Ebay/Paypal They do not follow through on claims promises for bad sellers Internet
I just want to warn everyone who uses ebay and paypal to know that you are out there on your own. If you never get your item, or if the person sends you something that doesn't work you are pretty much screwed. Paypal and ebay will do everything in their power to avoid getting involved or helping buyers who were wronged, even when the case is clearly fraud.
I have lost over $3,000 with these services, who only make money by claiming to "protect" buyers. One was a furniture dealer who sold me a $2800 table and then never delivered. Paypal and ebay told me to sue him...well, they were the ones who transactioned the money so they should have been willing to step in and make sure I got my money back. But that would mean they actually cared about consumers who were wronged. They don't. Not one bit.
Ask yourself "Is the savings of ebay worth working with strangers off the street."
Because at the end of the day, you are shelling out money to strangers. I would limit my purchases to no mechanical (I bought two printers both wouldn't even power on ...of course ebay and paypal said they can do nothing). I would also not spend more than you are willing to lose on ebay, because if the person runs off with your money you are going to wish you would have paid a little more to work with a well known company.
This is really disappointing, because these companies are hugely profitable off the sweat labor of sellers and consumers who want a safe place to trade. They are suppose to be the police of the internet transaction, but they've become a money hungry and selfish industry, who sits back like a fat cat raking in money and not doing their job of protecting us for safe transactions.
Make sure you choose good sellers. Don't buy mechanics that someone could just be trying to unload on some innocent buyer they don't have to look in the eye, and never make major purchases that you can't afford to lose on.
Wake up ebay and paypal! Do your JOBS! Haven't you sucked out enough money from the public to at least protect them? They should hire a legal staff or have a phone number to help consumers...they certainly can afford it. But that would mean they'd have to actually work for their massive earnings and be responsible for the merchants who they allow to sell on their site.
I know I will probably never see my money again, but I wanted others to know how risky of a practice it is to make purchases from ebay or paypal.
Rochelle
Richmond Hill, Georgia
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Adolph
Elkhart 46517,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Play by their (bent) rules of you can!
#7Consumer Comment
Sun, October 21, 2007
For starters, Pay Pal, in their operating procedures, state that NO funds will be returned unless recovery can be made from the seller. So, from the start they've stated there's NO WAY they can lose.
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Pay Pal has several waiting periods for a screwed buyer to wait through, giving the seller time to withdraw funds from Pay Pal. Plus, if you're unhappy with what you receive Pay Pal and E Bay usually state they're not in the position of determining quality or useability of any item. You got it? Well, that's all that matters. They don't care about the quality of what is sold and are not responsible.
There is a way around this unfair debacle, however. Pay by charge card. (NOT a debit card or checking account). Forget Pay Pal's silly waiting periods. Immediately file a charge-back complaint with the charge card company. Pay Pat may give you hell for "not following their stated policies", but at that point you've got 'em by the short hairs. The charge card companies rate merchants (including Pay Pal) according to the percentage of charge-backs. As the charge-backs ascend, money can be withheld (from the merchant) and the merchant can also be charged a greater percentage for processing charges. Pay Pal DOES NOT want "charge-backs". It apparently seriously concerns them. I have spent thousands on E Bay, always with a Discover card. I will NOT buy from a merchant that won't take Pay Pal. Pay Pal's timeline policies go out the window as soon as a dispute is filed with a charge card issuer.
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I have always completed processing a refund (charge back) when necessary withhin 10 days or two weeks in this manner. If it were completely up to Pay Pal,
it would be concluded at least in excess of a month, if EVER. I have run thousands of dollars through Discover card for E Bay / Pay Pal purchases. I have NEVER lost a dime. (not that there haven't been attempts) If I sell an item on E Bay and receive a Pay PAl payment, the money comes out in a heartbeat. DO NOT EVER trust Pay Pal with any money in "your account" with them!!!
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Read the fine print, and between the lines of all their policies, and you can stay on top. I have been active on E Bay for 8 years with a 100% positive rating on 383 buy and sell transactions. If a merchant won't take Pay Pal or a charge card, to hell with 'em!
Steelers Rock In Pa
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
You are right! PayPal does not care.
#7Consumer Comment
Sat, October 20, 2007
I also purchased a puppy through PayPal and got a sick puppy. When I contacted PayPal they told me that they only resolved issues if you bought through EBay. Their advertising and policy are both very deceptive. The Attorney General of Missouri, where I filed a complaint against the breeder, is investigating PayPal. I know this because PayPal has written me letters trying to justify their practices. Let's hope that PayPal wises up and they stop giving bad sellers accounts or drop sellers that have complaints against them. Even if they would have a "review" file for each seller where you could rate them would be helpful. If I would have know this breeders reputation, I would have never bought a puppy from her. If I would have known PayPal does not practice what they advertise I would have never used PayPal especially for a big amount of money. I have bought and sold on Ebay using PayPal and, thank God, have never had a problem doing either. They do not help you if you buy non-Ebay and apparently don't help you even if you buy from Ebay.
Pete
Wood-Ridge,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
You are 100% correct
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, August 10, 2007
I too have unknowingly bought counterfeit items on ebay. I reported it to Ebay and Paypal, and just like with you they did nothing. They never got my money back, they never repond to my messages with anything other than an automated reply that says nothing about what i told them... and to top it off they NEVER stopped the seller who is is still selling counterfeit illegal bootleg goods on Ebay.
It is not at all fare that Ebay is above the law on these matters. They are making millions every year off the sale of counterfeit goods and yet even though that is a crime to do they are somehow exempt.
They do not even have a phone number to contact them so you can properly voice complaints. Ebay is a true example of how evil and faceless a company can be. Just note how they never respond to anything on this site. it's cause they are rich and don't care who gets ripped off just so long as they get a cut.
Pete
Wood-Ridge,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
You are 100% correct
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, August 10, 2007
I too have unknowingly bought counterfeit items on ebay. I reported it to Ebay and Paypal, and just like with you they did nothing. They never got my money back, they never repond to my messages with anything other than an automated reply that says nothing about what i told them... and to top it off they NEVER stopped the seller who is is still selling counterfeit illegal bootleg goods on Ebay.
It is not at all fare that Ebay is above the law on these matters. They are making millions every year off the sale of counterfeit goods and yet even though that is a crime to do they are somehow exempt.
They do not even have a phone number to contact them so you can properly voice complaints. Ebay is a true example of how evil and faceless a company can be. Just note how they never respond to anything on this site. it's cause they are rich and don't care who gets ripped off just so long as they get a cut.
Pete
Wood-Ridge,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
You are 100% correct
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, August 10, 2007
I too have unknowingly bought counterfeit items on ebay. I reported it to Ebay and Paypal, and just like with you they did nothing. They never got my money back, they never repond to my messages with anything other than an automated reply that says nothing about what i told them... and to top it off they NEVER stopped the seller who is is still selling counterfeit illegal bootleg goods on Ebay.
It is not at all fare that Ebay is above the law on these matters. They are making millions every year off the sale of counterfeit goods and yet even though that is a crime to do they are somehow exempt.
They do not even have a phone number to contact them so you can properly voice complaints. Ebay is a true example of how evil and faceless a company can be. Just note how they never respond to anything on this site. it's cause they are rich and don't care who gets ripped off just so long as they get a cut.
Pete
Wood-Ridge,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
You are 100% correct
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, August 10, 2007
I too have unknowingly bought counterfeit items on ebay. I reported it to Ebay and Paypal, and just like with you they did nothing. They never got my money back, they never repond to my messages with anything other than an automated reply that says nothing about what i told them... and to top it off they NEVER stopped the seller who is is still selling counterfeit illegal bootleg goods on Ebay.
It is not at all fare that Ebay is above the law on these matters. They are making millions every year off the sale of counterfeit goods and yet even though that is a crime to do they are somehow exempt.
They do not even have a phone number to contact them so you can properly voice complaints. Ebay is a true example of how evil and faceless a company can be. Just note how they never respond to anything on this site. it's cause they are rich and don't care who gets ripped off just so long as they get a cut.