Ebay Independent Shops?

listlady

Have just been looking at an item on ebay:

ebay.co.uk item= 251506674245

Phoning the company whose details are all over the place on the listing, and they strongly deny they are anything to do with the listing, or the store. They do say that the product is theirs, even though they couldn't be specific if it was the same as the product on their own website that is more expensive, but kept saying that they sell the items in bulk to ebay who can then sell the products at whatever price they like, hence that is why it may be cheaper.

When asked how their contact details (and VAT registration number etc) are on the listing, they said that it was because they deal with product related calls only. They kept saying that if I wanted to ask about this specific item on ebay that I would have to email the address given in the contact details, which happens to be the same company url as the supplier, and as ebay is online it's email only. Why do they have their phone number on the listing then?

It really sounds a bit dodgy. Is it true (I've searched online but haven't seen any positive confirmation) that ebay is now buying stock in bulk from companies but setting it under the companies name?

Even though the product is cheaper from this listing, I feel I do not want to buy from them as it all sounds a bit misleading.

ballisticbrian

eBay don't buy stock, never have done. It's a market place of independent store owners.

RFW

If Ebay were selling items they wouldn't list the name of the company as the seller, it isn't legal. The contact details must be the seller. I suspect someone on the phone was misinformed as to what was happening.
Ebay were planning some third party distributions, so it is possible that this is one of them but I haven't heard of them being open/ready yet.