posted on November 27, 2000 10:04:33 AM
They did it to me again. First off. Does anyone know the phone number to Ebay? They do an amazingly good job of hiding it.
Topic: I have two accounts with Ebay. They suspended one claiming that I didn't pay a few sellers.
I was buying 20-30 lots per week. The occasional one slipped by and unfortunately for me the seller fired off NPD's instead of working it out on me. I paid one seller a $35.00 fee for cancelling an order to pay for his fees and then he NPD' me!
After my main account with 400+ feedback was suspended I used my other account. They suspended that account too but then reinstated it as I had done nothing wrong!
Now, three weeks later, after I have bids in and have listed 35+ auctions they axed me again! No warning or contact. No crime either. Some genius came back with the same reason that they used when they axed the account and then reinstated it!
There's no accountablility for Ebay. I'm glad I switched most of my auctions to Amazon and Yahoo where I've never been suspended!!
posted on November 27, 2000 10:18:46 AM
Ebay does not offer customer support via phone calls. You must email them.
I'm sure that it's frustrating being suspended but some of the transactions you have admitted to would lead me to believe that if you don't play by ebay rules, unfortunately, you can't play.
You can't bid then back out pay a fee and hope all is well. That's just not the way the system works.
Yes, I agree ebay is know for protecting some sellers and not others, but I think you admitted to your faults.
posted on November 27, 2000 11:08:16 AM
25 unique negs and 18 neutrals (21 total, 3 from unregistered users) is not a very good record. I hardly think this is eBay's fault.
posted on November 27, 2000 12:55:29 PM
Thanks for all of the comments. To Joanne: You forgot to mention the over 400 positives.
And to a few of you, you're right. I have erred. However we all do. I know as a seller ( I have 1600+ rating on Amazon) I get stiffed left right and center, not too mention the myriad of other problems that have happened.
In Ebay's case they are penalizing me for offences spread out over many, many, months.
I have no problem with paying a price for my heinous crimes (g) but Ebay has been ridiculous and arbitrary and if it can happen to me I'm sure it can (and has) happened to many, many, others.
Also, a few of those who NPD me left me NF which is also their perogitive but surely we all could understand why I wouldn't send these folks money afterwards??
posted on November 27, 2000 12:59:50 PM
To add insult to injury Ebay is not supporting me regarding two auction lots. One is an item I won that is counterfiet, the other damaged.
Complete crap!! But because some seller asked for a 40 cent credit return they wipe my account!!
If you've seen as many customers as I've had you'd appreciate those comments.
One thing I haven't mentioned. I'm in Canada. I therefore get a lot of Rocket Scientists that think they should get their items in 2-3 days forgetting that their item has to go through Customs.
Shame on you for judging like that. There's always two sides.
You also didn't mention that there isn't one NF I've ever given someone for NPD'ing me! I also don't go chasing customers for feedback the way some sellers have demanded of me?! Feedback is a voluntary system and a bit of a joke in my and many other sellers opinions. It's a big world though so enjoy it if you want.
I have never chased customers as I know that to a degree (depending on the product) this is part of the game. When I used to do most of my selling on Ebay I always sent one or two polite reminders and then filed for a credit.
We don't live in a perfect world. Online selling is surely not perfect. It's about attitude though.
posted on November 27, 2000 03:12:58 PM
Just a general comment: amazing how it is always the "other" who is in the wrong...while the "wrong" one is always "right"...right?
******************** Gosh Shosh!
posted on November 27, 2000 03:17:55 PM
Canada eh?
I also live in Canada, have sold plenty more than you have, and have dealt with every type of customer imaginable. BUT, I've never called one of them a "Bit of a rookie goof"
in their feedback, no matter how dense they may, or may not be.
posted on November 27, 2000 04:08:05 PM
Wow, what a judgemental bunch!
Shosh & Print: Where did I say I wasn't at fault. I've never suggested that in any shape or form.
I simply said that being given a penalty is one thing, but what they did twice to my other account is another.
We all have our level's of customer service. You are entitled to work in any manor you choose. I have sold over 7000 auctions in almost two years.
For a tiny company with few staff working from a "foreign" country I think I've done ok as demonstrated by my feedback.
The fact that I don't put up with much guff from Customers is a choice I made after being give streams of dead relative emails, bounced checks and many other wonderful things. Customer service is something that costs money and when you sell Videos or other lower priced items that sell to a younger more inexperiance crowd you get all kinds.
I stand by my 1600+ ratings on Amazon with a 4.7 rating and my ebay feedback.
If I was in the USA I could use Priority mail and electronic stamps and pay a third of the cost of Canada Post but unfortunately I'm not.
I think everyone's missing my point about Ebay arbitrarily acting the way it has been with no hearing, questions, emails, ombudsman, or any method of appeal.
Safeharbour actually sent me form emails regarding this occurance!!
You're all entitled to your opinions but believe me, Ebay will crap on you too one day...
posted on November 27, 2000 09:54:17 PM
Hey! There is one way to keep your Ebay account in good standing. Pay for every single auction in which you are the winning bidder! I do this and have NO problems, why can't you think of this simple solution?
posted on November 28, 2000 02:43:32 AM
Judge Not lest ye be judged might be a consideration to those of you who have failed to miss the point to any of this
individual's issue.
As typical on these holier then though boards - not one of you who are so quick to judge have considered that this individual has the integrity to buy and sell under the same name and came to this board asking for advise and still didn't conceal their identity.
What is being pointed out here is simple - A seller has the power to wave their mighty hand and call one a thief, a liar and a deadbeat - and guess what - TOO BAD - cause the rules are you gotta prove that you are right and they are wrong. Regardless if you have purchased hundreds of items and spent hundreds of dollars over 3 years time - Those purchased that were made are ultimately putting you a risk to be banished from Ebay. Those not buying and simply living off the stressed out buyers can live happily ever after in their glass house and count their fortunes while the DEADBEATS are trying to figure out what has happened.
Many of you I submit are hiding behind a Stepford Ebay Facade and are really thinking this: "Man, why didn't they buy under a fake name."
The law of statistics prove that the more transactions you have - the more chance you have to have a seller who is unscrupulous or vengeful or greedy.
If you don't agree with that - then you are either one of the aformentioned or you have purchased diddly squat.
Continue to judge and throw stones while other less scrupulous people are coming and going under assumed names, aliases and addresses and leaving negatives to unsuspecting sellers.
Who cares about 30 negatives - Haven't you learned that negatives have about as much value as the garbage that is being peddled or furthermore, the value of Safeharbor. When does Negative feedback hinder you - when you have -3. If you don't believe that now - then you really are smug in your stepford glass trailer house.
As you continue to judge - you might consider that this individual has more then likely spent a fortune on YOUR CRAP and that the bidder is a BUYER -
Remember when the buyer used to be right.
What does the feedback have to do with the topic of his bidding suspension. The mere fact that noone focused on the real point here gives testimony to the automatic guilty by reason of being a buyer.
The moaning and absolute groaning that goes on from the sellers of this board on a nickle here and a dime there - is ludicrous.
This mentality doesn't work in the world world and it's a testimonial to the bored lives of our society and how the auction addiction has created an entirely different set of values and philosphies on the buying and selling of goods.
Luckily this is a novel venue for selling, and hopefully, when there is enough garbage to compete with the other garbage that is peddled and the greedy
sellers are faced with competing with a seller - who has a sense of customer service and appreciation to the buyer - then those of you who have judged this individul will no longer be so smug making your undue fortunes. You too will realize - the buyers who are buying like this individual (regardless if he did or did not pay for a couple who gives a darn) - are making many ungreatful people "rich". (If I hear one more time how much it costs to list, blah, blah blah - If you are a seller and you aren't making money - you should give up because you can peddle dirty underwear unfortunatley and make a mint!).
Realistically, the advise that works to maintain your registration is to sell and never buy - to maintain feedback higher then -3 - to stay away from peddling Kiddie Porn and blatently illegal items - and to not get caught by an undercover sting operation that has tracked you for a year selling thousands of computers or diamonds without producing the goods. (keep in mind you can do this with a 500 negative rating - as long as you have a -3 or higher overall score). And by all means, don't over the course of years, fail to pay for more then 2 items - and pray that every seller you have is honest - because you will go down faster then the kiddie porn salesman in a heartbeat.
If you want to bid smart - and bid on misspelled items, bid late, and want to insure that you are not hindered by the unscrupulous activities of sellers - (and ultimately the judgment of scrupulous, yet judgemental peers) who apply the 7-10 day to pay or else you are a DEADBEAT rule as a way to get out of selling an item that didn't sell for a good price - is to
1) - Never bid under your real identity.
2) - Never seek advise from these discussion groups.
This person has a 95% approval rate - and unless you buy in the same quantities and have bought from the same sellers then they - then I suggest you stay inside of your stepford ebay glass walls and compare apples to oranges.
Picture a world in which Macy's gives you only 3 times to pay your credit card late - You have only 17 days - regardless if you have given them hundreds in revenue !! In this world, you are not allowed to ever return an item, and at Macy's the SALESMAN IS always right and you are always guilty unless you prove your innocence. You have hardship, you truly have a death in the family, or you get ill yourself, and you contact Macy's as quickly as you can - and ask for an extension, you try to be forthright, and the only communication you get is from HOME office stating that you are a deadbeat. On the third time your name is published in the local paper as a DEADBEAT and you are banned from ever purchasing another item from Macy's. EVER !! However, in this stupid world, you are able to apply for many, many credit cards under assumed names and create havoc leaving negatives and mayhem in your terror through the aisles, but that is never really addressed because it's too big of a problem for Macy's management to take on.
I give this person credit for his integrity - and each of you should consider yourself lucky to have people like this one on ebay - buying your STUFF. It is evident that he buys - his sells has lead to negative feedback - not his buying - and lets face it - sellers have the power to never email you once - post a negative 3 days after the sale - and file a deadbeat warning shortly thereafter and by the time you have a chance to blink you are a DEADBEAT. It is the bidder who has to prove that the DEADBEAT seller did not email them. Now, explain how you do that.
When this stupid world can determine a way to prevent this from happening, then I will concede and one can throw stones in peace, but until then give the person some credit and answer his question which I submit unless you scrolled back up to the original message - you still haven't a clue as to what it was.
I have sold on Ebay long enough to know that the sport of the bid is creating prices that are ridiculous - I have never turned in a non-bid action on someone and find it absurd to do it - let alone the time to keep track of that cost me more then eating it.
Give this bidder and other bidders who do buy a break - and focus on those who are coming and going and buying and leaving negatives to sellers who may not deserve it because they have nothing to lose.
Focus on something other then DEADBEATS and you might turn things around -
Those who totally disagree - back up and take a look at all the petty questions and comments regarding minimal amounts of money and what to do if someone hasn't emailed within such and such - and so on -
It isn't ebay who sucks - it's a system that has created this mistrust and complete turnaround of traditional commerce values.
Don't bother posting your rebuttle I won't be reviewing the further dribbles of this thread.
[ edited by whatsurdeal on Nov 28, 2000 03:49 AM ]
[ edited by whatsurdeal on Nov 28, 2000 03:57 AM ]
posted on November 28, 2000 02:56:34 AM
P.S. I know I rambled but welcome to my world - I have to read the ramblings of the greedy every time I enter.
To CANVID13 - The other adivse I give is to never come to these boards to seek solice or a comforting word -
As you said- It is a judgmental group -
Good luck to you and congrats on the HUNDREDS Of positive comments from many, many people - and sorry that all of your hard work is destroyed based on the greedy mentality of others.
posted on November 28, 2000 06:25:21 AM
Wow, I never thought I'd see so much response.
Again, to those of you who can't read, I never did the poor me thing. I admitted failing to complete a small percentage of deals and had no problem paying for my crime against Ebay!! The fact also is that I've been frauded for over $300.00 in the last month or two in sales and these sellers are still on Ebay! I also reported a video bootlegger four times and he also is on Ebay.
Yet at the same time I've been suspended for losses to a seller of 35 cents!!
Unfortunately most of you have missed my points and Shosh, if you don't want people to email you then perhaps you shouldn't leave a link in your messages here????
Some of you have actually made some very valid points regarding my customer service or lack thereof. Again, we all go down different paths and we all (hopefully!) evolve.
Thanks whatsurdeal for seeing what I'm talking about. Frankly I used to sell hundreds of items on Ebay and switched to Amazon. I actually buy on Ebay and sell there. On rare occasions I try to come back to Ebay to see if it improves.
This is what had happened this time. It's not that I was suspended or even that my second account was suspended. It's that after my second account was suspended I protested and it was reinstated with an apology. I then listed 30 or so auctions to see my account shut down a week later!! And with no reason, no new offences, nada??
Now if you folks can't understand that there's not much hope for you or this message board.
posted on November 28, 2000 07:21:16 AM
Hi Canvid13,
Actually I think you have made your own bed quite nicely and reading your words I can see where a case could be made that you are selling more than you can take care of properly so it seems you take your stress out on your customers. There seems to be a problem in your level of service that leaves a bad taste IMO.
"Okay service" is not my work ethic and a record like this I could pass on very quickly.
Did you ever consider that the .35 cents was just the frosting on the cake?
I have seen several sellers from Canada and they seem to manage very well without priority mail, still stay in business and have excellent customer service.
I don't know what your record at Amazon has to do with Ebay?
I want good, friendly service not groveling or hatefullness. You don't have to be my best friend but if a seller doesn't seem to have time or manners I would shop elsewhere. 7000 sales are not impressive to me but your selling record would be.
posted on November 28, 2000 08:03:01 AM
Geez shar, that's quite an opinion.
Hatefullness?? Where did you get that from??
Customer service has a price. What you choose to spend on it or myself is up to both of ourselves.
Nobody is forced to sell or buy from anyone else on any site.
Online sellers are not bricks and mortar sellers. If you want to spend your time and money on customer service that's wonderful. I tip my hat to you. More power to you. I offer a no frills, no nonsense, very fair and limited service.
Some folks don't want this service and I have no problem with them buying elsewhere.
Fact is though that many, many, people have bought from me and will buy from me in the future because what's truly important to them is getting great product at a great price and knowing that they can come back again and again.
Does that mean that I will refund them of the USPS loses their parcel and they haven't taken out insurance? No. Does it mean I will spend more than the cost of the sale to make them happy? Nope. Does it mean they are always right? Yeah, right.
As you stated, I'm not their best friend, but I'm certainly not hatefull.
Again, you have missed the point I have tried to make.
