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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be sick of Ebay buyers taking the piss?

147 replies

FourStoneDown · 25/01/2017 12:45

I run a small business selling preloved clothing on Ebay. I'm meticulous about the quality of items that I sell, I check things extremely thoroughly, and list very thorough measurements of everything. Most people are delighted with their items and leave me lovely feedback, which is really nice.

However there seems to be a minority of buyers, although that number is increasing, who either invent a flaw with their item when there isn't one, or say that an item doesn't fit them, and then return it to me damaged or worn. One seller has returned a dress today that she said didn't fit her; it was returned inside out as if she'd just taken it off and bundled it up, in carrier bag, with a broken zip and smelling of BO! It'd clearly been worn for a night out then returned to me.

Last week a lady wanted to return a jacket to me, that she had had for over 2 weeks as it didn't fit her. I said it was fine, and she sent a tracked item, but it was an old dirty anorak rather than the jacket she'd bought from me. I escalated to Ebay and they found in favour of the buyer and so I had to refund her £30! She then sent me a message laughing and gloating that she sent me an old piece of tat and got a refund and got to keep the jacket!

And another buyer a few weeks ago decided 3 weeks after receiving a top that the colour didn't suit her so therefore it wasn't as described and started a dispute. She refused to return the item and again Ebay found in her favour and just took the money and refunded her, letting her keep the item!

There have been many other cases recently of returns because something 'doesn't fit' when it has clearly been worn for a night out, then shoved in a bag and returned to me.

AIBU to be pissed off with it all?

OP posts:

HiggeldyPiggeldy · 26/01/2017 15:12

I had similar on ebay, sent a lovely maclaren buggy freshly steam cleaned etc to a buyer she claimed it stank of smoke was covered in pet hair, not true because I don't smoke and at the time had no pets. Ebay charged me for the item to be returned and refunded her in full, but she returned a travel cot worth £30 rather than my buggy which had sold for £150. It was so stressful at the time but I was told by ebay to report it to an online crime unit when I got the crime number I gave that to ebay and they gave me my money back and I got to keep the travel cot :D I can try and find the details for you if needed FOURSTONEDOWN

I have been buying and selling on Ebay for years, but now it is rubbish, expensive and to many scammers

BadKnee · 26/01/2017 19:58

That reminds me - I sold a pair of fans. It was summer and hot. They were great - a top brand. Full instructions. There was a lot of faffing about with days and times but eventually a week or so later whole family including kids collected. I plugged fans in to test them while he was there so he could see. "yes, yes, yes - all fine"

Two weeks later - raised a "not as described" case. Said they didn't keep the room cool. I explained that they were fans not air-con units but he did not want them. I had to agree to refund. he drove all the way back - I had to be in so had to wait a week.

Full refund and fans back in my hallway a month after I sold them - by which time the Summer was fading. Tried to re-sell. No takers What was the point??

BadKnee · 26/01/2017 20:04

By the way I bought a beautiful plate via Preloved at Xmas - v simple transaction.

Uhohmummy · 26/01/2017 20:24

This is why I don't bother with eBay anymore. There is no protection for sellers.
The last straw was when I sold a never been used handbag and the buyer invented flaws, demanding I give her a refund. She got really nasty, messaging me constantly. I ended up feeling stressed and scared as she had my address (it was on the parcel), even though she lived miles away.
I complained to ebay and sent them all the messages but they didn't care and took no action.
The fact that as a seller you can't rate buyers says it all.

19lottie82 · 26/01/2017 22:01

badknee a prime example as to why you should only accept cash for collection items!

Coffeeflavouredbiscuit · 26/01/2017 22:04

I think eBay should have a shipping centre where you post it to them and they check item is as described and then send it on. The same for returns. It would protect buyers and sellers. I would be willing to pay the extra fees that it would cost just so I don't get ripped off from either ends.

Oliversmumsarmy · 26/01/2017 23:28

Well my receipts are good enough for the inland revenue so they can be good enough for the customer. Not had anyone question them.

blowmybarnacles · 27/01/2017 00:04

I must be lucky. I've had just one item never turn up.

As a buyer, bought some shoddy stuff, as new, turns out to be worn to the point of threadbare, bobby knit wear past redemption.

I once got in a row with a seller about a dress where I'd asked for the length and she'd measured but it wasn't right - it was just above the knee - looks awful on me , rather then below, which looks good. Those 5cm made a huge difference but she got the hump - refunded eventually.

wintertimeisfun · 27/01/2017 00:12

Ebay is fab for selling BUT it depends on what you are selling. I stopped selling clothing or unwanted vouchers on there as there are now too many thieves/liars buying. The classic is to say something didn't arrive when it did. They love clothing..

UptownFlunk · 27/01/2017 05:48

Oliversmumsarmy you've just been lucky so far. If you want to leave yourself open to being scammed then keep doing what you are doing. Umpteen people have kindly advised you that PayPal seller protection only accepts proof of delivery if you use something with an online tracking service. You only need one customer to open a dispute that's collected an item in person and paid with PayPal and you will learn the hard way.

Receipts for HMRC are an entirely different issue.

GizmoFrisby · 27/01/2017 06:06

Yanbu I used to sell my children's designer clothes on there. The last straw was a joules boys coat which cost me 64.99. I sold it for & £16 and posted it to the lady. She then said it wasn't in new condition. I had stated it was used and worn and put loads of pics on. She then appealed with eBay threw in that she was deaf for some reason and I lost the coat and the money. I don't use eBay any more.

greenfolder · 27/01/2017 06:12

The whole system went tits up the minute you could no longer neg buyers. Before that there was jeopardy both sides for being an arse.

HeavenlyEyes · 27/01/2017 08:53

Olivers - please will you go and Google about PayPal scams and not collected items. Blindly saying your receipt is good enough for HMRC is total nonsense in the light of a PayPal claim. We are all telling you kindly and you are ignoring. We are trying to help and you seem to think you are above the rules. Just because you have got away with it so far does not mean you will get away with it in the future. Please will you just listen?

Oliversmumsarmy · 27/01/2017 08:58

How do you stop people paying on PayPal.

leggydisplay · 27/01/2017 09:00

Gizmo - I got luckier with a joules coat I sold. Buyer overbid and then predictably had buyers remorse and complained that the used white coat I sent was used. She threatened negative feedback if I didn't issue a partial refund (think this was the clincher) and eBay were great and reassured me while dealing with her.

It was disproportionately stressful at the time though if I recall.

As a buyer, I've had some brilliant things. Mulberry bag and Russell and Bromley shoes recently. Wouldn't touch things like uggs or Tiffany jewellery- have had fakes of both in the past.

I really do think the experience is linked to what you sell or buy, generally. I wouldn't bother with anything like high street clothes - straight to charity. Not worth the hassle for a couple of quid.

HeavenlyEyes · 27/01/2017 09:17

You tell them cash on collection on the listing and refund their PayPal if they do pay that way and tell them to bring cash.

BadKnee · 28/01/2017 00:04

It is actually hugely stressful. I was worried that someone who knew where I lived would be nasty. I found it hard to deal with unpleasant messages. I spent hours listing, measuring, photographing - and I made no money at all.

I did buy a beautiful table and some lovely chhina in the early days and I sold a bed, a dishwasher, a washing machine and and a desk. It used to be fab.

Trollspoopglitter · 28/01/2017 00:20

I think Amazon is slowly turning into eBay. I bought something (new) from a 3rd party seller. Ordered 3 of the same items, only 1 arrived. Emailed seller, who apologised and promised to ship other 2 out that day. A week later, no package. Another email and again a reply saying items should be with me next few days, which surprised me as I expected to be told it was sent out of X day and here's the tracking number.

Email seller asking for refund for 2 missing items, then contact Amazon to ask for their advice on how to get refunds from 3rd party sellers.

4 minutes on hold, and I am told they will process my refund and deduct from seller ... For full amount! I protest and say but I received 1 of the items, I'm requesting a refund for the missing 2!

Weeeelll, we've refunded you your entire price and you can keep the item you did receive

What?

Clareel · 28/01/2017 13:49

I sold a loverly vintage beaded clutch bag on eBay once, a few beads where missing but it wasn't really noticeable unless you looked closely, all the same I took lots of pictures of the areas where beads where missing and described it clearly in the title and listing. Buyer then opens a case because there are beads missing and gets a full refund whilst keeping the item! I was seething.

BadKnee · 28/01/2017 14:44

It will only stop when ebay's revenue starts falling. I am not going to use them again. It was great at first - worth doing. Now it is hassle and scamming and a waste of time and money. Such a pity.
Clareel - that is sickening. Criminal actually. Someone should take ebay to court for aiding and abetting fraud. BUt they won't

RaeSkywalker · 28/01/2017 20:45

Coffee I agree.

I can't be arsed with it anymore, as a buyer or seller. Facebook selling sites all the way for me now!!

PurpleCrazyHorse · 28/01/2017 22:03

I can't be arsed selling now either, used to do it reasonably regularly. I've not been scammed but there's always that risk and stress. Most stuff goes to a local charity shop or passed onto family/friends for their kids (outgrown stuff from ours). Anything bigger goes on Gumtree. If it's not worth much, I just put it on for £5 to weed out the freebie hunters who don't show.

I do still buy the odd cheap item on eBay, currently got some spare Brownie uniform on its way, but I wouldn't buy anything expensive that I couldn't view and collect in person.

I also only give out my full address to Gumtree collectors when they're on their way. I give my road and postcode, so they can plan getting to me and ask them to call or text me when they're on their way and then I give out my house number. That also weeds out the no-shows and I don't stay in waiting for them (although don't go far in case they call/text).

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