I love eBay. After over 5 years of using it both as a buyer and a seller, I’ve hardly ever had bad experiences. The extent of my bad experiences before was just one non-paying bidder (who left a negative!) and buyers/sellers who withhold positive feedback.
But, lately, my bad experiences seem to be increasing. So, I decided that I’ll start taking more notes here. As a reminder to me of bad selling and buying experiences, as well as to serve as case studies/learning experiences. And also, as a warning to other folks.
Bad Buying Experiences:
- mycameras2006 – Bought a camera remote from this seller. I paid as soon as the transaction closed. The item took a long time to get shipped. I had to file a Paypal/eBay dispute to get the seller to take action. After a few weeks, the item finally arrived. I left a neutral feedback due to shipping slowness and the seller’s poor communication. The seller retaliated with a neutral feedback and accused me of being personally abusive. Seller also receives negative and neutral feedback regularly plus receives similar complaints of being slow in shipping. So, I know it’s not just me.
LESSON/TIP: Make sure to check not just the seller’s feedback. Also check seller’s habits of leaving feedback. What kind of things do they say to other folks? It says something about the seller.
- jupiter-fam – Also known as Virginia’s Collectibles. I bought a bunch of craft-related items from this person that never arrived. I was told that it was shipped. And, I was even promised that a second batch was sent. No tracking numbers were ever sent both times. Resorted to Paypal/eBay dispute. Paypal/eBay ended up refunding me for my payment (thank goodness!). When I left negative, the seller continued to lie in her replies to my feedback. This one’s a Power Seller who receives negative feedback on a regular basis. Yet, her average is still at 99%. Similar complaints. Shows that the ‘Power Sellers’ symbol doesn’t always protect you.
LESSON/TIP: Make sure you check seller’s feedback before buying. Don’t rely on the Power Sellers symbol or the overall feedback score.
What about you? What have been your bad experiences with eBay? Any sellers you’ll never buy from – and why? And, if you were to have an eBay wish list to protect you from such bad experiences, what will be included in your list?
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Shai,
That seller who gave you neutral feedback will no longer be able to give you neutral or negative feedback – the rules have changed.
I’ve not had any majorly negative situations. Just similar things like slow shipping, package crumpled when it arrives (books, cd’s) and the general “she’s o.k.” feeback after I leave them glowing remarks. If nothing else, just majorly aggravated.
Mark: Does it also cover neutral feedback? I thought it was just leaving negative feedback. Hmmm…
Bridget: Yeah – little things can also be annoying. But, major issues are a different matter. I’ve heard some really bad experiences from other folks too.
Avoid this seller–eandmcoins. He will leave you negative feedback for no reason. A real jerk!!!
I ‘ve bought $5 used children’s books in total recently. The seller asked me to pay $10 for combined shipping/handling. I paid immediately. But 2 weeks later, I received a damaged, open, empty box with postal stickers indicating that they had received it in this condition and without contents. The postman delivered this in-person and explained that this was corroborated by three other postal workers. He said that in their opinion the package was insufficiently wrapped. I took pictures of the box and the post office contact information and forwarded to the seller for resolution. At first he ignored my message. He finally replied with sarcastic remarks and implied that I was trying to cheat him. I waited to submit my feedback but finally reported honestly after I got no response from the seller. ( My feedback “Paid $10shipping/handling but received a broken and empty box “is the real thing happened on me ). But after this, he retaliated by leaving negative comments on my eBay account; such as, “Beware all sellers. Wants merchandise for free. Be cautious with this person.” I do feel this treatment is unfair to me. This is the worst shopping experience in my life. I need some advoice…
I originally purchased 2 phone adapers from this Chinese seller. One came with a European plug for some reason. After about 1 month I was sent the correct plug. Problem fixed. No biggie.
I setup 1 adapter and even though the MAC addresses were fabricated the unit worked so I continued to use it. I did email my concerns and got some canned response about how these were new adapters and the MAC addresses were correct. blah blah blah yeah right.
Anyways I tried to setup the second adapter about 1 month later and the port for plugging in the ethernet cable was damaged and the cable would not stay in the unit. I emailed Goezshopping and they told me to send it back to them. A replacement would be sent out and shipping costs would be refunded.
1 month and a half later I emailed them to find the status. They said ‘oh sorry it got lost in the shuffle yes we can send you out a new adapter or refund your money’. Because I needed to setup a new phone line immediately I ask for a refund. They said no problem and subsequently have ignored my emails for 4 weeks now.
I have all email documentation to back this up.
Other people who will never buy from Goezshopping at the risk of being ripped off:
http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=goezshopping&Dirn=Received+by&ref=home
ebay sucks. they suspended me for no reason. and customer support is very bad. no personally response to my mails no nothing. iam so mad. what can i do, because unfortunatly ebay is the best place to buy and sell.
Yea I’m done with eBay. Dreading that my product may be in horrible condition or Pirated, etc. is too much. I would rather spend more money from a larger company or site or use Amazon to get the best quality so I know I’m not getting ripped off and don’t have to deal with angry hermits bitching at me for leaving neutral feedback (when it should have been negative) I hate when they send you @*#% in horrible condition and claim it was in Mint condition. I only really trust sellers with 99.9 – 100% positive feedback and 500+ sells. I’ve had some sellers with 90-95% positive feedback who have still been horrible.
I also always read the negative comments. If I see a lot of “horrible condition” or “not as described!” then I avoid it. If they are more unreasonable like “I don’t like this movie” or whatever, then I know it’s probably okay.
Just as a follow up to my post regarding the ebay seller Goezshopping they have never followed up or refunded money for the adapter I sent back.
Buyers beware. They have a lot of positive feedback but if they treat even a small percentage of buyers this way then they are scammers.
I agree with ebaysucks
November 12, 2009 | 3:34 am
ebay sucks. they suspended me for no reason. and customer support is very bad. no personally response to my mails no nothing. iam so mad. what can i do,
Our account was supsended in february 2010 without warning. We lost buyers and goods becuase we were mid transactions when account suspended. EBay have still billed us for commission on these sales, even though we have received no payment from buyers, who cancelled their payment once our account was suspended, but after goods sent.
Four times we have sent all aksed for documentation-really sensitive ID stuff like copies of passport and driving licence. Four times they have refused to act on same. Faxed the items first-twice-and they stated not clear from fax. Then posted-recorded to Dublin. Have proof of receipt-signature their end. They state first time docs sent not received. Posted again last week-signed for-Royal Mail say delivered but again EBay saying haven’t received them yet. What has happened internally to this personal information? We have complied with their every request but still account suspended. We are a small charitable organisation that use the proceeds from sales for elderly, vulnerable tenats.
It seems EBay just does not care about smaller sellers and seem to have no intention of putting things right. I have no idea how we can possibly get our account back online if EBay will not assist and do their part.
I would welcome any thoughts/comments/ideas/ similar experiences as to how to get them to do something! I could write a formal complaint to Luxembourg as advised by EBay but how long will that take and will they ever admit to receiving it???? Can anybody out there help?
I won a bid on a car May 9, 2010. The seller, electrikspecialist, tried to get me to cancel the sale from the start. I learned through DMV that he was selling the car for someone else, which is not an issue in itself, but the alleged current owner never registered the car in his name. I waited while this problem was allegedly being fixed. I didn’t get fixed. Seller tells me he is getting a lien sale against the owner, which is supposed to take a month. I wait for this to happen. Six weeks later DMV has no record of any lien sale on the vehicle. Almost three months have passed since the auction, seller has stopped answering my emails and phone calls. I never get the car I won at auction.