NEED HELP FAST, MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE ON AQUABID

[Hybridfish7]

TLDR: is a bid/buy on an auction still a legally binding contract if the auction is a scam and the item in said auction doesn't exist?

I may or may not have went through with the buy it now option on a scam auction. I only found out the seller was a scammer after going through with the buy it now. Fish I've wanted for years at half msrp was hard to resist. Then I looked into it, none of the images in any of their auctions were theirs, all the auctions were suspiciously cheap, not very detailed descriptions that were copy pasted across each one, and the seller had only 3 reviews that were copy pasted and from the same person. When I asked for pictures of the fish to prove legitimacy they refused and gave excuses, and keep coaxing me into sending them a payment. As far as I know the only way out of this is not paying, but I am concerned about legal issues that surround not paying for an item in a won auction, as I understand that winning an auction turns it into a legally binding contract. However my question is, is it still a legally binding contract/can legal action be taken upon me if I don't pay them even though they don't have the item I was supposed to pay for in the first place? I have sent the same question to aquabid itself.

 

[esoxlucius]

When I asked for pictures of the fish to prove legitimacy they refused and gave excuses, and keep coaxing me into sending them a payment.

This alone would have me running for the hills. Do not even think about paying them. The only extra time you should be giving to these people is to take a few minutes to report them, if you know which channels to go through. After that, wash your hands of them and look to more reputable suppliers.

 

[kno4te]

If it’s a scam or false advertising then i believe your not obligated to pay if the final transaction hasn’t gone thru. The things you mentioned are enough to question the seller. I’d not pay if u haven’t recieved fish or mailed the fish.

 

[tlindsey]

Aquabid was pretty strict on vendors or people who held auctions so I'm shocked about the scam auction. At the time I would always review the positive or negative report on the seller prior to buying on Aquabid.

 

[twentyleagues]

If it's a scam you have nothing to loose but your money, don't send it.

If it's real you have a base to stand on as they can't or won't provide you with actual pics of said " product".

Worst case scenario is they make you pay and you get the fish. I think the buy it now option does not constitute a won auction unless explicitly stated as such.

 

[Hybridfish7]

I have not sent payment, but these responses are the reassurance I need in regards to my fears of legal repercussions over livebearers.

 

[SuperNinja]

Call your credit card company and report the scam
And they can cancel the transaction

 

[Joshuakahan]

TLDR: is a bid/buy on an auction still a legally binding contract if the auction is a scam and the item in said auction doesn't exist?

I may or may not have went through with the buy it now option on a scam auction. I only found out the seller was a scammer after going through with the buy it now. Fish I've wanted for years at half msrp was hard to resist. Then I looked into it, none of the images in any of their auctions were theirs, all the auctions were suspiciously cheap, not very detailed descriptions that were copy pasted across each one, and the seller had only 3 reviews that were copy pasted and from the same person. When I asked for pictures of the fish to prove legitimacy they refused and gave excuses, and keep coaxing me into sending them a payment. As far as I know the only way out of this is not paying, but I am concerned about legal issues that surround not paying for an item in a won auction, as I understand that winning an auction turns it into a legally binding contract. However my question is, is it still a legally binding contract/can legal action be taken upon me if I don't pay them even though they don't have the item I was supposed to pay for in the first place? I have sent the same question to aquabid itself.

I wouldn’t pay them a dime. If by the very off chance they actually try to take legal action, you have enough to prove your case. I would just ignore them completely

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Why isnt the seller providing their own pictures of the specific stock they are selling to you? Yes run for the hills and no they already breached the contract first by presenting a picture as their own picture as Aquabid sellers rule is must use own picture on their end

 

[The Masked Shadow]

C. Breeze