Ebay Waning... Beware

[Anonymous]

Hi

I am just warning everybody about ebay.

Be Warned..

I say this because many of you will remember in one of my older posts i mentioned i was bidding on a heap of track.I think it was the topic "Hows Ebay working for you". Well i won the bid and at first i was thrilled until when i received the product.

It was described as Very Good Condition but when i received it i was so anoyed because it costed me almost au$100,about 50 american dollars and many of the pieces were broken,soldering lead was still stuck on the rails,rails broken of ties,ties melted,the seller did not say they were steel rails,bits of glue and cork on them from old roadbed,packaged very poorly and i paid au$8.00 for postage and the envelope (yeah thats right,this guy sent tracks in a paper envelope,it only had very minimal padding) said that the postage was only au$6.30,so he ripped me off on that too.

Gee i wonder why he hasn't asked me to leave feedback!

Just a reminder to be careful,ask seller questions and learn from my mistake.

Has anyone else had experince like this?

Pavariangoo[:(!]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pavariangoo

Hi

I am just warning everybody about ebay.

Be Warned..
I
Just a reminder to be careful,ask seller questions and learn from my mistake.

Pavariangoo[:(!]

And it's the wise person that learns from the mistakes of others.

[Anonymous]

This isn't really an eBay problem, but a problem that you had with an eBay seller. There are millions out there who do not have a problem with eBay. You have to know what you are doing. You get what you pay for sometimes.

Bob Boudreau

[darday]

I would recommend e-mailing the seller and seeing if you can get any resolution. I have had only one really bad experience on eBay: that was from high volume seller that retaliated with negative feedback because I gave her neutral feedback. Other times when I have contacted sellers about problems with merchandise (damage in transit or misrepresentation) I have always gotten at least a partial refund, sometimes a total refund or a replacement. Most reputable eBayers don't want to get negative feedback, if they can avoid it.

--Dave

[AntonioFP45]

Pavariangoo,

Did you check the seller's "Feedback"? What was his record like?

Be sure to LEAVE feedback. Don't leave it blank! If you were ripped off then you can leave "Negative or Neutral" feedback. Explain why! If a dissatisfied buyer doesn't leave honest feedback, positive or negative, then:
some other Ebayer may also get ripped off!! So please, do it!

The seller SHOULD HAVE listed the items as :
"Used, in fair condition. Some minor damage to some of the items but useable"

That would have been more realistic and fair to the bidders. Some buyers will purchase damaged items if they intend to do kitbashing or modifying anyway.

Your negative or neutral feedback can read something like:
Items in damaged condition. Tracks loosely packaged in paper envelopes with no padding! Buyer Beware!

That's all it takes! Might help this seller take ebay seriously in future transactions.
One thing you should do also is go to the option that says: Ask the Seller a question. I've done this several times. Sellers usually respond and give details about the items. Always, do your homework!

Hope this helps!

[green]High Greens to you![/greeen]

[Anonymous]

While I agree with most all of what AntonioFP45 says, if your dealing with an
unscrupulous seller, he will likely fire back retaliatory bad feed back at you for burning
him! This fact makes this portion of Ebay’s feed back forum less useful as a method of
controlling bad sellers and buyers than people think. Every time I have given bad feed
back, I have received it in return! It is best to attempt some sort of settlement, first. If all
else fails, then your faced with going ahead and giving bad feed back.

[Anonymous]

Yeesh so 60+ dollars are gone for a bad fistful of track and problems. I would have simply gone down to the LHS for track and such. That's just me. Track is too cheap to be pushing on ebay.

I am not sorry for the position I have taken regarding track. I am also not caring about the seller's feelings towards feedback. If I saw Items in damaged condition. Tracks loosely packaged in paper envelopes with no padding! Buyer Beware!

I certainly would have understood that there was a problem with that seller and would be very careful in deciding if I want to do business with that seller. The seller has the duty to indicate the condition of the items up front and taking due care in the shipping. If the seller does not do the job well then they dont deserve to be coddled with positive feedback just because of the almighty 100% rating.

I personally have been lucky but I have no problem leaving feedback of any sort. The percentage of good versus bad feedback has no meaning to me. I also sometimes see the so called retalitory feedback in action and I think it is a waste.

Feedback to me shows me how the seller and customers felt about each other and sometimes with a little bit of reading can be quite educational. If I think someone is being too heavy on the messy sales and firing salvos of flaming bad nasty feed back but yet selling an item that I might want to buy I will be looking at both the sellers and all of his previous customers to see if it is worth adding myself to the flaming funeral pyre.

(Probably not) but sellers should do a good job and make the customer happy. I cannot sell peanuts to an elephant to save my life but those peanuts would be enjoyed by said animal or I will get trampled.

If this happened to me the way you described I would have left a negative feedback describing the poor condition of the articles in question and ate the losses as I think the seller has no interest in communicating or even trying to "split the bill" or consider a full refund. If I sold you track that bad, you deserve to have at least a partial refund if not the whole one.

I still think track is too cheap to sell on ebay, not worth the trouble when the LHS is just full of it.

[Anonymous]

The only items I will ever buy thru eBay are out-of-production items that cannot be found at my LHS or any major online retail outlets (Walthers, Caboose Hobbies, MBKlein, etc.). Even then, I look for some hint of feedback history about the seller. No history - no sale.

This approach has served me well so far...

[simon1966]

Contact the seller first, if he is a decent seller, and most of them are, he will offer some sort of solution. If not, then go ahead and leave the feedback. You can also use the e-bay dispute service.

[Javern]

I've had over 400 transactions on Ebay and perhaps only 2 or 3 bad experiences. One being the item was packaged poorly thus damaged in transit. I contaced the seller and explained and they offered my money back. I feel it is a good idea to contact the other party in a nice way and see what they say, there are those that are quick to leave bad feedback and then you will get a negative feedback even though you paid quickly and held up your end of the deal. Overall i find Ebay a great place to buy and sell.

[leighant]

quoting KenLarsen: "I look for some hint of feedback history about the seller. No history - no sale."

That does sound like a careful approach. But does it mean one should never buy from someone trying to sell off a few surplus items or dispose of an estate, because that seller hasn't been a seller before.
Sounds like the merchant who won't take a check unless it is numbered over 100, so all the check printers start their numbering somewhere other than at the beginning...

[davekelly]

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience. I've had over 500 transactions on E-bay and only one bad experience.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

While I agree with most all of what AntonioFP45 says, if your dealing with an
unscrupulous seller, he will likely fire back retaliatory bad feed back at you for burning
him! This fact makes this portion of Ebay’s feed back forum less useful as a method of
controlling bad sellers and buyers than people think. Every time I have given bad feed
back, I have received it in return! It is best to attempt some sort of settlement, first. If all
else fails, then your faced with going ahead and giving bad feed back.

I agree, the eBay Feedback system as it actually is used leaves a lot ot be desired.

My personal policy is this: I leave no feedback for any seller who doesn't leave it for me first.

If I paid in full and on time in the manner requested, then I feel I've fulfilled my obligation as a buyer and should receive feedback at that time. Sellers that hold their feedback response in reserve just so they can retaliate against any negative feedback, get no feedback from me, even if I was going to leave them glowingly positive feedback.

[davekelly]

GrayLoess,

I mostly agree with your position on leaving feedback. There are times however, that I have no problem leaving feedback first. I review the feedback of every seller I deal with. I don't really focus on the percentage, but rather look up the specific feedback left that are negative. There was a seller that had a couple negatives. In checking them out I tried so hard not to laugh. The seller was dinged for slow shipping (feedback was left 4 days after the auction closed) and for shipping UPS when USPS would have been cheaper (the listing specifically said that UPS would be used).

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by leighant

quoting KenLarsen: "I look for some hint of feedback history about the seller. No history - no sale."

That does sound like a careful approach. But does it mean one should never buy from someone trying to sell off a few surplus items or dispose of an estate, because that seller hasn't been a seller before.
Sounds like the merchant who won't take a check unless it is numbered over 100, so all the check printers start their numbering somewhere other than at the beginning...

I start my checks at 1500. Only to be confronted by large peices of papers tacked to the wall with tens of names written in magic markers and titled "DONT TAKE CHECKS" and the whole town can read that sign and understand who has had a problem with checks in that grocery store.

I for one dont ever want to be on that list.

I enjoy estate sales because some one has passed on after carefully collecting for 30 years or whatever and sometimes there is a gem to be bought. I think I have several sales from the spouse who knew nothing about trains or knew anything about the stuff that goes on in Ebay.

Ebay is a good venue but only if the Buyer, Seller and Product is worthy of investment of focus towards a problem free transactions. I use it for out of production items.

If ebay became really bad? I would have no problems junking it and visiting trainshows. And I think ebay is aware of that and are interested in dispute resolutions, problem solving and live assistance to help close auctions and move a stalled process forward.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

GrayLoess,

I mostly agree with your position on leaving feedback. There are times however, that I have no problem leaving feedback first. I review the feedback of every seller I deal with. I don't really focus on the percentage, but rather look up the specific feedback left that are negative. There was a seller that had a couple negatives. In checking them out I tried so hard not to laugh. The seller was dinged for slow shipping (feedback was left 4 days after the auction closed) and for shipping UPS when USPS would have been cheaper (the listing specifically said that UPS would be used).

Good Point! One of the dealers that I've won bids with is Model Trains Stuff. I checked the few negative feedbacks, and they were laughable! This company so far, delivered my items in good condition.

Guys, I'm sorry to offend some of you for saying this, but some of you seem to be a little on the "Selfish Side".

(1) Not giving feedback until the seller gives it, even after you received the item? That's paranoid! PLEASE! Give feedback when you receive the item regardless of condition and be honest about it! Do try and settle first if there is a legitimate problem! If all goes well keep it positive. But guys, be aware that a seller can't leave negative feedback on YOUR record. He can only leave it in response to "HIS FEEDBACK". Your Ebay File won't be affected!!!!!!!!

Some of us criticize the feedback system, but it does work reasonably well. By not using it, you are defeating one of Ebay's most important features. By denying justifiable negative feedback, our modelers may get "raked" if they are not warned!!

A Great Example of feedback working: Last year I became excited when I saw a new Atlas SCL U36C up for bid. These are no longer produced. I checked the feedback and there were a bunch of negatives. The seller: HOBBY CIRCLE! Sound familiar? Notorious hobbyshop for bad service! So the feedback was a big help to me.

Please consider this.

Peace![;)]

[tatans]

C'mon guys, 500 transactions with ebay? the shipping alone could feed small countries, when did they start selling groceries or beer on ebay? these figures are astronomical, I think my total is SIX (6)--no problems.

[davekelly]

tatans,

Well 500 transactions over the last six years. I once bought 100 LED's. That consisted of 10 transactions as each transaction was for 10. Same thing with turnouts. Bought 6 from the same seller, six different transactions. My 20 Athearn trailers were 20 separate transactions. Getting two Italian charm bracelets for my fiance was 38 separate transactions from about 20 different sellers (didn't do that bad - each charm was about $2.00 and shipping was never more than $1.00 - check out the prices at the mall). I don't really figure shipping separate - I just calculate it into what I want my bid to be. The way I see it, the money I saved over these transactions could feed a small country lol. (ever check out the prices of LED's at Radio Shack?).

[Don Gibson]

PROBLEM is seller's appraisal vs, buyer's.

E BAY is a 'flea market'. Expect some flea bite's.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

C'mon guys, 500 transactions with ebay? the shipping alone could feed small countries, when did they start selling groceries or beer on ebay? these figures are astronomical, I think my total is SIX (6)--no problems.

My eBay feedback is 313, out of around 360 transactions - mulitple winners can only post once, and many buyers don't bother to post feedback. I imagine m actual total is around 500 too. I've been mostly a seller, having only bought about half a dozen items. Most of the items I've sold have been model railroad and photo items that I've accumulated over the years. I've also auctioned off things for friends in this total, have been doing it since 1999.

So 500 eBay transactions is not far fetched.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

I'm unsure if everyone is taking me to task over what I said, or what someone else said. Attempting to simplify: I have used ebay fairly regularly and have basically had good luck with it. There were three times a dispute could not be resolved via communication with the buyer or seller and I left negative feed back. In all three instances, the opposite party then left negative for me! I stated it is best to try to resolve the issues first, before leaving negative feed back! Although twice I have literally been ripped off by some unscrupulous ebayers, I am not scared of using the service and will continue to do so. I leave feed back when my end of the dealings has been completed. I don't wait to see what the other guy is going to do.

[steveblackledge]

AntonioFP45,,, i almost bought from HOBBY CIRCLE myself but after reading the neg feedback i didn't bother.
Pavariangoo,
i have just bought some track from a british seller and he either did not know the difference between electrofrog and insulfrog or he was just trying to palm somebody off with some electrofrog switches he did not want, they were advertised as insulfrog but when i got them they were cruddy and bent and to make matters worse they were electrofrog, which i don't use

[dwRavenstar]

Pav,

Thanks for the heads up but it can't pertain to Ebay as a whole.

My nephew bought a car and a month later the engine blew.
(Don't buy a car.... beware!)

A friend's aunt had an operation and died within six weeks.
(Watch out, don't have surgery!)

I've been widowed, divorced and am currently very happily married (all true!).
(Be careful, some women aren't worth the time it takes to signal for a cold beer!)

The percentages say cars are good, surgery saves lives, women are just people as are men and Ebay can be either a source of fantastic bargains or a pain in the posterior. Just do your homework and don't expect to get through the combine untouched every time. I've been dealing on Ebay since the first of the year (the mail lady brings me a package nearly every day) and I've yet to have even the whiff of a complaint. Sorry your tale is so different but it's hardly grounds to slam the entire system.

Dave (dwRavenstar)

[vsmith]

I am going to be putting a large Lot of Lionel 0-27 track and stuff I picked up at an estate sale onto ebay, I'm going to be very descriptive of it with pics and not ask a high starting bid. I find its better to tell the buyer what they are getting and keep the starting bid fair. Otherwise you get situations like this described and unhappy bidders and negative feedback. Anyway just my[2c]

[Don Gibson]

STEVERENO;

Send a polite but factual LETTER to the British seller tulling him (1) what you wanted, (2) what you got, and (3) how you would like it resolved.

Also send copy to PECO.

My guess is the seller will be embarassed and motivated to 'correct' things if he is in the business. If he is a private party - like yourself - yoi may have to learn to isolate the frogs.

Anyhow, it can't hurt.

[davekelly]

Dave,

There is alot of truth in what you wrote! (and a lot of humor).

[dwRavenstar]

Thanks Dave [:I]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45Guys, I'm sorry to offend some of you for saying this, but some of you seem to be a little on the "Selfish Side".

(1) Not giving feedback until the seller gives it, even after you received the item? That's paranoid! PLEASE! Give feedback when you receive the item regardless of condition and be honest about it! Do try and settle first if there is a legitimate problem! If all goes well keep it positive. But guys, be aware that a seller can't leave negative feedback on YOUR record. He can only leave it in response to "HIS FEEDBACK". Your Ebay File won't be affected!!!!!!!!

Some of us criticize the feedback system, but it does work reasonably well. By not using it, you are defeating one of Ebay's most important features. By denying justifiable negative feedback, our modelers may get "raked" if they are not warned!!]

HUH?

Excuse me, but it is the seller not leaving feedback upon receiving prompt payment who is the one who is abusing the eBay feedback system as it was designed, not me.

Sellers withholding feedback in that manner for no other reason than to reserve the chance to give retalitory negative feedback and flame the buyer (who lived up to his part of the bargain) are the ones who are selfish and paranoid, sir.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45[/i]
But guys, be aware that a seller can't leave negative feedback on YOUR record. He can only leave it in response to "HIS FEEDBACK". Your Ebay File won't be affected!!!!!!!!

Sorry, but this is NOT correct! BOTH the seller and buyer can leave any kind of feedback. BOTH can respond to each other's feedback.

If a buyer craps all over a seller, the sellers usually post their own retaliatory feedback on the buyer's ID. Then the buyer can post a response to the feedback on his own ID.

One buyer won two of my auctions for non model railroad items. Never heard a word from him at all. So I sent him a note stating that I would post a negative feedback on his ID if he did not respond - this was about three weeks after the auctions ended. So what does he do? He posts a negative feedback on my ID stating that I had threatened him! I did threaten him - with a negative feedback. So he was just a slimeball. Not too long later I noted that he was no longer on eBay. But his false negative still is on my ID.

I re-listed the two items he reneged on and sold them for much more than his winning bids, so I actually came out on top in this instance.

Bob Boudreau

[AntonioFP45]

Hello GrayLoess,

No need to call me sir.

I respect your view, but again my point is if the seller delivers the item in good or bad condition, we should post feedback anyway. The purpose, again to let others know that "this seller delivered as promised" or "this seller bombed! Be warned!" That's it! Clear and Simple.

If the seller is withholding feedback, that is wrong but why do the old "Tet for Tat"?
(Oh Well! He's not leaving me feedback so I won't leave him any because he may retaliate!)


I've won 2 items from reputable sellers and THEY DID NOT post positive feedback for me! Yet I went ahead and posted good feedback for them as the locomotives I received were well packed and ran well. After a few weeks I sent them both an email requesting feedback. They finally did. I was about to post bad feedback for a seller I won a bid from, but he made an effort and sent me additional items I wanted.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts and I may be wrong on some points. I think most of us might agree that we should definetly ask sellers questions on items we're interested in and carefully check their feedback records.

As someone mentioned, EBay is a "Flea Market". We pretty much know that flea markets are a wheeling and dealing atmosphere.

Peace!