Topic: Ebay tip needed

[Badger 5]

I bought a tank and side covers from a guy and one of the side covers came in 3 pieces.  Does anybody have any experience with making a claim with e-bay?

[super pasty white guy]

I'd recommend going through the seller first.  If you don't get a reply asap, file with ebay as there is a time limit.

I use the 'bay frequently and haven't yet had to escalate problems after contacting the seller (though others have had much different experiences).

[Kikemon]

I went through "the process" when a seller grossly misrepresented an item. I  bought an exhaust system that had clearly been lowsided on and was covered with dents and rash that were not in the photo used in the listing. Luckily, using ebay's email, during the auction I asked specifically whether or not there was any damage of any kind on the pipes and the guy was stupid enough to say no. After not getting any responses from the seller to multiple emails (also using ebay's email), I filed a claim. They reviewed the auction, all my emails and the photos I sent and I also had to take the pipes to a dealer and have them write a letter documenting the damage. I did finally end up with a full refund, but I hear that is not the norm. Most times the selller comes out ahead and I definitely believe that had he not so blatently lied in the email about it, I wouldn't have gotten anything. So definitely try with the seller first. Most people on ebay are pretty decent and are not trying to purposely screw you over (though there are those out there too...) and want to build a good feedback record. Having said all that though, I have to say that I am disappointed more times than not by the condition of used items I've purchased on ebay. Mostly it is not worth getting too worked up over - just annoying. I have sent some things back. Now I expect the worst and adjust what I will pay accordingly.

[BobbyR]

I bought a tank and side covers from a guy and one of the side covers came in 3 pieces.  Does anybody have any experience with making a claim with e-bay?

If you paid with a credit card even through PayPal it helps if things turn ugly, you can dispute the charge. I know this aa a  shady buyer burned me for $80.00 and ebay and PayPal could do squat about it. Try it nice first, if you can't pull out the hammer.

[nickjtc]

I second the previous comments. Always start with the seller, giving a reasonable time for a reply. In the few cases where I have been unhappy with the situation it has always been resolved by interaction with the seller.

[Badger 5]

The guy offered me another side cover that is good shape with another decent emblem.  It's not the same color but this is the best he can do.  I guess I'll live.

[ChevelleSSLS6]

usually sellers like good feedback, so threateaning giving bad feedback provides some negotiation leverage.

[Gordon]

usually sellers like good feedback, so threateaning giving bad feedback provides some negotiation leverage.

Threatening negative feedback will only put someone on the defensive and be much less likely to cooperate professionally.  A seller already knows you can leave them a negative, so there's no reason to bring it up. 

[merc2dogs]

 sounds like it was an actual accident.
 good to hear that he was willing to try and make it right.

 Last Ebay purchase I made was a spindle for a lathe, what was presented and what I got were totally different, when braced with it the seller claimed -I- had swapped the spindle and was trying to rip him off, never was compensated for it. Now have two bad spindles and a serious reluctance to deal with Ebay. luckily I have two other lathes and some nice steel, so will carry through with the original plan and make a new spindle.

 Most sellers WILL try to make it right, so it's always best to present a chance, presented in a civil manner it can result in a great outcome. Presented wrongly, it puts the guy in a bad mood, and a very obstinate disposition. The fact that he is willing to provide a replacement shows that he was upright on it.

 Good deal I'd say!

ken.

[OLD GUY]

With three vintage Hondas I do alot of buying on Ebay. Once I find a item I need I go to the sellers feedback and see what his customers say about him. If he has a number of negitive
feedbacks or smart alec replies to feedbacks I don't buy. Ask alot of questions, ask for more photos if the seller balks at your requests MOVE ON. I would suggest anyone that has been intensionally ripped off by a
seller post his info on this site so others will not get taken. Cheers

[freefourall]

I bought a set of "advertised 4 into 2 exhaust system for CB500" on E-Bay, but when they arrived they were for a Kawasaki 900. The seller said he was sorry and would send me a return shipping label and when he got the exhaust back he would send me the correct CB500 exhaust.  Label arrived and I sent the exhaust back. He then sent me a CB500 4 into 1 system. I would have never bid on a 4 into one system and after contacting seller, he said he would send me a return shipping label and refund my money. Label arrived and I returned system. He contacted me and said he had received the exhaust and would send my refund "first thing Monday morning". I waited patiently for about a two weeks but the refund never came. Since he had been so good to respond to my e-mails I was giving him the benefit of doubt. The Postal Service has lost a few letters before. I E-mailed the seller and asked him where my refund was and received no response. After multiple attempts I decided to contact E-Bays Security and Resolution Center and file a complaint. Here's where I ran into trouble. You must file your complaint within 60 days. This whole process at this point was over 60 days.
I tried many more attempts at E-mail, no response. I tried calling seller, phone# didn't work. I finally figured out that I'd been had. Then I got an idea. I ran a search for seller on the Yellow Pages and found his address was as listed along with the non-working phone#. I found the names and phone #'s of his neighbors on that site. I e-mailed him again and told him that since he wouldn't contact me, call me, or send my refund, that I guess I would have to contact his neighbors and explain the situation to them and see if they would ask him to call me. I wrote all his neighbors names and addresses in the E-mail.
With that E-mail, the rat came out of his hole. Instant contact and money was on the way!

[754]

Good one!!..