F***ing eBay again

Author
Discussion

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

173 months

Sunday 17th August 2014
quotequote all
It seems like eBay rules are now designed to encourage dodgy buyers to screw over sellers. It just isn't worth the risk selling something of moderate to high value on there anymore. Paypal are especially dodgy IMO.

I use it as a classified ad service - buyers have to collect anything in person and put cash in my hand first.


bozzy101

506 posts

138 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
I once sold a broken xbox 360 on eBay. Sold as "broken, spares or repair only".

Guy buys it for like £10. Pays for it, I send it it recorded delivery. Once received, the buyer opens a "not as described" dispute saying the security seals had been broken on the xbox (which they had, but I didn't think this would be an issue selling the xbox as broken, spares or repair only).

After eBay sending me a message telling me about the dispute, I tell them to ask the buyer to send item back which I will refund in full once received. The buyer obviously moans about this, so eBay refund both his money as well as mine and tell the buyer he can still keep the item.

I called eBay to complain but they couldn't see the problem as I'd been paid my money. I said I'd rather have the item back and no money as a matter of principle, and that I was upset the buyer ended up with a free item, through what I thought was dishonesty. EBay stuck to their guns.

I know it's a very trivial amount, but I guess it goes to show that some people will open disputes on even the cheapest item. I haven't been on eBay since.

gpo746

3,397 posts

129 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Well it seems buyers are getting very clever and "know their rights"
Forgive the ramble
I saw two items had sold last night. I went into Paypal and transferred the money into my bank account on the first one and at the same time used the balance to pay the e bay charges for the 2 items that sold.I don't like the e bay fees to mount up. In fact I've only ever had one invoice to pay them as every other time I have paid as I went along and that's over some 4 and a half years or so. I'm good like that - for good read stupid maybe.
I then transfer the money from the second sale and print out the addresses to post to and upload the Royal Mail references I will be using from the slips
Then went into e bay.
See I have a case open
Sold a SECOND HAND USED item in June. Buyer receives it leaves feedback everything is fine.
Turns out buyer has done this sequence, selected the "Item not as described section then "I want a replacement" option and then proceeded to say that he had "done this, done that installed his own firmware over it, and it wasn't now doing this or that and could I help him"
I replied saying he could simply have messaged me rather than opening a case and advise him what to do.
I then go back to Paypal and see the account is negative by the amount of the item and that the last transfer out has been "put on hold pending checks by paypal"
So my bank accounts only got one amount from one sale in it.
Ring e bay saying how can he have opened a case as its outside the timescales. Guy semi agrees with me and then says that it looks like seller has used the communication thing to seller and used the "item not as described option in order to communicate with me"
I reiterate my point that surely he shouldn't be able to open a case and instead his only option should have been to look up the purchase details locate my seller ID and communicate with me.
E bay guy starts suggesting reasons why that would be "inconvenient" to buyer. I then say its "inconvenient" to me as now I have an open case and that dependant on outcome it may affect my performance rating. E bay man semi agrees with this but then attempts to reassure me that any escalation of the case will be done with complete fairness etc etc waffle etc waffle drone"
I then ask him to clearly check and to agree with me that buyer is outside his money back guarantee period. Eventually after some faffing e bay guy does indeed do that. I then ask him why paypal have the money on hold. He states that the money can't be held as buyer is outside the period etc more waffle drone.
He suggests I ring paypal as there policy may be different - odd considering he has just looked at my Paypal account or claims to have. So I ring Paypal - quite nice guy actually I explain and state that the only way this can have been done is if they have extended the 60 day period. He says the period is now 180 days. I say well it may be but that they cannot apply it RETROSPECTIVELY. After establishing a rapport with the guy he promised to look at it.
Earlier today the account was zeroed on paypal and the money was in my bank account

As a result I now won't pay any e bay fees as they are incurred but instead will leave the money in paypal as a sort of hedge against moneybacks and pay any invoice from e bay as and when necessary.

It could all of course be a mistake. But its very worrying.
I see the case is still open so I will have to see what happens. I have further messaged the buyer that he can return the item even though it was used and that I will look at the item for him. I have done that to try to prevent e bay then simply doing a refund to this guy without me even seeing site of the item.
In the meantime I note that the buyer has recently attracted some "barbed" comments on his feedback regarding stuff he has bought - remember a seller can Only leave positive ratings or NO FEEDBACK for a buyer and that a seller CANNOT leave a positive rating and a negative comment so these sellers have technically broken the code and leave themselves vulnerable. I also note he (the buyer) has recently bought several car parts. I tend to think that e bays feedback is rather like witchcraft water test trials nowadays.
I think e bay really are just letting dodgy buyers take the rip now and whilst it may be an error I think they may be hitting people with extended refund periods retrospectively.

xuy

1,116 posts

153 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Sadly eBay has now become a place that attracts conmen, thief's and malicious people, who are encouraged to try to commit fraud.

I have just had a phone returned for a full refund 5 months after the sale, as I suspected the new phone was not exactly new when it was returned but eBay decided that a full refund was appropriate.

eBay were not interested in the facts of the case:-

The phone was new at the time of sale

The returned phone, although the same phone does not work. It is water damaged. They even want as far as suggesting that the buyer had not damaged it, so was it me??

Today i received negative feedback about an item sold last friday, paying during the evening. Why? because the buyer would not accept that a bank holiday would delay delivery by 24 hours. When I emailed him to try to explain this his reply was simple "i'll just leave negative feedback, because I can"

He did, and as a seller we can do nothing. eBay are not interested and with regard to the delivery issue the suggested delivery date was 1 September, so he got it 5 days early!

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
The only way this will change is if people stop selling on eBay.

gpo746

3,397 posts

129 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
xuy said:
Sadly eBay has now become a place that attracts conmen, thief's and malicious people, who are encouraged to try to commit fraud.

I have just had a phone returned for a full refund 5 months after the sale, as I suspected the new phone was not exactly new when it was returned but eBay decided that a full refund was appropriate.

eBay were not interested in the facts of the case:-

The phone was new at the time of sale

The returned phone, although the same phone does not work. It is water damaged. They even want as far as suggesting that the buyer had not damaged it, so was it me??

Today i received negative feedback about an item sold last friday, paying during the evening. Why? because the buyer would not accept that a bank holiday would delay delivery by 24 hours. When I emailed him to try to explain this his reply was simple "i'll just leave negative feedback, because I can"

He did, and as a seller we can do nothing. eBay are not interested and with regard to the delivery issue the suggested delivery date was 1 September, so he got it 5 days early!
2 Things :
1.re the feedback. It can be argued that by him sending that in an e mail he was effectively using it as a weapon.
2. Looks like they are using the buyer protection money back retrospectively - challenge them

Adam B

27,142 posts

253 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
mondeoman said:
They dont want private sellers on there anymore
How will business sellers cope though?

Unscrupulous people lose whatever morals they have left when they ae screwing a faceless business as opposed to an individual.

More and more buyers will cotton on, either:

a) buy, use and return at seller's expenses
b) buy for retail therapy, change mind, return at seller's expense
c) buy, break and return at seller's expense
d) generally use as a free new-for-old service by claiming not as described

Edited by Adam B on Wednesday 27th August 14:43

xuy

1,116 posts

153 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
gpo746 said:
xuy said:
Sadly eBay has now become a place that attracts conmen, thief's and malicious people, who are encouraged to try to commit fraud.

I have just had a phone returned for a full refund 5 months after the sale, as I suspected the new phone was not exactly new when it was returned but eBay decided that a full refund was appropriate.

eBay were not interested in the facts of the case:-

The phone was new at the time of sale

The returned phone, although the same phone does not work. It is water damaged. They even want as far as suggesting that the buyer had not damaged it, so was it me??

Today i received negative feedback about an item sold last friday, paying during the evening. Why? because the buyer would not accept that a bank holiday would delay delivery by 24 hours. When I emailed him to try to explain this his reply was simple "i'll just leave negative feedback, because I can"

He did, and as a seller we can do nothing. eBay are not interested and with regard to the delivery issue the suggested delivery date was 1 September, so he got it 5 days early!
2 Things :
1.re the feedback. It can be argued that by him sending that in an e mail he was effectively using it as a weapon.
2. Looks like they are using the buyer protection money back retrospectively - challenge them
Thanks for the suggestions:-

1. Already tried that, ebay not interested. I.e. they will not remove the feedback as it does not fall into one of their reasons.
2. correct but the rules have recently changed and that is what they are falling back on. tried that too!

gpo746

3,397 posts

129 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Seems they aren't the best at keeping an eye on their site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29241563

xuy

1,116 posts

153 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
It beggars belief:-

Ebay guaranteed return policy

I sell a brand new hi fi on eBay send it off etc.

Buyer decides it is not what he wants and decides to return the item using the new ebay returns process

I get the item back but has clearly been used and is now scratched.

Open a case

Ebay decide in the buyers favour.

So I am out of pocket etc.

Call ebay, can I appeal no it is not their policy damaged returns are the sellers risk.

So I am out of pocket and Ebay are not interested The chap on the phone agreed that a buyer could buy a phone, for example, drop it and if it is in the returns window send it back for a full refund. The seller not being able to appeal so loses out

Damage and faults are not covered. Bloody stupid

And, I have to refund the postage even though he requested a return as the item was not what he wanted!!


rant over

Edited by xuy on Wednesday 19th November 15:21

oldcynic

2,166 posts

160 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
This thread simply serves to reinforce my policy of using my local charity shop for pretty much all disposals of stuff. If I ever use ebay for anything it will be cash on collection only, but local freeads site seem like a better option overall.

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
Yep, I'll never sell on eBay again (which is probably what they want - retailers and brands rather than being an 'online car boot sale' now).

I rarely purchase from them either, anything new can mostly be found cheaper through proper retailers online.

boobles

15,241 posts

214 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I very rarely use Ebay anymore but the one time where I did need their help, they were very good.
Long story short, somebody posts up loads of pictures of this car & good write up etc etc. There were about 6 or 7 bids & the auction was about to end so I put in a bid & won. Got the "car" for about £400 & was just about to pay when the guy asks me if I would like it sent first class through royal mail......... As you can imagine I was miffed by this & asked him what he meant. Turns out that I was bidding on the used magic tree airfreshner that was hanging up inside the car & not the car itself.... Told him to fk off & contacted Ebay straight away. No dispute & I think they banned him from selling anything in the future.

Edited by boobles on Thursday 20th November 09:37

KarlMac

4,456 posts

140 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
We normally use eBay every 6 months or so to have a clear out of the unused junk a household can accumulate.

We've tried selling two old Vaio laptops 4 times now. (one is spares and repairs, one is just old and has been replaced). Every time someone wins its always and Asian name, with an unverified address, who pays immediately with paypal.

Its got the point where we don't bother any more. Phones go to Mazuma, electronics and other stuff goes on local forums/fb groups and car stuff goes on forums.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm never going to use eBay to sell through again as a private seller, far too much risk and far too many dodgy tts about. I'm ashamed to say local facebook sites are where it's at.

Jazoli

9,086 posts

249 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
I'm never going to use eBay to sell through again as a private seller, far too much risk and far too many dodgy tts about. I'm ashamed to say local facebook sites are where it's at.
Me too, I used to use yahoo auctions long before eBay, then eBay itself since it started, I've sold probably 500 items of value over the years and bought thousands, I refuse to use it all to sell now, you have zero protection as a seller, so everything now goes on FB, and usually sells within the hour, and people turn up and hand cash over.

greggy50

6,161 posts

190 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Jazoli said:
Me too, I used to use yahoo auctions long before eBay, then eBay itself since it started, I've sold probably 500 items of value over the years and bought thousands, I refuse to use it all to sell now, you have zero protection as a seller, so everything now goes on FB, and usually sells within the hour, and people turn up and hand cash over.
This had a samsung galaxy S3 fitted a new screen going for between £90 and £120 posted on ebay

Local facebook page sold it £110 cash collected within 45 minutes no stupid fees taking 10-15% of your price no postage to deal with its just far easier.

Ebay piss me off now hit you with listing fees, selling fees and then paypal take a slice as well plus seems to be full of idiots hardly use it at all now!

greggy50

6,161 posts

190 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
hora said:
and now a %age fee on the postage cost charged.
Yes noticed that as well must have realised it was a loop hole people were using its just a joke they are getting far too greedy now can see them struggling in a few years if they don't stop.

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

181 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
The fees are a joke.

But, I've just sold £1200 worth of stuff on there (£400 bike, £600 watch, £200 phones etc.) and all have gone through really well.

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
HereBeMonsters said:
The fees are a joke.

But, I've just sold £1200 worth of stuff on there (£400 bike, £600 watch, £200 phones etc.) and all have gone through really well.
Let's hope you're still in that position in 180 days' time...