NationStates Jolt Archive

Ah, eBay. The most famous online auction website in the world. Plenty of commercials on T.V., thousands of items sold every day...and plenty of shaftings during the holiday season.

So I purchased a copy of Final Fantasy XII on December 11th. As requested by the seller, I paid immediately, a sum of 45 dollars--forty dollars for the game and five for next day shipping. (I always pay immediately anyway, but meh.) I have heard absolute zilch from the seller since then. Checked the comments; they were all good except for one, which involved an item the seller purchased rather than one the seller sold. (Something about a new phone not being new.) I've repeatedly messaged the seller but got nothing, and yesterday opened up a claim case with Paypal.

What I'm curious about is whether I should wait till I hear from Paypal on this claim case and see if there hasn't been some kind of crazy mixup, if I can actually get the game, or if I should just go ahead and get the game from another seller while waiting to get my forty-five dollars back? It's a tough decision, as there is no guarentee I'd get my money back or get the game from this person, but I could always ask the person to give the money back instead of giving me the game if I bought it from someone else. So what should I do?

And, to keep this topic generalized: who else has eBay shafting stories they'd like to share?

Ah, eBay. The most famous online auction website in the world. Plenty of commercials on T.V., thousands of items sold every day...and plenty of shaftings during the holiday season.

So I purchased a copy of Final Fantasy XII on December 11th. As requested by the seller, I paid immediately, a sum of 45 dollars--forty dollars for the game and five for next day shipping. (I always pay immediately anyway, but meh.) I have heard absolute zilch from the seller since then. Checked the comments; they were all good except for one, which involved an item the seller purchased rather than one the seller sold. (Something about a new phone not being new.) I've repeatedly messaged the seller but got nothing, and yesterday opened up a claim case with Paypal.

What I'm curious about is whether I should wait till I hear from Paypal on this claim case and see if there hasn't been some kind of crazy mixup, if I can actually get the game, or if I should just go ahead and get the game from another seller while waiting to get my forty-five dollars back? It's a tough decision, as there is no guarentee I'd get my money back or get the game from this person, but I could always ask the person to give the money back instead of giving me the game if I bought it from someone else. So what should I do?

And, to keep this topic generalized: who else has eBay shafting stories they'd like to share?

I can't share much about Ebay, but can I ask exactly why you paid 45 dollars for a game that retails new for 50?

I've only had a handful of dealings with eBay, all of them good. Although I always contact the seller before paying, though.

I can't share much about Ebay, but can I ask exactly why you paid 45 dollars for a game that retails new for 50?

It was a factory-sealed new copy, not a used one if that's what you're thinking. Most games that are still currently in their 50 dollar retail price stage tend to be new when posted on eBay.

It was a factory-sealed new copy, not a used one if that's what you're thinking. Most games that are still currently in their 50 dollar retail price stage tend to be new when posted on eBay.

Just to save 5 bucks?

Caveat emptor!

Well, hopefully PayPal should resolve it as a seller does not want black marks against his/her/it's name if PayPal finds things in your favour.

Just to save 5 bucks?

Are you taking into account the money spent on gas when driving somewhere? Are you taking into account serious difficulties in travel anywhere right now in Colorado, or the fact that I must drive for at least an hour to get to a place where I could purchase the video game?

I save a lot more than five dollars. I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I'm just saying that you're only looking at the immediate picture, that's all.

Jerusalem: Thank you.

Are you taking into account the money spent on gas when driving somewhere? Are you taking into account serious difficulties in travel anywhere right now in Colorado, or the fact that I must drive for at least an hour to get to a place where I could purchase the video game?

I save a lot more than five dollars. I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I'm just saying that you're only looking at the immediate picture, that's all.

Jerusalem: Thank you.

Aren't you the one only looking at the immediate picture? It's a bloody video game. You can wait to get it 'til you're somewhere it's available in the course of your other travels ;)

Aren't you the one only looking at the immediate picture? It's a bloody video game. You can wait to get it 'til you're somewhere it's available in the course of your other travels ;)

It's for my brother's birthday, Curious. Which passed two days ago, unfortunately. Lucky thing about Andy is that he's understanding.

Paypal are cunts. You won't see your money back.

My mum sells antiques and stuff over ebay. Someone paid her with an expired credit card, but she didn't know this at the time, so she sent off the item. The purchaser then informed her "oops! I paid with the wrong card. Can you give me a refund?" My mum contacted paypal to ensure that the money had gone through and checked with them to make sure that they can't retract the payment. Yep, it's in your account and nope, we can't take it away. Okay, then, all good. Mum told the purchaser she wasn't getting a refund.

Two days later, Paypal, contradicting their previous assurances (from two different people, mind) removes the amount from her account, and someone on ebay (they're owned by the same company) illegally modifies her invoice to state that she willingly gave this woman a full discount for the item. She then got the silent treatment until they came out with "You're not an American citizen, so we're not obliged to help you or refund that payment" and "You willingly changed your own invoice" (yeah, gave her a discount for the full amount?) from Ebay.

The end result is that she has decided Americans are too much trouble to deal with (this isn't the first trouble she has had) and will no longer sell to them.

:p

And if you want to get free stuff, start paying for things with expired credit cards - because it's sanctioned by paypal.

Paypal are cunts. You won't see your money back.

My mum sells antiques and stuff over ebay. Someone paid her with an expired credit card, but she didn't know this at the time, so she sent off the item. The purchaser then informed her "oops! I paid with the wrong card. Can you give me a refund?" My mum contacted paypal to ensure that the money had gone through and checked with them to make sure that they can't retract the payment. Yep, it's in your account and nope, we can't take it away. Okay, then, all good. Mum told the purchaser she wasn't getting a refund.

Two days later, Paypal, contradicting their previous assurances (from two different people, mind) removes the amount from her account, and someone on ebay (they're owned by the same company) illegally modifies her invoice to state that she willingly gave this woman a full discount for the item. She then got the silent treatment until they came out with "You're not an American citizen, so we're not obliged to help you or refund that payment" and "You willingly changed your own invoice" (yeah, gave her a discount for the full amount?) from Ebay.

The end result is that she has decided Americans are too much trouble to deal with (this isn't the first trouble she has had) and will no longer sell to them.

:p

And if you want to get free stuff, start paying for things with expired credit cards - because it's sanctioned by paypal.
Never encountered anything like that nor heard any stories about Paypal similiar to this from anyone who was American. Seems Paypal does not like non-Americans. This saddens me, but it's the main method of payment on eBay and most of the things I'm interested in require a Paypal payment. :(

Never encountered anything like that nor heard any stories about Paypal similiar to this from anyone who was American. Seems Paypal does not like non-Americans. This saddens me, but it's the main method of payment on eBay and most of the things I'm interested in require a Paypal payment. :(

Exactly. I won't use it, because there's no protection for me, a mere foreigner. I've heard stories about disappearing money from people's accounts, as well, but Americans generally don't seem to have any problems with it.

Now, if they don't take international money orders, I won't buy things from ebay. I don't have enough money to piss away on dishonest cheats.

Actually, come to think of it, they might refund you. I believe you don't need any proof to state that you haven't received the item. Even if you had received it, you could probably get away with shafting the seller in such a fashion.

Exactly. I won't use it, because there's no protection for me, a mere foreigner. I've heard stories about disappearing money from people's accounts, as well, but Americans generally don't seem to have any problems with it.

Now, if they don't take international money orders, I won't buy things from ebay. I don't have enough money to piss away on dishonest cheats.

Actually, come to think of it, they might refund you. I believe you don't need any proof to state that you haven't received the item. Even if you had received it, you could probably get away with shafting the seller in such a fashion.
Not if the seller was smart enough to save the receipt after he sent the package through UPS or FedEx or some other shipping service.

I've used Ebay before, mostly to buy paint ball gear, and I've never had any problems with it.

Exactly. I won't use it, because there's no protection for me, a mere foreigner. I've heard stories about disappearing money from people's accounts, as well, but Americans generally don't seem to have any problems with it.

Now, if they don't take international money orders, I won't buy things from ebay. I don't have enough money to piss away on dishonest cheats.

Actually, come to think of it, they might refund you. I believe you don't need any proof to state that you haven't received the item. Even if you had received it, you could probably get away with shafting the seller in such a fashion.

KANABIA! I am offended that you would imply I am capable of performing such a dishonest act! :(

...

Okay, seriously though, I'd never do that to someone. Well...mostly never. There are a couple people I'd contemplate doing it to. But apart from them, I'd never do that to a person.

As for the refund, it's what I'm after now. I bought a copy from someone else. Paid less money this time too, amusingly enough. :)

Not if the seller was smart enough to save the receipt after he sent the package through UPS or FedEx or some other shipping service.

Oh, sure, that would be fine - for someone within the US.

You can easily rip off people outside of your country, though, and they can't do a damn thing about it.

KANABIA! I am offended that you would imply I am capable of performing such a dishonest act! :(

...

Okay, seriously though, I'd never do that to someone. Well...mostly never. There are a couple people I'd contemplate doing it to. But apart from them, I'd never do that to a person.

As for the refund, it's what I'm after now. I bought a copy from someone else. Paid less money this time too, amusingly enough. :)


Haha...I wasn't trying to imply anything, just stating that paypal really doesn't care if you rip people off. It's not their problem. They'll still take commission from the frauded seller anyway (as they did with my mum, as well).

and someone on ebay (they're owned by the same company) illegally modifies her invoice to state that she willingly gave this woman a full discount for the item.

Why on earth did she not threaten to sue them ? The company would be terrified of the bad publicity and most likely offer her a handsome sum to keep quiet.

Why on earth did she not threaten to sue them ? The company would be terrified of the bad publicity and most likely offer her a handsome sum to keep quiet.

She reported it to the Australian consumer affairs watchdog, and they're looking into it, but I think suing them is out of the question since being an American company it would probably involve a trip over there. I'm not positive, though. None of us are legal experts, much less in US law.

Ah ebay, both my friend and me enemy. I had to deal with it during the summer to buy an mp3. I mean i was saving a hundred plus euro this way. It seemed too good to be true. Now all my previous knowledge of ebay was good. My sister had bought loads of stuff, as had my friend. No problem. So we found a great one, Sony IO and my sister paid for it. Couple of hundred euro, 40 gigs. Brilliant. It came and i tried it... it froze in the first song. I reset, tried again. It froze in the first song.
So i gave it to my sister to look at. She thought she had fixed it, after contacting the seller, who told her it was in perfect working order when he sent it, and after Sony told her there was little they could do. So i tried again, worked for a hlaf hour before freezing. So she contacted ebay, the seller and Sony. Ebay did nothing, the seller played stupid and Sony wouldn't or couldn't help us. It went in the bin...

So now was i dissuaded from ebay for this.... oh no, I tried again. Another seller, great feedback... Got one with a warrantee (sp?). It came, it worked. I was delighted. Until after a week it just stopped. Maybe it was my problem, but i didn't drop it or anything. So i went and looked for the warrantee... No sign of it. In my joy of getting it, i never looked for it. Sony wouldn't even look at it. The seller said he sent it. Ebay ignored me.

This Christmas though i still spent 100+ euro on a new SNES. Thats the thing about ebay, even if you're stung you still try again...

eBay, the bane of my existence. :(

@ Kanabiana: And I never knew Paypal was evil to foreigners. Haven't had any problems with it so far. :/

@ Kyronea: Hope your deal works out alright in the end.

I have a freind who used to sell sim cards on EBay
One time he sent it off as usual and then BT accidently broke his internet for about a month (can't remember how). When he finally got it back and checked his e-mails he found that the sim card he sold someone was faulty and they'd been e-mailing him for weeks asking for a refund, they'd been to paypal who had also been e-mailing him for weeks and they'd said they were taking him to court... He got out of it and had to give them a refund and some compensation (IIRC)

I've had a look at stuff on EBay before, but i usually use Amazon or Game instead

@ Kanabiana: And I never knew Paypal was evil to foreigners. Haven't had any problems with it so far. :/
Same here. Haven't used it a great deal (and I've never had any problems with people on eBay, either), but I've never had any problems.

I don't buy much on eBay - though I did put together my stereo system using it. £150 gets you a hell of a lot on there, I can tell you. CDs, DVDs, games, books, I'll buy on Amazon or Play (or go to a charity shop) because they're usually around the same price and there's no worrying about people ripping you off.

Buying from American websites is also good, because the strong pound means that they're dirt cheap, even with postage included.

I only buy coins over eBAY - last purchase was an 2007 Ashes $1, hard to get in the shops if at all.

I hate paypal.

I haven't had too many problems with Ebay, I sold an ATARI 2600 on there, the guy sent me a money order that was $5 short, so I sent it back to him and he sent me another for the correct amount but didn't sign it, and so I sent it back to him, and he sent me the money order for the correct amount and I shipped his game console, he left negative feedback for me because "it wasn't shipped within 3 days"
:headbang:

Ebay took it off for me. ;)

I won't even go into the paypal story that caused me to deal in money orders only...........you don't wanna know.

The problem with PayPal is that it's not a true FDIC insured bank. That means they'r enot regulated the way a "normal" bank would be. Essentially, we're all at the mercy of their honesty, even here in the United States.

Personally, I haven't really had any trouble with PayPal when it comes to buying and selling, but I know there are others who have. The close marriage between PayPal and eBay has pretty much eliminated the option of going elsewhere (anyone remember Billpoint?) so it's either use PayPal or stick with checks/money orders, unles you run your own full fledged business nd can process credit payments directly.

I h ave only had one truly bad experience with eBay, and that was when I sold a set of Star Wars CDs to some guy in England. It was a couple of years ago, and I had a set of CDs that had the complete Star Wars soundtrack as well as extras, booklet, etc. I had listened to it once, and decided that since I never used it I could sell it and get it out of my way. The item was, I assure you, pristine when I shipped it overseas.

So about 2 weeks later I g et a long, nasty e-mail from the buyer describing all sorts of unsavory damage, like unknown fluids, scratched on the CDs, cracked jewel cases, etc. I could see if I had somehow overlooked a single scratch, or maybe even a crack in a jewel case, but the level of devastation he described was just ridiculous.

So I assured him that the item was fine when I shipped it, and not wanting to call him a liar, I wondered if perhaps the item was damaged as it went through customs. (I don't know how likely that is, but as I said I didn't want to resort to calling him a liar, the most likely scenario.) His repy was derisive in the extreme, basically suggesting that British Customs Officials are the true paragons of virtue in the world and that clearly I was the liar. At this point he also informed me that he intended to leave negative feedback.

At this time, my feedback was 186 positive, 0 negative. (His was 8pos/4neg) I reminded him that one doesn't get a feedback rating like that by shipping damaged goods. I also informed him that I would also leave negative feedback.

He cried about that too, of course, threatening to report me to eBay for leaving retaliatory feedback. My last response to him was to point out that I was perfectly within my rights to leave negative feedback. His messages to me were rude, suggested to way to settle the problem, ignored my attempt to reach a settlement, and included personal attacks against me, even when I went out of my way to avoid doing the same. (Maybe I should have just stated the obvious. The guy was a liar.)

2 months passed, then finally, on Christmas of that year, he left negative feedback and included a nasty remark about my attempt to "deflect blame by accusing customs officials" So I followed through with my own negative feedback and so it was that I recieved my first negative feedback on eBay.

Oh well.

anyway

you should wait until the ebay time limit is up before you go buy a new one.

the guy may have had a personal emergency or have been a dick who went away for the holidays without dealing with his ebay sales. in any case, you can end up with 2 copies of the game if you act too soon.


horror stories can happen but the likelihood is that if he never sends you the game, paypal will refund your money from his account.

I won't even go into the paypal story that caused me to deal in money orders only...........you don't wanna know.

Oh, please do, so I don't look like i'm spouting BS here!

Personally, I haven't really had any trouble with PayPal when it comes to buying and selling, but I know there are others who have. The close marriage between PayPal and eBay has pretty much eliminated the option of going elsewhere (anyone remember Billpoint?) so it's either use PayPal or stick with checks/money orders, unles you run your own full fledged business nd can process credit payments directly.


Another point - I don't use Ebay anymore, but haven't they threatened to ban any Ebay user using an electronic pay system other than Paypal?

She reported it to the Australian consumer affairs watchdog, and they're looking into it, but I think suing them is out of the question since being an American company it would probably involve a trip over there. I'm not positive, though. None of us are legal experts, much less in US law.

I am quite certain some kind of charge could be made against them in Australia. They after all offer you a service there.

Doesn't matter if you would win or even stand a chance - it is just about the publicity.

I am quite certain some kind of charge could be made against them in Australia. They after all offer you a service there.

Doesn't matter if you would win or even stand a chance - it is just about the publicity.

Well, the (admittedly horrendously bureaucratic sounding) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are looking into it. Maybe they'll take some action themselves. Wait and see, I guess. (this all happened only two weeks ago)

-snip-

I had an experience like that, though I was the buyer.

I bought a "Mint Minus A+ Condition" pressing of Rush's A Farewell To Kings from a guy who'd been in the record collecting business for over thirty years. "Great", I thought, so I paid my $15 and bought it. Keep in mind that the description said that it had no flaws or scuff marks, and only minor scratches that wouldn't affect playback (this is normal on M- records).

I received the record, and the second I took it out of the sleeve, it hits me. There were scuff marks all over side one, not to mention very visible scratches, and five visible pressing blemishes. I flip it over, and though side two only has very light scuffing (only visible when put up to a light), it had even more scratches and pressing blemishes. Along with all of this, the record itself was extremely light and flemsy, thus showing clearly that it was what they call a "factory second", and he probably bought the record at a discount store for about $5 when it was new in 1977.

I gave him very negative feedback, as his eBay listing was completely misleading, and he wasn't the least bit honest when I asked him personally about the record's condition. I also gave him a description of the record's condition in a subsequent eBay message, though I was hardly lighthearted about it (I was quite firm in my writing).

And, what do I get in response? I get called a "fag" (his exact quote was: "I guess it's true what they say about Texas. Steers and...), and that's it. He also left negative feedback, saying that I "buy items just to whine and leave bad feedback, and am not worth any seller's time". We eventually dissolved the negative feedback; he kept my money, and I kept his hideously cheap record. I can safely say that I won't be buying from his shop again, as I've found much more honest sellers in my time on eBay... REAL record shops that actually have storefronts in their respective locations.

Joboba Emporium is fantastic, though I don't know if they have an actual store front. Doesn't matter, as everything I've bought from them has been spot on, and they offer a refund if the item isn't what they say it is.

Shuga Records might be even better than Joboba, as they have a money back guarantee if you just plain don't like what you bought. They're located in Minnesota, complete with an actual storefront. And to be honest, I couldn't be happier with the copy of A Farewell To Kings that I bought from them.

It's for my brother's birthday, Curious. Which passed two days ago, unfortunately. Lucky thing about Andy is that he's understanding.

Sorry, that's not in your OP. Thought you were just being a whiny gamer :p
My apologies! :fluffle:

Sorry, that's not in your OP. Thought you were just being a whiny gamer :p
My apologies! :fluffle:
S'okay. I didn't put it into the original post because I thought it was irrelevant. I haven't had to provide a reason behind my decisions yet whenever I came to NS for help. My fault for believing the same to be true about this instance. *shrug*

Potarius: That is one of the problems with eBay. It's not like we're dealing with a load of different online stores there...well, we are in some instances, but mostly it's just your average people. Some go on there to rip people off. It's what happens. All you can do is hope it doesn't happen to you.

Are you taking into account the money spent on gas when driving somewhere? Are you taking into account serious difficulties in travel anywhere right now in Colorado, or the fact that I must drive for at least an hour to get to a place where I could purchase the video game?

I save a lot more than five dollars. I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I'm just saying that you're only looking at the immediate picture, that's all.

Jerusalem: Thank you.

The current travel issues in colorado (yay weather), and the fact that all parcel services are swamped for the holidays could account for part (or all) of the games tardiness. Just a thought.

The current travel issues in colorado (yay weather), and the fact that all parcel services are swamped for the holidays could account for part (or all) of the games tardiness. Just a thought.

Well, see, except I bought it two weeks before any of the current weather started, paid for next day shipping, and have heard absolutely nothing from seller. I mentioned the weather as an extra reason for shopping online, though it's the gas and travel time bit that are the main reasons for shopping online. Plus it's easier for me.

Well, see, except I bought it two weeks before any of the current weather started, paid for next day shipping, and have heard absolutely nothing from seller. I mentioned the weather as an extra reason for shopping online, though it's the gas and travel time bit that are the main reasons for shopping online. Plus it's easier for me.

Fair enough. Best of luck with this fiasco.

Hmm. I avoid E-bay whenever possible. I don't trust it. I use Amazon, which is a safer bet. I purchased a copy of Final Fantasy VII nad it arrived after maybe 3 days. It was factory sealed and everything. I was pretty satisfied with the service.

Here's my story.

Bought a music book. Never received. Waited 3 weeks. E-mailed several times with no response. Appealed to paypal. They contacted the guy who said that it had been returned by the mail, but he would resend it. Waited another three weeks. More ignored emails. Finally gave him Negative. The next day I got retaliatory negative from the seller. Ebay does nothing about retaliatory feedback so I'm stuck with my first neg. So, when I got the credit card bill I called the company and stopped payment.

Bought the same book at music44.com with no fear of retaliatory feedback. Got the book in 3 days.

Here's my story.

Bought a music book. Never received. Waited 3 weeks. E-mailed several times with no response. Appealed to paypal. They contacted the guy who said that it had been returned by the mail, but he would resend it. Waited another three weeks. More ignored emails. Finally gave him Negative. The next day I got retaliatory negative from the seller. Ebay does nothing about retaliatory feedback so I'm stuck with my first neg. So, when I got the credit card bill I called the company and stopped payment.

Bought the same book at music44.com with no fear of retaliatory feedback. Got the book in 3 days.

My mom got similiar negative feedback when she attempted to buy a dress and failed to recieve it. Sucks when that kind of thing happens, unfortunately.

I have one rule when buying stuff on Ebay, never buy from the seller unless he has 100% approval or close to it.

I have one rule when buying stuff on Ebay, never buy from the seller unless he has 100% approval or close to it.

So do I. That's the thing that was so weird. As I previously mentioned, the only negative comment was from a seller he had purchased an item from, and judging by the comment the seller was just being antagonistically idiotic. There was absolutely nothing to suggest he would rip me off, which is why I purchased from him.

Aaaah Ebay. The land of the free and the home of the theives.

I've only had one or two dealings with them. One rule that I go with is never buy any cames, computer hardware (expansion boards and such) or anything else like that off of it.

I will though purchase items for modding my computer case (such as floresant bar lights, glow fans, etc.) and computer cases. one such case though came slightly dented when the description said "perfect condition" so i gave him a neutral rating.




But back to my point. As for purchasing computer/consol games, i wouldn't do it if my life depended on it. I'd go out and get it from a store as they are more trustworthy with that type of stuff.