Customer Beware – eBay Favors Sellers Over Buyers

[acjrcas]

If you need critical parts like HVAC blowers in a timely manner, think twice before purchasing on eBay. Based on my experience, eBay protects sellers and does not advocate for customers in a timely manner when issues arise.

I ordered a blower motor from an eBay seller who quickly generated a tracking number but never actually shipped the item. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, the seller stopped communicating, and eBay refused to allow me to cancel the order. Their system treated the generated tracking number as proof of shipment, even though the item was never handed over to the carrier.

Frustrated, I ended up purchasing the blower motor from Amazon, where I received it overnight without hassle. I ultimately had to dispute the charge with my credit card company to get my money back.

If you need a part urgently, avoid the risk—consider buying from a more reliable platform that prioritizes customer satisfaction.

[kensgiftshop]

If the seller didn't ship, all you had to do was open an Item Not Received case for a refund.

[12345jamesstamps]

I am assuming it was cheap or very cheap on eBay and thought you could save a ton of money.

If one reads the feedbacks of a seller...how new the seller was...are they 'drop-shipping' one makes a gamble whether or not it will turn out to be such a good deal.

Although you made a purchase elsewhere I am sure it was not cheap.

You would have gotten your money back by opening a claim as item not received.

It comes down to 'buyer beware' no matter where you buy.

60 % of Amazon are 3rd party sellers where some sellers on eBay also sell on Amazon and visa-versa.

[mudshark61369]

@acjrcas,

"eBay protects sellers and does not advocate for customers in a timely manner when issues arise.  Their system treated the generated tracking number as proof of shipment, even though the item was never handed over to the carrier".

The system will not allow you to file an Item not received (INR) dispute or take action on one until the last estimated delivery date has passed by one day. To find out when that date is click on the Order details button. There is an estimated delivery time frame on all ebay listings. Always look for that when buying something you need quickly. 

When a dispute is filed a seller has 3 days to provide proof the item is in the hands of a shipping agency, before you can ask ebay to step in, and then refunds can take 3-5 days to be deposited or credited.

  Buying on ebay means you buy from individual sellers who can choose their own handling time frame. Whereas when buying from the smile the items are stored and picked from stock in a warehouse, for shipping by their staff and delivered in their own trucks. eBay has none of those things.

"I ultimately had to dispute the charge with my credit card company to get my money back". 

eBay would have issued a refund, but apparently you jumped the gun.

[simba6]

Mail order is not best if you need it right away.   Many sellers on eBay are not full time businesses.  That too must be taken into account.   An industrial supply company might be needed for over night delivery.  You do pay for that level of service however.

[tinsoldierunderground]

As others have noted, you could have gotten a refund if you used the ebay policies available to you.

If ebay were 'favoring' sellers over buyers, a buyer wouldn't be able to buy a Rolex watch, then make a scam INAD case, and return a piece of river rock to the seller for a full refund.  Happens every day, we hear about it on these boards.  

[grand-and-glorious-purpose]

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@acjrcas wrote:

eBay protects sellers and does not advocate for customers in a timely manner when issues arise.

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Where?

This ebay?

[tobaccocardyahoo]

If you need the part in a hurry, Ebay sellers are probably not suitable for being your first choice.

The motivation to buy what is represented as a brand new part that is still in production is almost always the price. You give up fast delivery in many cases, you give up the likelihood that the manufacturer will honor the warranty, and you risk receiving something which is not brand new, and have to return the part for a refund, and pay the price of an authorized supplier.

"The stingy man pays the most " -Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers.

[fbusoni]

I confess that I have never, ever seen a headline like that before.

[acjrcas]

Time-sensitive Items:  Response Disagreement

Perhaps for non-urgent items, this process works, but my experience shows it fails when you need something quickly. I contacted the seller, but they stopped responding once I requested updates on when my order would be handed off to UPS. Despite eBay’s policy stating a response should come within three days, I received nothing. When I escalated to eBay, they were unable to intervene until the final estimated delivery date passed.

This is not how other online retailers handle orders, which is why I’m sharing my experience. If you don’t need an item quickly, the system might work—but if timing matters, be cautious. I also requested seller information and was denied. At the end of the day, this process left me with no answers and no support. As a member for over a decade, this experience has changed my view of eBay’s commitment to buyers.

[acjrcas]

Time-sensitive Items:  Response Disagreement

Perhaps for non-urgent items, this process works, but my experience shows it fails when you need something quickly. I contacted the seller, but they stopped responding once I requested updates on when my order would be handed off to UPS. Despite eBay’s policy stating a response should come within three days, I received nothing. When I escalated to eBay, they were unable to intervene until the final estimated delivery date passed.

This is not how other online retailers handle orders, which is why I’m sharing my experience. If you don’t need an item quickly, the system might work—but if timing matters, be cautious. I also requested seller information and was denied. At the end of the day, this process left me with no answers and no support. As a member for over a decade, this experience has changed my view of eBay’s commitment to buyers.

[soh.maryl]

Every eBay listing includes an estimated date of delivery.

If/when a buyer does not receive his purchase on or before that date, all he needs to do is open an item not received case the day after that date.  

No need to contact the seller.  No need to contact eBay.

Just follow the procedure outlined in the eBay Money Back Guarantee.