• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

eBay question

#21
Bob Clayton said:
so the seller can send someone a messed up product, not offer returns and then look like they did nothing wrong by deleting feedback? what kind of f'd up system is that?

here is the link to the auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320447716274&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

the part that is messed up is on the front on the NY insignia. part of it looks like and extreme amount of pressure was placed on a spot, denting it and discoloring it. the defect is not visible in the picture (or the enlarged version) and when condition says "New" and the tags are still on it, is it unreasonable to think that there's nothing wrong with the product?

i did get a good deal on a slightly defected jersey, but had i know it was defective, i wouldn't have bought it.

i'm contacting eBay as soon as i'm done posting this to see what can be done. for some reason this auction has really pissed me off. i don't want my money back. i don't want to return the jersey. i want the feedback to stand to warn other of a shady seller.
Click to expand...


First piece of advice - take a deep breath and count to 10! Don't get on the phone or fire off e-mails while you're still pissed!

Second, it looks like you have a case from that photo. It doesn't matter that the guy doesn't take returns. One thing to remember is not everyone has the same opinion on what 'new' is. I know it seems obvious, but an item that's never been worn that's in the same condition as it was when the seller acquired it could be 'new' to some folks. That's where it's important to get the seller to express the condition in an e-mail/message, but clearly that's not relevant here.

On eBay always try to talk to the seller first before you give any feedback. If you don't hear from the seller when you contact them, then start a dispute thro' PayPal. That will get the sellers attention as it will likely freeze their account or at least access to the funds you've just sent. If the seller has already transferred these then he'll be docked the amount until your dispute resolved.

In most cases a seller will either offer you a discount or take a return once you've filed the dispute. Expect to pay for shipping (and make sure it's tracked/insured) when you send it back. Be aware here that with such a low feedback the seller, unfortunately hasn't a lot to loose from your negative feedback. He can shut up that account and start another so don't think that negative feedback gives you a lot of power.

Again, while the seller may have screwed up here and it feels like it's personal, take a deep breath and stay calm. This is probably not the case and if you stay level headed you're far more likely to be heard. IMHO getting the negative feedback to stand is not the way to go about this one. I think eBay and PayPal are going to view this situation is that you were too hasty in giving you negative feedback, without giving the seller the chance to make good.

Make sure you keep all e-mail correspondence and when you're writing the e-mail stick to the facts and don't get emotional. Again that will work in your favor.

Sure it all feels like a big hassle, but the system is there to protect buyers and part of using eBay is using the system.

Finally, good luck and don't focus of the other guy whatever you may think of them! Life is too short.
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#24
Bob Clayton said:
says right in the auction:

"Returns: No Returns Accepted"
Click to expand...

Once you file a dispute all options are open. 'No returns' only covers you getting the item and deciding you don't want it. It does not cover an item, which may have been incorrectly labelled prior to sale. You have rights as a consumer and eBay need to make sure you do. (EBAY have made a lot of changes recently in favor of buyers as the result of lawsuits brought against them for not maintain buyer/consumer rights!)

If you say you wouldn't have bought it had you known about the mark then the seller may take it back - your cost for shipping most likely, although they may cover, but it's unlikely. If rather, he offers a discount and you still don't want the item, then PayPal should give you refund in return for the item, if as you describe the item is damaged. PayPal will want to see the item and will become the arbitrator.

Again, be calm! IMHO opinion you've jumped the gun a little here and you need to get things back on track and fully on your side.

Again first step contact the seller, tell him your problem and give him the opportunity to do the 'right thing' before you file any dispute. Put a reasonable time limit in your message/e-mail (24hrs/48hrs/etc.) for a reply. Again make sure you're building the case on your side.

This will all take a little effort and time on your side, but again the system needs that to work. Don't fight the system. It really is there for you protection.

Good luck!
 
#25
Thunderitter said:
Again, be calm! IMHO opinion you've jumped the gun a little here and you need to get things back on track and fully on your side.

Again first step contact the seller, tell him your problem and give him the opportunity to do the 'right thing' before you file any dispute. Put a reasonable time limit in your message/e-mail (24hrs/48hrs/etc.) for a reply. Again make sure you're building the case on your side.

This will all take a little effort and time on your side, but again the system needs that to work. Don't fight the system. It really is there for you protection.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

This.

Part of the reason eBay has to play the enforcer so often and come up with all these dictatorial rules is because buyers and sellers don't make an attempt to work out disputes, they just go for the throat right off the bat. I have over 850 eBay transactions under my belt, all private, I am not a dealer or merchant, and for every 1 stinker I've run into over a dispute there have been 10 great eBayers who were willing to bend over backwards to make things right.

You just have to be patient and give people a chance. You have weeks to file a formal complaint with eBay and PayPal if you're not getting the help you think you deserve.

Now, it may take a little time (after all, this is a long-distance cross-country transaction during the busiest shopping season of the year), however, there is a good possibility that this seller will not only take the shirt back and send a replacement, but he might even pick up the shipping if you're nice about it. But not if you come right out of the gate baring your teeth and claws.
 
#26
Unfortunately for me, my prior problem is now the least of my worries.

On 11/29 I bought a set of DVDs and paid with PayPal immediately. I received acknowledgment from the seller that they received my money and they'd ship on the next business day, which was 11/30.

On 12/1, I log onto eBay and I see "No Longer A Registered User" next to the seller's name (the seller in question has a feedback score of 3999 and a positive feedback rating of 99.4% since 10/19/2008).

When should I start to get worried? The product is coming from Chine to NJ so I have no clue how long shipping would usually take to begin with.
 
#27
First off if you paid with PayPal and the auction was covered (will say so on the payment part at the top of the listing) then you'll be ok in the long run.

Look on the listing and on the shipping tab it should tell you the estimated time. I've ordered stuff that's taken 3 weeks to get to the East Coast from Hong Kong, so those really are the sort of timescales you need to look at unless you paid extra for express shipping.

And as ever, before you do anything try to contact you're seller. You should have their e-mail on your PayPal invoice. If you don't get a reply after a couple of days then it might be worth giving eBay customer support a call. I've always found them to be very helpful.

You can go to your account part of eBay and see how long you need to wait to file a dispute, I think it is 9 or 10 days, but again if the shipping time says 3 weeks on the listing don't file the dispute until after the 3 weeks and only if you haven't heard back from the seller. This time of year things might take a little longer.

....And for what it's worth I would never buy from China to save a few bucks, only if you can't get the item anywhere else, although you may be learning that the hard way, but hopefully not. Some of these sellers literally get 100s of emails a day on top of the 6 or so messages you get from eBay when a sale goes through, so be patient.
 
#28
Thunderitter said:
...And for what it's worth I would never buy from China to save a few bucks, only if you can't get the item anywhere else, although you may be learning that the hard way, but hopefully not. Some of these sellers literally get 100s of emails a day on top of the 6 or so messages you get from eBay when a sale goes through, so be patient.
Click to expand...

I would agree, I'm not very trusting of sellers from China and I'd never gamble more than a few bucks on an item. I think I bought some cheap-o guitar parts and maybe a cell phone charger from a Chinese seller, and they both arrived, it took awhile though. I lost a hundred dollars in shipping fees on a guitar from China once. My CC security got me a refund on the guitar, but not the shipping. So I am very wary of big $ items from China.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back