Fed Up with Ebay

[bmpwatch]

Hi guys,

A really frustrating situation has arisen on eBay. A buyer purchased an expensive item from me about a month ago. My listing was crystal clear with high-quality pictures. He left me positive feedback. Now, one month later, a case opened against me, and ebay has told him to return it back to me. In the meantime, the buyer even tried to sell the item on various platforms using my business name.

The buyer and ebay rep have admitted the buyer received the item exactly as described, yet ebay are somehow telling the guy to send it back. Im a power selling with 100% perfect feedback and a "no-return policy" (of course if something is wrong on my end I make the situation right). I was granted an "appeal" after i receive the item back, which most likely means nothing.

As a seller, does anyone have any experience in a situation like this? After paying hundreds of dollars in monthly fees, you would think this company would stand behind honest sellers from being taken advantage of....Disappointing to say the least.

[Kingair]

Ebay always goes for the buyer . . . .

So I never ever sell on Ebay my self

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by bmpwatch

Hi guys,

A really frustrating situation has arisen on eBay. A buyer purchased an expensive item from me about a month ago. My listing was crystal clear with high-quality pictures. He left me positive feedback. Now, one month later, a case opened against me, and ebay has told him to return it back to me. In the meantime, the buyer even tried to sell the item on various platforms using my business name.

The buyer and ebay rep have admitted the buyer received the item exactly as described, yet ebay are somehow telling the guy to send it back. Im a power selling with 100% perfect feedback and a "no-return policy" (of course if something is wrong on my end I make the situation right). I was granted an "appeal" after i receive the item back, which most likely means nothing.

As a seller, does anyone have any experience in a situation like this? After paying hundreds of dollars in monthly fees, you would think this company would stand behind honest sellers from being taken advantage of....Disappointing to say the least.

I so sick of ebay I can't stand them and do as little business with them as possible!! Have you called ebay? they have a customer service line available in appeal situations. You may be on hold for a while took me over an hour, but you can get someone on the phone and they will usually have some answers for you...

[bmpwatch]

Hi Marc,

Yes Ive called eBay UK (since the buyer bought on this site) multiple times and the response is the same. The rep overlooked our messages and agreed that the buyer received it exactly as described, yet are still telling the guy to send the item back to me. Its an international purchase which is even more of a headache.

Apparently, I can get an appeal of the case after I receive it back, but having common sense tells me this is just a way for them to quiet me for a couple more days...Have tried to talk to a manager over there but no one will connect me....such a joke

[00pumpkin]

I'm with you. Ive had three different occasions where a suspicious buyer has tried to purchase an item from me. Its annoying because I have to keep cancelling the transaction and re-listing the item.

I clearly state in my listing that I will only sell to US Buyers and you must have a strong reliable history with Ebay. All of them joined Ebay and purchased my item the same day.

[Knappo 1307]

I'm confused? Why was a case opened against you? And who opened it?

[Chewbacca]

BRAD! if the expensive item was a fine timepiece or jewlery do not let them ship it back! Get it dropped off with anyone you know in the buyers area, TS or other TRF member thats willing to help OR have a repair order opened with a local repair shop WHERE the buyer is! this may cost a few dollars but at least the local shop will know if its been tampered with AND you'll have a record of the item location. this is a potential buyer fraud scam. the shipping box could be empty when its returned or the item could have been tampered with! i would NOT accept an overseas return ever on a timepiece via eBay.

list the auction # here if you're ok with doing so.

[superdog]

ebay scares me. i used to sell on it.

however, i had one bad experience and i was nervous about my feedback. i had to take one in the rear in order to ensure this unrealistic customer did not ruin my 100%. i have been anti ebay ever since.

[bmpwatch]

CJ, that is exactly why I have a "no-return" policy, especially on eBay. However, it seems like my business practice is worthless to them as they have already told the buyer to send it back.

The buyer is located in Qatar, while I'm in the US. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the area nor know anyone there.

For all interested,

I sold the buyer an OEM Panerai SS bracelet for Luminor 40mm models, the old-style bracelet.

In the listing I mentioned on multiple occasions what model the bracelet is for, and also to check the compatibility of your Panerai before purchase, as "it doesn't fit" is an unacceptable excuse for a return.

Knowing all this, the buyer purchased this for a 392, which is a 42mm Luminor and of course it does not fit.

I sent the item exactly as ordered and the buyer received it in such condition across the world in 3 days.

The buyer then does not communicate for 2 weeks and then opens a case against me 30 days after receiving the item. I even offered him a store credit as to do him a favor.

eBay allowed him to open the case, and then said since it does not fit he can return.

[stockae92]

I had the usual, the buyer filed a case and claimed the item never arrived, but when I provide eBay with the confirmation of delivery, I never heard back from the buyer again ...

[Frosty]

I am really sorry to hear about this!

I wish there was a good alternative to ebay.

Good luck

[AK797]

At least this sounds like the buyer has a real problem and its not a scam. I would just get the watch back and make sure it is in the exact same condition as when you sent it. Ebay does hugely favour buyers and it has to otherwise a loss in buyer confidence will finish the site.

As a seller I have twice had negative feedback quickly removed by chatting to them online with an operator. They do try to help you as a seller if a buyer is being unreasonable or rude but will almost always suggest items are returned and refunds given where one side is unhappy even if unreasonably so.

[bondtoys]

Wouldn't the watch getting seized in US customs if the UK buyer sends the watch back to the US?

[brandrea]

I'm sorry to hear about this. Wouldn't it be nice if people were just straight up. I hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction.

[Rockrolex]

I stay away from eBay these days. I used to buy stuff from eBay sellers years ago, but in light of the fact that scammers have more or less taken over, I would only use a trusted seller here if I were going to buy a watch or watch accessory. For other things, I've been finding that eBay's prices can often be beaten elsewhere, including sometimes on Amazon. You just have to look around carefully.

[Rootbeer]

It's an interesting scenario as I imagine the ebay terms differ from country to country. As UK eBay is mentioned I assume the buyer is registered on that site, but has a shipping address in Qatar. So the buyer has one set of local laws Ts & Cs (or possibly two with an extra country involved) and the seller another.

The general gist with the UK legislation is that UK online purchases (including ebay buy-it-now listings) are subject to inspection and can be rejected within a reasonable time frame upon receipt. The idea is that you can't be fully committed to buying an item you don't have the option to physically inspect. 'Unsuitable' is a valid reason for return. The rules there also require the seller to cover return postage costs for non-faulty goods unless they specifically state otherwise in their terms prior to sale. Any ad-hoc terms in listings are unenforceable so you can't make up your own terms.

In the US from what i've seen so far sales terms are more flexible and often loaded in favo(u)r of the seller: shipping deductions, restocking fees, very short inspection period etc.

So I guess this guy has bought via ebay dot co uk and you've listed on ebay dot com with worldwide visibility and that's where it has all got confusing. It will be interesting to see how ebay sort it out. My guess is you get the strap back and all seller fees refunded, plus ebay might cover your initial shipping costs if you push them. The buyer will get their money back, but be out of pocket for the costs of returning the item.

[nickb732]

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

The general gist with the UK legislation is that UK online purchases (including ebay buy-it-now listings) are subject to inspection and can be rejected within a reasonable time frame upon receipt. The idea is that you can't be fully committed to buying an item you don't have the option to physically inspect. 'Unsuitable' is a valid reason for return. The rules there also require the seller to cover return postage costs for non-faulty goods unless they specifically state otherwise in their terms prior to sale. Any ad-hoc terms in listings are unenforceable so you can't make up your own terms.

This is right. The EU has directives to all member states which are implemented in the form of local legislation. Any online purchases can be returned within 14 days without any reason whatsoever. Some retailers like Amazon make it 30 days. Any attempt to exclude the rules will be unenforceable, so here in the UK online purchases are very favourable. I could buy an iPhone from Apple (online) [N.B. some brick and mortar retailers offer a similar returns period but that is considered good will, or to compete with online retailers] and return it a week later for no reason at all.

[sea-dweller]

I started selling on eBay in 2000 and stopped around 2007, after almost being defrauded and eBay doing nothing. Sorry, I cannot help, but I would stop using them and send them a message.

[Sperry]

eBay is fine for small items. $20-$30 or so. I might have bought a few $100 items, and sold a few $100 items, but that's my limit to their policies.

[gocsan]

I never sell high value items on Ebay. I'm ok with selling stuff under £100, but anything more I normally post my items on sites for local pick up cash in hand. It limits the buyers you have but I would prefer that over risking losing £thousands.

[powerfunk]

Yeah eBay is favoring buyers far too heavily these days. Hopefully the pendulum will swing back a bit on that.

[77T]

I used to be a Power Seller based on my volume level in early 2000's but have cut back my volume with eBay. Partly due to eBay extending the return periods. I also shutdown all international shipping. When they announced it, I simply voted with my power to delist. You may need to do the same - or just consider this odd case a cost of continuing to do business on eBay.

Your case has a slant about buyers who don't read the details and then expect more than they fairly should. That also happens in regular brick and mortar retail - and often a CC company gets in the middle. Here it is complicated by a buyer who doesn't even know what fits his/her watch.

eBay has wide appeal so it attracts more buyers than many other sites - but also attracts more idiots, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bmpwatch]

just a quick update...I got the bracelet back yesterday in the same condition I sent it....at least I can resell it and not a horror story like others getting a rock in a box or whatever.

Still, absolutely frustrating and ridiculous that someone can return something 2 months later. Its easy to see why eBay has become a scammer's paradise these days.

[Dr. Robert]

That's why some call it "fleabay"

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I wish there was a good alternative to eBay.

Boy, isn't that the truth; imagine even a little bit of competition to nudge them into doing a better job !!