I bought a small item on ebay for $4.99.
In the auction description, the seller stated "shipping insurance OPTIONAL for $1.50".
When I went to "checkout", the $1.50 for insurance was MANDATORY... no way out of it.
NO really big deal, but I don't care to pay almost 40% of the item's value for shipping insurance!
I understand WHY the seller pushes insurance to provide tracking and get them "off the hook" for lost or damaged mail.
HOWEVER, the auction clearly stated insurance was optional. I emailed the seller. NO reply... I emailed ebay... you would think this would be a clear-cut case of fraud, and they would back me up. HECK NO! Here's ebay's reply...
--------------------------------------------------
Hello,
Thank you for writing to eBay regarding Item number XXXXXXXXXXXX. We
have reviewed the information that you provided. This automatically
generated message has been sent to you so we can help you as quickly as
possible.
The vast majority of transactions on eBay end successfully. However,
when problems arise, we recommend that buyers take the following actions
to resolve the situation (details about each are included below):
- Talk to the seller
- Report the seller to PayPal (up to 45 days from the end of the
listing)
- File an Item Not Received or Significantly Not As Described dispute
(10-60 days from the date the listing ended)
** Talk to the Seller
Often, these situations can be resolved with a friendly conversation. We
recommend that you contact the seller by phone if you haven't already
done so. To request the seller's email address and phone number, please
follow these steps:
1. Click the "Advanced Search" link in the top right-hand corner of the
eBay Home page.
2. Click the "Find Contact Information" link on the left side of the
page.
3. Enter the Item number in the space provided. (You can find it in My
eBay.)
4. Click the "Search" button.
We'll send you an email with the seller's contact information. At the
same time, we'll also send the seller your contact information.
** Report the Seller to PayPal (45-day time limit)
eBay and PayPal work together closely to help buyers resolve problems
quickly and effectively. Because you paid through PayPal, you can file a
claim with them if talking with the seller fails to resolve the
situation. Claims must be filed within *45 days* of payment.
For more information or to open a dispute, go to:
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/protections-buyer-outside
Click the "PayPal Buyer Protection" link.
If more than 45 days have passed since you paid, you won't be able to
file a Buyer Protection claim with PayPal. However, we still encourage
you to report this member to PayPal. You can then file an Item Not
Received or Significantly Not As Described dispute on eBay.
** File an Item Not Received or Significantly Not As Described Dispute
(60-day time limit)
If the seller fails to send you either the item or a refund, and the
item isn't covered by PayPal, you can file an Item Not Received or
Significantly Not as Described dispute. You can do this at any time up
to *60 days* from the end of the listing. (Although, because you paid
with PayPal, you'll be directed to file a claim with PayPal if you file
before 45 days have passed.)
For more information or to open a dispute, go to:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/inr-snad-process.html
We will investigate your complaint and take appropriate action. However,
under the eBay Privacy Policy, we can't discuss the results of our
investigation or any action we take.
We hope that this email has addressed your concerns. If not, please
reply to this message and we will pursue the matter further. We are
committed to working with you to protect your safety and help you
succeed on eBay.
Sincerely,
eBay Trust & Safety
--------------------------------------------------
WHAT a crock!
There is only 45 days to file a complaint HOWEVER I can't file one yet! You have to wait 10 days to actually FILE a complaint, yet after 45 days you can't file at all!
In the auction description, the seller stated "shipping insurance OPTIONAL for $1.50".
When I went to "checkout", the $1.50 for insurance was MANDATORY... no way out of it.
NO really big deal, but I don't care to pay almost 40% of the item's value for shipping insurance!
I understand WHY the seller pushes insurance to provide tracking and get them "off the hook" for lost or damaged mail.
HOWEVER, the auction clearly stated insurance was optional. I emailed the seller. NO reply... I emailed ebay... you would think this would be a clear-cut case of fraud, and they would back me up. HECK NO! Here's ebay's reply...
--------------------------------------------------
Hello,
Thank you for writing to eBay regarding Item number XXXXXXXXXXXX. We
have reviewed the information that you provided. This automatically
generated message has been sent to you so we can help you as quickly as
possible.
The vast majority of transactions on eBay end successfully. However,
when problems arise, we recommend that buyers take the following actions
to resolve the situation (details about each are included below):
- Talk to the seller
- Report the seller to PayPal (up to 45 days from the end of the
listing)
- File an Item Not Received or Significantly Not As Described dispute
(10-60 days from the date the listing ended)
** Talk to the Seller
Often, these situations can be resolved with a friendly conversation. We
recommend that you contact the seller by phone if you haven't already
done so. To request the seller's email address and phone number, please
follow these steps:
1. Click the "Advanced Search" link in the top right-hand corner of the
eBay Home page.
2. Click the "Find Contact Information" link on the left side of the
page.
3. Enter the Item number in the space provided. (You can find it in My
eBay.)
4. Click the "Search" button.
We'll send you an email with the seller's contact information. At the
same time, we'll also send the seller your contact information.
** Report the Seller to PayPal (45-day time limit)
eBay and PayPal work together closely to help buyers resolve problems
quickly and effectively. Because you paid through PayPal, you can file a
claim with them if talking with the seller fails to resolve the
situation. Claims must be filed within *45 days* of payment.
For more information or to open a dispute, go to:
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/protections-buyer-outside
Click the "PayPal Buyer Protection" link.
If more than 45 days have passed since you paid, you won't be able to
file a Buyer Protection claim with PayPal. However, we still encourage
you to report this member to PayPal. You can then file an Item Not
Received or Significantly Not As Described dispute on eBay.
** File an Item Not Received or Significantly Not As Described Dispute
(60-day time limit)
If the seller fails to send you either the item or a refund, and the
item isn't covered by PayPal, you can file an Item Not Received or
Significantly Not as Described dispute. You can do this at any time up
to *60 days* from the end of the listing. (Although, because you paid
with PayPal, you'll be directed to file a claim with PayPal if you file
before 45 days have passed.)
For more information or to open a dispute, go to:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/inr-snad-process.html
We will investigate your complaint and take appropriate action. However,
under the eBay Privacy Policy, we can't discuss the results of our
investigation or any action we take.
We hope that this email has addressed your concerns. If not, please
reply to this message and we will pursue the matter further. We are
committed to working with you to protect your safety and help you
succeed on eBay.
Sincerely,
eBay Trust & Safety
--------------------------------------------------
WHAT a crock!
There is only 45 days to file a complaint HOWEVER I can't file one yet! You have to wait 10 days to actually FILE a complaint, yet after 45 days you can't file at all!
