Things have changed and not for the better
Summary: doginfomat expressed dissatisfaction with their recent eBay experiences, attributing problems to AI's impact on the buying process. Despite spending significantly on the platform over the years, they cited recent issues with high-value purchases and poor customer service interactions as a reason for potentially leaving eBay. Several participants responded, offering suggestions on how to handle disputes and questioning how AI is affecting the buying experience. doginfomat provided an example involving a delayed and inadequate product replacement, highlighting frustrations with the AI-driven customer service process. However, many participants appeared confused about the specific role AI played in these issues.
I've been ordering through eBay since 1999.
I'd buy my FIVE children's Christmas and Easter outfits, costume, etc.
I'd buy gifts, household goods, toys, etc.
I spent a lot of money on eBay.
I came back after now buying here last year.
AI has ruined the buyer's experience.
I've purchased two items for over $600.
I won't be back unless things change.
AI may save the vendor money, staffing, and time ... But, it SUCKS for their customers.
We are the ones doing the spending.
bonanza125
·6 days ago · EditedYou have a 30 day money back guarantee on any item you purchase. If you have an issue you file either an "item not received" case or a "return item not described" case and return the item. I have read multiple responses and you keep bringing up AI however don't tell us the exact issue with AI. Stop blaming AI. You need to file a case.
kibble-net
·6 days agoSorry you're having a bad time here.
For what it's worth, I don't use any AI in my listings. I would recommend not buying from any sellers who do. If a seller can't take the time to describe what they have, your money is better spent elsewhere.
Thankfully there are still many sellers who are worth buying from. Just take the time to look at their feedback and item descriptions.
It's okay to vote with your wallet, I hope you have a better shopping experience tomorrow!
ten_o_nine
·6 days agoI think they tried to report a problem to seller, but AI kept answering the question as to why the ThinkPad was not charging as fast, like troubleshooting, but the OP gave up.
tobaccocardyahoo
·6 days agoIf you had decided not to go around Ebay's AI and rely upon the seller's goodwill to deal with your problem with the adaptor, you would be much better off.
If the item does not work as you received it, the proper procedure is to return it at the seller's expense.
The Ebay process for a return is automated, you are provided with a prepaid return label, and are guaranteed a refund within 3 days of receipt of the return by the seller.
You chose to do things in the way Ebay used to be. Ebay is not how it used to be because the results you have experienced were common before the change.
Ebay has both occasional sellers and occasional buyers who attempt to deal with problems in the old ways, and have memories which exclude the horrid results in Ebay's past.
msha3839
·6 days agoStick to Dollar store…
kibble-net
·6 days agoShop at your local dollar store and keep posting on the ebay forums for some reason :)
pickapaper
·6 days ago@doginfomat
You are one person in a sea of 134 MILLION buyers and 17 MILLION sellers. You may have spent a lot of money but if you leave, no one will notice. That comment wasn't meant as being mean or snarky; it is just a fact of life that no one is noticed if they leave, no matter who they are or how much they have spent.
With that said, It is always unfortunate when someone leaves because they are unhappy about something. And then when they come here and tell us they are unhappy without giving any details why, we are left shaking our heads.
Not really sure what you expected anyone to say.
doginfomat
OP6 days agoI understand your opinion and respect it.
However, what concerns me is the AI creep that has made things cheaper and easier for the vendor and that makes thinks more more difficult for you, their customer.
If everyone becomes complacent to the lack of respect, unfairness or intrusion, this will continue and likely get worse.
I'm old. In the 70s, we would never have accepted it.
shire123
·6 days agoYou still haven't explained exactly what ticks you off about AI creep? To the best of my knowledge, AI has never interfered with any of my listings/sales/purchases.
ten_o_nine
·6 days agoAI was answering your question about the charging issue. Seller accepts return within 30 days, you should have reported the issue to seller and asked for a return label within the 30 day window.
khadija2000
·1 week agoWhat exactly AI did about buying experience? Can you please elaborate?
doginfomat
OP6 days agoOne example.
I left neutral feedback. It explained:
I left feedback that said I selected neutral to see if this is resolved. HOWEVER I have contacted the seller about my purchase and am waiting. The AC adapter sent is too weak to charge.
I repeatedly was told the right adapter was being shipped. Day after day it was delayed. I gave up after 5 or 6 days and ordered the adapter from B&H
pickapaper
·6 days ago · Edited@doginfomat
Thank you for returning and giving more details.
First, giving a seller a neutral or negative does not resolve anything. All it does is show anyone else that happens to see it on the seller's account that you and he had a problem with a transaction and that you are "waiting".
If you have been buying on eBay for a long time, you should know that nothing is like it used to be. Now, eBay has policies that favor buyers and if you had handled this properly, it would have saved you a lot of headache.
In this case, you got an item that you were not happy with. If it is less than 30 days since you received it, all you have to do was go to your purchase history and find the item and click on "return this item", select "item not as described" as the reason. The seller has to send you a label to return the item and when he receives it back, he has to issue you a refund. If he does not do this, on the 4th day you can go back in and ask eBay to step in and they will force a refund and give the seller a defect. Even if a seller says "no returns" on a listing, eBay's Money Back Guarantee does not recognize this on a Not as Described claim and the seller still has to take the return.
It is not even necessary to contact a seller if you need to return something that is not as described. All you have to do is follow the instructions for returning. You will find out that some sellers will lie (like yours did) as a stall tactic to stall past the 30 day mark so they don't have to refund.
If you are now past the 30 days since you received the item, you will no longer be able to file a claim with eBay. However, you can still go to your payment source (Credit Card or Paypal, etc.) and file a chargeback. You do not have to lose that $200.
BTW, you said you are old. There are a lot of old people on here, including me; I probably am older than you, but that is a discussion for another day.
stainlessenginecovers
·6 days ago@doginfomat
One example.
I left neutral feedback. It explained:
I left feedback that said I selected neutral to see if this is resolved. HOWEVER I have contacted the seller about my purchase and am waiting. The AC adapter sent is too weak to charge.
I repeatedly was told the right adapter was being shipped. Day after day it was delayed. I gave up after 5 or 6 days and ordered the adapter from B&H
NONE of that has ANYTHING to do with AI. Like you said, you're old blah blah- but I'm right behind you and I know EXACTLY what AI is.
YOU apparently have NO idea.
robot-hands
·1 week agoYeah this wording sounds like the exact kind of disappointment that comes from extreme user error or unrealistic expectations.
doginfomat
OP6 days agoRead my replies
grand-and-glorious-purpose
·6 days agoI've been around long enough that, that would be exceptionally anti-climactic for me
stainlessenginecovers
·6 days ago@doginfomat
Read my replies
Repeating this over and over again is WORSE than any AI
robot-hands
·6 days agoThe equivalent of speaking louder to a non-english speaker.
soh.maryl
·6 days agoThank you for the explanation of your problem. All you needed to do when you received an item that was not as described was to open an NAD case. It's surprising that you, with such a long history, were unaware of that. Going forward, hope you, as a buyer, will keep the MBG in mind.
kensgiftshop
·1 week agoWhat does AI have to do with you purchasing 2 items?
doginfomat
OP6 days agoRead my reply to khadija2000
shire123
·6 days agoI read that. How does that apply to AI?
pickapaper
·1 week ago"AI has ruined the buyer's experience."
In what way?
"I won't be back unless things change."
What do you want to change?
You have expressed your dissatisfaction but you didn't give us any information. It's hard to respond to you without knowing what you are talking about.
@doginfomat I hope you will return and give us more details.
doginfomat
OP6 days agoRead my reply to khadija2000
mam98031
·1 week ago@doginfomat I respect that you are having a problem on Ebay that is seriously affecting you wanting to buy anything else on the site, but you didn't tell us what the problem is. It is quite possible that we could help you if you took a moment to explain what you mean by an AI problem. The options of what that means are endless. So the more details you are willing to share without telling us any private account information the better. Again, it is likely we can help you if you give us a chance.
doginfomat
OP6 days agoRead my reply to khadija2000
The replacement adapter was $200
mam98031
·5 days ago@doginfomat I read it, no need to be rude. You came here with an issue, we are just trying to help. If help is not what you are after, then why post.
FYI, there is NOTHING in your original post that says anything about a replacement adapter for $200. You are complaining about AI and how it has impacted your buying experience, but you gave NO details or further explanation.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 week agoI don't understand how AI plays ANY part in this.
Are you talking about 'descriptions' (as that is the only thing AI does) then it's easy to hit the back button and find another, usually of the same thing.
doginfomat
OP6 days agoIt is not my job to educate about the tipsy turvy world of AI.
I am rather shocked that they accept being taken advantage of. Especially, when they are the ones forking out their money.
soh.maryl
·6 days agoWho is "they" in this case?
grann-4629
·5 days agoMaybe the OP is frustrated trying to deal with AI 'bots to resolve an issue, and just doesn't want to reveal the issue. Or maybe the OP doesn't have any issue at all and just wants to whine about the uneducated AI being used by eBay.
Who knows ...
simba6
·1 week agoDid a purchase go bad? Your covered for that.
lakefor94
·1 week agoI am not having any issues buying and I buy several times a week. I do vet the sellers before purchasing.
What type of issues are you seeing @doginfomat ?
powell-collectibles
·1 week ago · EditedSincerely, I do hate to see a good buyer or seller depart eBay. Hopefully, you’ll find good success with other venues.
Understood, we have some lousy sellers and some unfortunate circumstances. The vast vast majority of sellers and buyers on eBay are great – it is a shame that a few stinkers can sour your perception to such a degree. But, I get it – if you get burned too many times because of the types of sellers that are in the catget burned too many times because of the types of sellers that are in the categories in which you purchase, I understand the desire to leave.
If your issue is still relatively fresh and you’d like to give a go at getting it somewhat fixed, I’m sure that there are plenty on these boards that would happy to provide some help and input.
grann-4629
·1 week agoI have had a couple of 'bad sellers' since I rejoined eBay. In both cases, I used eBay's help (AI bot's, agents, and a real human supervisor) to solve the problems ... I didn't even have to contact either seller and received 100% refunds.
powell-collectibles
·1 week agoyep, online protections are fine - every place I shop has protections. They all do. Sure, I can get my money back, but a bad buying experience isn't erased with a refund. If I had too many bad experiences, even with full refunds, I'd be out.