Open a case with eBay immediately. Trust me on this. I was burned once by a seller on eBay who kept stringing me along until enough time had passed that I could no longer file a complaint on eBay, nor get a refund from PayPal. I lost around $130 and couldn't even leave negative feeback.

Unless things have changed, you only have 45 days from when the auction closed to start a claim. I would send the seller one more message saying that they are legally obliged to send the typewriter as per the terms of the auction, and if they don't you will file a claim with eBay and PayPal (I hope you used PayPal!). I don't know what you paid for the machine, but it isn't rare, so it isn't worth dealing with a bad seller to get one. And if this is how this person is acting over shipping it, I can only imagine how they will pack the machine if they do end up sending it to you. A big heavy standard like the Secretariial won't have a good chance arrived in good shape unless it is very carefully packaged for shipment. You should probably mention the sellers name too so that everyone here know not to bid on any of their auctions.

Good luck and keep us posted. 

Uath wrote:

By the way, I've been loosing auctions on Underwood #5s right and left. People are going over $400 for them now. I'm still trying. I could have had a 1915, but it went for 450. I might regret not getting it.

?!?!? That's insane. In my area they have to be one of the most common models you come across in antique shops, and even though antique shops are the worst for pricing, they can be easily had for less than $150. In local online classified ads its pretty easy to grab one for less than $100 if you're patient. I paid $25 for a Model 3 (a 1932 that works but needs restoration) and have since refused Model 5s when offered (one was even free).  I can't imagine why anyone would pay $400 for such a common typewriter, at least not in North America. 
 

This came to my mind while reading this topic. I'm not sure if it's actually an Underwood #5, but that'd be my guess.
http://www.huuto.net/kohteet/kirjoituskone-vanha-underwood/307889952

If the good one's are somewhere worth over $400, I'd imagine parts are worth something too (since clearly that machine is beyond use). The auction has closed, but the machine didn't sell. Although if these machines are so common where Uwe lives, I suppose better and cheaper parts machines exist too.

Getting offtopic, but I'm suprised that Ebay allows that kind of bidding. In largest Finnish online auction website, a last minute bid always extends the auction by 5 minutes. It also has a automatic bidding function that increases your bid automatically up to the limit you set. I don't know if Ebay has this too, but it sounds like it ought to.

Last edited by tatte (16-4-2014 01:54:20)

Uath wrote:

I can't even buy one at any price. I'm outbidded in the last 3 sec of the auction. I tell you, I've lost five auctions for a #5, all within the last 5 sec of bidding.

I'd stop trying to buy a Model 5 on eBay then. They aren't worth a fraction of that kind of money and those who have been outbidding you are doing you a big favour. You're in the U.S., right? Find one locally - and if there aren't any because you live in a small town, check local listings in the largest cities around you and time the purchase with a visit. Whenever I'm travelling, especially by car, I always check listings in cities along my route. Last near I picked up a nice 1946 Royal for $25 in the city I was travelling to. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to find a Model 5 for less than $100, but you might have to be a little patient about it.