EBAY SUPPORTS SELLER FRAUD: Here’s how:
I am successful low bidder for auction item. I make immediate payment. Seller accepts payment, advises item has been shipped and provides estimated delivery date (often 6 to 10 weeks or more away). While awaiting delivery, buyers request for updated shipping information is not answered. Search by tracking number (if available) returns results like “no record” or “item not found”. Ebay refuses to assist until after scheduled delivery date. Rather than enforce their own rules and require the seller to ship the item at auction contract price (item still being listed but at higher price), they may ask (not require) the seller to refund closing auction bid amount. The seller has now avoided shipping an item because they thought the auction price was lower than they wanted, have relisted item for a higher price and HAVE CONTROL AND USE OF BUYERS MONEY FOR WEEKS INTEREST FREE (TYPICALLY TWO MONTHS). In some cases, the money is never refunded. The buyer has wasted time participating in an auction that is not to be honored, waits weeks or even months for an item the seller never intended to ship, and may never have his money returned. It is a win-win for the seller, a loss-loss for the buyer and ebay turns their head the other way while seller violates ebay policy, commits fraud, relists item for higher price and has free use of buyers money. Adding insult to injury, once a ”case” is opened, ebay immediately removes all records of the transaction from their website so others can’t be warned through a feedback posting. Fortunately, most sellers are honest and straightforward. A significant number, however, practice this scam on a repeat and frequent basis.
