eBay and unfair Debt Collection

RFW

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

But forcing private sellers to accept returns, or refunding buyers and telling them to keep the stuff is not backed up by any sort of law, so when ebay try to steal the money via paypal, and fail, there's not a fat lot they can do.

That's why they sell it. Once the debt's sold on it rarely reverts to the original debt owner and goes to court at their hand.

I seem to recall being told that they pay between 5 and 12p in the pound for debts. Presumably there is a scale as to which is easier to recover. If they're paying Ebay 5p in the pound they only need one in ten to pay up and they're doubling their money.

User3726

Hi Dox

Citizen advise refuse to help at all because it involved a debt collector. It seems as soon as it goes to a debt collector, or one is involved, they are not allowed to advise at all. I can only assume some legal reason for this. Won't even give advice on the underlying issue (eBay's actions). Seems very odd, and I suspect companies know this and go to debt collector earlier than trying to resolve as removes one of your options for help.

User3726

RFW,


I agree, and tried them all. It seems this is a real grey area. Citizen advice, consumer line, etc refused to help as involves debt collector. Debtline and Step Change, while polite, only really deal with help when there is a recognised debt. There advice was to go back to eBay and started to talk about court process and getting legal advice.

User3726

So, I formally wrote to Transcom and stated that I disputed the debt. In the process of writing to ebay again. Surprisingly I got a reply from Transcom saying they had passed the case back to ebay and won't be dealing with the account. Seems a bit to easy, expected months of hassle. Still intend to write to ebay as planned to make clear position. Going back to citizen's advice as well as now there is no debt collector I'm hoping they will help.

usefulmale

User3726 wrote: »

So, I formally wrote to Transcom and stated that I disputed the debt. In the process of writing to ebay again. Surprisingly I got a reply from Transcom saying they had passed the case back to ebay and won't be dealing with the account. Seems a bit to easy, expected months of hassle. Still intend to write to ebay as planned to make clear position. Going back to citizen's advice as well as now there is no debt collector I'm hoping they will help.

All disputed debts held by debt collectors should be handed back to the original debtor.

It is then up to the original debtor to seek enforcement through the courts.

RFW

usefulmale wrote: »

All disputed debts held by debt collectors should be handed back to the original debtor.

It is then up to the original debtor to seek enforcement through the courts.

What's most likely to happen is they will give it to another debt collector or write it off.

RFW

User3726 wrote: »

So, I formally wrote to Transcom and stated that I disputed the debt. In the process of writing to ebay again. Surprisingly I got a reply from Transcom saying they had passed the case back to ebay and won't be dealing with the account. Seems a bit to easy, expected months of hassle. Still intend to write to ebay as planned to make clear position. Going back to citizen's advice as well as now there is no debt collector I'm hoping they will help.

Transcom have to do as you ask, they'd be acting illegally if they didn't.
CAB are quite difficult to get to speak to depending where you are. Step Change offer similar help/advice via phone.
Try Tweeting/Facebook Ebay to get them to write it off, probably the speediest way to do it.

Tealblue

Please come back and update this thread to let us know what happens.

User3726

Well, went back to consumer advice (CAB), not really any help at all. Just wait for ebay to take me to court was their advice. I suggest maybe writing a letter and laying out reasons why legally they can't do this. But they had no suggestions. Now writing letter of complaint to ebay again directly though so at least a record of trying to complain / resolve.

RFW

User3726 wrote: »

Just wait for ebay to take me to court was their advice. I suggest maybe writing a letter and laying out reasons why legally they can't do this.

Anyone can take you to court, whether they win or not is another matter.
What the CAB are telling you (hopefully) is that it isn't the type of debt you need to worry about until it gets to court, which is unlikely. Problem debts are taxes, rent arrears, fines, utilities, credit debt. Unfortunately CAB are woefully underfunded and have to prioritise. So "call us back when you have some court papers" is them telling you it's not a big deal.

No debt collector can tell your boss, affect your credit rating, send the bailiffs round, the worst they can do is call you a lot. If they call you a lot you can ask them to stop, then they'll write to you once a month and that's it.