Using 'eBay' in Negative Feedback - a cautionary tale

stevelittle

I recently experienced a poor eBay transaction, where I received a faulty item and provided photo evidence, the seller denied the fault and only offered a partial refund. I had to open an eBay case to receive a full refund.

Commensurate with my experience I left the seller negative feedback and included the phrase "...needed eBay to obtain full refund".

The feedback was promptly automatically removed by eBay, and one protracted conversation with later, the only excuse they gave was that I had used the word 'eBay' in the feedback. I checked previous feedback I have left others and noticed on the rare negative example, I had previous used 'eBay, e.g. "eBay case opened" in the wording without an issue. I pointed this out, but no explanation was forthcoming.

The negative feedback I left cannot be re-instated, so other's will now not be aware of my experience with this seller.

 Please therefore be aware not to mention 'eBay' in your feedback.

soolin

It isn’t the word eBay that got the feedback removed, it is the mention of a case. Any mention of any case is an automatic removal. 

stevelittle

Hi Thanks for the information.

Overall, I see no sense whatsoever in this restrictive action by eBay, surely alerting others to the fact that eBay were needed to refund or adjudicate is important information to a prospective buyer?

Ongoing, I am finding eBay's 'policies' both convoluted and, given my previous non removed/affected feedback experiences with similar wording (including 'eBay' and 'Case') totally inconsistent.

This latest eBay episode and experience leaves a very bad taste in the mouth and ultimately finds me questioning my value to eBay as a customer.

[Deleted User]

Don’t use eBay no more than. Simple. 

theonlywayisup

It isn't restrictive action.  It is against their T&Cs.  As post 2, it is the reference to a case having been necessary.  A case is an investigation. 
The below isn't exhaustive, it's their misuse of feedback policy. 

Feedback should only be related to the transaction. We don't allow:

• Expressing opinions on any political, religious, or social issues
• Any links, URLS, or other content encouraging sales outside of eBay
• Any implied or explicit threats or intimidation
• The publishing of any personally identifiable information
• Any inappropriate or offensive language
• Any references to investigations

stevelittle

Thanks for your comments.

As far as I'm concerned it IS restrictive practice.
Firstly I have used both 'eBay' and 'case' in previous feedback without an issue, so why is there a 'restriction' this time?
Secondly, at the very least I should be contacted and provided with the opportunity to adjust my feedback. To simply delete is  restricting my opportunity to leave feedback relating my experience in a transaction.  

GabbaGabbaHey

Is it possible that this seller complained to eBay (which is why the feedback was removed, as it broke their rules) whereas the previous sellers that you left feedback for have not made a complaint?

stevelittle

Yes that is possible, however I stand by my assertion that without warning, notification, or justification eBay have prevented me from leaving legitimate negative feedback for this transaction, to advise others of my experience.

GabbaGabbaHey

If it breaks the T's&C's that you signed up to, then it can't be "legitimate" feedback within the context of the eBay system. Nowhere in those Ts&Cs does it say that eBay need to warn or notify you or to provide any justification to you.

stevelittle

So you feel that it's OK to remove feedback, because it happens to include the word 'eBay in it's text, thus precluding the opportunity to provide feedback relating to the experiences of a transaction?

GabbaGabbaHey

Yes, of course it's perfectly OK. You agreed to it when you signed up with eBay - if you weren't happy with that provision, then you should not have used their services.
(And, as has been pointed out already, the issue isn't with the use of the word "eBay" in your feedback; it's because you made reference to an investigation).