Gotta Love Ebay

[Scorpion1110]

Sorry guys-need to vent. I know this doesnt really belong here but since we were on the topic of Summit and Jegs....

Dont sell many car parts these days but listed some old stuff layin around in the loft. Listed a very nice pair of GM LT1 valve covers for $65.

This clown on Ebay bids $128. So I ship them insured and get an email; today. Clown says they are cracked. I checked them very closely-they were good. He wants $40 refunded so he can pay to weld them, then this keyboard commando threatens to neg me knowing I cant leave anything but positive for him.

So I offer him a FULL refund and to pay half shipping. Whats he do?Immediate Negative.

Now I fully expect this kind of stuff to take root there, and I dont use it much any more but what a darn shame.

Filed a complaint with Ebay but thought I'd share with you guys.

Oh well it could be worse, I could be him.

Later, Scorp

[hammertime]

I sold a set of ARP SBC head studs in late july. Guy got them said nuts wouldnt even thread on them. I checked before even selling so I knew better. I told him the nuts are all on them in the picture and I have already double checked before selling but I will give you a full refund if he ships them back. I did on August 5th got neg feedback from the jerk and have yet to see the studs. I cant leave him bad feedback either how nice.

I emailed paypal telling them he has yet to send them back 21 days later, but couldnt file a dispute because I refunded the money. Still waiting to hear back from them. What a crock ebay is anymore with some jokers on there its hard to have 100% now.

[Scorpion1110]

David I agree- Ebay is a joke. I am glad most of my extra stuff is gone.

All I could do was leave him a positive, which I did, but the comment was "Unhappy so offered THIS CLOWN a full refund". Of course he replied to the comment denying it even though I had the emails. So I left him another comment for members to contact me through Ebay for the emails and added a smiley face. That seems to have ticked him off.

So I then filed with Ebay under feedback extortion and sent them his emails. Now we know that they wont do anything-know why?

I did some research on the web, and found that they (Ebay) have to represent themselves as an open trading platform in an attempt to eliminate any liability associated with a fraudlent transaction. In other words if you get scammed you could sue and make them a defendant suggesting that their tools helped facillitate the scam. The want to call themselves a "meeting place" for people to exchange goods and services.

So the only time they really ever intercede is if they deem their failure to get involved as culpability the other way.

Obviously they want your fees but dont want any liability.

The best way to sell parts anymore is at a swap meet face to face where you can communicate and look each other in the eye.

Scorp

[hammertime]

Is there someway you can leave a comment for the neg he left you ?

Its crazy how far they have went to protect the buyer and do nothing for the people making them money.

[gungho]

I agree I used e-bay a lot , not anymore ,too many stories like this here,dealing with people who threaten ,extort,with bad feedback,over a good item,that I know was tested,or looked over before I sent it,I no longer use e-bay, ,Its too bad that these people can do this,I also have cotacted e-bay before and just plain gave up.

[Tod74]

since when can you not leave neg for a buyer?I've sold on ebay and I didn't know that... What if they do not pay?

[gearhead1011]

I haven't had any dealings on ebay but my son has. The last item he sold there the winning bidder never made the payment and wouldn't respond to the messages my son sent him. I think he told me it was a fairly new ebay policy that wouldn't let him leave negative feedback on the buyer. Kind of frustrating because the buyer could still leave negative feedback on the seller. I told him it's a bunch of crap and ebay won't address it because they still get thier fee whether the deal is closed or not. They should change the name of the site to e-scam at least you know what you're getting into.

[Scorpion1110]

Tod, they changed it. They want the sellers committed to trying to resolve buyer problems, I guess similar to the way a business might. So they feel by not allowing sellers to leave feedback now, the seller will be more accomodating to the buyer.

What they fail to realize in their infinite lack of wisdom, is that most sellers arent a business, and that Ebay provides a convenient public forum for the buyers to voice their issues. Can you imaging if Summitt provided a seller forum on their website for buyers to see with permanent comments? Based on the thread on this site, would there be sales impact? Bet yes.

In my case, the Clown (aplogies to professional clowns everywhere), was trying to strong arm some returned dollars. There was no damage to the valve covers and I knew this-Thats why I offered a full refund.

Where this will get interesting is should Ebay's change lead to more or all buyers being considered businesses, then since Ebay reaches world wide, can sellers now be expost to legal action regularly outside their home state and not have the cases dismissed? State law is pretty insidious-I would think yes.

And if so does that make Ebay culpable and thus potentially another defendant? I hope so :) it would amuse me to no end to see them subject to repetitive lawsuits.

I think they are on thin ice and the spring thaw is coming.

Scorp

[jayss10]

I know how you feel ,my son had a yz 125 motocycle ,he rode at least 5 days a week,we listed it on ebay ,1 st time winner of bid didnt pay i couldnt leave a bad feedback,and was told to work it out with him,so in other works drop my price more to get him to buy it or something ,so i relisted it,it sold again ,but buyer wouldnt follow guide lines i stated about needing a deposit in 24 hrs and full payment in 5 days,i kept on him as ebay instructed ,he said he would come get it in a week if he could find time ,and pay cash then,well 8 days later he did come get it ,but after he had bid on several other bikes and didnt get them,he finally decided to get my bike he had won a bid on,then he called back a day later said bike was junk and wouldnt start ,i said thats funny it started right up when you took a ride on it,he said he was leaving bad feedback if i didnt come get it ,250 miles away and return money ,well i was checking him on bidding found he won a bid that day on a 125 yz motocycle ,i contacted ebay,they said to work it out with the guy,they never helped me any ,i will never sell anything on there again,............im sure there will be tons of responces to this ....JAY

[lively]

GUYS---JUST WAIT TILL OCTOBER!!!!!!!!

THE [ ONLY WAY TO PAY ON EBAY WILL BE PAYPAL/ CREDIT CARD WITH PAYPAL/ OR EBAYS OTHER PERSONAL CREDIT CARD PLAN- PERIOD]

NO MONEY ORDERS/ NO CASHIERS CHECKS/ NO BANK TRANSFERS==JUST THEIR PLANS ONLY!!!!!!!!!
THEY TOLD ME IT WAS TO CUT DOWN ON FRAUD-- IT IS JUST TO PAD THEIR OWN BANK ACCOUNTS MORE :evil: :evil: :evil:

WELCOME TO GREED INC. :oops: :oops: :oops:

LIVELY

[hollowayshotrods]

Been selling on Ebay for eight years. They have gone from excellent to absolutely sux in my opinion. I will NEVER sell on Ebay again!! Paypal on the other hand, I have no problem with, zero problems in many years!

[chitown409]

Well eBays changes suck but their higher fees suck even more. I had a guy complain to Paypal about a carb he bought. He won a 6211 Spreadbore Holley 800 and paid with Paypal. When he got it he realized it was a spreadbore carb and tried to blame me for sending him the wrong carb. The listing said 6211 spreadbore 800 and the pic was a spreadbore. I told him I would send him a squarebore 800 for $20 more if he paid the shipping. He agreed and shipped it back but demanded I pay shipping the replacement carb to him. He returned the carb in the same box to Fedex and did not have to pay return shipping. He sent another $20 through Paypal. The returned carb was damaged because he didnt use any of the bubble wrap I used to return the carb to me. Then he filed another complaint with Paypal. I provided both tracking numbers but they still had ebay suspend me. I have over 600 positives and a 99% rating. I have contacted ebay and they are looking into it but said it may take a few more weeks to resolve, its already been 3 weeks. I did everything I could to make the buyer happy, got a damaged carb back, and my Paypal and ebay accounts are locked UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!! There has to be a better way. I have not had problems on Racing Junk but out of 50 people who said they were sending the money only 3 paid. That wastes a lot of my time answering questions to deadbeats and then having to relist when they dont pay. I guess I am going back to swap meets for selling :idea:

[bixblk]

HAD A PROBLEM WITH EBAY. THEY REMOVED AN AD OF MINE FOR A CAR SALE.THEY CLAIMED THE TITLE WAS A REBUILD...I HAD THE ORIGINAL IL TITLE IN MY HAND AND IT WAS NOT A REBUILT...SO I EMAILED THEM AND EXPLAINED TO THEM (BECAUSE IT IS VERY HARD TO SPEAK TO A REAL PERSON) THEY SUGGESTED I PAY A FEE AND CHECK ON THE AUTOCHECK WEB SIGHT LINK THEY GAVE ME (I HAVE HEARD THEY HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THAT SIGHT ?) I TOLD THEM I HAVE THE ORIGINAL TITLE IN MY HAND PERHAPS THERE INFO IS INCORRECT, AND ASKED FOR A COPY OF IT ? THEY DID NOT DO THAT...MANY EMAILS LATER NO RESOLUTION ALOT OF EBAY RECTERIC ?

ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE THE SHIPPING CALCULATIONS. I HAD A HUGE ISSUE WITH SHIPPING, AFTER FILLING OUT ALL THE INFO IN THE AD FOR SHIPPING ETC. THE BUYER GOT A SHIPPING COST OF 24.04. I CHECKED MY END AND SURE ENOUGH IT IS RIGHT AND I PRINTED IT. TOOK IT TO THE POST OFFICE AND THEY REFUSED TO SHIP IT STATING IT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POSTAGE. THEN THEY STATED "IT OFTEN HAPPENS WHERE A PERSON PRINTS A LABEL THANS COPIES IT FOR ANOTHER TRANSACTION" I EXPLAINED I DID NOT DO THAT (TO THE POST MASTER" AT WHICH TIME HE PUSHED MY BOX OUT AND SAID WE WERE DONE ? I GOT BACK INTO LINE TO EXPLAIN. THEN THE POST MASTER STATED HE WOULD CALL THE AUTHORITES,, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPENSIVE SHIPPING COST ???
I ALERTED PAYPAL BECAUSE THEY TOOK THE FEES RIGHT AWAY FOR POSTAGE.... AND HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM
IT IS GETTING HARD TO SELL... BY THE WAY I HAVE 100 % SATISFACTION AND MORE THAN 65 DEALS.

HOW 'BOUT THAT

[bigray]

we had a s/n 2000 supercharger on e-bay.no where in the add did i state it was a novi 2000 .And this assclown in joplin mo.bought it.he even came down and picked it up in person and said it was just what he wanted..then 3 days later he is crying. its not a novi 2000. well duuuuh i never said it was.he cryed to pay pal. and i dont know why. but they refunded his money. and i got the super charger back,..saying he thout it would produce 30lbs of boost..YEA RIGHT>>i told him it would do about 7 to 10lbs.it sounded like buyers remorse to me.this guy was trying to buy stuff way out of his knowledge range.but it was a very nice piece..and it resold fast !!!!!!so in other words you can list it.sell it.ship it.and when they get it they can say oooops..refund please..

[Tod74]

my cousin just sold a street stock on there then the guy came to get it he refused to buy it....nothing he can do he is out his fees and can't leave a negative.

[hammertime]

This guy emails me back on mine. refuses to send me back the good studs, has his money also and better yet he now wants twenty bucks to leave a follow up comment. What a joke !! I'll be posting a name and address here soon

[zipper06]

I've been a member of ebay for many yrs, I've only been screwed a couple times, both my fault. i've recently bought a couple items from a reputably racer, no problems. I'll stay with ebay, because it's the best source on the net. If you do your homework you won't get screwed.

JMO

Zip.

[Scorpion1110]

Zip, cant say I agree with you on this one. "If you do your homework you wont get screwed"

I actually had an attorney friend look at my listing terms and conditions and vouch that they were bullet proof with virtually no liability at my end. Yet I just got negg'd by a guy trying to extort concessions on something I sold-I offered a full refund, but he didnt want that-he wanted the item but for less.

In spite of how solid your terms are, you still cant control people-and they will play games-As Lively pointed out earlier when he referred to Ebay as Greed Inc., their entire business model is derived to generate maximum fees/revenue with minimum liability; However the difference between Ebay and the average seller (who like to do same) is that they (Ebay) arbitrarily set the rules. Their published terms are so vague they can basically do what they want.

Youve been lucky, and I am glad that you have been.

With the new rules about sellers being barred from feedback, at some point, some clown will strong arm you with feedback as a leverage tool, and you wont be able to do a thing.

Agreed they have the best platform on the net-but I truly believe they are one class-action suit away from major changes.

Just wait until the real rich guy with the attorney on retainer gets scammed on the bogus Shelby he bought through Ebay - Then maybe things get interesting.

Later,

Scorp

[hollowayshotrods]

Zip, cant say I agree with you on this one. "If you do your homework you wont get screwed"

I actually had an attorney friend look at my listing terms and conditions and vouch that they were bullet proof with virtually no liability at my end. Yet I just got negg'd by a guy trying to extort concessions on something I sold-I offered a full refund, but he didnt want that-he wanted the item but for less.

In spite of how solid your terms are, you still cant control people-and they will play games-As Lively pointed out earlier when he referred to Ebay as Greed Inc., their entire business model is derived to generate maximum fees/revenue with minimum liability; However the difference between Ebay and the average seller (who like to do same) is that they (Ebay) arbitrarily set the rules. Their published terms are so vague they can basically do what they want.

Youve been lucky, and I am glad that you have been.

With the new rules about sellers being barred from feedback, at some point, some clown will strong arm you with feedback as a leverage tool, and you wont be able to do a thing.

Agreed they have the best platform on the net-but I truly believe they are one class-action suit away from major changes.

Just wait until the real rich guy with the attorney on retainer gets scammed on the bogus Shelby he bought through Ebay - Then maybe things get interesting.

Later,

Scorp

Yep!!

[gofastdude]

ebays laws,rules protect the crook and thief
and ebay will do nothing to stop it,you can get negative feedback as a seller and have a stand up item,or worse someone can threaten you and you
have to deal with their terms to 'hopefully stop negative feedback'it really sucks.I sent them a message and said'in iraq we know who the enemy is'
in EBAY ,its you against the world,of course I got that'give a shit'autoresponse' they have,its a crap shoot anywhere,THE OLD SAYING'THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT'IS LONG GONE,THATS WHEN A HANDSHAKE MEANT SOMETHING,IT MEANS NOTHING NOW.
RJ in all honestly is just as bad.YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS,just a response to start a war,and go back and forth.who knows where it will end?
just the way of the world,u can't stop it,u may not like it,u may be totally
innocent but 'what you gonna do?gfd

[DriverLost]

I have to agree that eBay has gone down hill in the past few years. I have had my share of scammers, time wasters, vanishing winner bidders, misleading ads, you name it. I've had just about everything happen in my 87 transactions. My last real bad one was the biggest, and has caused me to stop selling on there.

I sold a 1973 Volkswagen Type 181 known as the Thing here in the states. I found this relic in storage, performed the bare minimum to get it running. Fresh gas, tune up, bleed the brakes. Took a video of it showing everything working, running and driving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KDRO3E2iW4 Posted a link to it from the ad on eBay. Made it very clear that it has never been restored, and would need it. Had over 20 pictures of it showing rust holes close ups, dents, ext.

My winning bidder who got it for about a grand less then it was worth, picks it up with cash. Happy as a 6 year old with his first big wheel. Drives it home. I call him two weeks later to remind him about my feedback his still hasn't left. Still happy with it, but no feedback. 29 days later I get a threatening eMail stating he wants $1000.00 back, the cost of new brakes from MIDAS! :shock: The moron goes to Midas for a brake job on a 35 year old Volkswagen. (sorry Midas people) Or the bad feedback will come.

Well I took the bad, and haven't sold anything else since. Now with the new changes, I know I'm done with it.

[nemesisracing]

I for one don't really have anything bad to say about ebay or this site for that matter. I have bought and sold many many items in years past. There have been some difficult people to deal with along the way, as we all know there is "one in every crowd". However, as long as you are honest and up front about all that you know about your item for sale, and can BACK UP what you are saying then that is about all you can do. Of course you will run into people that will try to get something for nothing, want to take you to court, etc etc but usually when you call their bluff on it you can beat them at their own cowardly game.

[Tod74]

Well you can no longer leave negative but you can at least leave a positive that says "THIS GUY IS A SCUMBAG THAT WOULD NOT PAY AFTER HE BID" ...You won't hurt their rating but you can at least get the msg out there.

[Scorpion1110]

Tod, hate to say it but I think the new feedback rules suggest they will not allow it and remove it. I think I read that. Doesnt mean you cant leave it; just that they will eventually remove it.

I have been dealing with their form letters for days now. They send'em and I send a lengthy response-Actually have it saved in draft.

You can try to hit them in the wallet-but its barely a dent. What has to happen is a lawsuit of which they are a co-defendant with another buyer or seller which results in a large settlement, a class-action suit, or a competitive product that draws business from them.

Else I'd just walk away- I am going to close both my Ebay account and paypal account-and just deal at swap meets where you handle the transaction face to face-The old way is still the best way.

Later, Scorp

[Tod74]

This is bad news...I just started selling on EBAY last summer...I only have a 21 rating all + but when I want something new for my race car that costs much like heads or wheels I usually need to sell my old stuff to be able to afford the new...I just hope I stay lucky like Zip. :?

[Scorpion1110]

Closed the Ebay account today and deleted the Paypal account- The funny thing is, it feels great.

You should try it :)

Scorp

[Scooterz]

Never done buisness on E-bay... but if one of my pro-shop dealers sell our bows there as "new w/ warranty" (I work for Bowtech Archery) the dealer will automatically loose the dealership forever. It is to protect the pricing & name/value. E-bay will remove the ad as well to ensure they do not continue ads with our product... that is the only good thing I can think of about them... otherwise, they are the Devil.

[qtrmile2]

I have been doing business on ebay for many years. Believe me you will get screwed and taken. Just a matter of time. Worst part of it all.
Ebay could care less.

[phr]

here is a good eBay/PayPal one for you guys:

I won an auction for a 3500 sonic testor off a guy with 400 plus positive feedback and only one neutral.

I paid him 2-3 secs after the auction was over with PayPal from a credit card.. To be shipped right away, 2nd day air.

7 days later I called him to ask where it might be. He is "out of town".

This goes on for another week.

I finaly got him, said it was shipped and gives me USPS priority mail insured with delivery confirmation number (shipped in flat rate box for 1/4 of UPS rate).

4 days later I sign for and get box. I am excited and open it on counter. A brand new BRICK was in the box... yes I said a BRICK.

Try to call guy right there, answer machine, no response for another 2 weeks.

So I file a claim with PayPal stating, not as described, sent a BRICK instead of sonic testor.

PayPal emails and wants me to get "certified inspection report" from manufacturer of the sonic testor stating that the "actual BRICK I got" was not a sonic testor. (oh yea, PayPal said that..)

Seller posts delivery confirmation number to PayPal dispute on internet explaining he also had my signature for its delvery, showing I got the sonic trestor AKA brick...

PayPal tells me to wait for the "inspection report from the manufacturer" and send it to them. This to tell them, a BRICK is not a sonic testor.

I get the "letter" from Olympus after paying 75.00 and send it to PayPal certified mail. They get and sign for it.

45 days after I file claim,

PayPal rules in sellers favor, WILL NOT REFUND.

Reason stated: because manufacturer WOULD NOT SUBMIT ON THEIR LETTER HEAD STATIONARY that this BRICK was not a sonic testor. The manufacturer thought this was a total joke...and told PayPal that exactly..ON THEIR LETTER HEAD STATIONARY.

I call my credit card company, talk to fraud department and get quite a lesson about "those folks at eBay". Warned/Told to be careful using their banks issued credit card on eBay. because Chargebacks could reflect negatively on MY credit report. Then I was told, by the bank, to put the brick back into a box, and send it back with delivery confirmation.

I send it as instructed, once delivered and scanned that it was delivered, My credit card company reverses the charge that paypal made to my credit card account. Yuppie I get the money back...

PayPal immediately freezes, then closes MY paypal account for not abiding by their user agreement... (I missed the part about accepting a brick as a sonic testor, haha)

Yup paypal is the safe way to pay....the origional seller guy, got them for the 3300 bucks...and is still selling away on ebay.... I just got the royal run around...the had my account closed by them...

[michael1]

I would go pay him a visit

[suicidebomb]

I believe I'll just take scorpion 1110 advice, and amble over to e-bay and close my account. I don't think I care to do business with people like that. Thanks

[Harbone]

yeah, pay him a visit and dont forget the brick!
I have been fortunate with eBay I quess. 8 years, over 500 transactions (I am not a business, just buying and selling cars, bikes, parts, garage cleanouts and stuff for friends). I have a positive feedback of 99.9% with only 2 negatives in 8 years and they were both from people who refused to pay me. I am very strict with my payment options, Paypal only. I also choose the option that bidders must have at least 1 feedback, no negative feedback in X amount of days and I think the last on is bidder must not be bidding on X amount of auctions at the same time. I also watch my bidders, if anyone even seems suspicous I remove their bid and block them from bidding from there on out. Sorry to hear some of you guys experiences but eBay has been pretty good to me over the last 8 years

[hemiman426]

yeah,you dont have to say anymore about ebay,ebay is nothing more than a place ran by crooks,for crooks.one of the MANY of my personal experiences with ebay including the same thing that happened to you,unfortunately ebay wont do JACK to protect you either.I dropped my account with ebay a long time ago because of their ,especially when they revised that feedback,not only that,ebay is a breeding ground for fraud and scammers,ebay wont do anything to help you,but BOY do they want their money like yesterday and god help you if you verified your bank with paypal,they will rip you blind,jimmy hoffa would definitely turn over in his grave. in my own words: EBAY AND THE GEEKY SPINE-LESS THAT RUN IT.

[fivestageford]

Been reading a couple of posts on here about eBay and Paypal and was alarmed at how many people were getting screwed just like I did so I thought i'd chime in. About 4 years ago(yes the wheels of justice turn that slowly) I(along with dozens of others) was ripped off on RJ and eBay by a scammer that goes by the name Jeff Hess(Denison Tx). Long story short out of the 30+ people that Mr Hess robbed for @$30,000.00 ONLY 3 of us were able to seek legal action, ALL 3 OF US PAID WITH A US POSTAL MONEY ORDER!!! There were several others that used personal checks and the rest used, you guessed it, Paypal. Unfortunately throughout this whole ordeal I as well as many people found out that WHENEVER you send money across state lines, whether it be electronically or paper currency, if you get robbed there are ONLY 2 agencies that are allowed to pursue the criminals. FIRST ONE is the FBI but good luck trying to get them to do anything as their criteria for going after people in these cases is $1,000,000.00(THAT'S ONE MILLION DOLLARS) and unless they want the person BADLY for something else(such as murder, rape, etc...)they will NOT pursue ANYONE!!! SECOND ONE is the US Post Office! Their criteria for pursuing criminals across state lines is MUCH more reasonable and YOUR ONLY HOPE for legal action!!! Just an FYI out of the 2dozen or so people that were robbed by Hess that used Paypal NOT ONE OF THEM WILL EVER BE COMPENSATED! In FACT this was a very hi profile case that made national news but too my knowledge NEITHER PAYPAL OR FEEBAY represented ONE single person in this case! Didn't even make an EFFORT!!! So I think it's worth pointing out that RACINGJUNK.COM along with RJ member Wlpatterson and Det. Tom Fair(Denison PD) were the ONLY people that gave support in tracking down Mr Hess, and for that EVERYONE that uses RJ should be greatful!!! But to make matters worse even the 3 of us that were able to pursue legal action may not get SHIT back because there is a law in Texas(GO FIGURE the same state that hatched BUSH) that says once a person has been convicted of a crime and can prove they were denied employment 3 times because of THEIR record they can be held NOT liable for compensation. In other words you may not get back ANYTHING if the SOB that robbed you can "prove" his newly found charges cause him employment problems, EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN COURT ORDERED!!! So the moral of the story is that .90 cents US Postal Money Order is the ONLY way your money is insured once it's crossed state lines! Paypal IS a SCAM! YOUR MONEY IS NOT SAFE and Paypal has NO more legal authority to go after ANYONE than YOU OR I! AGAIN THE ONLY WAY SENDING YOU MONEY ACROSS STATE LINES IS INSURED IS BY USING A US POSTAL SERVICE MONEY ORDER! USERS BEWARE!!!!

[bigray]

WOW.... THAT MY MAN,IS SOME DAMN GOOD INFO.....THANK YOU.. VERY MUCH..........

[Tod74]

Misrepresenting a piece of junk carb as good or whatever is one thing...but sending a brick is a whole other level of wrong in my opinion. :evil: :evil:

scumbag brick sender