Beware - Ebay Terms may Break -Data Protection ACT

blackice_2

Just to let you all know, I feel this is very bad on ebays part but if someone buys something off you they are happy to give them all of your contact details which MUST be against Data Protection Act?

I sold an item to a guy up north, the item I sold him was not what he wanted, even though it said what it was and had a good photo, but no pleasing some people...

anyhow this guy started getting nasty wanting a refund, I said no due to his nasty emails i.e. "give me my F refund or I will F come and get it after I beaten you up"

Now all talk I think, and the guy hasn't got my address or phone number as I sold to him and didn't send it plus he paid by paypal....

I was wrong... I get an ebay email saying "contact details despatched" from ebay with that I checked and it said my full name address and telephone number, I then get seriously nasty vicous phone calls off this guy 2 -3 am in the morning and in the end I had to swallow my pride and give him a refund or have my 2 year old woken every night for next few weeks no doubt or even this scum to come down my house.

Whether or not I should or shouldn't have given a refund Ebay should not have given personal contact details, apparently they will do this on anyone... and lets be honest there are a lot of weirdos out there who could come round your house and could do anything?

What do you guys think about the rights of Ebay giving your own contact details out to anyone on ebay?

For the record, I realise for valid ebayers they may want to contact someone who could have ripped them off, but lets be honest most people use a false number and name anyhow...

angelcake

I don't know about this one! It is terrible that he is threatening you, I would call the police.

there is no way you can hold your details once a valid ebayer has pulled them and especially if they arein a transaction with you! The only way you can get round this is to get a P O Box ...I think it is something like £50 a year! I don't know how it works but hopefully someone will come along and explain more!

blackice_2

Thanks for the reply Angel...

I know about using a PO box but this makes others wary when buying from you...

One tip I can give is change your number on ebay for a phone box number as this stops sicko's phoning should they feel they got ripped off over a 50p bargin.

The whole point is that EBAY shouldn't give out personal details to anyone, it is so simple to request a simple form and 2 secs later you get them.

Another guy I know got on the wrong side of an ex-marine and this guy travelled down from Leeds to Southampton to kick his head in!, luckly my friend was on holiday and only had his front door kicked in and after a police caution the guy stopped.

JPS

Sorry I have to disagree. It is for a good reason that eBay give out contact details. It is only done when you are in a transaction with someone. They do not just give them out to anybody.

If contact details were not givin out, how would buyers be able to contact sellers to discuss an item or know where to send payment to? If sellers could not contact buyers then how would they sort out non payment and any other things they might need to know?

It is just something that has to be allowed, it is almost the basis of eBay - without contact details, where would you get?! :-/

System

The only way you can get round this is to get a P O Box

The Post Office will supply the full name and address details of who holds a PO Box to anybody that asks.

angelcake

I have a mobile phone number that I don't use...before you all shout at me, it is still live and I pick up messages from landline now and then, I feel this is the safest way! as for the address, I rent at the mo and hope it won't be pernament. Although I am still very wary! best thing to do is to give in! nothing is worth living in fear that someone is going to come and threaten you expecially if you have a child to protect! You can always recoup your losses through Post office. Or put it down to experience and put some sort of statement in your auctions...make it clear!

svmitche

Although this man is using shocking behaviour which is absolutely intolerable, I think that eBay is not breaking any law. A buyer has the right to your information when he/she has entered into a transaction with you under distance selling regulations.

It is appalling that this man has threatened you, but if you were ever on the other end, you may appreciate being able to get an address for a seller that you have purchased from.

System

A buyer has the right to your information when he/she has entered into a transaction with you under distance selling regulations.

The Distance Selling Regulations apply to business to consumer transactions, not private sales.

http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/guide/distsell.htm

blackice_2

Ok, I realise there are always people who disagree and people who always agree with the law and other things, but this post wasn't for you!, it was for people who believe in personal protection and privacy, not for those who agree with ID cards and no privacy in this country.

All I am saying ebay DO give out the contact details to ANYONE who buys or sells, you just send a form and the info comes back, they don't care who has it.

Yes I agree you should be able to get in touch with Buyers and Sellers, but also ebay should regulate as to who wants this information to stop it becoming abused.

Anyhow for those of you like me, then simply set up a false Telephone number on the account this stops people calling... but if you wish and the person has the right to your phone number then you can simply give them your own phone number...

Take control, don't be controlled!

Ps. Imagine what would happen if some real sicko got pi**ed about something they bought, got the address and came round and a fight started and someone got hurt?

These things happen in the society we live in, road rage is bad enough and you didn't even sell or buy something!, mark my words there will be a serious assault caused by ebay one day.

If someones gonna rip you off, then they are gonna use a false account or just not care anyway.

System

Anyhow for those of you like me, then simply set up a false Telephone number on the account this stops people calling

If anybody complains to ebay that you have incorrect contact details, they will suspend your account before you can blink.

scheming_gypsy

if someone buys something off you they are happy to give them all of your contact details which MUST be against Data Protection Act?

I've just looked at the Ebay registration and it says:
Please note that your Information will be stored and processed on our computers in the United States. The laws on holding personal data in the United States may be less stringent than the laws applicable to the UK but eBay will hold and transmit your information in a safe, confidential and secure environment. eBay will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

So i presume that UK Data Protection Acts don't mean diddly to them, but addresses are freely available to buyers if the seller gives the option to buy via personal cheque or postal orders etc.