Resolving eBay Buying Problems and DisputesWhile being aware of potential problems will lower the chances of you having an eBay dispute, sooner or later you are going to have a problem. Maybe the seller never sent you your item? Maybe the item was not as described? This article explains how to use the eBay dispute system to get your money back when you have problems buying on eBay. If you paid with a credit card or through paypal, you can get faster results by going directly to Paypal or your bank. See below. Before I get started let me make an important point. You must be calm and polite during the dispute resolution process. I know you are upset, but being rude or loud to eBay support people or the seller will only make resolving the problem more difficult. If you are emailing the seller, have a friend read your emails first to ensure they are calm and clearly explain the problem. Your disappointment might be a simple mistake on the part of the seller. Name calling and argumentative language will put sellers who would resolve the problem otherwise on the defensive. If your emails do not resolve the problem, try to call the seller and solve the problem on the phone. If the item was different than what you thought you were buying, explain the difference. If you never got the item, confirm the seller shipped it.
You can get the seller's telephone number at:
The eBay Dispute Resolution SystemIf talking to the seller on the phone does not resolve the problem , go to: eBay, and start a dispute. There is also a link to a report a problem on your eBay Item watch page. You have to open a dispute within 60 days of the end of the auction, and eBay will close the dispute at 90 days whether it is resolved or not. Once you file a dispute with eBay, the seller has ten days to respond. If this new dialog results in satisfaction, you can drop the dispute. If you and the seller cannot reach an agreement, or the seller does not respond, you can then file a complaint with eBay's Trust and Safety team. eBay will pay you the money you are out less a 25 dollar fee with the total not to exceed 175.00. The eBay dispute process is stacked on the seller's favor and only being diligent and constantly active in pursing your claim will result in a resolution if the seller does not deal with you. In fact, I only know one person who managed to get through the eBay dispute process and get some money. If you paid with Paypal or a credit/debit card there is an easier way. . . For Ebay Buying Disputes Paid For With PaypalYou have to start a claim within a month of payment to get a Paypal refund. Paypal will require you to open a dispute on eBay, but will start working towards a resolution much faster than eBay. I did this a few months ago on an item a seller had grossly misrepresented. Paypal told me to ship the item back registered mail and then input the tracking number into their form. As soon as the box was delivered, Paypal refunded my money. I was actually surprised at how easy this was. eBay was still giving the seller time to respond while Paypal had already refunded my money. For Ebay Buying Disputes Paid For With A Credit CardIf you paid with a credit card though Paypal see the paragraph above. If you used a credit card, you can initiate a chargeback with your bank. Debit cards are easier to reverse than credit cards. Depending on your bank there may be different rules about initiating a chargeback. Most banks say you have 30 days from the statement date the charge appears on to dispute a charge. I have successfully done charge backs 120 days after the charge by being polite and talking to the branch manager. But don't count on getting this extra time. If you have a problem with an eBay purchase paid for with a credit card and the seller refuses to solve the matter contact your bank immediately. Sooner or later you will have problems buying on eBay. The advice on this page will help you resolve the problems. The Free eBay Buyer's Guide has information that will help you avoid problems when buying on eBay.
At least once a week, a new article about Antiques, Collectibles, or eBay is placed in this section of the site. You can see previous articles in the column on the left. This is not a replacement for my regular emailed newsletter. The newsletter is usually two to three times as long and focuses on making money on eBay and/or achieving success in the antiques and collectibles business. Only about a third of the articles sent out as newsletters are posted on the site, so to avoid missing an issue sign up now using the blue box in the upper right hand corner of this web page. Have a question about eBay or buying and selling antiques and collectibles you'd like to see answered here?Submit your question here. Terry Gibbs has taught over 7,000 people how to make a good living on eBay. Terry's most recent eBay instruction manual is The Auction Revolution . The Auction Revolution is your guide to eBay and beyond. Here on Iwantcollectibles.com, you will learn about buying and selling antiques and collectibles, and about eBay. FREE eBay Resources:
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