I got screwed on Ebay... help
- Thread starter saxe coburg
- Start date
shado pilot
New Member
I'm a 1000 plus power seller on Ebay. I got taken twice by buyers who learned how to manipulate the system. First time was a 1/35 model Russian tank I spent HOURS building and painting. I didnt know about delivery confirmation back then and as soon as the 10 days were up he filed for a refund. I at first refused to pay because I KNOW he got it because he resold it as his own work. Paypal froze my account untill I paid. I told Paypal and Ebay that he resold it and they wouldnt do anything.... I got robbed.. Trying to get a Paypal account unfrozen is like pulling teeth.. They make you jump through all kinds of BS hoops to get it overwith. I also left him positive feedback first for paying right away. BIG MISTAKE..... Nobody gets feedback from me unless they do first now unless I am the buyer and I am happy with what I got. The only way I was able to get him back was to sign up with a fake Ebay account and snipe a bunch of his stuff and leave a garden of negatives. The second time I got ripped off I shipped a Dinky UFO Interceptor to a guy in Belgium. He said he didnt get it and filed for a refund with paypal. Same thing happened. I was forced to give him his $80.00 back and I lost the Interceptor and the money. Guess what he did??? Resold it to a guy in the UK.... I ship EVERYTHING with delivery confirmation in the USA and overseas it goes Global Express airmail with tracking and insurance now. One more thing. If you think by putting in your listing that you are not responsible for lost or damaged items keeps you safe you are dead wrong.. If a buyer says he didnt get it and you don't have a tracking number be prepared to fork over your money. Another thing I thought was kind of funny. Ebay actualy has a box you can check when you file a complaint saying that all you got was an emty box in the mail with delivery confirmation. Unscroupulous sellers already figured out that scam...
well something good always comes out of posting these threads. Glad the situation is being dealt with then.
shado pilot
New Member
I want to follow up on my ranting and raving above. 99.9% of my buying and selling on Ebay has been great fun.. There are only a few bad apples. Winning a $50 item for $5 because the seller had it listed wrong or didnt know what it was is the best feeling. Sniping at the last 30 seconds and winning is another rush.. There are millons of cool things that you just can't buy anywhere else. Do a search for "prop" on Ebay and a world of neat stuff comes up....
ebay is great but has many issues, ya just gotta live with them.
Feedback is virtually useless really, since many sellers wait until you post a feedback before they post thiers.
Its all about your percentage, some sellers have 10,000 negs, but if they are powersellers, it doesnt effect them at all. But obviously, stay away from people with little/no feedback or a lot of recent negs.
If you sell, you need to send the item 'confirmed' or else you are leaving yourself totally open to screwjobs.
As a buyer, paypal is very important since at least then you have a chance to get some of your money back if seller doesnt send item or loses it in the mail. And lets face it, your probably not going to small claims court or the police if someone screws you for under a hundred bucks either(which is probably 90% of all transactions).
If item doesnt arrive in 3-4 weeks after you pay, you need to submit a complaint, it doesnt matter what the seller says .
In the end its buyer beware, dont spend high amounts of dough that you cant afford to lose if it came to that.
Ive had many auctions i was high bid on canceled because the seller got booted from ebay during the auction, good thing I didnt win.
Heck, id apply most of the above to junkyard transactions as well...
Feedback is virtually useless really, since many sellers wait until you post a feedback before they post thiers.
Its all about your percentage, some sellers have 10,000 negs, but if they are powersellers, it doesnt effect them at all. But obviously, stay away from people with little/no feedback or a lot of recent negs.
If you sell, you need to send the item 'confirmed' or else you are leaving yourself totally open to screwjobs.
As a buyer, paypal is very important since at least then you have a chance to get some of your money back if seller doesnt send item or loses it in the mail. And lets face it, your probably not going to small claims court or the police if someone screws you for under a hundred bucks either(which is probably 90% of all transactions).
If item doesnt arrive in 3-4 weeks after you pay, you need to submit a complaint, it doesnt matter what the seller says .
In the end its buyer beware, dont spend high amounts of dough that you cant afford to lose if it came to that.
Ive had many auctions i was high bid on canceled because the seller got booted from ebay during the auction, good thing I didnt win.
Heck, id apply most of the above to junkyard transactions as well...
shado pilot
New Member
A word on unpaid items and feedback. Fileing for an unpaid item doesnt always mean the buyers negative feedback will be removed. They are SUPPOSED to remove it. I bought 4 DVD's without cases and asked the seller for a total and he wanted $15.00 shipping. I refused to pay. 4 DVD's can go Priority mail with delivery confirmation for around $5. He filed unpaid items and left negatives. I fired right back wiith a barrage of negatives and they are still there. The only one that got removed is where I used a word that I personaly dont think is bad but I'm not sure if I can print it here. I got an email from Ebay saying that some people might feel its offensive and removed that negative. In todays touchey feely world nothing is safe anymore. Might hurt somebody's feelings.
Leave sombody a negative feedback and wish you could have said more??? You can. Go to your site map and click on "Reply to feedback given" or "Reply to feedback received" You can leave some more choice words for others to read.
Leave sombody a negative feedback and wish you could have said more??? You can. Go to your site map and click on "Reply to feedback given" or "Reply to feedback received" You can leave some more choice words for others to read.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SHADO PILOT @ Dec 1 2006, 04:11 PM) [snapback]1369436[/snapback]</div>
You should probably have asked about shipping costs prior to bidding, 'cause once you have won the item you really have no excuse to not pay. Just my 2 cents.
shado pilot
New Member
I didnt ask because I assumed I was dealing with a reasonable person. I always ask first now.. Lesson learned.
shado pilot
New Member
What they are doing is bypassing the final value fee's. They wont have to give Ebay as big of a cut when it sells. I'm sure Ebay knows what they are doing but haven't done anything about it yet. Another thing Ebay is working on is private listings. People can have their buddy bid or use a fake account to bid on thier own stuff to jack the price up and nobody can see who's doing the bidding. I can't think of any GOOD reason to have private listings.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SHADO PILOT @ Dec 1 2006, 05:12 PM) [snapback]1369485[/snapback]</div>
Yep. A total scam... and also against eBay policy and should be reported.
saxe coburg
Sr Member
Sorry for the delay in my post in this threadÂ… work has had me covered up for the past couple of days. To be honest, I havenÂ’t had a chance to read this whole thread as of today.
I will say this; BikerFett has been in touch with me and has offered to drop a replacement set of SST grenades in the mail to me. While I like the offer, believing 100% that he did in fact send out the first set and it has been the fault of the post office, I donÂ’t want him to just be out another set of grenades. But we have agreed that he is going to give me a discount on some other SST items he had planned to sell in the near future. My biggest problem with this situation had been the lack of communication and the neg feedback on my Ebay account. Booth of these items have been corrected and we (BikerFett and myself have it under control.
I will say this; BikerFett has been in touch with me and has offered to drop a replacement set of SST grenades in the mail to me. While I like the offer, believing 100% that he did in fact send out the first set and it has been the fault of the post office, I donÂ’t want him to just be out another set of grenades. But we have agreed that he is going to give me a discount on some other SST items he had planned to sell in the near future. My biggest problem with this situation had been the lack of communication and the neg feedback on my Ebay account. Booth of these items have been corrected and we (BikerFett and myself have it under control.
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Good to know that everything has been sorted out. :thumbsup
garver76
Active Member
All I can say about this is I too had problems when I bought some foam grenades from an account named pooh62301. Bought and paid Paypal for a set of grenades, payment went to bikerfett@(email address out).com, and about a month later filed a claim because I hadn't received the grenades and also hadnt received replies to my inquiries. The day I filed my claim "miraculously" he got home from "vacation" and told me they must have been lost, and since I didnt pay for insurance I was screwed. Problem I brought to his attention was he refused to offer shipping insurance.... anyhow, after another week of asking when I'd get my items I had paid for a month prior I finally got them with a sad story about how he was out 2 sets of grenades (though I'm certain he only sent one)....
moral is.... if the seller doesnt provide tracking they are being dumb. It is the only line of protection the seller has as proof that the item was sent, without a tracking number Paypal will refund the buyer's money.
Moral 2 is.... if the seller constantly offers the same items week, after week, after week.... and has less than perfect feedback dont buy from them.
moral is.... if the seller doesnt provide tracking they are being dumb. It is the only line of protection the seller has as proof that the item was sent, without a tracking number Paypal will refund the buyer's money.
Moral 2 is.... if the seller constantly offers the same items week, after week, after week.... and has less than perfect feedback dont buy from them.
Cenobyte
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NEKROFANATIC @ Nov 22 2006, 07:54 PM) [snapback]1364058[/snapback]</div>
Unfortunately, that does not work anymore. The momemt you leave feedback, they get an extended time after that to either leave feedback or reply.
Ebay has changed since the old days of waiting it out and getting them through feedback with 1 minute to go.
Unfortunately, that does not work anymore. The momemt you leave feedback, they get an extended time after that to either leave feedback or reply.
Ebay has changed since the old days of waiting it out and getting them through feedback with 1 minute to go.
frightzone_4_you
Well-Known Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SHADO PILOT @ Dec 1 2006, 08:12 AM) [snapback]1369485[/snapback]</div>
A good reason for private listings is not to get a jerk invloved in your auction... I had an eBayer threatened me that he was going to contact any potential buyers an warn them about me, because I had cancelled his bid since he had zero feedback. I sell things here & there to finance my hobby & I have been screwed by eBayers who also state that they did not receive an item & for the most part have been zero feedback bidders & international bidders. The only thing I can say is that if you want to sell or buy on eBay... be ready for surprises... it's a crazy world out there man :eek
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ortiz34 @ Dec 1 2006, 10:43 AM) [snapback]1369468[/snapback]</div>
That sounds like a tax evation scheme and they have a business and are trying to avoid haveing to pay taxes on the income.
They can claim 1 cent on their taxes for the income and not have to report the $40 for the shipping, the goverenment is getting screwed on that one.
Lynn
That sounds like a tax evation scheme and they have a business and are trying to avoid haveing to pay taxes on the income.
They can claim 1 cent on their taxes for the income and not have to report the $40 for the shipping, the goverenment is getting screwed on that one.
Lynn
firebladejedi
Well-Known Member
Just my 2 pence but when you sell on ebay and offer paypal as a method of payment it is in their terms and conditions to use recorded mail. If you dont send items that are trackable you are an easy target.
Chris Martin
Well-Known Member
There are a number of things that buyers can do to help protect themselves.
1. Always use eBay's own messaging system because then eBay can see for themselves what was said or promised during a correspondence in a dispute situation. If messages suddenly switch to email, cut and paste the email back into the eBay system.
2. Ask the seller if the item pictured is the one for sale.
3. Ask the seller in advance what the shipping will cost to your destination.
4. If practical, ask the seller for close up pics of the item out of it's box or packaging. That way, you'll know if the mail man is a scapegoat or not.
5. Ask the seller if he has the item in stock. Ask him if he can guarantee that it will be shipped by a particular date and make it clear that you will be asking for a refund by that date if the seller can not show some form of proof of posting (easily and freely available in all cases) by that date. You can tell the seller that the item is a birthday gift and it's no good to you if you haven't got by a mutually agreeable date.
If the seller can't offer reassuring noises in any one of these, reconsider if you want to bid.
I point blank refuse to leave feedback as a buyer until the seller does first despite any justification from the seller. I know some buyers give sellers hell but I don't. The seller's side of the deal is completed when the goods arrive in a condition that matches the description. As a buyer, my side of the deal is complete when I pay. I have to do that first before they even start considering their obligation. What I might say about the seller should not influence the sellers comments on me as a buyer if I performed my half accordingly. If a seller refuses then he just has to accept that neither party gets a positive. Frankly, any seller who is confident that his description is accurate and that the goods will match the expectation that he has planted in the buyers head, has little to worry about. As always, cross your t's and dot your i's all the way.
(edit) Forgot number 6.
6. Ask the seller if there is any damage not pictured or any other hidden "disappointments" that might annoy a buyer. If you pose a direct question like that, you'll know instantly with the reply if someone is trying to be a clever wordsmith with the description. Yes or No answers are good. Leave no wriggle room. Again, make sure the question goes through eBay's messaging system.
That's eBay's problem. Do number three and there's no issue for you as a buyer. Assume nothing and take some time to read the description.
1. Always use eBay's own messaging system because then eBay can see for themselves what was said or promised during a correspondence in a dispute situation. If messages suddenly switch to email, cut and paste the email back into the eBay system.
2. Ask the seller if the item pictured is the one for sale.
3. Ask the seller in advance what the shipping will cost to your destination.
4. If practical, ask the seller for close up pics of the item out of it's box or packaging. That way, you'll know if the mail man is a scapegoat or not.
5. Ask the seller if he has the item in stock. Ask him if he can guarantee that it will be shipped by a particular date and make it clear that you will be asking for a refund by that date if the seller can not show some form of proof of posting (easily and freely available in all cases) by that date. You can tell the seller that the item is a birthday gift and it's no good to you if you haven't got by a mutually agreeable date.
If the seller can't offer reassuring noises in any one of these, reconsider if you want to bid.
I point blank refuse to leave feedback as a buyer until the seller does first despite any justification from the seller. I know some buyers give sellers hell but I don't. The seller's side of the deal is completed when the goods arrive in a condition that matches the description. As a buyer, my side of the deal is complete when I pay. I have to do that first before they even start considering their obligation. What I might say about the seller should not influence the sellers comments on me as a buyer if I performed my half accordingly. If a seller refuses then he just has to accept that neither party gets a positive. Frankly, any seller who is confident that his description is accurate and that the goods will match the expectation that he has planted in the buyers head, has little to worry about. As always, cross your t's and dot your i's all the way.
(edit) Forgot number 6.
6. Ask the seller if there is any damage not pictured or any other hidden "disappointments" that might annoy a buyer. If you pose a direct question like that, you'll know instantly with the reply if someone is trying to be a clever wordsmith with the description. Yes or No answers are good. Leave no wriggle room. Again, make sure the question goes through eBay's messaging system.
That's eBay's problem. Do number three and there's no issue for you as a buyer. Assume nothing and take some time to read the description.
