are the winning bidder, and the auction has shipping listed, what complicates the situation and prevents you from sending the money? I understand that for that much money, you'd like the seller to respond, but maybe she assumes it is all obvious or does not quite understand why you're asking? Good luck!

Something just feels 'off' about the whole thing. I need her to respond to my invoice requests because she has UPS as the only shipping available and I need USPS because I have an FPO address and UPS won't deliver there.

I've tried contacting her 4 times, what gives? According to ebay, my next step is to request her phone number and give her a call.

Edit:

I requested twice during the auction for more pics/info and got nada. That's why I'm starting to feel leary.

Sounds weird, request her info ( you get phone number and address) When you request those the seller gets notification they have been requested and receives your ph & addy. It might spur her on to get in touch, if you still get no response I'd call her, and if the number is fake or something tell ebay and they will cancel the transaction. I definitely wouldn't send money until you are sure this is not some scam. Maybe send another request for an invoice and different postal method, with a note that if your requests for a response are not met you'll get ebay to cancel the transaction.

She may be legit and sick or away but paying before you get a response is not a good idea. If you don't pay and she is legit she will be getting in touch in hurry to find out why you haven't paid eventually

Update: still no response from the seller. I called ebay and they told me they won't cancel the transaction. So I guess I get to sit around and hope the seller eventually contacts me. Then I get to explain to her that the only way I'll complete the transaction is via escrow because I don't trust that she'll actually mail it out. I don't even want the costume anymore because of all this BS! Most likely, I'll end up taking a negative hit on my feedback. Oh well, my 474 100% positive feedbacks weighs a bit heavier than her 1 and only feedback.

Mental note: only buy costumes on bhuz.

If she hasn't responded to you at all, she can't be too interested in selling the costume. She didn't list much of description, no measurements, and only one picture, and not a very good one either.

Originally Posted by Jenn

Update: still no response from the seller. I called ebay and they told me they won't cancel the transaction. So I guess I get to sit around and hope the seller eventually contacts me. Then I get to explain to her that the only way I'll complete the transaction is via escrow because I don't trust that she'll actually mail it out. I don't even want the costume anymore because of all this BS! Most likely, I'll end up taking a negative hit on my feedback. Oh well, my 474 100% positive feedbacks weighs a bit heavier than her 1 and only feedback.

Mental note: only buy costumes on bhuz.

Did ebay say how long they will allow a seller not to answer a buyer? Ebay seems to have a 45 day thing for everything, maybe sit it out for 45 days, then contact ebay again and tell them you cannot possibly pay for an item when so much money is involved without good communication from the buyer and can they please contact her to find out what is going on. Keep nagging them. If all fails just walk away from it. As you mentioned, 1 neg feedback against your 474 pos. won't rock the boat.

It seems very strange that the seller is not responding, makes you wonder what the heck is going on and the fact that ebay won't even try to help under the circumstances would be very annoying.

If you do walk away from it and she leaves bad feedback you should be able to respond in feedback and leave her negative feedback for no response.

Just an FYI...I think there is a protection set up against fraud through ebay/paypal. I sold a costume on the Bhuz not too long ago and the money transferred into my account and it was held there until she received the costume and I assume maybe left positive feedback? I'd never had that before..maybe its because I haven't sold anything there in quite awhile? All my previous feedback has been positive. Maybe they hold the funds if the seller requests it or maybe thats just something for payments over a certain amount with ebay?
Could you contact paypal? I assume that you would be transferring funds that way? Let them know whats going on...maybe they can message the seller on your behalf.

I'd give her until the end of the month/year to respond. That's plenty of time for her to answer you. After that, I would contact eBay and let them know that you never got a response to your emails, and that you don't plan to pay for the item.

Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted on what happens. Currently, eBay says I'm still on the hook. And I still haven't heard from the seller.

Originally Posted by Nashid

Just an FYI...I think there is a protection set up against fraud through ebay/paypal. I sold a costume on the Bhuz not too long ago and the money transferred into my account and it was held there until she received the costume and I assume maybe left positive feedback? I'd never had that before..maybe its because I haven't sold anything there in quite awhile? All my previous feedback has been positive. Maybe they hold the funds if the seller requests it or maybe thats just something for payments over a certain amount with ebay?
Could you contact paypal? I assume that you would be transferring funds that way? Let them know whats going on...maybe they can message the seller on your behalf.

OK...so I sooo meant to say on ebay! lol!!!

Lol. I know what you meant, Nashid. I believe what you're talking about is ebay's escrow service, and there is no way I would complete this particular transaction without it!

p.s. STILL no word from the seller.

Hi!

Sorry to say that, but this definitely doesn't look like a Bella. For me, the design reminds me of a Pharaonics. I definitely would ask for a pic of the label...

I really understand you and would feel very bad about the whole transaction. It is not a good thing of the maybe-seller not to answer at all.

Good luck with settling the whole affair.

Love, Sahira.

That is not a Bella but it is a nice costume (she does not bead her chiffon skirts that I have seen) - looks like a Pharonic's knock off to me but cant be sure w/o seeing the construction & the bead pattern on the skirt. The other thing to consider is she might not have a clue about costume designers & whoever sold it to her said it was a Bella

Since it is the holiday's, she might be traveling - hence the lack of communication. The sad fact is you are on the hook for the cash w/ Ebay but if you do the escrow payment at least you have protection

Might have to chalk this one up to experience and stick with Bhuz going forward

I agree with everyone else. Looks like a customized Pharonics Tempest to me. I think back in the Audrena days, you could order variations on the bra. The ornate beadwork with rhinestones looks like a custom Pharonics dress I own now, so that's my two cents.

Good luck with it - it is indeed pretty, and I hope it gets resolved. Perhaps holidays were too much for the seller? I really don't like shipping in this time period, but she should have at least mentioned it to you as the buyer.

Thanks for all the input Ladies! As of today (January 4th) the seller still hasn't contacted me or left negative feedback. If the seller does contact me, I'm going to ask to see a Bella label and if she can't prove it's a Bella, I'll request cancellation of the sale. I should have listened to my gut and not bid. Ah well, if I end taking a hit on feedback then so be it.

In either case, I've already redirected funds to a lovely Leopard Bella which is now making it's way to me from Paris, France I cannot wait to get it!

I don't think you have anything to be worried about, but the seller does. You placed your bid, you won, and she never contacted you. Plus, if she can't produce a Bella label, she misrepresented the costume.

You waited long enough, and it's now her problem. If she does eventually leave you negative feedback, I'm sure that you can have it removed by eBay with all of your documentation.

I agree, it sounds fishy and definitely looks more like a Pharonics than a Bella. Since you haven't paid her, I wouldn't worry about it. Keep documentation of all of your emails and if Ebay comes to you at any point, you have the documentation. Sounds to me like the seller has either changed her mind or is having something major going on in her life.

After the 45 days, go back to Ebay and try again. I would also contact Ebay at the 60 day and 90 day mark. At the 90 day mark, if Ebay still does not cancel the transaction, then escalate it to the supervisor. Continue to escalate the situation until you get the transaction cancelled.

Good luck and don't give up on Ebay. There are many fantastic sellers! It's a shame one person can spoil things.