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eBay

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Overview

eBay has a rating of 1.7 stars from 3,475 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about eBay most frequently mention customer service, negative feedback, and credit card problems. eBay ranks 209th among Auction sites.

  • Service
    834
  • Value
    759
  • Shipping
    712
  • Returns
    679
  • Quality
    716
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 3.6%
Positive
5
Neutral
4
Negative
129
523
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How would you rate eBay?
Top Positive Review

“Ebay to my rescue!”

Hitesh B.
5/28/24

Ebay sorted my problem in full and deserve 5 stars as they are fair in the end. Thank Mr Ebay. Please do stop such practices adopted by sellers as that will increase public confidence.

Top Critical Review

“Ebay did not honor guarantee”

Cathy T.
10/12/24

A seller reported a package delivered to my address. We do not have USPS delivery here everything is left at our local office or PO Box when possible. I continued to check the post office for over a week with the postmaster. The package never arrived. I contacted the seller who said it was signed for, but it was never signed for because I am the only one who signs for anything or checks the mail. Ebay closed the case telling me no refund would be sent. There is no way this package was ever delivered, and absolutely no way I signed for it. Ebay is supposed to provide Buyer protection. They do not! I will never use Ebay again.

Reviews (3,475)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

post office (55) customer support (79) bank account (48) customer service (580) credit card (79) auction site (30)
Thumbnail of user vernar
4 reviews
3 helpful votes
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September 19th, 2013

I have never been disappointed with ordering things on Ebay. It is one of the best sites for finding bargains and honest sellers.

Thumbnail of user kristines358
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 18th, 2021

Canvasdiscount keeps my business moving forward. Quick turnaround, trackable shipping. I will be back soon to order more

Tip for consumers:
You get what you pay for. Use the best

Products used:
All of my beautiful products

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Thumbnail of user lindac81
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
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February 12th, 2015

Ebay ROCKS! I've bought books, cds, beads, yarn, beauty supplies, dog coats... i love the *auction* thing!

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Thumbnail of user colink63
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 23rd, 2021

Quick service, no hassles, well packaged, will be using again next time, totally recommend to anyone

Products used:
Rc equipment

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Thumbnail of user desmondb33
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 21st, 2020

04 Bmw e65 valve cover no response to complaint
Purchased Oct. 30,2020 Need refund for unusable part

Tip for consumers:
Need better communication No response.

Products used:
My old valve cover.

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Thumbnail of user lylan1
4 reviews
4 helpful votes
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July 25th, 2013

Excellent network of sellers. You can pretty much find anything here. Buyers just need to be smart and careful.

Thumbnail of user joeb1368
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 9th, 2020

I have had nothing but issues with ebay lately, not worth wasting my time. Craigslist could be better by now.

Thumbnail of user kennetha202
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 19th, 2020

This is regarding my negative review of expired Turmeric. After much complaining, they finally issued refund.

Tip for consumers:
I will never use this site again!

Products used:
I ordered same product elsewhere. The manufacturer said to NEVER order any supplements from eBay!

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Thumbnail of user damd2
4 reviews
8 helpful votes
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April 13th, 2016

Using Ebay for about 10 years. Excellent service. Quick seller and buyer support. 100% satisfaction with this site!

Thumbnail of user franke25
6 reviews
15 helpful votes
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December 22nd, 2015

There are some keys to using EBay:

1. If you bid, make sure your payment is made according to seller's terms (e.g., some quire PayPal).

2. Don't be seducd by low price excluding Shipping, unless it says Free Shipping, which is the current craze that's continuing to blow up online shopping. Also, if Shipping details are omitted, move on (only buy from up-front sellers).

3. Most unsuccessful buys can be traced to poor communication. If the listing (esp. The Full Description page) is vague, maybe they don't really have the item(s).

I've made roughly 100 purchases and never got shafted. I read carefully and don't buy when it seems overhyped or overpriced for what it is (except once I overpaid on a whim, my bad).

All in all I'm happy wth EBay. I still hate how hard it is to recover a password, which happens about yearly for me (and that I can't keep one good secure password forever, or re-use my old ones). Sellers have been pretty accommodating. I've only had two or three returns.

The worst part is when there is a dispute (which I had to initiate twice). Those always took months to resolve, no matter what. EBay is very hush-hush about those! Odd.

I also dislike how slowly/never my failed transactions (okay there were just a couple of them, but they were distracting) finally disappeared from my lists. I had to request a couple of cancels for good reasons. Sellers agreed right away, but EBay was like, "Oh, big no-no!" That part feels like they are greedy and have no good-customer loyalty.

4. There is a well-worked-over process in place for returns, and it must be followed to the letter, so buyer beware if the seller looks inexperienced, there could be a bad outcome. Like buying anywhere, use your brain and you'll be fine.

Thumbnail of user kevinb7
36 reviews
206 helpful votes
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December 8th, 2010

I'm only using eBay as an example because it has one of the largest networks swarming with consumers and merchants. Security isn't that tight, the user buys and bids at their own risk, thousands upon thousands of people get ripped off this i have experienced, consumers always check for signs.

Image quality and origin
Pricing
Communication with merchant
Feed back and rating
Location
Product info

Observe all the above when looking to buy, if a merchant is 100% honest they should pass all signs of illegal or dishonest dealings.

I bought a jacket from china my first mistake second mistake not checking origin general sizing chart third mistake they didn't really answer my questions in depth and had language difficulties of course these aren't dead give aways but they are a concern which i should of noticed, the jacket arrived, the jacket was gigantic not the jacket they had advertised in the photo not even close and the merchant cancelled the account straight after the deal was closed. EBays a great place still you just gotta be aware i feel my greatest reason for being on sitejabber is to offer advice and inform. Lest we forget. Common sense.

Common sense isn't seen as a viable code of truth because the government have done well to associate it with confusion, miss guided judgement and paranoia, used by governments for years to cover up or keep secrets that blind the public from the truth, issues like war and WMD missions UFO sightings. Did you see it? Yes i saw it! No you didn't your crazy ok i must be crazy. Tainting the concept of common sense.

Your probably asking yourself right now whats this guy on. Nothing.

Thumbnail of user t
3 reviews
25 helpful votes
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November 19th, 2015

We filed for dispute for 4 fake soaps that were sold to us 3 wks ago. Seller pinkbellaworld refused return for refund. Ebay adjudicator ruled in seller's favour denying us returning the remaining 3 soaps (for refund) that we never touched. Technicality upon which they based their ruling: IF YOU USE 1 OF THE LOT, YOU CANNOT RETURN THE REST EVEN IF THEY ARE COUNTERFEIT BEAUTY ITEMS, and even IF THEY ARE INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED, SELF-CONTAINED AND SEPARATELY BOXED as our soaps were. (ours was NOT a case equivalent to one half used fake perfume or shampoo or a1970 bottled french wine that was half consumed/used and then discovered to be fake and the buyer asked for a refund for what's left in the bottle) Basically, the ruling sent a message to this as well as to other sellers: you can continue and are welcome to sell fake beauty items with no penalty whatsoever. Even AFTER we reported the said listing to ebay, the fake soaps ************** are still being up for sale by the same seller pinkbellaworld. We found a few threads on community page that many buyers were denied counterfeit claims in various cases. The 40 minute telephone conversation with ebay consisted mostly of the appeal rep's (Nathan) monologue repeating himself and at times interrupting our input: Case closed, I will hear no more of anything you have to add or say. Furthermore our feedback was removed when we pointed out that the soaps were fake, just because the dispute was ruled in seller's favour.

Thumbnail of user jasming1
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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January 14th, 2013

Their costumer service was very unprofessional, my account got hacked and I called costumer service, they didn't do anything about it.

Thumbnail of user roberts6542
5 reviews
8 helpful votes
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July 18th, 2022

Ebay is about as bad a platform as you can get, fakes, ripoffs and a company that really doesn't care. Avoid

Tip for consumers:
Look elsewhere

Products used:
inferior product fake branded

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Thumbnail of user aymanm40
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 2nd, 2022

They ripped me off, I sold something for 420$, got 340$ only. They charged me 80$. WTF. Never selling their again.

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Thumbnail of user mymyf1
3 reviews
2 helpful votes
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March 27th, 2022

I love Ebay wen it comes to buy electronics! I recive my phone in 10days and is in really good condition!

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Thumbnail of user lujbarret
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 18th, 2023

I've been a eBay customer for over 5 years so this year I started selling shoes my account never had any problems prior to me selling shoes I spent over 3k on shoes in a few years never had a hold or let us verify who you are. Now I'm selling shoes I have sold more then 10 pairs of retro Jordan's and Nikes and my account gets put on hold so now I'm out of 6 pairs of shoes I have sent out customers have received there shoes and my money on hold there saying my account is under review and there just making sure everything is ok with my account… I'm like what are y'all talking about if people are receiving their shoes how is there a problem and now I have to wait for you guys to release my funds whenever you guys feel like it. I wouldn't usually be upset but I really need access to my funds to pay my bills and eBay is saying you can still sell shoe on are platform buy you can't get your money this is robbery without a gun mind you eBay got their middle man fees for everything done on there site the customer gets their product and I'm out of everything this is a shame I'm considering never using there site again

Tip for consumers:
I wish they verified everyone accounts on the day the created it if that’s what they do don’t wait until someone sells over 1 thousand dollars in shoes the put a hold on there account when I need my funds the most it should be a requirement before you start making money on there site now I’ve paid hundreds in shoes fees shipping gas money not to forget I’m out of all the shoes I sold and no money smh

Products used:
Selling shoes on there eBay site

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Thumbnail of user cynthiae13
3 reviews
30 helpful votes
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January 22nd, 2018

I am an e-bay girl! Forget about any other buy sites, I am e-bay only and all-ways! I find EVERYTHING I want and need on their site! E-Bay ALL THE WAAAAY!
When I buy on e-bay, and I am unhappy, I will take detailed pictures and send it back AT MY EXPENSE right away, and let PayPal know right away with a USPS Tracking number on it.
If I sell something on e-bay BE SURE TO TAKE DETAILED PICTURES OF IT IN EVERY WAY so in CASE you get something back that has been switched out, you can prove with your pictures that what you sent out was NOT what was returned. ALL-WAYS protect yourselves with pictures and proof because the scams out there are rampant and you don't want a bad experience as e-bay goes with who has more legitimate proof to prove the truth. Don't be lazy in buying or selling. Take lots of pictures, model numbers, all around, make notes and always have a USPS Tracking number to prove your integrity. Then you will be okay. E-bay cares. You just can't be careless if you want to be listened to and believed by e-bay. They deal with a lot of claims and scams. Make it easy for them and you WILL win, and always tell the truth.

Thumbnail of user gloriag799
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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December 5th, 2023

Any website, if I like something then I expect the prices to remain the same if you change prices- I want purchase it!

Tip for consumers:
My theory of no purchase when the seller changes the price is not to purchase it at all- and this goes for any website.

Products used:
No such thing as free shipping- if you like something it generally will have free shipping, however they have the price set to cover shipping- for example if the item should be sold for $20.00 then the seller will put a price on it for $32.00 which generally covers a $12.00 shipping fee. Sometimes I have put stuff on my like list and then within two days the seller has went in there and went up on it. I sure enough will not purchase it then.

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Thumbnail of user bd27
1 review
3 helpful votes
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February 7th, 2015

On 20 January 2015, I purchased a Macbook Pro laptop on eBay for $791. The seller listed it in working order and having been inspected by Apple. The seller had excellent feedback, excellent communication, and it arrived promptly on 23 January.

Just over a week later, the logic board failed, and the seller refused to accept a return, a partial refund for the estimated cost of repairs (an additional $425), or provide documentation that it had been inspected by Apple. The repair shop where I had it inspected confirmed that the logic board was faulty, and that the failure was not caused by user error.

I opened a case with eBay on 3 February stating that the item was not as described (since the seller had no proof that it had been inspected by Apple), and it had failed within the time frame of their 30-day Buyer Protection clause. Ebay closed the case on 5 February in favour of the seller stating that because I had owned it for a week before contacting the seller for a return, it had been altered and was no longer returnable. My purchase should be covered under eBay's 30-day protection, but they have instead sided with a seller who lied about the condition of the computer.

I have spoken directly with the case manager at eBay, but she was not helpful. I have contacted the seller once again requesting a partial refund for cost of repairs or a full refund for a return.

I have filed official complaints about eBay's customer service with the Better Business Bureau and IC3; but I am still out $791 for a computer shaped brick, and an additional $425 if I want it repaired. I cannot contest the charge through PayPal, because the case has been closed, and I cannot contest the charge with my bank, because the seller refuses to authorise a return for the computer.

The customer service team is unhelpful, rude, and hung up on me twice after I respectfully requested to appeal the case. I have been an eBay customer since 2006, and I have had excellent dealings with eBay up until now. But I can honestly say that I have never been made to feel so helpless and insulted by a company that I once trusted. Don't expect anything from the eBay customer service team, specifically the high value items division of the Appeals Department.

Service
Thumbnail of user akiraf3
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 13th, 2020

They don't refund. No protection on buyers. Sellers markets also crapy sellers block the buyer that disagree so they don't get bad review. Never use.

Thumbnail of user davidk1391
1 review
2 helpful votes
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March 26th, 2020

EBay does not seem to care in the least about their sellers. They view us as disposable garbage that they can extract fees from and then stab us in the back in favor of known scammers. Seller protection and seller support is non existent and no matter the circumstances, eBay always finds a way to put the loss on you.

Even with absolute proof that you have been swindled, eBay's favorite response is "sorry but that's the risk you take selling online" and will not even consider looking at any evidence. This has happened to me time and time again, and time and time again, eBay basically tells me that I am worthless and not worth helping.

After putting close to $8,000 in their pockets in seller fees, I am treated like I don't mater at all. If you sell on eBay, you WILL get scammed, you WILL take unacceptable losses and eBay WILL look the other way, and even actively assist the scammers and bad buyers in defrauding you.

Their only concern is for the buyers and for not having to take a loss themselves while at the same time parroting on about "the cost of doing business", yet never applying that to themselves. They do little to nothing to fight the scammers, they refuse to ever hold ANY buyer responsible for their actions.

The best case scenario when you are scammed is for you to lose ONLY half of your money, but only if you are top rated and have 30 day returns. If you are not top rated or do not offer 30 day returns, you lose everything, with no recourse. Buyer sends you bricks back? Too bad, "we were not there to see it, so we can't help you", Buyer destroys your item or steals parts off it it? "sorry, we were not there to see it, so we can't help you"

EBay has even gone as far as to suggest I commit insurance fraud to make up for losses that THEY caused by purposefully refusing to honor their own policy. Be VERY wary of selling on eBay, and be even more wary of anything they tell you, because odds are high that it's a lie or very bad information. EBay is NOT to be trusted.

Tip for consumers:
Do not use it. Sellers enjoy no protection from dishonest buyers who target them.

Products used:
Seller services

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Thumbnail of user hadleec
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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July 5th, 2022

I love eBay, thanks to this site I was able to finish my repairs as it has fast shipping and easy to find what I need.

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Thumbnail of user shellyd19
1 review
9 helpful votes
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April 13th, 2016

I have been a member of ebay since 2001 and as a buyer i found their services are good but as a seller however it is more of a headache then its worth. For one when selling something they take a certain percentage off for shipping charges, i don't make money off of my shipping so if i charge the exact shipping charges then i am out money after their fees are taken off and if i charge more shipping to counteract these charges then the buyer gets angry and leaves bad ratings.
Also the fact that as a seller i cannot leave a buyer negative or neutral feedback which has left me open to being blackmailed by buyers saying if i don't give them their money back (because they aren't satisfied even though it is exactly as described) and let them keep the item they will leave me negative feedback and they can do this knowing that there is nothing i can do about their rude behavior, so they have me backed against a wall. Example i sell beads online the person who recieved my beads was no satisfied with the amount they received and even though it was stated on the auction how many they get, they told me if i didn't send them more beads that i was going to recieve negative feedback, so what am i suppose to do? I either have to send more or get bad feedback. Also if someone decides not to pay at all still i cannot leave the negative feedback. So they get away with costing me business and there is nothing i can do but report them but no one see's that. I think if these buyers knew their ratings could be ruined by being rude or black mailing or by not paying at all maybe they would be a little bit more considerate. However they can pretty much do whatever they want to the seller because they hold their reputation in the palm of their hand. I will not be selling on ebay anymore, yes my items got more view then with probably any other site but the frustration and headache and extreme charges are not worth it.

Thumbnail of user robinr11
4 reviews
3 helpful votes
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September 20th, 2012

Bought a student edition college text book for our son through this web site. Seller sent a "examination" copy. This is a free copy given to professors to see if they want to use the text book in their classroom. It is different from a student edition. Needless to say, when I went to sell the book back I was unable to get any money for the book because of the type of edition that it was. No where in the listing did the seller mention that it was the examination copy. He has had the same reports of misrepresentation throughout his history with half.com. I contacted the seller on 2 different occasions without a repsonse. I contacted half.com and they were not willing to refund money since it had been longer than 60 days. They did admit that the seller misrepresented the book. Half.com was not even willing to address the issue with the seller. I ordered this book and it was shipped to our son 1000 miles away at college and he didn't know about it being a different version. I didn't even know that there were these types of books being circulated as student edition books, the book had the same ISBN number as the real deal book. I understand half. Comnot refunding my money as it had been more than 60 days, but not to address this issue with the seller especially since mine is not the only one he has sold a book under fraudulent terms. They could send a strong letter out to the seller that if he wishes to continue to sell under half. Com name then he needs to keep it honest and while he is not required to send a refund since the amount of time that has elapsed, it would be a wise and professional thing to do. If you do have to use half. Com don't assume that they will protect their buyers and stay away from textbook solutions seller on this site.

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