We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Ebay non-performance as agent
Comments
-
The options work fine if your problem is listed, and you probably wouldn't need to phone if that was the case. (and thank goodness for that!)Flyonthewall wrote: »I looked at it when not signed in on another browser. It's slightly different but still as simple.
(Main menu) Customer Support. Customer support (Drop down menu)
Contact ebay tab (if you sign in it's the same as I said before, select the problem and you get the contact details).
If it says to select a category have you tried selecting one? or have you already gone through that?
A long wait, whether free or not, and recorded options are always annoying but sadly that is how it is for many companies. In some cases it's the only option, at least ebay do have other options.
My point is that the telephone number/email address being difficult (for many of us) to find, and the long wait on the phone puts people off complaining and so encourages the bad seller and buyers. (Not that there are many. I dont want to give the impression it happens often)0 -
honeythewitch wrote: »The options work fine if your problem is listed, and you probably wouldn't need to phone if that was the case. (and thank goodness for that!)
My point is that the telephone number/email address being difficult (for many of us) to find, and the long wait on the phone puts people off complaining and so encourages the bad seller and buyers. (Not that there are many. I dont want to give the impression it happens often)
The two ways in which I stated both take you to a phone number and the live chat. It is easy to find. That was the whole point of why I mentioned them - they take you to find the contact details.
If your problem isn't listed despite all the various options for each area of ebay (selling/buying/account) then you go for the nearest option to your problem or click one at random and contact them through the options given.
You get given a pin to enter which as others have said makes it quicker when calling.
How does bad customer service encourage bad sellers/buyers? They could have the best customer service in the world, deal with every individual complaint in person, enforce the law in every way possible and they would still have bad sellers/buyers. Bad buyers/sellers don't care how well a problem is dealt with, they don't care if their are rules or laws - they find loopholes, hope that people won't see it as a big enough deal to bother with or try and outsmart people etc.
A look at history will tell you that no matter how things are dealt with and how bad the punishment is regardless of how small the issue/crime is people will still do bad things.
As already said there is a system in place to deal with bad buyers and sellers and they don't require talking to any ebay staff directly. So bad customer service doesn't change anything.0 -
honeythewitch wrote: »The options work fine if your problem is listed, and you probably wouldn't need to phone if that was the case. (and thank goodness for that!)
You are missing my point.
You do NOT need to tick the right boxes, you can tick any and you will get Ebay.honeythewitch wrote: »My point is that the telephone number/email address being difficult (for many of us) to find, and the long wait on the phone puts people off complaining and so encourages the bad seller and buyers. (Not that there are many. I dont want to give the impression it happens often)
Secondly, you NEED to input the PIN, this REDUCES your time spent on the phone as they can verify who you are.0 -
I get a free phone number as well, I've just tried on my private buying account. I also phone at various times and often phone for very minor issues without any difficulty at all.
I have always assumed it is easy to contact eBay because I am a thickie when it comes to anything online, and if I can find the number and PIN in about 4 clicks I assume everyone can.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0 -
I should think good customer service will enhance any business. (not that I think there is anything wrong apart from a couple of glitches)Flyonthewall wrote: »The two ways in which I stated both take you to a phone number and the live chat. It is easy to find. That was the whole point of why I mentioned them - they take you to find the contact details.
If your problem isn't listed despite all the various options for each area of ebay (selling/buying/account) then you go for the nearest option to your problem or click one at random and contact them through the options given.
You get given a pin to enter which as others have said makes it quicker when calling.
How does bad customer service encourage bad sellers/buyers? They could have the best customer service in the world, deal with every individual complaint in person, enforce the law in every way possible and they would still have bad sellers/buyers. Bad buyers/sellers don't care how well a problem is dealt with, they don't care if their are rules or laws - they find loopholes, hope that people won't see it as a big enough deal to bother with or try and outsmart people etc.
A look at history will tell you that no matter how things are dealt with and how bad the punishment is regardless of how small the issue/crime is people will still do bad things.
As already said there is a system in place to deal with bad buyers and sellers and they don't require talking to any ebay staff directly. So bad customer service doesn't change anything.
Yes. The pin system works well. I have used this system before and it worked well but slowly.
The other case was unusual and difficult to register and get the pin number. There are exceptions to most rules. (for me,resolution was already underway, but the "seller" had openly admitted that he was planning on listing at at a low price and cancelling until he got the amount he wanted and that he knew the listing was wrong but he would get more money that way. :eek:
Alerting to this just sent it into a loop.
(solved eventually but not before several people had money taken for nothing, and some poor soul eventually paid a fortune for the wrong thing)
Maybe I did it all wrong, but I am certainly not alone in this.
Surely the instructions should read... "click anything at random" rather than assuming people will lie?
If clicking random boxes is the only way to get through that is a fault. (But a very handy tip.theonlywayisup wrote: »You are missing my point.
You do NOT need to tick the right boxes, you can tick any and you will get Ebay.
Secondly, you NEED to input the PIN, this REDUCES your time spent on the phone as they can verify who you are.
)
I must be even thicker than you.I get a free phone number as well, I've just tried on my private buying account. I also phone at various times and often phone for very minor issues without any difficulty at all.
I have always assumed it is easy to contact eBay because I am a thickie when it comes to anything online, and if I can find the number and PIN in about 4 clicks I assume everyone can.
but hopefully the comments in the thread will make it simpler for others. 0 -
honeythewitch wrote: »I should think good customer service will enhance any business. (not that I think there is anything wrong apart from a couple of glitches)
Enhancing is not the same as discouraging bad buyers/sellers. If you don't think there's anything wrong why have you been saying it's hard to find their contact details, you should be able to talk to someone, it takes ages when you phone them etc.
What glitches are you referring to?Surely the instructions should read... "click anything at random" rather than assuming people will lie?
Why should it? They don't want people to click at random. There is help along side each option for a reason. They don't assume people will lie. They give plenty of options to cover everything and assume people will find something that covers their problem or near enough. If the advice isn't enough they have the contact information there.
Obviously there are odd cases which may not really fall into one of them options but they're not going to say click at random just because of them odd cases as most people can click the correct thing. Them odd few people will soon realise their problem isn't there and click any (or perhaps try one that is in some way partly related), they don't need instructions to do so.0 -
Nobody said it was.Flyonthewall wrote: »Enhancing is not the same as discouraging bad buyers/sellers.
Neither you or I can know for sure if sanctions are a deterrent. I think so. You think not.
Different people have different opinions.
Anything wrong APART from one or two glitches, i said! (see above)Flyonthewall wrote: »If you don't think there's anything wrong why have you been saying it's hard to find their contact details, you should be able to talk to someone, it takes ages when you phone them etc.
The glitches I have already described in detail above.Flyonthewall wrote: »What glitches are you referring to?
I use the term "glitches" because that is how customer service described it when they said they were aware of the problem.
In that case, they should use more options.Flyonthewall wrote: »Why should it? They don't want people to click at random.
Yes. Obviously. It works well in most cases. Not all.Flyonthewall wrote: »There is help along side each option for a reason.
But you say they are "assuming" people will click another option.Flyonthewall wrote: »They don't assume people will lie.
If you click the wrong option it is a lie.
Well clearly it doesn't cover everything, does it? Otherwise there would be no need for random clicking.Flyonthewall wrote: »They give plenty of options to cover everything
I am sure it does in most cases. Not all.Flyonthewall wrote: »and assume people will find something that covers their problem or near enough.
Which is sometimes inadequate IN MY EXPERIENCE. Your experience is different.Flyonthewall wrote: »If the advice isn't enough they have the contact information there.
I am glad it is.
Yes. Just as I have described.Flyonthewall wrote: »Obviously there are odd cases which may not really fall into one of them options
So the others dont matter? Charming!Flyonthewall wrote: »but they're not going to say click at random just because of them odd cases as most people can click the correct thing.
It might be acceptable to you. This is your opinion.Flyonthewall wrote: »Them odd few people will soon realise their problem isn't there and click
any
Mine is that it is quite ridiculous to have to click a random wrong option.
Still not good enough IN MY OPINION.Flyonthewall wrote: »(or perhaps try one that is in some way partly related)
If you think it is, that is fine. We dont have to agree.
,Flyonthewall wrote: »they don't need instructions to do so.
Instructions are the norm for most things. I dont see it as an outlandish request! :rotfl:
Now can we please just agree to disagree? 0 -
honeythewitch wrote: »Nobody said it was.
Neither you or I can know for sure if sanctions are a deterrent. I think so. You think not.
Different people have different opinions.
You are the one who said about good customer service discouraging them and then you followed on from that conversation with saying about enhanced customer service being good for a business. That to me said you were still talking about the same thing.
I know for sure the sanctions are not a deterrent. In fact, there was a thread on here just a couple of days ago from someone trying to get around the fact they couldn't sell. Happens all the time. A quick google search will show you that.Anything wrong APART from one or two glitches, i said! (see above)
The glitches I have already described in detail above.
I use the term "glitches" because that is how customer service described it when they said they were aware of the problem.
You can't say nothing is wrong when you've listed a number of things you feel are wrong! They are not glitches. A glitch is a something that is missing that should be there or something that is there and shouldn't be - like when you fall through a solid floor in a video game or a website link vanishes when you go to click it, not the fact a phone call takes time or you find it difficult to find contact details.
You've mentioned issues, but they're not glitches. There may be loopholes or places where the system fails because of how it is set up or whatever but they meant to set it up that way and it runs how they told it to run.
If they used the term glitch they either don't know what a glitch is or they're trying to make it seem like it's not their fault. Blame an unintentional glitch in a system so no person can be to blame.In that case, they should use more options.
They have a lot of options. All the main things. They can't possibly do an option for every single little problem, it would be stupid and there would be thousands of options, half of which could probably fit into the options given now anyway.Yes. Obviously. It works well in most cases. Not all.
Hence the contact details at the side.But you say they are "assuming" people will click another option.
If you click the wrong option it is a lie.
They assume people click the option most related. e.g. a problem with postage, click something with the word postage in. Might not be exactly what they want so the help section won't be too useful but it's as close as they're getting and that's why the contact details are there.Well clearly it doesn't cover everything, does it? Otherwise there would be no need for random clicking.
I am sure it does in most cases. Not all.
Everything it possibly can. All the major problems are there. They are there to guide to you to the right help section or to the contact details, not to give a precise detailed description of your exact case.
They have to go by the majority of cases.Which is sometimes inadequate IN MY EXPERIENCE. Your experience is different.
I am glad it is.
What is inadequate? The advice? It's only general advice, not personalised and that is why the contact details are there. If you mean the contact details, what else do you expect them to do, they give you details to contact them and you can do so?Yes. Just as I have described.
So the others dont matter? Charming!
lol what? I never said that. They're not going to change instructions to click randomly just for the few odd people who may not be able to find an option that really relates to their issue. It would be daft. They give the instructions for what works for the majority of people.It might be acceptable to you. This is your opinion.
Mine is that it is quite ridiculous to have to click a random wrong option.
Fine, list here all the options you would give. A list that will suit every single person regardless of their situation/issue.Still not good enough IN MY OPINION.
If you think it is, that is fine. We dont have to agree.
If you're going to just phone or use chat anyway and explain the situation what difference does it make if the option is not 100% correct?Instructions are the norm for most things. I dont see it as an outlandish request! :rotfl:
Now can we please just agree to disagree?
I never said no instructions at all, I said they're not going to change it to something they don't want people to do just because a select few may at some point possibly have to click randomly. Pointless adding an extra instruction just to tell a few people they may need to click randomly because then everyone will just do that thinking it doesn't matter and then the whole point of options and the advice given is pointless and the chat/call centre just get far more calls about things that are clearly stated if they'd clicked the right thing.0 -
I will look thanks.Flyonthewall wrote: »
I know for sure the sanctions are not a deterrent. In fact, there was a thread on here just a couple of days ago from someone trying to get around the fact they couldn't sell. Happens all the time. A quick google search will show you that. You are obviously very experienced in Ebay so I will take your word for it.Flyonthewall wrote: »You can't say nothing is wrong when you've listed a number of things you feel are wrong! They are not glitches. A glitch is a something that is missing that should be there or something that is there and shouldn't be - like when you fall through a solid floor in a video game or a website link vanishes when you go to click it, not the fact a phone call takes time or you find it difficult to find contact details.
You've mentioned issues, but they're not glitches. There may be loopholes or places where the system fails because of how it is set up or whatever but they meant to set it up that way and it runs how they told it to run.
If they used the term glitch they either don't know what a glitch is or they're trying to make it seem like it's not their fault. Blame an unintentional glitch in a system so no person can be to blame.
You are absolutely right. Glitch means ...."a sudden, usually temporary malfunction or fault of equipment." which certainly doesn't apply to slow phones or lack of options.
It is "possible" that it was an "actual" glitch when I couldn't get the number (it really wasn't available anywhere at that time) But as you say, it is more likely to be a misuse of the word.
She did say that they had had "a lot of complaints", were "aware of the problem" and that it was "being looked into" but I thought it was the standard customer services response.
Just one box saying "other complaint" would do, with space to describe the problem and then its sent to someone in Customer services.Flyonthewall wrote: »Fine, list here all the options you would give. A list that will suit every single person regardless of their situation/issue.
We are agreed that the options available cover almost everything, so it shouldn't add too much work.
It makes a difference when the number isn't available, that's for sure!Flyonthewall wrote: »If you're going to just phone or use chat anyway and explain the situation what difference does it make if the option is not 100% correct? 0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards