eBay

thebrickmeister · ‎11-09-2021

Hi everyone,

I am a lower volume seller of car parts and am very careful to test parts before listing them and to provide part numbers and detailed compatibility lists. However, I have received 8 returns where the buyer claims that the part is defective or not working. After receiving the parts I retest them and they work just fine so I feel like the buyer is not being honest so that they don't have to pay return shipping.

I don't mind the shipping expense but the damage these false claims have had on my service metrics is a blow. I now have a "very high item not as described" and am being charged the extra 5% penalty fee for every sale. I have been in contact with eBay for over a month via chat, email, and phone to try to resolve this and I feel like they are just running in circles. Most don't even understand the service metrics policy because they always begin by talking about my seller rating. And then I have to help them understand that the issue is not seller rating but service metrics and specifically this 5% penalty fee.

At this point I feel like eBay relies on that 5% fee that it assesses and hopes that the buyer will get tired of nagging about it and just accept it as is. Has anyone had any success in getting eBay to help you out in a situation like this or in removing items that were falsely claimed as defective in service metrics?

Thank you for your help,

Josh

donsdetour · ‎11-09-2021

Well the parts system does have them how to get free stuff info on eBay out there. Seems it is an easy way to get free auto parts for sure... Scam bait is such being sold on eBay these days.

Its a problem:

Have you filed return abuse on the buyers???

Have you filed fraud and theft with law enforcement if switched parts.... etc...??

As for metrics and eBay, do not expect them to help you as they have no idea who is telling the truth in such maters...Besides they get more money out of you; and don't care if you stay and pay, or go away.....

alcoforever · ‎11-09-2021

Every thing @donsdetour told you is correct.

Were it me, I would find a different line of items to sell.

thebrickmeister · ‎11-09-2021

I did file abuse claims on the buyers. However, it does not benefit me since I am stuck with the item not as described defect and until now eBay will not help me resolve it. It really is unfortunate, and if this is standard procedure for eBay, in the long run it will not bode well for them. Sure, it's more money for them now stolen from the pockets of honest sellers, but it is not sustainable. They may think they have a monopoly on their industry, but at one time so did Sears and Montgomery Ward...

I could show them proof of the returned items being tested and working just fine but by this point I don't see them caring. I will continue to contact them until I get some kind of progress.

thebrickmeister · ‎11-09-2021

used car parts can be very lucrative, but yes, the drawback as with any other category, are the dishonest buyers...

ripsmc · ‎11-10-2021

These type of people pull scams on local brick and mortar auto parts stores also. Buy a part on a bad guess at fixing the problem and then return it or another part for their money back. I was in AZ recently and some yokel was raising a ruckus for 20 minutes over a starter motor refund. Claimed it was for a friend. No credit or debit card number, no receipts, no record on AZ's computer, no packaging, nothing. Just wanted the cash straight up.

Some years ago the ignition switch failed in my daughter's car. AutoZone had one so I made a lengthy round trip to get it. Installed it and no starter operation. Testing showed the "new" switch was failed in the same manner as the one she had. AZ did not have another so I had to make a trip to another AZ in a different town to get the switch. I noticed the second switch was wrapped in sealed plastic which the first one was open in the box. The second switch fixed it.

Someone had pulled a fast one on AZ by returning their failed switch and claiming it was not needed. AZ took them at their word and put the "new" switch back in stock and which was then sold to me.

This garbage happens all the time. EBay policies which include allowing weasels to get away with every kind of fraud imaginable is why I quit selling a long time ago. Those same people pull cxxp on Wal Mart too.