Ebay difficulties, not sure what will happen next, need advice?

[Little Bit]

Hi all,

I hope you don't mind another Ebay question, but this is really bugging me, and I haven't yet heard back from Ebay, so I thought I'd post here in hopes of some feedback. (posting on the Ebay community 'boards' seems to be a good way to get a response from five or six people. Not the most helpful place.)

I've won an auction, but when I got the seller's invoice, their name was incomplete. (i.e., betty b (note the lack of a last name), Streetname, City, USA)
Wanting to get the purchase completed, so I could buy a money order, I emailed the seller and when I hadn't heard from them, I requested their contact information from Ebay. The name (first AND last) listed and the city were not the same as that listed on the invoice. Yikes!

I was a bit freaked out, so I reported the issue to ebay (you're not allowed to falsify your identity, for all that you do use usernames).

Later on, I heard back from the seller, who apparently needed two emails to tell me her address (different than the one on the invoice) and her name. (and nowhere did she respond to my concerns about insurance or tracking for my package.)


My question really is this: Now that I REALLY don't trust this seller, I'm extremely reluctant to send money anywhere. Does anyone know what happens if this seller doesn't get suspended (for falsifying their identity)??

What are my rights, anyone know?

Thanks for letting me vent a little.

[Gracie]

I don't know what your specific rights are, but I am wondering the following:

1 - how many feedbacks does your seller have? What is her rating? Have you read her feedbacks and if so, what do they say?

2 - how much money are we talking about? I know that any purchase is important, but depending on your answers to #1, if the purchase isn't for too much money, I would go ahead and send it.

I've found people to not be as responsive as you would be yourself sometimes, which is surprising in an eBay situation that needs responsiveness to survive. I have, however, found eBay themselves to be very responsive. I thought of another one -

3 - does your seller accept PayPal? They are also extremely responsive in letting you know information about your seller or buyer. They are available via phone most of the time. I'm not sure if you can actually call eBay.

Loren

Loren

[Little Bit]

Hi Gracie,

The whole thing, shipping included, adds up to less than forty dollars, (I'm too chicken to spend much on Ebay!) and I've been thinking the same thing, that it's just going to be easier (assuming they don't get kicked off ebay) to send the money and just write it off. If I actually get the merchandise, so much the better, I suppose. :)

I'm beginning to have more understanding of people's Ebay troubles. (What if this seller and I were BOTH dingbats? Would certainly explain some of the disputes I've seen echoed in others' feedback ratings.)

Her feedback is actually good, but not hugely plentiful, which is why I'm surprised that she's been so vague about details, usually people with 100% positive feedback are more helpful.

Here's hoping it all works out. :)

[jmarie]

Little Bit,

I PM'ed you.
Joyce

[Little Bit]

Thanks Joyce. :)

[HejazSunKat]

Before you do anything can you wait to see what ebay suggests? I'd be concerned too about the disconnect between what ebay has listed for her details and what she sent you herself but primarily from the standpoint that the piece of mail might not get to her. Just because there is a difference in the details it doesn't necessarily mean she's doing anything fraudulent. I have 2 different (3 if you count my house in the US) mailing addresses because I'm living overseas and one of them is a PO Box which everybody in the US finds suspicious so sometimes people's circumstances are just odd.

Once you feel pretty confident of the right address and since it's not alot of money, I'd be inclined to send it and hope for the best. If the seller doesn't accept Paypal or you don't have an account with them you could at least send your money order 'Return Receipt Requested'. That's only a couple of bucks at the post office and sounds like it would be money well spent in this situation. At least that way you would know it got delivered and somebody signed for it (hopefully Betty B!).

Depending on the outcome of the situation (and I hope it will eventually be resolved with you the happy owner of a new whatever) I would leave at least neutral feedback saying you weren't happy with her level of communication. Other buyers should know that.

I had a situation last summer where it took me 3 weeks and 3 e-mails to get a transaction resolved and it was only after I'd threatened to dispute the charge on my credit card that they put the item in the mail. I was hesitant to leave feedback for fear they would lie about me when they left theirs (I paid the same day I won) but a friend convinced me it was important that I leave something and she's right. Ebay lives and dies by the user feedback so your input is important.

Let us know how it works out. Good luck!