Fairness?

rainbow_carnage

Reading the posts on this board, it seems that Ebay and Paypal cause a lot of stress, both for buyers and sellers. I think it's because neither operates based on any sort of sense of fairness.

Last month I bought a jacket that took 17 days to arrive. I e-mailed the seller after 10 days, and he lied about when he had posted it. In the end, I was happy with the jacket, if not with the speed of delivery, so I left him positive feedback, noting the delay. He responded by leaving me neutral feedback, saying that I had blamed him for Royal Mail's slow service.

I don't care about the feedback, but I do care about the principle. I paid as soon as I won the item. It took ages to arrive. Plus the seller lied about it. And I'm the one who got neutral feedback?! How is that fair?

Paypal is just as bad. If you are the buyer and you win a claim, you have to return the item at your expense. Why? Why should the buyer be punished for the seller's mistake or dishonesty?

Recently, I've had all sorts of problems with newbies who don't understand how Ebay works. In some cases, this has cost me money. Other times it was just extra hassle. I am sick to death of dealing with idiots who cannot list things properly or don't feel obliged to uphold their end of the deal. Ebay does nothing to prevent this from happening.

None of this is a tragedy, but it's annoying. If only Ebay and Paypal were a bit more fair with their policies, I think that a lot of us would be much happier to use them. After 10+ years, I just don't feel like a valued Ebay customer.

Kay_Peel

Did you reply to your neutral feedback? I hope you did.

Brooker_Dave

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

Paypal is just as bad. If you are the buyer and you win a claim, you have to return the item at your expense. Why? Why should the buyer be punished for the seller's mistake or dishonesty?

Because otherwise everyone would claim, get refunds and keep the items for nothing.

Paypal has to have some rules that are fair to both buyers and sellers.

Brooker_Dave

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

None of this is a tragedy, but it's annoying. If only Ebay and Paypal were a bit more fair with their policies, I think that a lot of us would be much happier to use them. After 10+ years, I just don't feel like a valued Ebay customer.

The problem here is that you're not an ebay customer, you're a customer of ebay's customers (people flogging their old tat).

But fear not, ebay seems intent on binning the smaller sellers, so in future you'll not have to deal with the rank and file flogging off their surplus.

Downside is that there won't be much choice anymore, and not much in the way of bargins...

rainbow_carnage

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

Because otherwise everyone would claim, get refunds and keep the items for nothing.

Paypal has to have some rules that are fair to both buyers and sellers.

That makes no sense.

I have no problem with having to send the item back. I do have a problem with having to pay for the postage. If the seller has misrepresented the item (eg. by claiming that it's new when it's not) and the buyer can prove it (eg. with photos), then surely the seller is at fault. Why should the buyer lose out, when they did nothing wrong?

Paypal sides with the seller because it is the seller that's paying the fee. If they seller is forced to refund, Paypal loses the fee.

rainbow_carnage

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

The problem here is that you're not an ebay customer, you're a customer of ebay's customers (people flogging their old tat).

But fear not, ebay seems intent on binning the smaller sellers, so in future you'll not have to deal with the rank and file flogging off their surplus.

Downside is that there won't be much choice anymore, and not much in the way of bargins...

As as seller, you are definitely Ebay's customer. You pay Ebay to provide you a service, that, in theory, includes some form of protection.

My problem is not with small-time seller. It's with people who cannot be bothered to read (and follow) the very simple guidelines. It's all very straightforward. A seller must describe the item clearly and honestly. The winning bidder agrees to pay for the item in a timely manner. The seller posts the item, also in a timely manner, using the posting method that was stated in the auction. If the item does not arrive, the seller takes full responsibility and sorts it out.

It seems pretty clear to me. So when a seller gives an incorrect description, it's either because he is too stupid to correctly list the size/colour/condition/etc., or he is purposely lying about it. When the buyer has paid for 1st class postage and the seller sends it using parcel rate, then he has broken his contract with the buyer. If the buyer complains that an item doesn't fit, even though the seller provided accurate measurements, than it's the buyer's problem.

I've had all of these issues and many more, both as a buyer and seller. Ebay has failed to keep the problem users in check.

Over the years, I've paid hundreds of pounds in fees to Ebay and Paypal. So yes, I am their customer.

so2006

rainbow_carnage wrote: »

That makes no sense.

I have no problem with having to send the item back. I do have a problem with having to pay for the postage. If the seller has misrepresented the item (eg. by claiming that it's new when it's not) and the buyer can prove it (eg. with photos), then surely the seller is at fault. Why should the buyer lose out, when they did nothing wrong?

Paypal sides with the seller because it is the seller that's paying the fee. If they seller is forced to refund, Paypal loses the fee.

But if we didnt buy the item, Then no one would use paypal, and then they wouldnt make fees! So the seller and buyer help make paypal grow bigger! so it can ruin the whole of the internet.

And you could just keep the item and not pay any postage!

simple :rolleyes: