How do you file a formal complaint against ebay?

[texasgirl59]

I would like to know how to file a formal complaint against ebay. I received an email stating that they "automatically" enrolled me in their International shipping. Ebay should not be allowed to make changes to our ebay accounts without our approval. I did not agree to those changes and I do not want those changes. I opted out of the changes, but it states that any active listings will still be available to their International shipping. How can ebay legally make changes to our ebay accounts? I have issues with people from other Countries bidding on my items and because they plug in a US address, they are allowed to bid, why is that? Any bidders that the location is in another should not be allowed to bid, even if they put in a US shipping address. The last two items that I've sold have been to other people in other Countries, but they plug in a US shipping address. I ONLY want to ship to people that live in the US, just my own personal preference. I have it set up to not ship to other Countries, yet here is ebay changing my settings to enroll me in their International shipping and bidders from other Countries are allowed to bid on my items because they plug in a US address. Any suggestions on how to file a formal complaint? Do I just go file it with the BBB? 

[theteamsetguy]

@texasgirl59 ,

Ebay can make the changes because of TOS you agreed to when signed up. 

[texasgirl59]

Well, that is just wrong. I signed up TWENTY years ago.

[caldreamer]

I checked your listings and see that you ship to USA only.   You cannot stop international buyers if they purchase items using "freight forwarder" with USA address.    Of course, I do understand your concerns with items being broken or lost.

You can always file complaint with BBB (but I don't think you have a case against EBAY because fine print on Sellers User agreement that you signed allows EBAY to act on your behalf).    If you don't want international shipping you can easily "opt out" of this program.

[luckythewinner]

Any suggestions on how to file a formal complaint? Do I just go file it with the BBB?

There really is no such thing as "filing a formal complaint" when all you really want to do is complain about something. 

How can ebay legally make changes to our ebay accounts?

What law do you think they broke?

[slippinjimmy · Accepted solution]

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@texasgirl59 wrote:

Well, that is just wrong. I signed up TWENTY years ago.

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Every time the User Agreement changes you have a choice, continue selling which is considered accepting the revised terms or close your account. Every time the UA changes you are notified.

If you have been here 20 years you have gone through this process at least 30 times because the UA is changed at least once a year and some years more than once.

[texasgirl59]

Thanks, at least your answer was helpful. Guess that I will try to find another platform to sell on. Thanks so much!

[susanb1872]

They allow you to opt out and give you directions in the email that was sent to you. Here is what you can do:

 To opt out of the program:

1. In the top left corner, hover over “Hi, username,” and choose “Account settings.” OR Log in and go to Account Settings

2. Choose “Shipping Preferences.” under “Selling” section

3. Select “Opt out” to the right of eBay International Shipping

4. Select a reason for opting out.

5. Review the information. If you still wish to opt out, select “Opt out.”

[theteamsetguy]

@texasgirl59 ,

While I understand your concern about broken and lost items. I have shipped many hundreds of packages over seas directly instead of using any of the Ebay programs and have very very few lost. I don't use Ebays international shipping programs because I prefer offer my buyers lower shipping rates. Items shipped with the US are just as likely to get damaged if not packed properly. In case you not aware with ebays international shipping program you still ship the item in the US and ebay/Ascendia handles the rest. They fill out all of the required customs forms. If the buyers wants to return item ebay takes care of it and you keep the money.

In my experience overseas customers tend to spend more and often repeat customers. I welcome all overseas buyer with open arms.

[vintagecraze50]

I was a bit upset seeing it was done without my permission, but quickly able to opt out with their instructions. You can always opt in again if you see that the program is improved and especially if they honor and back up the seller if you get these phony not as described claims, empty box scams and other types of problems that you get from US only customers as well. I have always feared the international in the past due to what happens when a customer wants a return. The process before was a hassle. Hopefully this will work better but I want to see how it goes before I would enroll.

[vintagecraze50]

You don’t have to do that. Just opt out of the international for now. 

[inhawaii]

No other platform will "get your permission" before making any changes.

Good luck!

[ms.rodriguez*]

The ebay user agreement actually says that Ebay can change anything anytime.  You agreed to this even though this clause was not there when you registered your account.  Anyway, it looks like that program will be good.  Ebay will take care of every refund or lost item.    Ebay finally added my main seller account to the program.

Anyway, there really is no place to file a complaint against Ebay.

[lakefor94]

Good ole Texas girls don't quit that easy.

Just keep posting here with any complaints 

[texasgirl59]

You're funny! Yes, good ole Texas girl, born and raised. We may not give up that easy, but in this case, yes I will. I'm sure there is some other platform out there that I can at least control what is and what is not added to my account. If I want to use one of their offerings, I should at least have to sign up for it and give my approval, not just have it added to my account. I guess us Senior Texas Gals just don't want to put up with this kind of thing! So, I will be searching for a different platform to sell on. It might take me a couple of weeks, but I'm sure that I can find something!