I recently made purchases for new EPROMS (computer chips) from two sellers who, come to find out, are the same individual. Anyway, the chips were advertised as NEW ORIGINAL but what the seller is selling is obviously USED chips. I filed a complaint against both accounts, providing photographic evidence that his products were in fact used, and got a full refund. I left negative feedback for both accounts, describing the fraud of advertising new when in fact the product was used. Today, I see that eBay has removed my negative feedback and when I questioned it, I was told that this was the product of the Seller Protection Policy; that is, because the seller issued a refund within the time frame set by eBay, they removed the negative feedback. THAT'S the policy! In addition, the seller is allowed to continue to sell his used EPROMS as NEW. I understand that eBay can't be bouncing sellers for individual accusations but looking at the negatives for this particular seller, it seems that this is a pattern. And that's from the negatives the remain because, apparently, buyers didn't file a claim and get a refund. Who knows how many other negatives have been removed. But, the important thing is, the seller's profile looks great and so does eBay!!! eBay is fostering an environment of dishonesty by sellers who are being protected by eBay through the removal of appropriately-given negative feedback. I fully understand that there are legitimate times when negative feedback should be removed, but I would argue that this circumstance is NOT one of them. If eBay wants to remove the negative feedback, they should first make the seller honestly and accurately state the condition of his product . I would not have much of an issue if eBay made the seller change his listings to reflect the actual state of his items, but as it stands now, eBay is a party to the fraud of this seller - fully aware of the situation yet unwilling to do diddly-squat to rectify it. eBay needs to revise its Seller Protection Policies as well as it's own behavior. This has been a problem for years now, and eBay turns a blind eye to fraud. This is the reason that I now very seldom buy anything from eBay. Only when I absolutely can't find something elsewhere do I come here. Sadly, I'm sure eBay will find some reason to delete this post as it negatively reflects upon them. I say this based on 20+ years past history here. eBay seems to be diligent when it comes to removing posts in the community forums that make them look bad; wish they were as diligent in policing the platform for fraudulent sellers which make them bad.
