Ebay non-performance as agent

acarden

Dear all, firstly, thanks for taking the time to read my thread. I have been a long-standing member of Ebay, but am very disappointed with their recent treatment of me.
Effectively, a seller raised a laptop as "Spares / repairs" which I "won" for £1 and £8 postage. After two weeks, nothing from Seller, so I raised a case. The seller initially promised to send the item, but didn't, upon asking for a tracking reference, they ignored the message, I even offered to have my brother-in-law to pick up the item locally, still ignored. I therefore escalated the case asking for the item, and hoping for Ebay to "Enforce the sale as my agent". They ignored my request, and issued a refund. I contacted Ebay "Support", they looked into the case, stated the same position as the website, then cut me off in an online chat, they wouldn't be drawn into their legal position as agent, or the legally enforceable position, they just gave the user a "Slapped wrist" and removed my legal right, by their choosing to refund me. Obviously this isn't worth proceeding through the courts, but I feel Ebay have failed as agent here, and their "escalation" process is flawed. Any similar occurences out there? Thanks Ash

honeythewitch

Yes. I had an almost identical experience with an induction hob that started and finished at a pound, but with the added irritation of the seller immediately re-listing it at the same starting price.

Presumably they intended to keep going until they got the price they wanted and I suppose it must be cheaper to list items at a low starting price?

It took three weeks to be refunded (there was money for postage too)

torbrex

All very well but this should really be on the Ebay board.

acarden

Ah. Apologies.. I didn't know there was one. Can a moderator transfer it? Thanks

acarden

honeythewitch wrote: »

Yes. I had an almost identical experience with an induction hob that started and finished at a pound, but with the added irritation of the seller immediately re-listing it at the same starting price.

Presumably they intended to keep going until they got the price they wanted and I suppose it must be cheaper to list items at a low starting price?

It took three weeks to be refunded (there was money for postage too)

I think this is a definite process failure on Ebay's part, sorry to hear others have had the same, but I am not surprised..

jon81uk

I think as eBay only offer a moneyback guarantee and not a definitely receiving the goods guarantee, then a refund is the best you will get. Also as eBay can push a refund out of PayPal automatically a refund is something that eBay can tangibly do, whereas forcing a seller to post something is very difficult to do. Would probably be more effort for them than the 90p fee that eBay receive from the transaction too.

meg72

If Ebay cant force a bidder to pay then surely they cant force a seller to sell they do refund you though.

redfox

we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

campdave

It's annoying, but ebay have no way of physically forcing the item up and sending it to you.

If you are so inclined, you could sue for "loss of bargain".

You can report the seller for non performance for not sending the laptop, but that's the extent of ebay's involvement in the trade.

cattie

If you have been a long time user of ebay then you must surely understand that there is no way ebay can force a seller to send you an item if they don't want to. ebay will ensure you receive a refund, so you are not out of pocket, but that is as far as it goes.

Most experienced users of ebay are quite well aware that if they win something at a very low price then there is a good chance that the seller will not follow through with the sale.

If sellers would only list the starting price at the lowest price they would like to get for the item, then this type of thing would be stamped out.

mrcol1000

Just move on. Life is too short. There are a lot of unfair things on Ebay for both sellers and buyers. Whether you are buying or selling on Ebay it is something you have to put up with. If people went to court every time something unfair on Ebay happened there would be no time for the real crimes.

If the seller had said they had sent it by untracked post. They lost the proof of postage and the item must have got lost in the post. Then you would still be in the same position you are now. Leave negative feedback to warn others and forget about it.