How to report Price Gauging - Info Page is Wrong

[tim_innsbruck]

There is a Price Gauging Policy page.

And there is a how to report price gauging section.

However the information given is outdated/wrong.

Report Category does not contain "Price Gauging" as an option, nor anything close to it that fits.

So how do I report an absolutely blatant case of price gauging?

In case anyone is curious, Item is a current model, pre-owned watch the seller is trying to sell for more than twice the retail price in the official store of the watches manufacturer.

cheers

[slippinjimmy]

A watch is NOT an essential item, anyone is free to charge whatever they like,  "price gouging"  in a legal sense DOES NOT APPLY.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging

[itscalledapostingid]

Price Gouging is the correct spelling.

Price Gouging would never apply to an item like a watch.

You should look up the definition of price gouging.

Also see ebay Community Rules of engagement.

[chapeau-noir]

Price gouging has a very specific meaning and application.   Otherwise, people can ask what they like for their goods here.

[mam98031]

@tim_innsbruck 

That is NOT price gouging.  

Price gouging is the practice of increasing the prices of goods, services, or commodities to a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair. Usually, this event occurs after a demand or supply shock. This commonly applies to price increases of basic necessities after natural disasters.

I really wouldn't worry about that seller selling the watch at that price.  It is highly likely that buyers know it is too much to be asking too.

[tim_innsbruck]

RESULT

I have no idea about the law in this regard, but I only posted my question here after reading ebays policy referring to price gauging as they understand it.  Obviously because I figured it would apply.

At the same time as writing the OP I also contacted the customer support and told them that I do not know whether this is a case of price gauging in their opinion but that they should maybe have a look at the listing.

Within less than a day I received a message from ebay saying:

".....I have checked the details and yes you are correct he is selling the watch more [sic] than the official retail price hence I have reported to my team and they will check it and remove the listing from our site and will send the warning email to the seller too. ..."

So I guess my quarrels with the listing weren't entirely unreasonable.

Cheers

[inhawaii]

IMHO I think ebay customer service is telling you what you want to hear.

I would bet a years salary that ebay will NOT remove that listing for price gouging.

Selling a watch at double the retail price is NOT price gouging.

I could list  a Bic ball point pen for $10,000, that is NOT price gouging.

[globalenter_7047]

You have the absolute right to initiate a return, and eBay guarantees Buyer Protection comprehensively. If you happen to be unsatisfied, you are fully entitled to ask for a return for the item. Your reasoning seems entirely valid. Maybe you hadn't considered it earlier, but the seller put in time and resources to meticulously package and send the item to you. This circumstance can be as frustrating as an unexpected cancellation. To avoid such situations in your future buys, think about seeking more detailed information about the product beforehand. Trust that this guidance turns out to be helpful for you.

[mam98031]

I respect why you think this is price gouging, but it simply isn't.  What Ebay wrote you was a polite note to hopefully make you feel better, but they are not going to remove the listing for the reason you are complaining.  Now if they find other policy violations, then they might.  But for the price on a non protected commodity they won't.  And if they did, it could be seen as price manipulation which is against the law too.  

They designed that email to make you feel better, but nothing will come of it.  Sorry.

[maxine*j]

---

@tim_innsbruck wrote:

...  I received a message from ebay saying:

".....I have checked the details and yes you are correct he is selling the watch more [sic] than the official retail price hence I have reported to my team and they will check it and remove the listing from our site and will send the warning email to the seller too. ..."

What you were sent is what we call here in the U.S. "the bug letter."  You can look up the origin of that, but what it means is that it is complete nonsense designed to make you feel better, shut up, and go away.

In the U.S., price gouging refers only to the resale of the essentials of life during a government-declared emergency.   Period.

[bonjourami]

".....I have checked the details and yes you are correct he is selling the watch more [sic] than the official retail price hence I have reported to my team and they will check it and remove the listing from our site and will send the warning email to the seller too. ..."

Thats the usual malarky you hear when you call a scripted drone. Telling you whatever you want to hear to move on to the next complaint.

[bonjourami]

Did you actually bid on, or buy this watch? Or are you just worried about the listing?

[onefootflipper1]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but about 90 percent of the items listed on ebay are listed above market price.

Also, you have no idea how many sellers totally guess prices with zero research. Even most longterm sellers seem to do this as it is the only thing that could explain 20+ year sellers who regularly post up items at twice the price of what the same things are already listed at on ebay.

[soh.maryl]

Pretty sure the OP didn't actually purchase the watch in question. 

[bonjourami]

Just wanted to name and shame the seller for no good reason.