Ebay = scamalot?

[woodturner]

If anyone is interested, give us your approximate number of purchases over how many years, and if you've ever been scammed.

I don't buy a lot, may 20 purchases since they started. Only scammed once, seller with good feedback offered a Struck mini-dozer as "running", turned out to be pieces and parts, and none of the "extras" advertised.

Recently, ordered two GDO remotes, seller wanted to charge higher shipping than listed because it was two items. Took several emails to get them to understand the point and understand that their listing said something different than what they were saying, then acused me of "attitude".

I see more of this now than I used to. I think it's just the "attitude" of the younger generation.

[herb fellows]

I don't buy a lot, may 20 purchases since they started. Only scammed once, seller with good feedback offered a Struck mini-dozer as "running", turned out to be pieces and parts, and none of the "extras" advertised.

Recently, ordered two GDO remotes, seller wanted to charge higher shipping than listed because it was two items. Took several emails to get them to understand the point and understand that their listing said something different than what they were saying, then acused me of "attitude".

I see more of this now than I used to. I think it's just the "attitude" of the younger generation.

I see more of this now than I used to. I think it's just the "attitude" of the younger generation.[/QUOTE]

That's funny, I was thinking just the opposite. It seems that Ebay is really holding the gun to the heads of sellers more than ever before. I have seen so many sellers pleading in their ads to 'call or email and everything will be made right, there's no reason to leave negative feedback'. I have heard that anything less than 5 stars across the board in reviews is really treated as a negative by Ebay.Any sellers here to confirm or deny?

[gsmittle]

I've been using eBay for over 10 years, and I've only had one problem, buying or selling. I had one seller refuse my PayPal payment twice, then neg me for refusing to pay. That's the only neg on my account and it still irritates me.

I've had good luck selling stuff; my deceased father's turkey calls (two still with boxes) sold for far more than I thought they would, and the buyer got them for way less than market price, so we were both happy. That guy paid within an hour of winning the auction. I shipped the next day.

I haven't used eBay as much lately—not as much disposable income with one kid in parochial school and the other in college.

g.

[Russianwolf]

Well over 3000 transactions and only a half dozen or so problem transaction. The one that I had to look at carefully was a purse my wife was selling. The bidder received it and claimed damage. Asked for pics of the damage and the bag she photoed obviously wasn't the same bag, leather patterns are easily identifiable. We okayed the return, but I warned about my suspicion. The original bag was returned with none of the damage claimed or photoed.

[jziegler]

The first time I used e bay, I was scammed (seller had lots of auctions and good feedback, but never shipped my item and disappeared soon after). I have never used it since. I have little desire right now, on most things I look at, the prices are not so great right now anyway (at least when I look).

Jim

[alpha]

Long time buyer on Ebay. I have been scammed twice. The first was a magazine subscription. The wait time for the subscription to start is greater than the time allowed to file a claim. My suggestion--don't ever buy a magazine subscription on Ebay!

The second was for merchandise where the seller failed to ship. It was refunded through Paypal after the waiting period. Getting a refund through Paypal is kind of like applying for a rebate--you had better keep track of it if you ever want to get your money.

Bob

[Gator95]

Never had any major problems- only one time has an item been a disappointment, but can't say it was misrepresented.

As always, I pay close attention to the sellers rep and look at what they've sold to see if it's in line with what I'm buying.

[BrazosJake]

Around 140 over the past 7 years, probably at least 35% of those as a seller.

No scams, just one psycho seller who went nuts when I left her a neutral feedback. I wouldn't have cared, except 2 weeks after auction end, I contacted to see where the item was and got an indignant response saying item had shipped, and how dare I question her. 10 days later I was about to file a dispute with PayPal when the item arrived, postmarked after the obnoxious reply.

Just a simple "Oops!" from the seller would have avoided the mess.

[vaking]

I only bought few items and never sold anything. All my experience was positive. I do believe that lately most scam is on the buyer side. Typical scam is that buyer wins the auction and then starts making unreasonable demands. If seller refuses - buyer leaves negative feedback. For a seller feedback is more important than for a buyer, so many sellers give in to this kind of blackmail and chose to agree to demands of a buyer just to avoid the feedback.

[billwmeyer]

Scammed

I have purchased for several years, but not many items. My first big purchase was a camera for my wife. She found a model she loved, but it was discontinued. I purchased it and the seller said it was out of stock, but had it coming in. (I was suspicious.) I had contact via e-mail several times and he answered, but slowly. I contacted E-Bay and they said to wait 30 days for the delivery. After 30 days, I contacted E-bay and they said contact Paypal (they were seperate then). Paypal said it was past 30 days and wouldn't file a claim. I fired off several heated e-mails to both with copies of each other's e-mails to no avail. My credit card company saved the day, and charged paypal back. This was about $350, and I would have not been able to buy my wife another present. The seller showed several satisfied sales and purchases, but promptly disappeared. He filed fake addresses and phone numbers.

I was also scammed on a magazine, but it was only $5, so live and learn. I also do not buy magazines on E-bay.

Bill

[JSUPreston]

For the most part, my experiences have been good. Had one buyer that was ready to rip me a new one over a power cord I forgot to pack. Had to overnight one to her (twice!!!) before she was happy. Wound up spending more on sending the cords than I made on the item.

One seller gave me the run-around on an item that didn't show up for weeks. Claimed they didn't send due to a hurricane...but they weren't anywhere near the storm made landfall or had any reported damage. They finally sent the item and refunded my money.

Had one other seller take my money on a car stereo. Finally got my money back from them. Then, about 3 months later, they sent me the stereo free of charge. Over a year later, still got it in the box at the house.

Just last night, I bought a factory radio for the truck from what appears to be a reputable seller (1400 positive, no neutral or negs). Just a little something for me with some of the Christmas money I'm getting. Heck, $50 + s/h for an AM/FM CD/Cassette w/CD changer controls and RDS for a Dodge. Same radio is $550 from the stealership, so it's worth a try. I've still got a lot of stuff on cassette that I'll never find on CD.

[natausch]

I just haven't purchased much from eBay since the transition from yard sale to storefront. Between local sales and free shipping from Amazon (also sans tax) the option to purchase an item for 20% over retail with "shipping and handling" included just doesn't make a lot of sense.

Other than that I was scammed a couple times, but Paypal was always effective in getting my money back.

[woodturner]

Between local sales and free shipping from Amazon (also sans tax) the option to purchase an item for 20% over retail with "shipping and handling" included just doesn't make a lot of sense.

FWIW, sales on Amazon are not "tax free", but rather Amazon is not required to collect the tax. In most US states, the buyer is required to submit the tax for mail order and internet purchases directly to the state. Some states have added it to the income tax return for convenience, but most states still require the buyer to fill out a separate form and submit the form and tax payment.

To find your state's tax form, look for "use tax" forms or "in lieu" tax forms.

[LinuxRandal]

FWIW, sales on Amazon are not "tax free", but rather Amazon is not required to collect the tax. In most US states, the buyer is required to submit the tax for mail order and internet purchases directly to the state. Some states have added it to the income tax return for convenience, but most states still require the buyer to fill out a separate form and submit the form and tax payment.

To find your state's tax form, look for "use tax" forms or "in lieu" tax forms.

Important note, check your state, as "use tax" (if I remember the term), at least in mine, has a limit that you can spend under (total for the year) and not file.

[herb fellows]

FWIW, sales on Amazon are not "tax free", but rather Amazon is not required to collect the tax. In most US states, the buyer is required to submit the tax for mail order and internet purchases directly to the state. Some states have added it to the income tax return for convenience, but most states still require the buyer to fill out a separate form and submit the form and tax payment.

To find your state's tax form, look for "use tax" forms or "in lieu" tax forms.

New York, and I believe about 4 other states, don't rely on your honesty. Amazon must charge in those states. I just can't imagine people who have a Governor using state funds to transport hookers being reluctant to provide him with that money by reporting what they have bought online. Right.