THINKIES.COM

- Down with rippoff scum power sellers)

I discovered ebay a few years ago when my youngest had become a toddler and a friend suggested I sell some of his baby gear that was no longer required.

A few hours work and two weeks later I had less clutter and $240 in my hands after ebay fees and postage woot

I then discovered buying. Most of my purchases were great and whilst I spent a fortune I also saved a lot of money buying my treats this way (usually kids toys but also cosmetics and perfumes and the odd random must have usually 20-60% cheaper than in the stores)

I shop on ebay in fads – when I returned most recently it was after about a 6 months break and oh my – there have been some changes!

Firstly most of my favorite sellers were gone (some had been there years) Just about everything is now brand new cheap imports being sold by “POWER SELLERS” I did with some digging find a few deals though.

I ordered 6 items in September.

4 were perfect transactions, if a little less friendly after all the changes ebays small sellers have suffered I don’t blame them for trying to protect themselves, but this is not a post about the hard done by small sellers its about the remaining bad  big boys. Two transactions were with “power sellers” for those of you who have followed ebays downfall over the last 12 months will know that these big boys are the only sellers ebay really wants.

Both sellers had thousands of customers – over 99% feedback score.

I felt confidant in placing my bid.

The first sale was for two popular mens aftershave sets – on sale on auction but with a very good value buy it now price. I hit buy it now and paid then and there. My package arrived fast and well wrapped – but there was a problem …only one item arrived!
To cut a very long story short  the seller send 5 emails in 5 minutes after I wrote asking where the other package was.

email1 . Seller first stated they were out of stock for second item
email2. Seller states they sold second item for $99 usually and I wouldn’t be getting it as part of my $49 buy it now win.
email3. Accuses me of being a scammer as I must have known the items were worth more than I paid (um yes – isn’t that why we shop on ebay?)
email 4. advises me if Im not happy to return the item (oops already gave it to hubby) and they would refund me LESS shipping LESS seller fees LESS paypal fees and LESS 10% restocking fee
Email 5 responds that they have cancer and I am making them die quicker with all the stress … WTF???????

I write (and I stay nice I promise) and say that the listing clearly states 2 items. I won and paid for two items – please send second item asap or refund half my money (generous as missing item was worth more than sent item) as I only got half my items.

I get 7 more abusive emails in reply to that one, calling me names and abusing me, claiming I am a bully and a thief and that it was my responsibility to have known seller made an error with the listing!

I give up trying to be nice and file with ebay for item not as described – ebay fobs me off to paypal as that was how I had paid. I lodge a request with paypal for half money back. Seller denies request and escalates it to an investigation. Seller is able to supply documents – I am not as it was not available in the “resolution center” I am told paypal is investigating. two weeks later I get an email from paypal asking me to submit more information (what information – its a clear cut case but I run through it again anyway) a week  after that they request a police statement within 10 days or they will close the case. WTF???

I have proof the seller listed TWO items
I have proof of the abuse and the emails telling me they would not send the item I won and admitting they placed two items on the sales page.

It was clear cut – yet still my claim is on hold weeks later!

Ebay also allowed this seller to post abusive feedback and took 10 days to take it down even though it was in breach of their rules.
Ebay has also allowed this seller to continue to abuse me outside of ebay via email. Ebay passed the buck to paypal and paypal is not interested in solving a clear cut case (I guess they make a LOT of fees from these big sellers)

Sale two was for 10 bakugan brawlers for my son.
He chose and helped me bid and payed me back for the sale with his own money ( close to $80 – I paid for his postage) – all on Aug the 2nd.

After 3 emails the seller replies today that “they have been posted” That’s it – no further details. I take a look at his feed back – seller may have a 99% feedback for 7608 sales but when I look closer they have over 200 neg/neutral in the last 6 months – nearly 50 this past month – all complaining it took months to arrive or didn’t turn up at all! In return the seller had replied blaming buyer in ever case!
You know what – after my run in with the last seller and ebays lack of action and paypals weeks of investigation on a clear cut case I have decided I wont even bother with a claim this time.

Ebay knows that HUNDREDS of buyers in the last 12 months have been ripped off by this seller (apparently he also charges hugely for shipping but posts cheaply) yet he is allowed to stay and make ebay and paypal money.

I’m giving the seller 7 more days (thats over 5 weeks in total) before I do a credit card chargeback via my bank.

Ebay your two “powersellers” I have dealt with have ripped me off and you do nothing but reward them for it.

Yes I will continue buying from ebay – but I will stick to the small friendly sellers with 100% feedback if I can find them – but I am also keeping my options open and checking out the sites where most of these sellers have gone to and spending my money there.

Ebay – give us back what we used to have – the small sellers we built a relationship with -  If I want to buy new items from big businesses I’ll stick to my local retail stores thanks!

Have YOU been ripped off on ebay?
Do YOU still shop there or have you found somewhere better?