| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 06:59:46 AM
Is it possible to communicate/make contact with a human on ebay? I filed a complaint according to their guidelines about a dealer who took my money order and never sent the item. I emailed him/them, my dh called and called and no response. I filed the complaint about a month ago and I have heard not a thing! How is this a good business practice? Does ebay think itself above complaints? I feel like I'm trying to get in touch with "The Great and Powerful...Wizard of Oz"...as in..."No one, Not No One...Gets in to see...The Great and Powerful...etc....This is maddening!
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| 21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| abbasgurl |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 8:40:22 PM
Hi Janice,
From one stubborn Irishman to another  ...I had a bad experience with a wholesale seller last year. They took hundreds of dollars from me and sent no merchandise in return. I am a small business owner who couldn't afford to lose that money. For months the company ignored my phone calls and letters. Did I mention I'm stubborn?
I just kept calling and emailing, keeping them up to date on what actions I was taking against them, until finally I got their attention.
Here are a few "attention getters"
The USPS regulates any transaction that takes place using USPS services. If you sent a money order and/or mailed payment it is regulated by the USPS. You can pick up forms at your local PO. Using the USPS to commit fraud is a federal offence. Won't hurt to mention that to the seller.
You can report them to the Federal Trade Commission. The FBI's Internet Fraud Division, or THEIR State's Attorney's Office. Find out where they live and get a name for their local States Attorney. Also report them to The Better Business Bureau (if they are a member). There are also numerous online sites where you can list companies who have fraudulent business practices. Mention to the seller where you will be listing their company.
I found that just the threat of filing with these agencies got my money returned. A well written letter letting the seller know you are aware of where to go for help should get results.
Here are a few links to get you started:
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/internetschemes.htm
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/mailorder.htm
http://www.contactbbb.org/news101306a.html
http://www.the-dma.org/guidelines/30dayrule.shtml
http://ezinearticles.com/?Reporting-a-Cyber-Crime:-What-You-Need-to-Know&id=310682
http://www.webguardian.com/
http://www.internetfraud.usdoj.gov/
http://www.toolhaus.org/
Good luck to you Janice!
I'm a one girl revolution. |
| theknottysheep |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 3:14:23 PM
Hi Janice!
I do a LOT of selling on eBay and have had mostly good experiences. As a seller, I have had some people not pay ... unfortunately it works both ways.
If you go to their home page ... http://www.ebay.com/ - in the upper right there is a clickable link that says 'Live Help". I have used it and someone has always been at the other end. Granted, you are typing instead of talking - but at least it is something.
I am so sorry this happened - as someone who has 875 (more than half are repeat customers) positive feedbacks I take pride in where I place my goods.
I hope they help you!
hugs,
kary
http://sheepatthebeachartstudio.blogspot.com |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 12:54:34 PM
I have used the Live Help once and it worked for me. It is worth the wait if you need to wait. You are emailing each other live. Hope all works out for you. I to only use PayPal.
Good Luck,
Maryjane Lee
|
| Vintage Redhead |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 12:19:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by katie-ell
...But I do use Paypal, because of the added protection offered there. And as a seller, I do not accept personal checks or money orders (money orders can be fakes; personal checks can bounce)...If anyone does want to purchase on Ebay, do use Paypal. It does not cost anything additional for the purchaser; the buyer pays a fee for that service.
Before I started with PayPal, all of the following occurred: I received a "fake" Money Order; people "promise" that the check/money order was in the mail, only to find the envie posted 2-6 days later; had to send 3-5 payment reminders; received Money Order / Check for less than the correct amount so that they buyer can "re-negotiate" shipping charges.
I finally had enough.
I now accept *ONLY* payments from PayPal. I require that payments originate from a VERIFIED account. I only ship merchandise to a CONFIRMED address. I require DELIVERY CONFIRMATION (at the buyer's cost) on every single item shipped. I require USPS insurance on *every* item. Why all of this? To keep a "trail" and to have recourse if/when something goes wrong. To discourage people who play games. To make it easier on myself if *I* make a mistake (such as fail to combine shipping). To make refunds if necessary.
If someone doesn't like my terms, they are encouraged to find the item elsewhere. If they buy from me, they are expected to comply with the terms. Period.
{{ BIG SHOCK! }}: all of the nonsense has come to a halt!
Yeah, I may miss some sales from perfectly good people who are turned off by my hardline stance. But it makes my life easier.
~ Kaylyn ~ (Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/
My Life: http://vintageredhead.blogspot.com |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 11:59:48 AM
Thanks, everybody! You've all given me lots of helpful info. I'm going to see what I can do. The dealer wasn't just a lone person, but one of those 'let me sell your stuff on ebay' businesses with over a thousand feedbacks. And not really many negatives. I do check that before I bid on anything. I'm really surprised and disappointed that this dealer made no effort to respond to email or phone calls. I think I'll try the registered letter tactic! Thanks!
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 08:47:59 AM
The only way to really protect yourself is to use Paypal since all transactions are recorded in thier data base. Even if you are able to contact Ebays help desk they will require reciepts of your money order and a delivery confimation tracking number of you letter containing the money order.
I would HIGHLY reccomend that you use paypal. I recently had to make a claim. They give the seller 10 days to respond and if they do not paypal gives you back 100% of your money.
I hope it works out!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 08:45:57 AM
Yep, when they got so big they did away with the buyer protection that protected you when you paid by check or money order...Now, with Paypal, you have a Buyer Protection policy that protects you if you recieve a product different from what was described or didn't receive your item at all....
The downside to this is that Paypal can only recover the amount of funds that are available in a Seller's account at the time of the settlement.
So for future purchases ALWAYS request that your item be INSURED and has DELIVERY CONFIRMATION...if a seller doesn't want to bother with those two requests and you are planning to pay using Paypal DON"T buy from that Seller...Also, make sure the Seller is sending you a copy of the "Insured Mail" receipt.
This will protect the buyer alot....since a Seller has to produce the Delivery Conf. number to Paypal in the claim process to prove that they did in fact mail the item to you.
If your package happens to get damaged during transit then the insurance will refund all of your money and the Seller should help you with the claim process.
Ok...that's another 2 cents worth...
Stephanie
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com
A Creative Journey
quote:
Originally posted by KYgurlsrbest
"It also won't do any good because there's no eBay Buyer protection anymore."
"You should be aware that Ebay doesn't offer Buyer Protection any more, so if you don't use paypal, you're funds cannot be retrieved".
"hold close your inner child and always listen to the gentle whispers" ~queenofdreamsz
|
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 08:30:10 AM
Hey there, I called the phone number for the Ebay Pro Store sign-up and asked them if there is any telephone numbers for contacting Ebay..the answer is NO.
However, there is a "Live Help" Chat link on the homepage..I clicked on it and it says there is a heavy volume of traffic so wait times are extended...
If I were you I would start and Live Help inquiry and just leave it open..Do this during a time of the day that you can be close to the computer in case they respond and need your response.
My other suggestion if you haven't already done is to get the seller's mailing address and send them a registered letter with return receipt requested with a letter stating that you are filing charges of misconduct with his local courthouse unless you hear from him within 7 days in the way of a refund.
If this person has a real business this should work..if it's just a person selling from home randomly then you can probably kiss it goodbye.
Ebay homepage.....to the right side of the top of the screen where it says Advanced Search...then look down and you will see in very small writing "Live Help"
http://www.ebay.com/
I'm sure you must have already opened the dispute with Ebay and have all these other links but thought I would include them anyway just in case anyone else is curious.
Answer Center Forum for Safety and Trading
http://answercenter.ebay.com/forum.jspa?forumID=2
Find a member link: http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/AdvSearch?sofocus=bs&sacat=-1&catref=C5&from=R7&nojspr=y&pfid=0&fsop=1&fsoo=1&fcl=3&frpp=50&sofindtype=8
Item not Received page on Ebay: Ebay is supposed to contact the seller on your behalf once you have opened a dispute.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/inr-snad-process.html
Since Ebay went public on the Stock Market it has changed drastically! They have their stockholders now to keep satisfied and that means the more members that Ebay can generate the better on the bottom line.
These losses that (we), the common people, are suffering is almost meaningless in the big picture unfortunately!! 
Ebay used to be seller and buyer friendly and responded within hours of a request...When you consider there are on the average of 5 million new listing per day it will let you know just how out of hand the "customer service" has become...
There is no way on God's green earth they can keep up with all of it....so they just count on more and more folks to become members and the cycle continues...it's just so huge...beyond comprehension actually!
I have bought and sold on Ebay for about 9 years with close to 600 feedbacks for buying/selling...These days when I sell anything at Ebay I am very cautious of my wording in my descriptions, terms and conditions, return policy, etc....It really has become cut throat for many folks....I have been extremely lucky and have never had any problems but when you read how vicious buyers and sellers are responding on the ebay forums you can see there really isn't any community left at ebay...it's real sad...
I'm searching for other auction platforms to use in the future...Bill Gates (Microsoft) is supposedly trying to buy Yahoo for 50 million dollars...I hope so since he will probably re-activate the Yahoo Auction platform and give Ebay a run for their money...I can't think of anyone else with enough clout and cash that can do it....so I say....Go Bill..LOL
That's my 2 cents worth....LOL
Peace, Stephanie
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com
A creative Journey
quote:
Originally posted by Miss Bee Haven
Is it possible to communicate/make contact with a human on ebay? I filed a complaint according to their guidelines about a dealer who took my money order and never sent the item.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner
"hold close your inner child and always listen to the gentle whispers" ~queenofdreamsz
|
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 08:06:15 AM
The stubborn, angry me, in any ordinary business mess like this would ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, NEVER, NEVER, EVER do business with a company like this again! And I'm very stubborn Irish! But darn it, I've bought stuff for the farmhouse on ebay that I could never have found any other way. There is little or no salvage business in Louisville or anywhere close. All my door hardware came from a guy who salvaged it from a hotel being demolished. And my 1918 light fixture... This is a major dilemma for me....darn it! :(
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 08:00:22 AM
Hey, Janice. Found this quote MORE than a few times in the forum sections on Ebay. Doesn't really bode well, and it sounds like Ebay has removed itself from liability
"It also won't do any good because there's no eBay Buyer protection anymore."
"You should be aware that Ebay doesn't offer Buyer Protection any more, so if you don't use paypal, you're funds cannot be retrieved".
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
|
| katie-ell |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:58:41 AM
Ebay does offer mediation. I've had no problems, with more than 1,000 sales/purchases. But I do use Paypal, because of the added protection offered there. And as a seller, I do not accept personal checks or money orders (money orders can be fakes; personal checks can bounce).
If anyone does want to purchase on Ebay, do use Paypal. It does not cost anything additional for the purchaser; the buyer pays a fee for that service. |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:55:00 AM
Thanks, Heather. I'll try to call.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:53:52 AM
I think that's exactly what it's like! I really feel terrible about you losing your money--and the idiot could still send the product, but I've even noted that when you leave (valid) negative feedback, they turn around and "flame" your feedback...it can be rotten, truly.
I guess Ebay believes that the integrity of the sale is safely held between the seller and purchaser--they simply act as a "broker" for the deal, and their only offer of satisfaction is to broker a mediation between parties. How can they do that when one party won't even answer an email?????
I guess I'd just keep trying until something (anything) happens. It's sucky. I'm sorry 
J
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
|
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:51:56 AM
1-800-322-9266 and 1-888-749-3229.
It was suggested to do a google search for the Ebay number and I called the first and it said it is EBAY incorporated. I pressed 2 and it told me to go to the live help link on the website. I pressed 0 and it hung up. Maybe you could try!!
So frustrating...
Cheers,
Heather |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:46:45 AM
Thanks, Heather. I wouldn't mind so much, except that the total was nearly $70.00. :( They should at least send a person an email. From the sound of everybody else's experiences, it's like putting a message in a bottle and throwing it in the ocean!
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:43:26 AM
Janice- I just went to EBAY to see if I could help you out. I have never bought from them but was just trying to see how easy it was to find contact information, and it WASN'T!! Why they don't have a phone number is beyond me and sending an email is just a beginning, as far as I am concerned with them. If I do find something, I will pass it along. I think it is a shame.
Cheers,
Heather |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:33:07 AM
I did leave negative feedback for the dealer, because I think you only have a limited time to do that and then you lose the opportunity to say anything. Believe me, I chose those few words carefully. The words 'thieves', and 'criminals' were in there somewhere. But for ebay to be such a big business and to have absolutely no concern about policing anyone or taking care of their customers is just mind boggling to me.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| butterflykisses |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:23:47 AM
I had the same thing happen and you will never hear from anyone!!! I got married in Jan. and they still have not changed my last name. Sent email several times, but still no response!!
we shape our lives not by what we carry, but what we leave behind |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:22:31 AM
I have, Janice, but it went unanswered, too, and I gave up. I love ebay, but haven't bid on anything in about year or more...just simply because I had too many unpleasant experiences. One, in particular, was an item that I had the winning bid on (and was the only bidder), and seconds (literally) before the auction was "called", the seller cancelled my bid and pulled the item, only to reoffer it for sale an hour later at a MUCH higher price. I was ticked, to say the least. I went through the mediation process, forging my complaint etc..and noone ever said boo.
I noted now, that they even restrict how much you can say "negatively" about a seller or purchaser, but that's the only way someone like yourself is going to know about their practices.
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
|
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:15:31 AM
Unfortunately, I didn't use paypay or charge. I sent a money order(my dh didn't want to charge the item and it was something he was buying..)
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| mima |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 07:06:23 AM
can you just get in touch with your credit card company and get your money back!!! How rude! |
|
|
