Something needs to be done about intentionally dishonest sellers.

[digitaldave786]

I was just looking at an item and based on the information given I was 99.9% certain it was a mis-representation  of the item listed. I contacted the seller and due to my familiarity with it placed less than vague terms on the purchase. TLDR I wanted a free return if it was a mis-represented item. And explained that I had been burned before. The sellers reply was "You probably shouldn't be shopping on eBay. Best of luck." This tells me that the seller is being deceptive and shouldn't be on Ebay. Feedback is only so-so when it comes to gauging a sellers reputation. WE the buyers need more tools to weed out the undesirables. What that looks like I am not sure but, "you pays your money you takes your chances" typically leaves you broke and irritated.

In this example I would love a way to FLAG a listing which I know and can document as being fraudulent as being such.

[fab_finds4u]

There is no such thing as you pays your money you takes your chances.

If the item arrives damaged or not working, not as described or important details left out you certainly can request to return it. t

The seller will be forced to provide a return label and refund in full when it's delivered back to them.

Bid and buy with confidence.

MBG trumps their return policy.

[mega-ma-roo]

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@digitaldave786 wrote:

What that looks like I am not sure but, "you pays your money you takes your chances" typically leaves you broke and irritated.

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Almost everything sold on eBay is covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee. If the listing shows the item is covered and it turns out the item is not as described, the buyer can get a full refund. You might be irritated, but no reason to be broke.

[lady_madonna]

@digitaldave786 

Ebay's 30 day Money Back Guarantee comes into play when you receive a fraudulent/not as described item, and the seller would have to foot the cost of the return shipping and issue a refund in full. That way you won't be "broke" (but probably still a bit "irritated)

Also, if you are certain the listing is fraudulent, you can use the "Report" button on every listing page.

[digitaldave786]

This is true but, the buyer is typically on the hook to return it (this is a loss on our part not due to our dishonesty), and while some (very limited) sellers offer free returns this is not the norm. If there were some way of weeding out bad sellers (feedback is not very useful in this matter - I actually find reading good neutral and bad to be of limited use)  - as a buyer a system similar to our current saved sellers but make it shared so that others could benefit from the collective as a whole. I would love instead of a single saved sellers with a heart rather a + for good sellers and a - for bad sellers that way when I went to search I could have the - sellers automatically rejected. And if the system were shared eventually it might reduce the intentionally dishonest ones. You could even have a ~ symbol for bootleg sellers or those that dealt in GREY area items. Personally I would really love that because I could easily only buy Genuine items and avoid having the hassle of fakes (even if they are cheap).

[digitaldave786]

Thank you for the reply but the system should not need a backup (while I appreciate its existence) when the community can (over time) police its own marketplace. And there is another consideration, that is not calculated into this equation - TIME. It takes time to receive an item, it takes time to return an item, it takes time to receive a refund (either through the seller or Ebay). In fact that might be an additional piece that Ebay needs to put into place to punish dishonest sellers. If a seller willfully misrepresents an item (bootleg, not as described I.E. ordered and Xbox X and received an Xbox 360 etc.) have the seller pay for an identical item chosen buy the buyer on Ebay (even if at higher cost) with expedited shipping and that would cut back on the issue in the first place. 

[digitaldave786]

I have attempted to use the report function, however, I typically follow these "reported" and I have yet to see where any of them were taken down or materially changed. I find it rarely (not never but rarely) works if I contact a seller directly. Most just reply with thanks and let the auction go ahead. I can understand from Ebays perspective where looking into every auction that is "reported" would be cost prohibitive and it is why I think that a system that would allow the collective to mark shady sellers would be of greater benefit. Perhaps even a system where if user A reports seller B on item C as shady then user D (potential buyer) could contact user A to ask (anonymously of course) why item C was flagged or why seller B was flagged. I know as a professional in my field for 30 years there are plenty of users that would love to benefit from my knowledge and experience.