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Original poster

To never want to sell on ebay because it brings disaster into your life?

211 replies

PuffinNose · 01/09/2017 22:47

In the last month, I've bought 12 things from ebay. However of those sellers:

  • 1 had an unexpected bereavement so couldn't post for ages
  • Another's partner was rushed into hospital so couldn't post for ages (must have ruined the holiday they told me they had planned a few days after I paid).
  • 1 was flooded and hasn't had a computer so couldn't post (but thankfully they had their phone of something because they could reply to feedback)
  • 1 of them had a pesky dog who damaged the item. I was a bit disappointed because the item went for much less than it should have done.
  • 1 of them has posted it but it's gone missing but darn it, the post office printer wasn't working so she has no proof but she did post it so no won't refund (don't worry, I know my rights).

So, ebay sellers seem to be an unlucky lot.

What are the best lines you've had from ebay sellers/buyers?

For the record, I'm generally not bothered about delays as long as they tell me. I've replied nicely to all the messages and symphasised as apprpropriate.

OP posts:
Herculesfan · 01/09/2017 22:53

I've had to refund for someone who I know received the package. It was sent signed for, they received it I three out the receipt and 5 days later they set up a refund request and left me negative feedback. Really cross

OhMrBadger · 01/09/2017 23:09

I just had to refund someone who claims not to have received their parcel. The postage came to more than I charged so I went for cheapest economy option. I suspect they did receive it but spotted that it wasn't tracked and claimed it didn't arrive.

Got too much other crap going on to deal with it so I refunded and chalked it up to experience.

Sometimes I hate eBay.

toastandbutterandjam · 01/09/2017 23:22

I refunded someone as she claimed she didn't receive her item. Fair enough. Two days later I got a message 'Hey, just letting you know the item arrived today, thanks for the refund, really appreciate it. You're too kind' Shock Shock Shock

I had to refund someone else as she brought a pair of shoes (narrow width) listed exact measurements etc and she set up a refund request because I 'didn't stretch the shoe to fit her foot which is poor customer service' ShockHmm ConfusedGrin

NorthernLurker · 01/09/2017 23:30

I've generally been fine but I did buy a nice boden bag once, for a really good price, which in a totally unexpected turn of events Hmm the seller 'couldn't find' to post. I offered to wait fir it given that she had had it only a week before to photograph and list. She told the most enormous lie about having photographed it weeks before and having moved house blah blah. I reported it to ebay, made a major fuss and the stalked her for weeks afterwards in case she listed it again. Cheeky cow clearly didn't want to sell it for the price it had gone for.

kaitlinktm · 01/09/2017 23:41

^I was a bit disappointed because the item went for much less than it should have done*

Yes I think this must happen a lot. I am currently waiting for an item I got as a bargain. The day after it was supposed to arrive she emailed to say she had been ill and was posting it on that day - that was the 22nd and it hasn't arrived yet (1st).

I have opened a request - but as yet she hasn't replied. I think she just doesn't want to send it and would rather refund - why don't they just list their stuff at a price they are willing to accept instead of wasting everyone's time?

ooodile · 01/09/2017 23:47

I've had a crazy time of it lately too - bought a bottle of perfume and an empty bottle arrived. When I queried the seller she said, "Oh I thought it was stinky, didn't think you'd want it so poured it away." ???!

Manclife · 02/09/2017 00:21

Drove for an hour to pick up a tent then drove back home (another hour) only to find out it was mouldy and useless. Had to drive back and drop it off before I could get a refund. Seller then complained some bits were missing (clearly not taken by me or lost) and tried to get me to pay for them. I told them I'd take it out of the fuel costs.

Sold damaged phone with DAMAGED written all over the advert. Buyer complained as Apple wouldn't fix it for free. Had to refund as it wasn't in the "damaged" category. Came off eBay then and never used it since.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/09/2017 08:18

I've had someone post feedback about an item then claim it wasn't delivered - Ebay refunded them. I was fuming because it was a nice dress, they got a bargain, and then it cost me money! Bastards.

I've probably sent 500 Ebay items out, maybe more. Maybe 10 have not been received. Anything that sells for over £10 or that I think Is worth more than £10 I post recorded, although don't always pass that cost on to the buyer. My local p.o. will do postcodes on receipts for non recorded items now which counts as proof of postage. I send a photo of the receipt to the buyer when I post, partly because it means I don't lose all the scraps of paper, and ask them to let me know when they receive the item so I can leave their feedback. Ebay are usually pretty good at sorting these issues out, but they are a bit buyer led with the refunds sometimes.
Interestingly, I have never had an item not arrive. Ever.----

I have had a few genuine times when something is marked or has a hole which i missed when listing, although I do tend to photo that for the buyer, and offer to reduce the price/buyer just pay postage if they still want it.

The worst is those free collection pages on Facebook. People literally agree to collect something, and then between their house and their car their child falls so desperately ill that they cannot even be a passenger in a car for 10 minutes, and that their parent cannot take their attention from them for 30 seconds to send a brief message explaining why they suddenly cannot collect. It's a mystery but has happened probably 20 times in the last year.

notanotherNC · 02/09/2017 09:01

I bought a 'almost mint' Nintendo D'S and it arrived with scratches all over the screen! The seller couldn't understand why I wanted to return it and said she 'doesn't accept returns.' Then eBay settled in my favour and told me to send it back for a full refund. I sent it back but she refused the item from the postman! So it came back to me. In the end eBay refunded me AND I got to keep the DS.

topcat2014 · 02/09/2017 09:04

I would rather give my stuff to charity shops than offer the benefit of someone buying it from me on ebay..

Mind you, I tend to buy from Amazon more and more.

Perhaps this is why ebay is running TV adverts now,

Coffeetasteslikeshit · 02/09/2017 09:08

I've just opened a ticket on an item which has shown up and the seller isn't replying to my messages.

I gave up selling on there years ago as it was more hassle than it was worth.

I try not to use it at all if possible nowadays.

Coffeetasteslikeshit · 02/09/2017 09:08

*hasn't

APMom · 02/09/2017 09:09

Two and a half weeks ago I bought a laptop on eBay, it was posted and then sat in the mail centre (I was able to track it). I contacted the seller to see what was happening and was told on Monday it was officially lost and they'd send a replacement or refund, I asked for refund as I needed laptop for son returning to school. I'm still waiting, I've emailed everyday and contacted eBay last night who said to put in a PayPal dispute and give negative feedback because of my experience. The eBay shop has 100% positive feedback and in every email they keep trying to tell me how well they are looking after me!
I hadn't bought off eBay in over a year I'd say and it's put me off.

olderandnowiser · 02/09/2017 09:13

I have stopped selling on eBay too because I've had some liars unlucky experiences.

To be fair, some people I have bought from have been honest and really nice, too.

MaudAndOtherPoems · 02/09/2017 09:18

I'm a buyer on eBay much more than I'm a seller. Over the years I have a few instances of sellers not being able to find items to post, and this thread has confirmed my suspicion that that's a euphemism for deciding not to sell at the agreed price. I'm hesitating over whether to do more selling on eBay.

onemorecakeplease · 02/09/2017 09:19

I bought some 'brand new' dinosaur slippers for ds.
When they arrived they stunk of sweaty feet, were all bobbled and had loads of hair stuck in the velcro! I gave negative feedback and the seller threatened to open a case against me!
I binned them (which is what he should have done with them)

jennielou75 · 02/09/2017 09:19

My personal favourite eBay experience was when I bought some own refills for a pen I used a lot when marking. The parcel arrived and I opened it in the school office as one of the staff there had the same pen for her child and I said they could have a couple. When I opened the parcel there was no refills just an open Brita water cartridge!
I sent it back of course using tracking. I got a call at school in the middle of a staff meeting a few weeks later from the police! I panicked thinking something must be wrong with a family member. Turns out the seller had reported me for sending noxious chemicals through the post! It was around the time when all powders etc were heavily checked. I explained the situation, our office lady supported me and they said nothing more needed to be done. I did get a refund. I now buy my refills from Amazon!

JaneEyre70 · 02/09/2017 09:34

I bought a top last week, M & S cotton t shirt type thing from their Autograph range, "as new" and was about £12 with p & p. And it's like a worn out bobbly rag that I'd be embarassed to put in the charity shop bag.......... it went straight in the bin, it was that bad.
Worst experience was selling late FILs battery operated bath raiser chair. It was very bulky and heavy and we wrote all over the ad COLLECTION ONLY/TOO HEAVY TO COURIER and the person that bought it was over 200 miles away.......i should have cancelled the sale but out of the goodness of my heart spent hours getting the packing and then packing the effing thing and waiting 3 days for the courier he'd booked to eventually bother to come. He repays that by filing a Paypal dispute as the chair had arrived "damaged and unworkable", he send a photo of a tiny crack on the side so his courier had clearly damaged. Paypal refunded without even waiting for our response, so he had the item and his money..... and we'd sold it on the intention of sending the money to charity. DH wanted to go and bang on his door and get it back, he was furious. We were over £400 out of pocket........... i hope the bloody thing electrocutes him in his bath Angry.

SteampunkPrincess · 02/09/2017 09:39

i bought some lipsticks - when they arrived they were a big 'brand'

so i complained as they were obviously fakes...

'dear friend, we never sell goods which is fake,please trust me. I know our product has [BRAND] LOGO,but actually we don't sell [BRAND]'s products.But I can promise you they are really. If you don't feel good when you used it. you can contact us. thank you very much'

You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means

To never want to sell on ebay because it brings disaster into your life?
dingdongdigeridoo · 02/09/2017 09:40

- 1 of them had a pesky dog who damaged the item. I was a bit disappointed because the item went for much less than it should have done.

Oh yeah had this too. There is apparently an epidemic of dogs going mad and attacking random eBay items. Especially those items that go for below market price. Madness!

Fuck selling on eBay forever. As annoying as Facebook marketplace is at least it's not anonymous. I'd rather deal with flakey people than endless disputes. But nowadays I'm more likely to take stuff to the charity shop.

sooperdooper · 02/09/2017 09:41

I've given up on eBay after my last experience!

I bought a jacket listed & described as leather, it arrived and was pvc, it even said so in the label

I complained to the seller & said it was incorrectly described- they said I should be happy with it as I got it for a good price!

I opened a case, eBay agreed it was wrongly advertised, and there was a print off pre paid label option to return the jacket which I used.

Turns out the seller hadn't updated their address details so it went to their old address, they sent me loads of abusive messages but it was the only address on eBay for them!?

Aghhh the whole thing was a pain in the arse, put me off entirely

AccrualIntentions · 02/09/2017 09:44

I've sold loads of clothes on eBay over the years and have only had a few negative experiences. But the focus has definitely shifted in favour of the buyer recently, and it's definitely possible for people to take the piss. I only bother if I think I'll get more than a tenner for something, it's not worth the hassle otherwise.

Fanciedachange17 · 02/09/2017 09:48

I have had things go missing or never arrive. One delivery company DPS would send me an email photo of a front door where they successfully delivered my parcel. Trouble was it wasn't my door nor one I recognized and there is no way of getting through to speak to anyone. They have delivered and do not care if it was wrong. It's been so bad I now use my work address and have had no problems since.
The stuff I buy is usually at a bargain price and yes, sometimes the item is much scruffier than it photographed and goes in the bin or charity shops but other stuff has been lovely. I don't complain but I don't sell either after experiencing a couple of devious buyers.

Tiddlywinks63 · 02/09/2017 09:50

I bought a handbag 'as new'; it stank of cigarettes when you opened it. I contacted the seller but got 'not available' response.
I got nowhere with trying to return and requesting refund.
Eventually tried clearing it myself but ended up binning it.
I no longer buy from EBay.

Littletabbyocelot · 02/09/2017 09:51

I sold my mums expensive crockery for her when she went into sheltered accommodation. Apparently, it arrived smashed to pieces which was very upsetting for the buyer. Just not upsetting enough for them to provide any photographic evidence despite chasing (it was insured by the courier) and they didnt open a dispute so no refund for them