Catawiki, the online auction, requires that a winning bidder (Buyer) deposits a sum equal to the price of the item plus a set shipping charge; delivery to an island costs slightly more.
I had winning bid for a sofa and two chairs. I paid Catawiki 700 Euros for the furniture, 350 for shipping, 66 for Catawiki commission for 1,116 total.
Seller required to ship promptly but after several weeks the items were still in Italy with the Seller, Arrediantiquariato Napolitano Carmine. They claimed arrangements had been made but the transport was delayed because of the holidays. Catawiki offered to cancel the sale, but the Seller promised me that shipping was imminent so I declined to cancel.
A month after the sale Seller notified me that he had just discovered that I lived on an island and he demanded more. I didn’t want to start over searching for furniture so I agreed to pay more directly to Seller based on Seller’s promise that there would be no additional charges. Catawiki was not involved.
A week later the shipper claimed he needed to rent a special truck because of the road to my house, even though I drove over it every day in an SUV and I had never ever had a problem with a delivery. Seller demanded another 180 Euros and I canceled the sale.
Seller put in a claim to Catawiki for Shipment costs in excess of 650 Euros. Catawiki ignored all my statements, which were supported by copies of Seller’s emails and texts, and they approved Seller’s request for payment. My demands for copies of Seller’s emails and invoices was refused by Catawiki and I have never been told by Catawiki how much they intend to give him from my deposits, which means I have no way of knowing whether Seller’s claim includes charges that I had already paid him directly.
Furthermore, Catawiki should be limited to paying from my shipping deposit, 350 Euros, and not take from moneys I deposited for the items.
