Posted on 10/23/2014 5:12:14 PM PDT by Bettyprob
We hear from another reader who has been left out of pocket because of eBay's money back guarantee scheme
Is online marketplace eBay really protecting the interests of its users? It claims to take action in 30,000 cases each month when something goes wrong and users are out of pocket.
Yet after Telegraph Money reported on a case where the online giant’s user protection systems failed to help one reader, others were quick to comment and email about similar poor – and sometimes costly – experiences.
Ebay’s main protection for buyers is its Money Back Guarantee service.
This was launched last year, and promises to refund the buyer with the cost of an item if it does not arrive or is not as described. If such a refund is made the seller has the money deducted from their account.
But eBay’s protection policies appear to be failing. Last week we reported how Matthew Wright had lost £160 and was locked out of eBay indefinitely after he sold a phone to a buyer in Hungary who claimed they had not received the item.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I’ve been buying on ebay from practically the beginning. Have sold a couple of times, but never made a penny. I will not sell any more, but do buy hard to find items. Sometimes you get screwed, even as a buyer, but that’s pretty unusual. I always leave positive feedback unless it was an absolute disaster. I have engaged in hundreds, almost a thousand transactions, and I can count on one hand the failures. I’ve found some wonderful items though, some of them are VERY unique, and took me years of searching to stumble across.
Yes, wise to avoid eBay.
It’s a terrible shame, though, when all the scammers in the world louse up a formerly great shopping place. I bought a $2,000 designer coat there for $125. Gee, I miss those deals:(
Now if someone says “designer coat,” walk the other way. Big sigh.
At one time in my life I was an Ebay-aholic. (Hi my name is berdie)
I spent a lot there...just loved the auctions. The sellers always made personal contact.
The last time I looked at anything there..it appears that the retailers have invaded and it’s all automated.
Sigh...I’m good with that, I guess. I really don’t need any more kerosene lamps, depression glass or musical powder boxes. :)
eBay screwing the sellers is nothing new.
the solution is not to sell international. and to notorious countries where fraud is common. like hungary.
I always use PayPal and use my debit card that acts like a credit card, just in case I need to reverse charges. I’ve never needed to do that though. Still, I make sure I use only that card every time. I don’t think PayPal gives you much extra protection though, because they are so closely linked to eBay. I just like to have my card on file with them for online purchases. I’m like you, and rarely spend over $50 on a single purchase.
Tip to others who are wary of sellers: ALWAYS check the feedback score. I won’t do business with anyone who has less than 99% approval, except on rare occasions when I question them first. I try to vet anyone who I’m trading with. I don’t do business with the big guys. I like the personal touch. As I said in an earlier post, I have had hundreds, maybe a thousand transactions, and there have been very few that I’ve left negative feedback for.
I’ve been with them since Oct 1998 as both buyer nd seller. I’ve had problems and good experiences.
I like to pay with credit cards ... They will go after someone who doesn’t deliver. Also, your regular bank account will go after people.
So don’t really count on eBay to chase down problems ...it’ll be your bank ... Or your credit card company that will be there for you.
Years ago I did some buying on eBay. Mostly trumpets. Motorcycle parts. If you REALLY know what you are doing and seeing you can have fun. I love playing my Olds Ambassador I got for $50. Easily worth several hundred. Granted I had to put some sweat equity in, cleaning the remaining lacquer, etc. but not a dent in it. Bought several Pro horns in the $1,000 range. All easily worth it. In the beginning folks had stuff they had in the closet for decades that was in great shape and unused and really had no idea of it’s value. I doubt that is still true.
Lat time I tried ebay I got nothing but ripped off, paid my money and got nothing ,LOL then got a call from ebay telling me to stop harassing the seller or I would be banned
I have had overwhelming positive experiences buying and selling. Most people are decent folks. My problem with eBay now is their prohibitive seller fees.
I refused to give them my bank account and credit card numbers and STOPPED buying on ebay. Their loss.
I have been ten years on ebay, top rated seller with 100% satisfaction form my customers.
Suddenly they implemented unilateral and draconian measures that cripple their sellers. I have disengaged, and now they are charging me for EARLY TERMINATION!
It was useful after my husband died, and i sold off his old motorcycle stuff, but since then it has been a PITA and i am sick of it.
Mo, it is not.
Haven't dealt with them in close to 15 years.
Someone filed a complaint because they hadn't gotten a refund for something they had returned - but filed the complaint the same day they claimed to have returned the item even though they knew refund wouldn't come until the returned item was received because they had paid by a snail mailed money order and that was how I had to send the refund.
eBay didn't care - they shut down all of my auctions and proceeded to hit me up for over $250 in fees. Thankfully, my bank was familiar with eBay problems and stopped that nonsense right fast.
Haven't dealt with them since in any way shape or form!
Left Ebay a year ago and haven’t looked back. They became as in-your-face about aiding and abetting theft as ObeyMe’s crowd is about their socialism. Good luck to them on becoming Mall of China Online! I was a hobby seller, nobody important enough for them anymore. But they lost me as a buyer, too. Never again. Screw ‘em.
Exactly.
PayPal does offer significantly more protection. They do handle everything. Credit Card companies will, too, but not nearly as efficiently.
Yeah. It's gone from bad to worse. The ebay/paypal fees are ridiculous.
I’m in the market for some 14” Zildjian ‘new beats’ 60’s era hi-hats. Good condition.
Ebay has screwed the moms and pops for years - the sellers that is. They don’t even allow you to leave negative feedback for buyers, and trust me - there are some crooks who buy on ebay. For instance, they will bid on an item, pay for it - you ship it - they receive it - then claim it is defective and want a refund. So, they ship an empty box back to you - without the item in it and complain to ebay - they only have to prove they shipped something - and they steal your money and item as well. I won’t go near that crooked place ever again.
I’ve bought many things through Ebay over a long period of time, and every transaction and item were great.
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