Seriously -
I was with eBay for over 15 years, (almost) no problems even though I knew issues existed and I was always grateful they did not hammer me.
I did, at one time, allow a friend to open an eBay account using some of my info. That account was shut down because eBay changed its policies about what could be sold. (Was selling a type of used clothing eBay later decided was not to be allowed, and shut down the account rather than asking her to remove the listings.)
Fast forward to more recent times.
I'm selling on and off over the years, mostly items I have picked up a yard sales and/or personal items I no longer want. Some old stock from a family member's business.
Also doing a lot of buying.
Came upon a drop shipping type deal where I verified all information as best as I was able. Looked and felt legit after I checked it out and
BAM --- VERO
Okay, I had no idea.
Cost me a bundle.
I stopped selling those items the moment I got the first notice and 7 day suspension.
About a month later, got a 30 day suspension for those same items, even though I had not listed any since the first suspension / notice.
I called and complained and found somebody who would listen and they lifted the suspension.
Excellent feedback all along, by the way. 100% and Power Seller until the end.
During this time frame I was selling another, high priced item. Legit item, very clear what it did and did not come with.
(Manufacturer refurbished phones, delivered direct from manufacturer, with warranty, but no accessories.)
The "No accessories" was prominent in the list, same size, bold, arrows, the entire number. This was a straight up deal.
Hitch on this -
Could only ship one per customer / address.
So I had to ask buyers for a different address at times, or cheerfully refund their money, which I did.
One buyer negged me because I could not deliver, even though he had his money back.
Two other buyers negged me because of the no accessories I offered to refund upon return of the phones even though the listing was clear.
I had to cancel quite a few sales because of those types of issues.
eBay first restricted the account because they found a tie-in with the decade "not my" account.
Then eBay cancelled me because of that, the "not as described," and the "history on the account."
Okay, fine. I knew I couldn't be free of eBay problems forever, the odds were against it.
I had two buyers who had bought and paid.
They tried to write me to get a tracking number.
Response came back, "No longer registered."
Now, if you have just spent $750 and find your seller is not registered, you're going to file a complaint, right?
Yeah, so would I.
So they did.
And I put in tracking information.
And they must have "escalated" immediately, rather than waiting.
Because eBay gave them their money back, even though the phones were on the way (in fact, one signed for theirs the same day).
So I got on the phone to eBay.
"You gave them their money back, they have the phone."
"We don't care."
Spoke with PayPal, because of course now I was negative (having paid my cost for the phone).
They sympathized, but could do nothing.
Wrote to the two buyers who have new phones for which they did not pay.
1. Return the phone or
2. Pay for the phone pursuant to our agreement or
Yeah.
I'm going to report the theft *and* sue them in small claims court.
And in the small claims action I will name eBay as a defendant as well.
Can't see not winning when I will have:
1. Proof of sale
2. Proof of delivery
3. Proof of non-payment
But what a pain in the tush.
Of course I'll be going stealth to return to selling.
I still have personal items I want to sell, fun stuff, and the like.
Plus the phones.
Wish me luck - and let me know if I sound "stupid" here, or that I am missing anything.
But please do it nicely.