March 22nd 2007
SOUNDING OFF!!!
Since 2002 I've completed over 6000 transactions on Ebay with a fairly equal number of deals with both
buyers & sellers. I'm happy to report that the vast majority of these transactions have been very smooth with
Ebay's belief that the majority of people are good being spot on. It's fair to say that with such a large number
of deals there will be some issues along the way.
Up until quite recently I've managed to avoid a deal that made my blood boil or my eyes bulge from my
sockets or made me breath fire with a scream to wake the dead. Here are some of my issues: I've managed to
send cash on three separate occasions that didn't arrive, funny how a cheque always seems to arrive OK. I've
settled two different Paypal claims where buyers said the good were not received. Without tracking these
parcels I didn't have a leg to stand on. Having both sent the goods & then having to refund the money hurts.
Sellers, with Paypal, if you don't register every single parcel you are wide open to anyone that knows the
system. Interestingly, every cheque that I've ever sent has arrived. Apart from one item & the three cash deals
listed above, every item I've paid for has arrived. Over 30 parcels that I've mailed haven't arrived over the 5
years, that's 6 a year. It makes me wonder if they have arrived or not but I've either sent another item or
refunded the buyer so they are happy. Ultimately, if I registered & insured every parcel I sent everyone would
be covered but in reality, given I sell many pieces at the low end, adding an additional £5.00 per parcel for
postage costs would just put people off. As it stands I'm registering anything that sells for over £50.00 at my
own cost, I'm not sure what I'll decide to do in future. Anyway, food for thought.
Now, the blood boiling deal!!!
Early in February I was searching Ebay France & noticed a Rapide corkscrew. I'm fully aware that this type of
corkscrew is easily faked but was confident with the particular one advertised. I ended up winning the
corkscrew for 365 Euros, that's around £250 or $470.00. After receiving the invoice, I settled with Paypal &
looked forward to the parcel arriving. After three weeks & following a number of emails to the seller to find out
where the corkscrew was the parcel arrived. I opened the box to find that a modern plastic reproduction was
enclosed & NOT the one advertised on the Ebay picture. I was somewhat gob smacked, I'd never had an
problem like this before & had clearly stumbled across a French Ebay rogue. I decided that the best follow up
was to open a Paypal dispute. After a couple of days the seller responded, requesting for me to send the
corkscrew back for a full refund, I did this on 9th February, registered & fully insured. Despite an email from
the seller to say he would refund me within 36 hours which I received on 3rd March, I'm still waiting for a
resolution. I've made a claim against the seller through Paypal & I'm waiting for the outcome. So far, I've paid
for the goods, paid to send them back, paid to send a fax to Paypal showing the proof of postage. I'll let you
know if I rightfully get my money back - If I don't I might just call time on the online adventure - that's how
incensed I am over this issue.
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To the left is the Ebay
photograph I based my bid
on & to the right is the
modern fake that was
received.
I'm a placid sort of guy but
my blood has hit boiling
point with this issue & an
explosion could happen at
any time.
Luckily, as mentioned, the
vast majority of Ebay deals
work fine. Thank God!
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May 07 Update. Paypal agreed with my claim but have so far only managed to get back half my money.
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