eBay

pmcder9902 · ‎12-19-2025

Buyer beware. I bought a coin off of eBay that turned out to be a counterfeit. Seller agreed to a refund and I was given a choice by eBay to either immediately get the refund by choosing the gift card or wait a couple weeks to get it back on PayPal.

Went to purchase the same coin from a more reputable dealer on eBay & couldn't use it. Got ahold of customer service who said gift cards cannot be used for coins or bullion!! Nor is it mentioned as part of the refund/return process. It can't be switched back to PayPal now!!

Buyer beware and one more reason to NOT do business on Feebay.

xadexane · ‎12-19-2025

@pmcder9902 wrote:
Buyer beware. I bought a coin off of eBay that turned out to be a counterfeit. Seller agreed to a refund and I was given a choice by eBay to either immediately get the refund by choosing the gift card or wait a couple weeks to get it back on PayPal.

Went to purchase the same coin from a more reputable dealer on eBay & couldn't use it. Got ahold of customer service who said gift cards cannot be used for coins or bullion!! Nor is it mentioned as part of the refund/return process. It can't be switched back to PayPal now!!

Buyer beware and one more reason to NOT do business on Feebay.

Have you read the eBay Money Back Guarantee?

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

Because now would be a good time.

soh.maryl · ‎12-19-2025

Had never ever heard of that "choice" thing you mentioned. Never. Is this some new eBay thing, I wonder?

tobaccocardyahoo · ‎12-19-2025

The following are yellow flags to me and could be red flags.

1. You bought a coin on Ebay that was worth counterfeiting and paid with PayPal

2. It was counterfeit

3. You accepted an Ebay Gift Card as a refund method.

4. You attempted to buy this coin again from another Ebay seller.

I may be a crabby old man but point 1 would be enough for me to predict a disaster.

powell-collectibles · ‎12-19-2025

@soh.maryl wrote:
Had never ever heard of that "choice" thing you mentioned. Never. Is this some new eBay thing, I wonder?

It is not new. Buyers are often (maybe every time) given the option of an “immediate” (after seller receives item and grants refund) gift card or refund back to their payment source. I’d think that this has been an option for a couple of years.

12345jamesstamps · ‎12-19-2025

Most buyers have a debit card to make purchases.

Why buy a 'gift card' when one has a debit card?...I have 2 debit cards by the way and can add or subtract money using Pay Pal account...never going into a bank.

And not sure of your age...but US Bank has free(checking) debit card with no minimum balance for those 65 years of age or older.

If I got a gift card as a present...I'd give it to one of the boys(uncle 5 times).

xadexane · ‎12-19-2025

@pmcder9902 wrote:
Buyer beware. I bought a coin off of eBay that turned out to be a counterfeit. Seller agreed to a refund [AFTER I STARTED A RETURN REQUEST] and I was given a choice by eBay to either immediately get the refund by choosing the gift card or wait a couple weeks to get it back on PayPal.

Yes, on that page with a choice of a refund as an eBay eGift card or a refund to PayPal

-- eBay still says you'll have to wait THREE TO FIVE BUSINESS DAYS

-- after the seller has received your return

-- to get your refund at PayPal.

But surprise! For the PayPal option

-- eBay refunds you, no waiting, at PayPal

-- as soon as your return is scanned AT DROP-OFF

-- long before it is delivered back to the seller for inspection.

More and more (the word "more" was on sale) more things at eBay are becoming more like Amazon ... except you don't have to buy a membership (that's nuts!) to pay for free shipping, because at eBay free shipping is free, rolled into the price.

tobaccocardyahoo · ‎12-19-2025

Debit cards have less protection than credit cards.

Debit cards affect the balance in a bank account. If you are going to use one, make sure that when it is compromised your rent or mortgage check will not bounce.

Standards for credit cards are low enough, and the 25 days to pay is long enough that there is no reason to shop with a debit card unless you lack self control.