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Anyone have any experience with problems with buying stuff of Ebay?

MacMosher

MacMosher

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 5, 2006
277
0
Canada
Hey,

I bought a ibook off the ebay a while ago, it has yet to arrive. It was suppose to be here (as per USPS website) 2 days ago. The sender "lost" the tracking number.

I really hope he actually did send it. I believe him but I mean it has the possiblilty of a scam so... I thought i would bring it to the people who would probably know best.

so heres my questions...
How easy is it to get my money back?

When should I go about trying to get my money back I told him I would do it on wednesday (to soon?)

any suggestions in general?

Thanks

Mark
 
MacMosher said:
Hey,

I bought a ibook off the ebay a while ago, it has yet to arrive......When should I go about trying to get my money back I told him I would do it on wednesday (to soon?)
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First, thoroughly read the policies and the suggested problem solving sections of the eBay site. THere are specific things you have to do in specific time frames.

Secondly: Do everything in writing. Send by USPS registered mail so you have a signature proving that your demand for satisfaction was delivered to the seller.

Thirdly: Don't let the seller string you along beyond the expiry date of your eBay / PayPal options to take action. Read and understand the policies, inform the seller exactly what you are going to do by when, and stick to it. Don't go soft on deadlines.
 
CanadaRAM said:
First, thoroughly read the policies and the suggested problem solving sections of the eBay site. THere are specific things you have to do in specific time frames.

Secondly: Do everything in writing. Send by USPS registered mail so you have a signature proving that your demand for satisfaction was delivered to the seller.

Thirdly: Don't let the seller string you along beyond the expiry date of your eBay / PayPal options to take action. Read and understand the policies, inform the seller exactly what you are going to do by when, and stick to it. Don't go soft on deadlines.
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CanadaRAM's right on the money with this one. The most important thing is not letting it go too long.

A few years ago I bought an intel cpu on ebay and the guy kept telling me that he would send it out but never did. He was intentionally trying to string me along so as to go over the deadline to file a claim. This guy had 90% feedback with more than 1,200 positive comments, but he apparently decided to get out of ebay with as much money as possible because I wasn't the only one that had filed a claim against this seller at the time. Thankfully I did file in time and used PayPal to pay him so I was able to get my money back.

The lesson I learned was to never put my full trust in to anyone on ebay. I still use it when needed, in fact just last week, but be very cautious in all your dealings.
 
Only recently did I have a problem with a seller and it wasn't until I filed a claim at the PayPal Resolution Center did I get any movement from the seller. That only applies though if you used PayPal.
 
I recently got ripped off on eBay, luckily I used PayPal and I'll get reimbursed. Even though you have buyer protection when you use PayPal it is till a hassle to order an item, pay for it, wait only to realize it has never been sent, and then have to go through the hassle of getting your refund. I wish you luck.
 
I have had problems with buying a selling on Ebay. And they have givin' me a run around both times. For me it was the wrong item sent and broken at that. I had to pay to send it back three times. Cause everytime they refused to accept it. After all of that and trying to get in touch with the person they refunded my money. However I had to spend some money out of pocket and it took like two months.

So I know they will refund your money but I would not plan on it being fast.
 
Yeah, I bought an Xbox 360 and it never came. So I had to buy another one! My bank told me that they don't cover that since it is online. But paypal can do something I'm sure.

Pay with a credit card via paypal and you'll be set. But I like to keep my ebay purchases to a minimum
 
I've used ebay to buy dvds etc. In terms of apple products I'm sorry but with something like a computer it has to be brand new, untouched! I may get one every 3 years or so its a special occasion!
 
dwd3885 said:
Yeah, I bought an Xbox 360 and it never came. So I had to buy another one! My bank told me that they don't cover that since it is online. But paypal can do something I'm sure.

Pay with a credit card via paypal and you'll be set. But I like to keep my ebay purchases to a minimum
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yeah, I paid with cred card... I called the guy today he said he sent it but I really dont believe him... as it was suppose to arrive on friday at the latest. How long should I wait before I talk to ebay. I got my invoice on the 15th of janurary so its been about a month. (I can dispute up till 45 days right)

Mark
 
I'd certainly err on the side of patience when it comes to these things. I've sold a fair few computers (including PCs and Apples), and they've all ended happily for all concerned.

The problems I've had is when the buyer is new to Paypal, and has had to wait a few days to get their account 'accepted' properly for relatively large sums of money. When I bought my first iBook on eBay, I had to give huge kudos to the seller - it took him a full 10 days to get him the money. Embarassment all around, but these things happen.

And whilst you'd be right to be a little bit suspicious of him 'losing' the tracking number, I have to say it has happened to me in the past! However, I would have thought it would be easy for him to phone them up, give him details, and they could get the number for him...which is what I've done before.

Fingers crossed for you.
 
JoeKarame said:
I'd certainly err on the side of patience when it comes to these things. I've sold a fair few computers (including PCs and Apples), and they've all ended happily for all concerned.

The problems I've had is when the buyer is new to Paypal, and has had to wait a few days to get their account 'accepted' properly for relatively large sums of money. When I bought my first iBook on eBay, I had to give huge kudos to the seller - it took him a full 10 days to get him the money. Embarassment all around, but these things happen.

And whilst you'd be right to be a little bit suspicious of him 'losing' the tracking number, I have to say it has happened to me in the past! However, I would have thought it would be easy for him to phone them up, give him details, and they could get the number for him...which is what I've done before.

Fingers crossed for you.
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Thanks

But Ive called USPS and they said theres nothing they can do for me without my trcking/label number? maybe he has to come in contact with the office he sent it through
 
Great... so now I got my ibook ... which is good. However it wasnt as described by far. It has a crack down on the LCD very not good.

Anyone deal with items not as described? How long does it take for me get my money back. Do I get totally remburresed? Do I have to pay to ship it back.

Mark
 
Inform the seller of the problem, request a response in 24-48 hours, and that failure to respond will result in filing a complaint with PayPal. The seller will then have 10 days to respond to PayPal.

It won't be easy but at least PayPal provides some level of due process.
 
Last year I bought an old G3 off a vendor on eBay. It arrived quickly and safely, but when I turned it on the HD fan noise was unbearable. When I contacted the guy he said that he thought the low price would have suggested to me it wasn't in perfect condition, and that he didn't consider the noise that bad. It was that bad, not to mention it meant the HD was about to bomb. He should have stated the condition of the HD. The low price suggested to me that there was no demand for such an old machine, not that it was in crap condition...

He offered to send a reconditioned HD, or something, for a price. I thought it best to give him a wide berth.

I wouldn't ever buy anything with moving parts again from an online auction.
 
No, definitley not. It was packaged by someone who knew what they were doing.
 
No,
It was not hurt in shipping Ive had another mechanical engineer (besides myself) and a civil engineer have a look at it, they agreed with me. You can see the penetration area on the screen.

I already filed a claim to ebay/paypal hopefully I can my money back.
 
Anyone have any advice. It would be nice as I want to get my money back as quickly as possible
 
MacMosher said:
Anyone have any advice. It would be nice as I want to get my money back as quickly as possible
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Keep calm, read the PayPal prodecures and follow them. Document your communications. You have our advice, and repeatedly asking here isn't gonna get you any magic bullets. You're dealing with PayPal and eBay to satisfy your claim, I give you about a 40% chance of success.
 
First, quit acting like you are dealing with a corporation when buying from someone off eBay -- i.e. "I'd like to get my money back as soon as possible..."

Second, keep the shipping box so you can prove that this was cracked before it was shipped. Also, in case you are wrong, you need it to file an insurance claim with the Post office. You did buy insurance right? I NEVER buy anything off eBay w/out insurance. And i won't sell to anyone without it.

Third, contact the seller asap and inform him of the crack. Ask him what he will do about it as it appears this did NOT happen in transit. Tho he will try to make it out like it did happen in transit or that YOU did it. Did he provide a real photo of the iBook on the auction page?

DO NOT SEND IT BACK until you figure out what your best strategy is.

If you are dealing with a hostile seller, you may be screwed. If there is a chance it happened in transit, try to figure that out. Ebay and PayPal are meaningless slaps on the wrist. If it is more than five hundred dollars, consider small claims or filing charges against the guy. Hold on to the machine until you can figure out what to do. If you need to use it, get a cheap monitor and use it. Fixing an LCD on an iBook is about 175 with a guy I know in LA did a great job. But don't project onto eBay or PayPal or the seller that they are some "fair" corporation with firm rules for returning things.

Ebay is an online garage sale. Don't forget it.
 
I've bought and sold lots of things (mostly Apple computer stuff) for years and while I have had trouble about two or three times, I've had good experiences almost every time. I also am much wiser now and generally can eliminate the bad experiences by following a few rules:

1) Check the sellers feedback carefully. Actually read the feedback, especially the negative and neutral ones. Click the links to see what the seller has sold before and how the items are listed and presented. If the seller has more than two negatives (no matter what the percentage is!!!), I WILL NOT DEAL WITH THEM OR BID. These companies with many negatives but high percentages because of sheer volume are horrible to deal with and often rip people off.

2) On high price items, I will generally only buy if the item is close to where I live so I can pick it up in person and pay after I inspect the item.

3) If the seller has a history of accurate listings, honest disclosure of flaws, fair shipping policies, friendly return policies, guarantees against product failure, and an anal fixation with pleasing their customers, then I won't hesitate to buy from them. Anything less and I weigh the cost of the item with availability and determine whether I can get it from someone else, or whether if I am ripped off can I easily absorb the loss because of a low price.

4) I generally avoid new sellers and sellers with new name changes. I will give a chance to new sellers on small items to help them out if they are selling something I want and if they seem to "get it" with their listing.

5) I focus on being the best seller possible as to create satisfaction in others and to give others the hope that ebay can be a great tool to get things cheap but in good condition. I am not a business but have on occasion sold several things. I have lots of things sitting around right now that I want to sell, but I have to get organized first.

I have bought many, many nice things for outstanding prices on ebay and recommend it highly to the careful studious buyer. Apple computers bought on ebay will generally be lower priced than just about anywhere else and that counts for alot with me.
 
I went to postoffice and they agreed it could not have happened in shipping so Im fairly certain about that. the 40% chance rate is not somthing I like to hear but... I guess its my own fault.
 
If it is more than five hundred dollars, consider small claims or filing charges against the guy.
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It was more then five hundred (canadian). would this be a step after I try to go through paypal, or when should I go about filing charges?
 
I'd NEVER use eBay for major electronics such as a PC or Laptop - Just buy them brand new. You'd probably only have to pay an extra few hundered of what the price is on eBay.
 
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