A Bad Buying Experience on eBay

I have been buying and selling on eBay for several years. The past month has been very difficult as both a buyer and seller. Recently it seems that eBay has been protecting bad sellers while driving the good sellers out. Most of my buying experiences have been good but I am now looking into other venues for both buying and selling as things just do not seem to be heading in a good direction. I am removing the seller name from the correspondences to "protect their privacy" although that does not protect other buyers but may give them things to watch out for. My best recommendations are to only use Paypal or another payment source guaranteed to protect you and to carefully investigate the seller. You also need to watch the time table allowed to file a dispute as Paypal only allows 45 days to file a complaint of non-receipt. This time frame can cost a patient buyer their claim. I have given the "benefit of the doubt" a bit too much.

My first experience with this seller was in the summer of 2008. I purchased a "lot" of earrings. Half of what I received was what I ordered and the other half was completely different. I politely e-mailed the seller and was told they liked to give their customers variety. Okay, what I received was acceptable and I was one of their first buyers so I thought to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I then won an auction from them on November 28th, 2008. My winning bid was low but they did not have a "reserve price". I paid immediately. Long story short I finally received my purchase January 7th, 2009 after a couple of e-mails asking about delivery time. When my purchase finally did arrive the package was postmarked December 23rd. The items were very poorly packaged and not at all good variety. Unfortunately by this time I had already won and paid for another auction on December 14th. As a note this seller advertises that they use insured mail. I have now opened a Paypal claim and can only hope that I do receive my money back. Unfortunately this can take a long period of time.

FIRST SENT Fri, Jan 02, 2009 02:22 PM

Dear *****

I am sorry but it now has been a month since you stated you shipped this item. I am becoming concerned. I DO NOT want a refund, I really would like the items I won at auction. I also won and paid for this: Item number: ************* on December 13th and would appreciate knowing the shipping information regarding them. Thank you

Received Fri, Jan 02, 2009 03:14 PM

Dear

HI

Welcome to ********. We know that your items were shipped although it will take longer than normal due to the Christmas period and also that any item above 2Kilograms is shipped through 2nd class mail and not first class mail. We are certain you would be receiving the ******** during next week.

If you do not have anything by Wednesday next do reply to us and we will certainly take this issue to Serpost. if you have any other questions do email us.

Kind regards and Happy New year

****************

Received Mon, Jan 12, 2009 06:48 PM

Dear ****************

Hi,

Welcome to ***********. We shall be checking on this with serpost and confirm the delivery time and the shipment. If you have any other questions do email us.

Kind regards,

***************

Sent Tue, Jan 20, 2009 05:16 PM

Dear *********,

I have not heard anything more from you? I paid for these December 14th. As I mentioned, I DO NOT want a refund I would really like the ********** I purchased.

*************

Received Tue, Jan 20, 2009 05:34 PM

Dear ********,

Hi

Welcome to **********. We shall check for you as you would be receiving the ********. We would verify when you would likely to receive them.

If you have any other questions do email us.

Kind regards,

-***********

Sent Thu, Jan 29, 2009 07:22 AM

Dear ***********,

I have sent many e-mails and you keep saying you will let me know the expected delivery date but never follow up. Could you please let me know when these might arrive?

***********

Received Thu, Jan 29, 2009 10:31 AM

Dear *******,

HI,

We will check on the shipping details and let you know when they would arrive. Although kindly note that anything above 2 kilograms is shipped 2nd class mail and may take longer than usual but we shall confirm.

Kind regards,

Sent Mon, Feb 02, 2009 05:11 PM

Dear *******

I have sent many e-mails and you keep saying you will let me know the expected delivery date but never follow up! Could you please let me know when these might arrive?

Received Mon, Feb 02, 2009 05:54 PM

Dear ********

Hi,

Thanks for your email message. I know and understand your position but we are checking on this with serpost and as soon as we receive concrete details we can provide this to you, as of now all we know that the item was posted and was shipped through 2nd class mail. We shall certainly keep you informed on any accordance until you receive your items.

Kind regards,

- ***************

NOW UPON FINALLY GIVING UP, I RECEIVE THIS:

Received

Thu, Feb 05, 2009 12:37 PM

Dear *********,

It's seems your not very friendly, firstly we have answered each and every email you sent to us. If we told you to wait there is a reason for this as we need to receive correct information. YOU ARE NOT the only customer we have.

Furthermore we shall refund you and WE WANT OUR GOODS BACK once you receive this. I will also be contacting PAYPAL since you filed a dispute and it surely is people like you who want to RUIN our business, but rest assured we will be fine with you buying from US OR NOT.

****************

Response:

Dear **********,

1) It has been nearly TWO MONTHS.

2) I have asked politely for almost THREE WEEKS for some information. Your only response has been: WE WILL CHECK.... NEVER ANYTHING ELSE!

3) I DO NOT HAVE "YOUR GOODS"!

You have my money and I have nothing. I am not the one that is unfriendly or rude.

*********