Hi all,

I have just had a bad experience on Ebay, and wanting some unbiased opinions, so I came hear to see how you guys feel.

I recently bought an item from Ebay (I am not going to go into specific here). The item was specified as being in supreme condition. The photo was very very bright, but the object looked OK.

I won the object, and 5 days later it arrived. The object was damaged (through wear and tear and not postage).

I contacted the seller, explaining I was not satisfied, and the object was not in supreme condition, and could I send it back to him.

The response I got was pretty much "Tough, you should have asked me before bidding, I am not going to refund." This made me a little mad, however to top it off he also said "and do not plan to give me negative feedback, becuase if you do, I will give you negative feedback as well."

...!!!! How can this work??? I gave him the correct payment 10 minutes after winning, and was generally a good customer.

How can people threaten me to make me stop giving bad feedback. Has any one else had this?



This story did have a happy ending, after a few emails, he accepted my offer (he would then sell to the next bidder).

I was just a little mad with his threat...

FIrst off, I hope you saved his email. I would do two things. I would forward his threat to Ebay. I would consider it a TOS! And, I would also contact Safe HArbor! http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/index.html

I think you have to weigh the cost of the item.
Which you did, and cost of return, and was it worth what you paid. You apparently didn't want it less than exceptional quality so its good he will take it back.
For me, a Threat changes the ball game. Then it is worth it to me to keep the item and give him a nagative even if he does retaliate. You have a space to explain that he fraudulently described the item. That kind of negative I would not like to have.
If he had refused the return you file a complaint with Safe Harbor. Several of those
can lose his ability to sell on E-Bay. It is very important to keep all E-Mails - E-Bay wants to see them when a complaint is filed. Welcome to the AS Forum

No, Mory. He won't take it back!See below.

I contacted the seller, explaining I was not satisfied, and the object was not in supreme condition, and could I send it back to him.

The response I got was pretty much "Tough, you should have asked me before bidding, I am not going to refund." This made me a little mad, however to top it off he also said "and do not plan to give me negative feedback, becuase if you do, I will give you negative feedback as well."

Thanks Guys, at least its not just me that feels I have been done wrong.

I registered a complaint with Ebay about this, Ebay suggetsed I contacted a specific police department dealing with these crimes. I thought this was a little extreme and Ebay was just passing the buck.

However within 2 hours, the guy said he would accept it back. (which made me think Ebay had actually contacted him telling of what action they recommended).

I shall be posting the item back to him tommorow morning, and hopefully getting a full refund shortly after (or another chapter will be created).

Just to let you know - the item was a military dress jacket - I had a formal, dinner to go to, and being a reservist, we do not get issued this kit, and have to buy it our selves. Ebay is a place these things get sold on. And as you can imagine - going to a formal dinner - you do not want to be wearing ripped, faded and tatty clothes.

I currently have not left any feedback, neither has he. I am still in two minds as what to do, being unsure, I have not told Ebay about his threat. A satisfactory outcome should be obtained, I hope. He can't be that bad - he has over 1500 sales....

How many negs does he have?

Leave him negative feedback. If the transaction sucked, say so. Let him leave negative for you if it makes him feel better. If you have a good record, nobody is gonna care.

Then forward to eBay, but if the seller is a powerseller or they make alot off him in fees I wouldnt expect anything more than an empty promise to investigate from them. They usually wont do anything to sellers except in cases of clearcut fraud or when there are *alot* of complaints about a given seller.