eBay

Back in prehistoric times, bosses worried that workers were using the office Internet connection to look at pornography. After that it was Amazon.com. Now it's eBay and the other auction sites.

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Walk through any office around 8:30 a.m. and everyone's logged on and ready for another day. Only thing is, instead of reading the CEO's latest rantings, they're buying antique waffle irons on eBay and selling some left-over parts from that old Studebaker out in the back yard.

The whole thing works more or less on the honor system, which is pretty much how speed limits work. Our suspicion has been that if you held up a radar gun, you'd find a lot of people speeding -- and a lot of others (or maybe the same ones) not coming through with the merch.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints we've received:

C of Lake City, FL September 11, 2009

Bought a "new" cell phone from them on eBay, didn't work, exchanged it for another "new" phone from them, phone #2 didn't work, exchanged it for phone #3, phone #3 didn't work, paid them MORE money for another type of cell phone, never sent. I use this phone as my "virtual office" phone--could not afford this type of situation as it resulted in lost sales. Went to AT&T and bought a new phone--works fine.

Two weeks later, received "new" "different" type of phone that was promised to me in two DAYS from DigiKarma4Less, AKA DigiKarma, AKA LX Industries, returned to sender and now am trying to get monies refunded. eBay not interested as they say too much time has gone by since original purchase, Paypal not interested as they say the second, different type of phone was paid for through them but not through eBay.

I am trying to get credited through my credit card company after sending my credit card company documentation of all phones returned and received by DigiKarma and their email stating they would refund me my money, but they haven't--they don't take care of their business! They don't answer their phone, they commonly did not return phone calls, were VERY complacent in trying to get my situation resolved. They should not be in business.

Robert of Ocala, FL September 4, 2009

I bought a truck on ebay from this business. They described the truck as in perfect mechanical condition. When I came to pick it up, the truck was not as described. In the first week I had to put over 6000 to fix major mechanical problems. They refused to pay for it. They offered to buy it back from me, but I had already paid the tax on this vehicle and they didn't want to pay for that difference.

Deb of Mc Leansville, NC August 21, 2009

Sold a bottle of cologne that I bought from Belk's Department store on ebay. Customer bought product. She then contacted me saying product was not as advertised and wanted full refund. She would not send the item back until I refunded the money. I would not refund unless item was returned. She has now left negative feedback which lowers my 100% rating. Ebay bases their fees on feedback scores. So now I don't have a 100% rating. Product was exactly as described bought from Belk's not as buyer described as being fake. Now I am stuck with less than 100% feedback for selling to a malicious buyer.

johnnie of clarksville, TN August 20, 2009

bought a boat out drive on ebay. paid with wire tranfer like requested. paid for shipping and insurance about 4 months ago. still no out drive was told it went to canada then shiped back to them. they said waitng shipping company to pick up to send. that was 3 weeks ago. still no drive

Maureen of Kuala lumpur, Malaysia August 18, 2009

Ebay has suspended my account because of my daughters actions, at least that is what I think, they won't disclose why my account was suspended. I have been a member of Ebay for 9 years, made quite a few purchases and over 300 sales with only one negative feedback I think Ebay is run by a bunch of robots, I am being accused of doing something on Ebay which I am totally unaware as they won't tell me except that I am connected with another persons account. this person is my daughter who failed to pay for some items she bid on, at least that is what I think. We share the same address although I have not lived there for more than three years, she is in Australia and I live in Malaysia. at least that is what I am assuming as they won't tell me what I have done, although in the last three years I only used Ebay once.

Although I have corresponded with Ebay several times to try and sort this out I get the same answer every time, so I am beginning to think that Ebay has automated messages regardless of the problem. Each message I get is signed by a different person or I should say robot. Very disappointed in Ebay

gerard of schererville, IN August 17, 2009

I purchased a item from a ebay merchant well im not the best at computers so I tried to pay them but I could not get in so I tried numerous times so finally the merchant told ebay that I was not paying so I received a strike so I got locked out from buying from ebay. I cot in contact with ebay and they gave me the run around. For one there is a log that was in their system but they did not agree when I told them. Second I did do what they wanted me to do but I am still locked out and after all they want the same information they wanted before and I just had enough and would not comply since it seemed to go on deaf ears and it was and still got a run around.

Pat of Ft Pierce, FL August 16, 2009

I sold an ornament to a buyer on ebay that was in pristine condition. He asked for a refund, said it smelled of smoke. I told him fine. Send back the ornament & I'll refund your bid. That wasn't good enough. Buyer wanted me to reimburse him the postage for sending the ornament to him AND for the return postage too, even tho the auction stated shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer. I refused.

The very same day, the buyer reports me to PayPal 'item not as described'. PayPal didn't notify of me of this claim, I found out by going to my acct, which is now in the red to the tune of 65 & some odd dollars & the buyer hasn't returned the ornament, holding me hostage. The buyer can escalate a claim w/o sending the item back to the seller? PayPal can take your money & put you in the red w/o Notification or your input? What is going on here? I am now out the money AND the item. 129.29 - a Swarovski retired ornament in Mint Condition.

I HAVE 100% FEEDBACK on ebay FOR ALL THE GOOD THAT DOES! EBAY AND PAYPAL ARE A BUNCH OF THIEVES!

Lindy of Dacula, GA August 10, 2009

This is an ebay auction that I won and they didn't accept paypal so I mailed them a check. They sent the item first class mail for 1.22 but charged me 3.95 to send it first class mail. I failed to get it insured and there is not tracking number. I am not even covered by paypal.

It is the honesty of the ebay seller and the post office employees who handle mail every day that is suspect. While I have never before now lost a package or piece of mail, I will be disappointed. When contacted the P.O. they had me go on line and fill out a mail theft complaint form and it reads like this is mail fraud. Scary!

Amy of Chesterfield, MO August 3, 2009

Terrible consumer protection for Sellers! Have made numerous attempts to resolve this when a Buyer used fraudulent information to "buy" my cell phone. It was an expensive item. Ebay is of NO help. I would like an email reply.

Luz of San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States July 29, 2009

I found a car in Ebay. I was interested, after two weeks, I contacted the seller and accepted to pay whas he asked for. He requested to send the money through Western Union. At the beginning he said to send half of the money and when I inspect the car then pay the other half. Then he requested the full amount to send the car, so I did.

After two days he said that he found another buyer who offer 8,000, and because he needed extra money to send the car, I should send him 2,000.00 which I refused because that was not the deal, and he said that I should tell Ebay to return the money. Now Ebay said that they are not resposible and that I have to contact the person, because they do not recognized him as part of ebay. I found the car when I entered to Ebay. I dont understant, and I want my hard earned money back. 6,000.00

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