[solved] [little rant] eBay seller charges +20 USD because he has to pay rent - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2021, 08:36:00 pm
content: When people asks me why I no more use eBay ... well, here some clues.I spent five days following an auction which I finally won, so paid for couple of micro-drives plus 34.98 USD for the shipping and received them both damaged.I filled a couple of lines over the claim-module on eBay to inform the seller that I received a soft envelope rather a rigid package, the inner goods arrived damaged, and there must be also a mistake, since, apart from the fact that the goods is pure garbage, I did pay for a courier not for a cheap surface service, the price and the kind of the service is different.... and *this* is what a "top seller with 5 stars and 100% positive feedback" answered me privately over email:QuoteHe doesn't want to refund (no problem Paypal will solve it), but that's definitively the funniest answer ever read about inflated shipping prices justification - "because I have to pay rent, storage, costs overhead" - , and for sure I'll send him a basket of a peanuts as a thank you for the time he spent giving a so hilarious answer : -DDIf he had asked me, I would have paid for them without problems, indeed I would have even paid an extra as long as he had shipped with a courier, as it was written in the auction!Seriously,that's the root of problems on eBay: when people don't spend enough time and money for properly packaging, and then ... the goods arrives nothing but damaged!When will they learn it? When? ...edit:solved by Paypal

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 01:43:53 am
content: I hope you get it sorted out.But what I really want to read about in these sorts of stories is what Ebay does to protect buyers (and their reputation). And for me the real root of the problem is how a seller that communicates like this gets a 5 star 100% reputation. It is not a perfect world so a good seller can occasionally come a cropper with an unexpected problem. It is how they sort it out that counts in my mind. And then they should get the high star ratings.In my Utopian view of the world of online transactions no-one should average 5 stars. An average no issues transaction should be 2.5 stars. But that ship has sailed long ago. Now with 5 stars the default for problem free transactions you can't distinguish the sellers who'll go above and beyond. Perhaps the feedback reports are of some help but who reads those in detail. I just check the negative ones to see if there is a consistent pattern I would be concerned about.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 06:02:31 am
content: I once you use to order some screens and may other parts on Ebay, I would confirm that the it was packaged in a certain way and offer more if I wasn't happy for it be in a foam and box.Quite a few the times the seller lied to me and it came in a flimsy unsuitable packaging.Quote from: DiTBho on March 21, 2021, 08:36:00 pmDid you report the seller for that?I once had a seller whowouldnot let me pay for an item I "brought" or even cancel, would not communicate to me or Ebay and gave me a non payment strike after.This seller was also complaining about reclaiming the sellers feewhen they did respond after a review I left on their Google profile to get their attention but that wasn't the case they were there and paying attention.I think they were having a bad time, see pictures, who was selling some cabinet trays, it said "postage paid" but ambiguosly something at the bottom about I think it was the weight of the item but I found it was unclear. So I when I brought the item and went to pay for it a message requiring me to contact seller to calaculate delivery first". So I contacted the seller asking to calculate delivery and also may I cancel if too much as it wasn't clear in the details or listing and no response.A week went by so phoned ebay, they contact the seller but no response, they tried a couple of times and assured me it is okay the seller was possibly away and if the listing time runs out and seller is still not there I'd be okay.A couple of weeks just after it ended I got an ebay payment strike for not paying and I got en email from contact customer services that they were watching an removed the strike it saying it was unfair.I looked at the listing history of the listing and it was changed a day after my message and decription was altered "Postage paid...... . if you do understand do not bid."I pursued him on Google by his company name and then he started to respond for the first time to me on ebay saying that I had a temper trantrum, it is all my fault, the process was straight foward, I was immature and childish etc, ignoring the point that I was trying to get his attention and accused me of not paying for the item. There is no way I could pay for it as i I prevented from doing so due to delivery options the seller set to calcukate delivery and when I did he wouldn't do anything nor communicate. If I knew it I had contact the seller first to calculate delivery I would have done that before buying it.I phoned ebay up about the behaviour and they agreed it was not right and said something that sellers can get "punished" for that kind of behaviour as it won't tolerated and they will report and investigate.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:24:43 am
content: Its a common chinese ebay/aliexpress trick to under price the item then make back some of the money in overcharging for shipping.The lower price helps them stand out among everyone else even tho in the end it costs the same once you factor in the shipping.But yeah bad low effort packing of the product is the worst. I typically take out my phone and start taking photos as i unpack it when something looks like it is packed poorly, to have extra proof if it does end up damaged.But the people that pack things exceptionally well don't get the attention on ebay as the occasional feedback that does mention it gets buried under generic copy paste feedback.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 08:02:52 am
content: Ah a dick head. I had that a while back with a seller here. He sent an small HP power supply in a large Jiffy bag and it was smashed to bits on receipt. I complained and he said I probably broke it when I received it and called me all sorts of names.Just claim against it and let eBay deal with it. Don’t even talk to them. You don’t have to. All that ends up is time wasted and an idiot validated. When you’ve got your money back, report them for seller misconduct!In my case the guy decided he wanted to cost himself more money to shop the trash back and sent me a UPS return label. I gladly obliged by chucking it back in the bag as provided and covering the holes with tape...

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 09:14:45 am
content: Quote from: bd139 on March 22, 2021, 08:02:52 amRecord the opening of packages like some youtubers do. Film it for your own evidence, I mean.Helps with being short-changed on quantity too.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 09:29:32 am
content: In all honnesty: he does have a point. To expect hime to charge the same for shipping as he is being charged is not realistic. His reasoning is entirely sound.The namecalling... that I don't getNot sure what he is expecting, but no good can come from that.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 09:53:17 am
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on March 22, 2021, 09:29:32 amIf his reasoning is entirely sound, why did he willingly engage in an ebay auction? The policies and fees are described for sellers.Selling on eBay is no panacea, not a simple way to make money, and all his claimed expenses should be reflected in the price of the item.When you buy a tomato at the grocery store, do they suddenly add all their overhead when you get to the checkout?

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 10:31:11 am
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on March 22, 2021, 06:02:31 amSure, yesterday I did, and I have just read their answer: they don't do anything. OK, again, Paypal will solve it! No problem!eBay has changed recently. When I registered my account over 10 years ago, it was a serious place and feedback was serious. Last time I reported someone due to unprofessional behavior like wanting to save on packaging by charging higher costs, they didn't do anything, they didn't refund anything and since I had to ask Paypal to fix it, I left a negative feedback to the seller.A few weeks later, discovered by chance that that feedback had been removed, I emailed them asking why, and that's what they replied:QuoteThings change, OK, the Covid emergency is causing problems, OK, but I don't agree with what I found they do (and don't do when they should do) now.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 10:43:40 am
content: Quote from: Berni on March 22, 2021, 07:24:43 amYes. Paypal considers the photos when you ask if you can send the goods back to the seller because it arrived damaged and you have photos to prove it. With eBay my experience is not good on this.I remember when I bought a whole batch of HD44780 LCDs and they were delivered to the wrong place. I'm not sure if the problem was caused by the postman rather than a manual error when the seller prepared the package label. In any case, I wrote an email to eBay with my home address and the address where the package was delivered (according to the tracking information), two different addresses, but they have not considered it.I sent the same email to Paypal, and they solved the problem.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 12:12:52 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on March 22, 2021, 09:53:17 amBut that doesn't seem what is happening here? The OP seems distressed that the shipping charges were 35$ while the stamp on the enveloppe only is 15$?

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 12:44:48 pm
content: If that is the case which it seems to be, then to my opinion OP's claim does not hold water. OP accepted shipping fees when bought the item. And i do not see from the original screenshots that the seller said the item will ship using a courier.Name calling though from seller's side is not acceptable.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 12:50:54 pm
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on March 22, 2021, 12:12:52 pm"distressed" means suffering from anxiety, sorrow, or pain. No panic, I am fine, I'm simply a bit "worried" about the shallowness certain sellers and eBay itself operate, but I am not "distressed", I received two damaged micro-drives that's the only real problem here because I cannot complete a project, Paypal can refund but cannot find two working micro-drives for me, and I have to look myself somewhere and find other two units.But hey? Nobody died, nothing exploded or burned up, so that's nothing serious ...... it will simple take more time[ reassuring post ]

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 12:58:25 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 10:31:11 amThere was an Ebay seller by the name of ExtremeSupplies (ExtremesuppliesLtd) now Ex_digital that used some kind of defamination form to gradually remove negative feedback as they were selling used/broken stuff as brand new in bags that they sealed themselves to make it look new.I was watching their feedback scores for a while and it looks they couldn't get rid of all of the negative feedback but now I see they just changed their name.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 01:05:59 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on March 22, 2021, 12:44:48 pmCorrect!The seller didn't mention it in his auction, he simply wrote "35 USD S/H" (shipping and handling cost), however I had contacted him asking to include my phone number and he answered that it was possible with a courier service. So, I assumed he did it, and I was expecting to have paid 35 USD for such a service.eBay doesn't consider personal messages, I sent them a copy, but it was useless.Anyway, the point is:The goods arrived damaged, I'd like to return the goods.(today email from them:) No, you can't.Why?Because the seller wrote "return not accepted" in his auction.Claim closed!eBay ....

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 01:11:13 pm
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on March 22, 2021, 12:58:25 pmAh! This kind of person on eBay! They think they are smart! Perhaps with some privilege? Perhaps with some "bypass" like when artists can jump the queue to the restaurant?Damn ... they are true artists since they make it hard nowadays to trust common sellers.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 01:13:41 pm
content: Part of the skill of using any online market place is noticing the subtle clues in the listings that let you know which ones to stay well away fromFrom that guys email I expect there would have been something in the listing that should have set off alarm bells.

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 01:51:12 pm
content: I don't think it's fair to complain about the cost of shipping. It's what you agreed to pay and it arrived. Shipping does vary from free to obviously being part of the price of the item. (In one reply you say you're not too bothered by that, but it is the title of the original post.)As far as the rest of it goes, it's hard to say without seeing the original eBay listing. I find that "returns not accepted" often goes hand-in-hand with items that are listed as untested or for spares/repairs. Calling you a **** does sound unreasonable though (unless of course you we being a ****).

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 02:03:03 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 01:05:59 pmeBay can be so ... disappointing.Putting "no returns accepted" should not protect sellers from shipping garbage or packing an item so badly it arrives in pieces - indeed in the UK it doesn't but you mentioned prices in USD so I assume this was an international sale - in which case there probablyisn'tall that much eBay can do.In the UK no seller is exempt from the basic provisions of "as described" and "fit for purpose", no commercial seller can opt out of the distance selling regs (so 14 days any-reason return). Some try by not registering business accounts with eBay but it's usually obvious and you can complain to eBay about the misrepresentation (it's fraud so fairly serious).Sometimes you have to explain it v_e_r_y__s_l_o_w_l_y to eBay though.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 02:12:21 pm
content: LOL this has to be the easiest case ever to win with the eBay dispute resolution!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 02:14:33 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 01:05:59 pmOK, don't return them - just raise an "Item not as described" dispute.If an item was advertised as working and you get something that isn't - then there's NO avenue for a seller to escape responsibility. Even outside of eBay, I don't know of any legal jurisdiction where such a principle doesn't exist. It is the Seller's responsibility to take the required steps to ensure items are delivered as represented - and they should have worked out all the necessary costs involved and clearly declared them in the listing.This is what ANY buyer should expect - and what eBay should oversee DOES happen.

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 02:32:29 pm
content: I couldn't resist a little digging. Is it This eBay item you bought?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seagate-5GB-Compact-Flash-Type-II-ST1-Drive-Hard-Drive-CFII-Card-/193270881804?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l10137.c10&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=trueThe listing states $11.99 each and ($29.99 + $11.99 = $41.98) for shipping to the UK, so it sounds like he gave you a discount on both the items and the quoted shipping. They are clearly shown as repaired. It appears to have taken you 3 months to decide they didn't work. Obviously I don't know the details of your discussions, but things are never quite as black-and-white as they might seem.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 02:39:49 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on March 22, 2021, 02:14:33 pmThe OP did tell eBay the items were damaged, but - yes - make sure you raise the right return request and use "item not as described" for broken or faulty items.QuoteTo a point - the seller should put the p&p clearly on the item but I don't think a break down of costs is necessary. eBay now require that the seller says what type of service will be used though - so if the listing says "courier" it should be a courier (I have occasionally sued a faster service than advertised at my own cost though).

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 03:25:32 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on March 22, 2021, 02:39:49 pmSo you are gratuitously litigious if a package is delivered earlier than expected?Good luck with that!

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 03:26:56 pm
content: Oops - the keyboard here is really not very goodI meant as a seller anyway.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 04:00:50 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on March 22, 2021, 02:39:49 pmPreciselyAlso, when you ask money for a service eBay uk checks if the price is reasonable or inflated for that service, and if it's found inflated the auction is closed. It's based on statistics, and you can't say "ok, I will charge you 34 USD for a 10 USD soft-bag shipping because there are +20 for handling".It doesn't sound fair to me. I was a seller on eBay since 2007, when I shipped abroad via UPS I never asked any additional Euro/Pounds/Dollar as "shipping and handling cost", but rather charged a flat cost of 18 euro for up to 40x40x30cm 3Kg via UPS second class!I shipped more than 150 parcels between 2019 and 2020, my customers always only paid for the service, they never paid extra costs, and I never asked them to pay for my time for packaging.As you can see, even if I have never charged additional costs and I have always used flat shipping costs , eBay considers my services a bit expensive: look at the five stars, I have 4.8 points rather than 5.0.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 04:21:10 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 04:00:50 pmYes - the eBay points thing is fairly draconian.eBay used to be a dodgy seller's delight but they cleaned up their act a lot (probably they had to before they were forced to) but it did make life a lot harder for small sellers.BTDT

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 04:58:33 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on March 22, 2021, 01:43:53 amI don't know when or how it happened that 5 stars became "normal" and anything less is a failing grade. I almost never award 5 stars for anything, unless they truly went above and beyond. If that screws them over, well, too bad, something is wrong with any system where anything less than a full 5 stars is screwing someone over. 4 stars is perfectly reasonable for good solid service.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 06:37:42 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on March 22, 2021, 04:58:33 pmfor eBay it's not this way. I had a phone call conversation with one of their operators, she told me that if a seller goes down to "less than 4.0" stars there is a timer that starts counting days, and if the seller doesn't resume back to 4.1 stars within some months (I don't remember how many) eBay will kick the account out.So, 4 stars is NOT perfectly reasonable for good solid service, and it's not reasonable to give 4 stars to a seller for a good service because this way you damage his/her reputation.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:02:47 pm
content: Copy from PaypalQuoteShipping: 34,98 USD -> it's in the same price range as Fedex but a lot cheaper and slower service!In this case I would vote this way:"Reasonable postage cost" should get a valuation of 2 stars, because inflated and inadequate"Communication" should receive 0 stars since name calling and offensive speaking should be not tolerated!"Delivery time" ... shouldn't be voted due to the delays caused by the epidemic emergency, so I would give 5 stars here"Accurate description" ... I ordered a couple of working micro-drive, I received two damaged units, but I wouldn't give 0 stars here, since so it's somehow coherent and I think the problem was caused by a poorly packaging, which has been already considered in the first point,Reasonable postage costThis is how I would vote for this episode: 2, 0, 5, 5. Plus a negative feedback because the seller refused to solve the problem!

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:06:42 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 06:37:42 pmSorry, it's not my problem that ebay's system is broken and administers draconian penalties for someone who does a perfectly acceptable job. If enough people took action instead of simply going along with this ridiculous rating system they would be forced to make it more reasonable. 4 stars is a good rating to me, 5 is exemplary. If they want 5 stars for average good service then give the option of more than 5 stars for excellence.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:12:36 pm
content: Yup! I fully agree! But eBay is that way. I just wanted to tell you how it works for them.QuoteAnd that's what they tell about feedback.Plus, now I know eBay can cancel a negative feedback when the seller has some privilege. It was written by one of their operator, I reported a piece of the answer in one of my previous post.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:21:52 pm
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on March 22, 2021, 12:12:52 pmHe got worse (and much cheaper) shipping service than was advertised, besides other issues.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:25:41 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on March 22, 2021, 07:06:42 pmThe label "Top seller" is for this.I am not a "Top seller" because I have 4.8 stars and eBay classifies me as "Seller above the standard".5 stars -> "Top seller"4.7..4.9 -> "Seller above the standard"..................... I don't know here ................4.0..4.1 -> "Seller under observation" (the operator told me that on the phone)< 4.0 -> probably the seller will be banned because it represents a risk for the community

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 07:32:01 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 22, 2021, 07:21:52 pmDid he? It's not clear to me if the object was advertised with courrier shipping or whether this is the conclusion of the OP based on the price. Also: if the item arrived within the eBay advertised timeframe or something close to it (Covid) I still feel the.. well, can't call it dismay I suppose, outrage? annoyance? is a bit over the top.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 08:33:26 pm
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on March 22, 2021, 07:32:01 pmQuoteon eBay, he wrote "several shipping options available" Then he used "USPS First-Class International", which doesn't allow you to have a phone number added as contact because there is no courier and the little parcel/soft-bag travel as "mail", so you will receive it delivered by a postman.UPS and Fedex have this service so they contact you on the phone to organize a delivery.The cost for soft-bag shipped via USPS First-Class International is 14..15 USD. I paid 35, and the seller wrote "no problem, I will add the phone contact to the tracking", which is impossible with this service unless you use a carrier (you can write a phone number in the "note field", but nobody will call you on the phone), so it was my conclusion based on the price and the said "I will add the phone number to the tracking".Quote from: Ice-Tea on March 22, 2021, 07:32:01 pmeBay estimated Mon 13, February 2021 as "delivery date", the parcel took a very very longer time, but I wouldn't complain for this, I am tolerant about delays caused by Covid et all.What I don't tolerate is goods arrived damaged because the packaging is both inadequate and overpaid!

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 08:38:21 pm
content: In the meanwhile, I have just found and immediately bought a couple of new micro-drive from Bonanza.We will see, we will see(I have to resurrect my second Japanese Linux, PDA, both these two microdrive will go inside it)

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 02:53:14 am
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on March 22, 2021, 02:39:49 pmApologies for not being clear here.What I meant to say was that the seller needs to work out all the details and then present theresultin the listing for all theshipping optionsthey are offering. A breakdown is not relevant, only the bottom line.Unless there is a special case, a buyer should be able to look at a listing and know exactly the total cost of acquisition. Even with special case situations, a total figure should be set in stonebeforepulling the trigger.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 03:07:46 am
content: Well I won a minimum bid auction recently and the mailer mailed it to me, I left a very good review.Then I bought 3x DIP40 chips, the mail got lost and went to other country by accident, when I got it the tube was bent and one of the chips was cracked, so I sent a picture to the guy and he refunded me 33% of the price, thought it looked like it was not his fault.So I think ebay is great. I sold a few things myself and sometimes it was barely worth it because of shipping (Alaska risk) but I still did it because its still money and its pretty easy.I also had one guy that tried to raise shipping costs on me, so clearly he was not happy, so I asked him to cancel the transaction instead of fighting someone in another country (he was a cheap ass Canadian) to honor an arrangement. A little annoying but OK. Thats what I call a bait and switch or lack of research on shipping cost. If you put a shipping price you need to accept the gambling risk, I usually did because the net effect was money for me despite a few under performering auctions, usually you don't get hit too hard by the edge cases and the profit flows nicely. IMO its pretty good work so its better to have the system function and have flow then nit pick, people seem to forget you can always sell more stuff, some people have this 'OMFG ITS THE LAST JOB IM EVER GONNA DO ON EBAY I NEED TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS', those are usually the frustrating ones.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 03:21:58 am
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 08:38:21 pmAny reason not to use a SD card in a SD to CF adapter?

author: Harshadb13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 04:20:19 am
content: Had they mentioned that the item works perfectly?PS: I love aliexpress and never had a problem with them

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 11:17:27 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on March 23, 2021, 03:21:58 amLot of reasons. Starting from, because I don't like it, ending with because I have already tried a couple of SD-to-CF adapters and none of them has ever worked with my PDA.I have also bought a couple of compact flash cartridges from Amazon for a different project. Amazon prime will deliver the parcel in 1-2 days. I love Amazon! Serious and fast shipping! Fair price, excellent assistance, and no question on returns! If you want to return something, you return it and get refund! Just do it!With eBay ... "sorry, the seller wrote no-returns in his auction, so you cannot return, claim-closed"I repeat the problem, again the same answer. "item not as described". "sorry, you cannot reopen the claim". Two days wasted trying to contact them again, and again, and again, I repeated the same sentence something like four times with zero progress, and I am seriously tired to spend my time phoning Paypal to have these stupid things sorted out!On the phone, the Paypal operator explained me that Paypal has a limited number of cases per year you can appeal. I thanked him, and asked Paypal to sort out the problem, and I am now going to prepare a return parcel. They will wait for a proof of delivery, then they will refund me entirely, but I won't waste my future options this silly way because eBay's been sucking more and more lately.That's all. Problem solved

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 12:43:39 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on March 23, 2021, 03:07:46 amThe seller should be responsible for any damages cause during the shipping, unless these damages are caused by natural disasters, traffic accidents, coup d'état, Godzilla going out for a walk in the postal vans ... I don't know, things like theseIf the goods arrives damaged because the seller had prepared an inadequate packaging, who is the fault? is it the postman's fault?That seller puttwo fragileMicro ElectroMechanical Hard Disk Drive (microdrive) units into a soft-bag without any protection, and it's like putting a fragile glass in a soft-bag, what state do you think it can get to?So, asking +20 euro would make sense if *and only if* the seller is able to put some expanse foam inside a rigid parcel around the disks. Will it cost more than how he paid for a soft-bag? Yes, but I paid extra 20 USD for what? His "handling time", which what practically does it mean?What did he do in practice? He put a soft layer of paper around the two disks, and put them inside a soft-bag.He must have thought: "for sure it will work and I will make an extra $20, I just don't see what can go wrong"!A true genius[ some humor ]

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 02:16:28 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 23, 2021, 12:43:39 pmSounds like a good example of what my English friend would refer to as a t*sser, or possibly a w*nker!

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 06:29:44 pm
content: QuoteOr more likely a tweakerThe seller shows many of the symptoms of a chronic meth user.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 11:48:27 pm
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on March 22, 2021, 09:29:32 amSorry, but if you can't hack managing shipping costs, then you should NOT be in the business of selling anything. When you sell an item, you factor in all the risks and expenses into the price of said item. IF the item ends up being too expensive to list, then perhaps it's not worth selling? Welcome to the free market.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 05:19:17 am
content: yeah I get bad packaging alot but I typically buy such fucked up equipment that I do them a favor and don't complain because if its on ebay1) i am already getting a deal2) its going to be alot of work to repair it, fighitng with back and forth shipping might just cause worse damage3) given all the other repairs that need to be done a bit of a glue job is no problem (invest in a good plastic glue system, i.e. DP8810, Loctite Prism, plastic sensitizerThen you are only left with problems on small parts that crack where the tensile strength of the glue does not compare to the original part, but typically that's cheap. Half the time I know I am lucky that the seller even shipped it for the price I get, so I don't complain unless its totally broken like a chip thats cracked in half. Like I got a bad banana jack on a lab amp, but on the other hand, I ended up taking it apart because it was cracked and lubricating the switches and cleaning it up and all this kinda stuff I might not have done, and I found a problem I would have missed!Some people try to run ebay like you are doing purchasing for a high end aerospace company (note I said high end), but with 60 year old equipment and prices penny on the dollar. Give it a rest, it will never happen unless you run into those mad men with a injection foam machine or something like that. Even they don't really care unless its like.. going to the militaryAnd most of the time it pays off if its damaged because if I bend a shitty chassis back into shape, I might as well paint it instead of having another mangey cow boat anchor around.Thankfully they put the ASIC's deep into the unit so they are usually fine (what you are paying for). And you get more education when you fix it anyway, so its wortwhile.When I consider the normal service hours number required to bring old gear back into good shape, the extra repair is usually less then 10%. And half the time the part was in such bad shape that your just basically getting a free stress test from the mail man to remove bad system elements (fighting over a rotten banana jack for instance!)My super duper tip: if you sell equipment, get another piece of styrofoam and poke holes in it and tape it over your switches and shit, even if the gear is sent wrapped in a paper bag it will likely survive OK then. Id prefer that to ineffective bubble wrap to be honest. Most of the time its packed with high quality bubble wrap *unnecessarily good* but the stuff in front is not protected, that is the important part.Better then a real supplier sending you nicely packed loose pliers (jesus!)

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 10:10:27 am
content: How can you repair two micro drive whose heads crashed on the disks? How do I open the microdrive's body without further damaging its internals?Buddy, I hear the metallic sound of motor that tries to spindle the disks but it cannot because the heads are crashed into the disks due to a probable very violent impact. Probably the package fell to the ground and the protections were ineffective. And how can I eliminate the scratches left by the heads crashed on the discs?[ edit: added pic, do you see the screenshot? when Linux reports errors with the sector-0, it means the disk is gone. Badblocks can not even test it because it's badly and seriously damaged. In fact, I hear the "sound of death", the metallic sound made by the motor that tries to spindle the disks and ... accelerates and then brakes because it can't move them. It's gone! Dead! RIP! ]Can you really "repair" this?Quote from: coppercone2 on March 24, 2021, 05:19:17 amI would say "I am not able to repair it, so it's totally broken", so what do you do in this case?I got nothing but insults from the seller, and I have enough of buying from people who thinks like you! I don't want to put everyone in the same basket, but it seems the most of Americans on eBay have a distorted view of things to the point that they probably think that eBay is like the garbage fair where no-one needs behave like a pro, in fact, holy god, it's the third time I buy from eBay com and I find myself broken, unusable goods, and a seller who does nothing but behave like a deranged bully who is only able to insult.Today I shipped back the two damaged micro drive, and I want my money back, and I won't no more buy anything from eBay com!End of the story.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 12:32:15 pm
content: Last summer I bought a laptop from a dude in the US. It arrived damaged, but in this case I am 100% sure damages were not caused by the shipping but rather "a different laptop".In fact, the seller initially insulted, then when Paypal intervened in the dispute, the seller changed his version of factsQuoteAnyway, this is a screen shot of his auction with my comments. Note "no return", the seller initially refused to find a solution, eBay com immediately closed the claim in his favor, and I had to claim to Paypal.That's a "common behavior pattern" with eBay com! That's annoying because eBay UK doesn't behave this way. I have never had these problems with eBay UK! I mean eBay Uk has never closed a claim for "return not accepted"! And this way is more serious business!That's why I say "I won't buy anything more from eBay com!"

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 01:21:55 pm
content: I was going to mention that it may be a problem with overseas transactions - who knows? Perhaps the bad sellers feel more at ease to play shenanigans with foreigners.Despite I have received a badly packaged item here and there from various sellers worldwide (and from different portals: eBay, Offerup, aliexpress, banggood), I tend to be very conservative and refrain from ordering anything ultra-heavy or mechanically fragile over courier. Being in the US this is a lot easier to do, given the second hand electronics market is quite hot.Anyways, good luck with the return.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 01:43:03 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 22, 2021, 07:12:36 pmI wonder what all other numbers are for then. In this case they seem totally redundant and frankly irrelevant.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 02:16:33 pm
content: Quote from: asmi on March 24, 2021, 01:43:03 pmWhich numbers? You mean the four voices to describe the performance of a seller?foreach voice { "Reasonable postage cost", "Communication", "Delivery time", "Accuratedescription" } => Vote [[ 0..5 ]] stars;Umm, I think they are "somehow" useful, but I think it's not enough information to describe how someone could react, especially with overseas transactions when - like wrote above - bad sellers feel more at ease to play shenanigans with foreigners, and eBay com protect these behaviors by *deleting* negative feedback, which makes those four voice actually truly irrelevant.That's my personal opinion, based on 4 bad experiences with eBay dot com in the last 10 years

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 02:38:06 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on March 24, 2021, 01:21:55 pmYup, I have the same feelings.Quote from: rsjsouza on March 24, 2021, 01:21:55 pmGood point. I am a kind of "weird electronic addicted", and the US marketplace offers unique items because for example Newark and Moates are two US-only-based companies. So, when I saw a very attractive and unique items offered from someone on eBay, I took the challange about organizing a remote pickups and I asked UPS to go to the seller, pickup the parcel locally in the US, check the packaging was well done, and transport it to me in Europe. I paid the double, but I also doubled my chances to have the receive the precious goods in a decent way.We are talking about unique professional debuggers unable to find in Europe. Things in the money range of 2000-5000 USD + S/H + customs importing fee. Great experience, and nice end! UPS combined with the MailBox.Etc American side is simply outstanding!I did something similar, this time, as seller to a Chinese government agency. They contacted me on eBay because I was listing a unique PowerPC board that they need as cheaper development equipment to replace something gone damaged in their laboratory. I still have the contract they asked me to sign.In short, I paid UPS and MailBox.Etc Europe to ensure an excellent service to them. I remember in the contract I signed there was a point "the goods will be inspected for our quality control", and I had to list all the items inside the parcel, with a description of each singular item inside the parcel and how to test/verify its integrity. If someone is curious, I still have the documentation.I paid 150 euro just for the service (UPS first class+MailBox.Etc+full 100% insurance), they paid 1000 euro for a couple of boards (so, my gain was 1000-150 euro).Outstanding experience, they thanked me for the result, I thanked them for the given opportunity, and eBay gained credits for my performanceQuote from: rsjsouza on March 24, 2021, 01:21:55 pmThanks!

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 07:24:35 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 24, 2021, 02:16:33 pmI meant 1, 2 and 3 stars. As I understand, 1, 2, 3 and 4 means the same thing from the practical standpoint, so why bother with them? Why don't they just place a "yes/no" question instead of these silly stars.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:11:25 pm
content: Quote from: asmi on March 26, 2021, 07:24:35 pmProbably it's a legacy mechanism of the previous feedback system, when a seller had the possibility to give a negative, neutral, positive feedback to the customer, but since eBay has evolved recently, I think it's also something that must deal with a lot of their internal hidden rules, so I am sure that if you vote {0,1,2,3} stars you reduce the chances eBay gives to the seller to get back in line.I mean something like this:you get 4 stars, you have - say - 6 months to get back in line with >= 4.1 stars, and you will be under observation for say other 2 months, if you fail, you are kicked out from eBayyou get 3 stars, you have - say - 7 months to get back in line with >= 4.1 stars, and you will be under observation for say other 4 months, if you fail, you are kicked out from eBayyou get 2 stars, you have - say - 8 months to get back in line with >= 4.1 stars, and you will be under observation for say other 6 months, if you fail, you are kicked out from eBayyou get 1 stars, you will be immediately kicked out from eBay but your name and surname won't be written in their blacklistyou get 0 stars, you will be immediately kicked out from eBay and your name and surname will be written in their blacklist, as well as reported to the authorities of competence in order to prevent crimesI deduce it from the message, sent by one of their operator, when I asked eBay why they deleted the negative feedback I released to a seller who not only sent me damaged goods but also (as in this case) refused to find a solution!Quoteand thisQuote

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:17:05 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 09:11:25 pmBe real. Such nonsense will kick out many excellent sellers (and keep all others in fear) just because some random idiot or scammer buyer decides to abuse the system (extort seller) or just leaves bad rating randomly. If something like this is implemented, ebay will cease to exist very soon. I received negative feedback just because buyer was an idiot (no issue with item) and could not be bothered to google about his (perceived) issue or contact me first.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:28:56 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 09:17:05 pmThat's precisely what happened in 2009 (Google for it, and you will read it), and what's happening now!Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 09:17:05 pmYou probably mean some idiot or scammer sellers! To whom eBay gives too many chances to get back in line, and in the meanwhile the continue to put nothing but garbage for sale and, worse still, don't assume any responsibility for what they do!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:35:08 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 09:28:56 pmI mean fraudulent buyers of which there are way more bad actors than sellers. They abuse system a lot even as it is. They can easily ship you back box of bricks and get both goods and money. Allowing them to have ability of single handedly destroying a seller is simply insane. Example:https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Victim-of-buyer-fraud/td-p/28471713Example2:https://turbofuture.com/internet/How-To-Scam-People-On-EbayQuote

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:45:58 pm
content: I'm frankly surprised by the lack of research and understanding shown in this thread, given the venue is an electronics engineering forum.eBay's policies are not complicated and you can read them fully in only a few minutes. Why don't you do that? If you did you would learn all about the Buyer Protection Program and Item Not As Described claims. Instead you just ignored the policies and did it your own way because you assumed how it should work?To me this is just bizarre. What do you do when faced with a STM32 chip with a 500 page datasheet? The same, well I guess I'll do this because I assumed ... ? Good luck with that!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:55:06 pm
content: This buyer scam happened to me in particular:QuoteSurprisingly paypal refunded buyer from their own pocket, not mine. Buyer provided address with post code of main post office of the city. Of course tracking showed delivery with actual post code for his address. Then buyer claimed it was delivered not to him because tracking shows wrong postcode. I uploaded google maps screenshot with particular post office located something like 50 meters away from his address.Quote

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:09:19 pm
content: Quote from: helius on March 26, 2021, 09:45:58 pmAs well as I'm frankly surprised by answer like this. Lack of research and understanding?Quote from: helius on March 26, 2021, 09:45:58 pmI did, but there are hidden rules. For instance, where is it written they can DELETE a negative feedback because a seller has some privilege? Where?Quote from: helius on March 26, 2021, 09:45:58 pmThey closed the claim without any justification.I had opened a claim "Item received damaged", and eBay closed itThen I opened an appeal "Item received not as described + more details, pics etc", and eBay closed it again.Quote from: helius on March 26, 2021, 09:45:58 pmThen I called Paypal, which actually solved the problem.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:17:39 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 09:35:08 pmThen there are those who tell me I don't know how eBay works: there is "report buyer" button on eBay where you "report" bad behaviors like this and eBay will count it as well as eBay counts defects for sellers.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:21:10 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 10:17:39 pmReport buyer button does nothing, especially for a seller. Seller will not get money or goods back. If reported too many times and account is blocked, fraudulent buyer will simply create another account.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:22:30 pm
content: Quote from: helius on March 26, 2021, 09:45:58 pmSpecifically, where is it written that if the seller writes "no return" in his/her auction then for the "protection program" you cannot return an item that got damaged due to bad packaging? Where is it written?eBayresolving-buying-problemsI still have to understand why they closed my claim when I did exactly what's written in their guide!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:25:36 pm
content: IMHO your main problem with ebay is that you open cases with weak or no evidence, probably poorly described for layman. Then when it falls through, you upload some real evidence, but it's too late since appeal is way less likely to succeed.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:25:50 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 10:21:10 pmIn theory, if you are banned from eBay you cannot subscribe again. It's written in their user-agreement, where it's also written that eBay randomly checks correlations(1) between suspended accounts and running accounts in order to prevent problems.(1)the same Paypal account, used to paythe same delivery addressthe same name and surnameetc ...this information is not public, so I don't know details, but I was told on the Phone that eBay does it.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:29:49 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 10:25:50 pmAs if it's allowed to scam other party in the user agreement to begin with.QuoteCan be quite easily bypassed. Delivery address can be obfuscated. You don't even need PayPal account.QuoteOf which there are thousands of people. You can write it slightly differently as well.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:37:47 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 10:25:36 pmJesus ... weak or no evidence?!?I received two damaged units, when I opened my claim for the "eBay protection program" I sent them all the pics about the two units, my test report on Linux when you see "sector-0 failure", a pic of the parcel, a pic with what I paid on eBay for the shipping and what is reported on the Parcel, what else do they want!?!?For their rules, it was enough to point out that I paid 35 USD for a package that cost 14, or that the seller had charged me 20 USD more.Then I sentthe same documentationto Paypal, and they accepted the return!-And talking about the defective laptop, what did they want? It was clearly NOT the same laptop described in the auction, in fact the seller himself admitted it later with Paypal, but eBay refused to investigate!-Frankly, do you know what I think? When I deal with eBay com, I have the impression that it does not deign to treat non-American users in the same way since it has always closed complaints to me without any discussion.I have this impression because in 10 years with eBay UK claims always had a different ends, an end where the "eBay protection program" hasn't yet forced me to call Paypal to manage a problem as well as no one has yet told me that an European seller has privileges that they cannot receive negative feedback! Yet this happened with american sellers!

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 10:50:57 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 10:29:49 pmIt's one of the field they "can" use, it's not the only field they use. I mean it can trigger more automatic investigations, and I am sure they put a lot of money in such algorithms because they have lost 1M Euro recently due to scammers who cause legal problems related to the forgery of trademarks. Plus other problems they have with their users.A thing they cannot do is asking you to upload your identification card, or your passport or any personal document. This is illegal and they know it!But that's also a bad point, in my opinion. eBay is a "free service", if it was a "pay service", they they would be authorized to ask personal documents, and this way ... end game for scammers.My personal opinion: that would simplify life for sellers and remove the ridiculous 5 stars counter mechanism.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 12:09:25 am
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 10:37:47 pmThat's amazing, I have NEVER lost an eBay complaint case. I go out of my way to keep things as simple as possible:1) Always tick the "Item not as described" box (an eBay support person told me years ago it is the only one they really care about)2) Explain in 10 words or less why the item is not as described. (If more than 10 words, give or take, it leads to stack overflow in the support staff wetware)Works every time!It doesn't matter who broke the item... courier, seller didn't pack it properly, whatever - I don't care - it is always just "Not as described" if it doesn't look like the picture in the ad when I unpack it.I have even won a case where seller sold a DMM "not working or for parts" with missing components inside.My case: "Not as described" reason: "There are missing parts, so it cannot be used for parts as claimed by seller" - Won! Seller had to eat his scam.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 12:59:11 am
content: Quote from: wraper on March 26, 2021, 09:35:08 pmdohTwo years ago I sold an apple wireless keyboard, never used, still in its box.I sold to a dude who immediately opened a claim "item not working".I apologized and I refunded him immediately and entirely without any eBay intervention.Reason? The keyboard was sealed in its box so never actually tested and I assumed it was an unfortunate case of an item leaving the factory defective.Blame me for not having tested it, it bothered me to open a sealed box, but in any case it was covered by insurance.Maybe it is a partial solution with eBay

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 01:02:49 am
content: Quote from: SilverSolder on March 27, 2021, 12:09:25 amGood points! I tend to give too precise and often too long explanations.Thank you for the hints

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 10:07:43 am
content: What I wrote above about my personal speculations about how eBay manages the 5 stars mechanism plus what they told me on the phone, is also based on tales likethis, found by GoognlingQuote"low seller standards" means "stars < 4.1".

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 10:20:41 am
content: QuoteQuoteSo, it was not due to the public feedback but again due to hidden information!!! Hidden from the public, so if this person had been a known scammer with several reports but under the trigger to be banned, I as a buyer would not have known about it (only feedback are public, and now I know some feedback are deleted by eBay without any reason to protect the seller) if this person had been a known scammer with several reports but under the trigger to be banned, I as a buyer would not have known about it (because this is hidden information, in public I can only read feedback) and would have bought and then found myself with a problem that eBay would probably refuse to solve if the seller is abroad (my three disputes over 10 years were 100% failure with Americans), and once again I would have to bother Paypal.Also, the following has been reported several times on the internet, so I think it's correctQuoteI read that eBay doesn't tell you anything. No explanation, nothing. And this clearly doesn't help!

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 11:07:25 am
content: So, to sum up.I bought two micro-drives and paid 35 USD for a soft-bag that cost 15 USDI received two damaged unitsI immediately contacted the seller, but he offered nothing but bully insults rather than finding a solutionI opened a dispute on eBay com, telling them "damaged item", they closed it (because "no return")I opened an appeal on eBay com, telling them "item not as describe", they closed itI opened a dispute on Paypal, telling exactly the same, and they accepted the returnI prepared a parcel, and it's already on its way back to the sellerThe seller yesterday wrote this:QuoteeBay already ruled in his favor and closed the case. I reported this seller two times for bad and bully communication and eBay did nothing!And here is why eBay com sucks: if something similar had happened in Europe, the seller would have been thrown out instantly, or at least received a recall! It is not tolerable to insult or threaten!But this dude is American, so, it has "privileges", and it's the second time I see something similar, so I deduce it must be "OK" for them if an European receive again a bully message from the seller where now I am supposed to be "the crook of the game", while it's clear from his bully message that is trying to persuade me to close the dispute on Paypal to keep the money while the return parcel is still on traveling."you need to cease and desist!", what will he do? Will he send a commando of armed mercenaries like Rambo? And will my guts furnish the living room?Guys, I loved you, so I make will: in case of death, I leave all my electronic cards and my books to EEvblog's membersQuoteThat was not even correct. If you open a dispute on eBay you cannot open a dispute on Paypal, but that means that if you do so, eBay will immediately close the dispute on their side. It's not "illegal" or "against" a rule. It's up to you to call Paypal if eBay is unable to solve anything. It's one of your possibility.-Seriously speaking, I have enough, and for 50 USD I don't even want to be here getting mad.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 12:41:46 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 10:37:47 pmExactly as I said, poor evidence, poorly described claim.QuoteReally? how do you expect average person to figure out anything from that?Quotenot quite relevant to the case. Packaged in a bag? In what way it proves that item was damaged? Especially to someone who has no technical knowledge.QuoteIrrelevant to the case. Complaining about unfair shipping rate will not add you any points in damaged item case. Only take away attention from the real issue. Support person will not look into your case for long since they have another shitload of cases to review. They will probably glance into it for a minute or less.QuoteMaybe concise and easily understandable explanation to layman. Picture where mechanical damage is noticeable. Some easily understandable screenshot.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 12:45:46 pm
content: Although I did not participate in the whole story (i.e., I only know your side), I would think hardly to name the seller. Sure, it may have misunderstanding factors such as what constitutes shipping charges (if they include handling as well or not - I personally don't think it does) but the e-mail behaviour is more universally accepted as a terrible interaction.The biggest reason to do this in my opinion is to prevent your fellow blogger (especially if he/she lives overseas) to avoid a very unpleasant interaction with potential monetary losses.There is a thread somewhere named the "bad shopping experience thread" - perhaps a good place to put this there.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 12:51:14 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 27, 2021, 12:41:46 pmWhat would YOU have written in this case? Let me know.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 12:57:29 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 27, 2021, 12:51:14 pmI would omit anything that is not relevant. Check if I can find any mechanical impact marks. If I have no any other evidence, maybe post a photo where it is attached to windows machine but is not recognized.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 01:29:39 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on March 27, 2021, 12:45:46 pmAnd, let me understand, do these "misunderstanding" factors somehow allow a seller to insult and threaten a customer?!? Seriously?If so, that's exactly what I don't like of the American mentality because it seems like a far west where people solve problems with guns. Don't take offensive, but it's what I do think after two experiences like this

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 01:46:44 pm
content: eBay com simply closed the dispute because the seller had declared the items as "no return accepted", which is even against the European and British law since you always havetwo weeks for the right of withdrawal.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 01:48:23 pm
content: This was more than enough for Paypal. The problem with eBay was "no return accepted". The seller had it written in in his auction, hence eBay didn't care anything else.That's not how eBay Europe would have reacted. I don't have a lot of disputes, but I have always had my items returned when bought in Europe!

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 01:51:23 pm
content: Conclusion:I have just voluntarily closed my dispute with Paypal even if the return parcel is still traveling back to the seller. I have simply enough. Yesterday this dude called me "crook" but it's my decision that he will take my money and the parcel I have already shipped him back.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 02:07:39 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 27, 2021, 01:51:23 pmAfter all of the fuse. I would never voluntarily let some douchebag to keep my money. You just awarded his moronic attitudeQuoteCannot handle a few rude emails from some dickhead. Do you enjoy feeling wronged or what? Man up.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 02:52:14 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 27, 2021, 01:29:39 pmRe-read my post. You are conflating the two points I made.Quote from: DiTBho on March 27, 2021, 01:29:39 pmI am an American but of the South variety, and I can guarantee you that the "far west" mentality is not exclusive to the New World - likewise, don't take offense but this is pervasive in the Old World as well, and the colonization process was particularly sofisticated in this.I can understand you pulling the Paypal dispute for the sake of your own sanity, but you are letting the guy go 100% scot-free from his shenanigans.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 04:14:15 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 27, 2021, 01:51:23 pmAt least leave him a glaring red negative feedback."Item broke from inadequate packaging, seller responded with abuse, worst ever eBay experience - Avoid"

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 04:51:58 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 27, 2021, 02:07:39 pmOne thing I can't tolerate because it's bad for the blood is when people insult and threaten. I blocked him before he wrote the last email, but that mustn't have stopped him from writing from a new email address, and I certainly prefer to avoid getting mad about such silly things.So, is this person so poor that needs to behave this way for 50 USD? I am a serious respectable person, and I don't want to risk going down to his same level.Yesterday I was seriously tempted to reply his emails with the same tone he used, then I thought about it, and if his problem is money, well, by letting him all the money, he will go his way, I will go my way

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 05:08:52 pm
content: Quote from: SilverSolder on March 27, 2021, 04:14:15 pmeBay America reserves the right to delete a negative feedback if the sellers has privileges (especially if the buyer is not-american). It's the fourth time I repeat it. Re-read the post from the operator. I don't know how this seller can be "a top seller" with 5 stars in every field, but it's irrelevant, for the hidden rule of eBay America a top seller has the privilege to have his negative feedback deleted.Quote from: written by an eBay.com operatorThat's what happened with a similar recent case when an american "sent me the wrong laptop", refused to find a solution until I asked Paypal to sort it out. I left him a negative feedback because the item was not as described and he forced me to call Paypal, and I some time later found my feedback deleted. I asked why, an eBay american operator told me the above. So it's a waste of time and I don't want to make my blood bad even for this, especially with a poor and probably deranged person who will for sure send me new angry emails.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 05:15:37 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 27, 2021, 05:08:52 pmWhat in particular you wrote in that feedback? Did you threaten the seller with leaving negative feedback before doing so? It needs to meet criteria for removal.Quote

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 05:29:21 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 27, 2021, 05:15:37 pmMy feedback was: "seller sent me the wrong laptop, refused to find a solution until I called Paypal".In fact, have you carefully read what the eBay operator replied?Quote

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 08:41:14 pm
content: Then there is also another big problem related to eBay US sellers:Quote from: eBay.com's algorithm to a friend of mineTherefore, eBay requires the sellers to specify whether their account is a business account rather than a private account.We all have our reasons, privates have different privileges and possibilities than business ones, especially in the US, but why does should it matter for Europeans?Well, for the different customs rules we all have with the local customs!Basically, if you import a parcel and the included documentation report it as "business deal" you are subjected to different a table that is different from the table the customs applies you when the parcel is reported as "private deal".Code:if (business_deal){importing_fees = table_A(category, flat_cost)if (declared_value > trigger_A){importing_fees += table_A(category, declared_value)}}else{importing_fees = table_B(category, flat_cost)if (declared_value > trigger_B){importing_fees += table_B(category, declared_value)}}Since (table_A != table_B) and (trigger_A != trigger_B), it's something that matters for Europeans, including that if the seller declares the false (private deal when it's business deal), well ... it could be considered "customs evasion", and if the seller doesn't understand it, you could have serious troubles.That's why eBay.com blocked a lot of accounts in 2009, and I personally think it was strict but fair!Unfortunately, years later, we are back to the old problem, since there are still around those who state they are "private seller", when they are "business seller", and they don't care when this could cause problems to the buyer with the customs!And, worse still, there are those who make false statements with the customs documentationThat's what happened to me in August 2020 during the dispute over the "wrong laptop" when the seller stated he sent me the "wrong laptop" when I pointed out it was not the one I had bought because it had too many undeclared defects!It's not a rule, but basically a "business" account tends to sells more "brand new" objects than "second hand" ones. It's not a rule because there are companies who refurbish laptops. Anyway, if you are a company the rule is to declare it on eBay in a way the buyer can understand it.Usually with the company's phone number and an address.There were none of them in the auction, so I was convinced I bought from a private being rather than from a company, and this caused problem with the customs because they blocked the parcel for verification and since it was not clear they asked me to send them a copy of the Paypal receipt, so they understood it was not a private deal.I had to spend time at the phone and I had to pay a little fine.I didn't mention it in my feedback but I reported it to eBay and thanks god one good thing they made was forcing that dude to comply with the rules by which you make buyers understand that you are not a private seller!Thanks god, I have just looked at his account, and it seems eBay did one right thing after all: that dude now has his company's phone and address mentioned in his lists. I only hope he will prepare the customs documentation properly for his future buyers.There is hope!

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 09:59:42 pm
content: So my understanding is that the seller listed the item location local to you.If that is the case and I brought something from a seller where the "Item location" is listed somewhee in the same country as me, whether the seller is from a different country or not or the item is actually here or not why should it be the customers problem? Whether it is late and/or incures customs.I remembered once when I searched for something specifically local to me in the UK, saw things like "UK seller" "fast delivery" etc but didn't arrive within estimated delivery date which was a about a couple of days but a week went by, then I discovered it was a Chinese seller somewhere that didn't have any stock as I saw others were complaining about items arriving late or not arriving at all so I phone Ebay up to complain and they refunded me straight away.So now I check to see if the seller lives in the country or if they have warehouses.There was another time I nearly ordered something but found out it was a Chinese seller pretending to be in the UK and I reported them.I think on their profile I notice in small words at the top China but no business details and nothing in the listing at the bottom about the seller's contact details.These were new thinsg sold in large quantities so I'd imagine they'd be a business.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 10:13:42 pm
content: Item location is a farce on eBay. And so is the 'Not as Described'. I would try and only buy the items that appear to be local sellers. Yet, if the item hasn't turned up after a few days, I am aware that I was conned and to expect foam package that has had customs clearance and a 3 week delay.We paid extra for a product closer to home and eBay does not care about blatant rip offs and serial sellers who ignore eBay terms.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 10:28:16 pm
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on March 27, 2021, 10:13:42 pmeBay cares if enough people complain and/or give low Stars ratings when giving feedback. So, a seller that serially fails to satisfy the punters will eventually get the chop.98% of the times, sellers are super helpful. E.g. just recently I bought a pack of 3 NOS vintage diodes. One turned out to be defective. Contacted seller with a picture showing my meter testing the dud diode compared to a good one. He slipped another one in the post with no further ado.You can get a long way if you begin by assuming that the seller is "OK and trying to do a job".

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 10:50:53 pm
content: Quote from: SilverSolder on March 27, 2021, 10:28:16 pmIf they are misrepresenting their item location so the buyer believes that it is indeed a well-intentioned seller in the same city, then they are sneaks. No getting around it.

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 11:17:42 pm
content: Many years ago a friend was about to send an affidavit using my fax when I asked what it was for. She was responding unknowingly to scammers who were trying to fight her Paypal complaint that they hacked her account and transferred thousands of dollars into their accounts. They had sent her an affidavit to return to Paypal to say she no longer disputed the charges and they should be released to the scammers which she did not read properly.So this is all on the scammers so far. But I wanted to contact Paypal and have a criminal investigation initiated with the police. There is always a way to catch then by following the money. So I called Paypal and spoke with a lady in the XYZ department. After listening to the situation she gave me another number to call. I contacted the ABC department only to find they were not the right ones and sent me to the JKL department who referred me to the MNO department. Then I was sent to the PDQ department only to recognize the voice of the lady at the XYZ department!!!I called her on the run-around and got her to take the full report. However, I knew nothing would come of it. Online fraud was a big thing and Paypal was not going file any police reports. They wanted it to never be seen in any statistics!I've found both eBay and Paypal to be largely deficient in supporting the buyer. However... the credit card companies are not. So why bother with either of the customer non-support groups when you can just go straight to the credit card company and get it done?At one point Paypal had in their terms and conditions that you could not charge back to them. The credit card companies put an end to that quickly enough.Don't even get me started with Aliexpress. They are the worst and I don't even think about trying to get a refund from them. Hell, there's no person to talk to and if you were to reach a person they just tell you to use the online forms which are worthless.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 11:21:49 pm
content: That is a very good point, regarding the credit card companies.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 11:52:49 pm
content: Quote from: SilverSolder on March 27, 2021, 10:28:16 pmAnd there's some of them that can try to be sneaky and ban you after returning non described/faulty things:I ordered a Dell battery for a raid controller in about 2018 advertised as tested and working. When it turned up and I plugged it in the controller wouldn't detect it. So I measured it and the voltage was just too low. So I contact the seller, I think I showed showed the meter reading and the seller refunded me which was great and explained they get so many of them and that one could have been missed. I asked if they can test and confirm a working one and I'll buy again. The seller replied that they can't guarantee it and warned me not to buy another it also might be unchecked.Anyway a year after I wanted to ordered something going for a good price and I get a message something like "The seller isn't accepting any offers from you...". That's strange, did I buy something from this seller and they got upset that maybe forgot to leave them feedback, so I searched their name on email and turned out to be that Dell Raid battery listing.Actually just checked and no longer there by that name but a search shows the same creditations under a different profile. It seems they have either changed the name to "sierra-indigo" or had another account and I am still banned from buying see pictures.A neutral feedback about someone else who ended up with low batteries:https://www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/sierra-indigo?filter=period:TWELVE_MONTHS,overall_rating:NetralQuoteThe seller did the right thing and refunded me but by banning me and I believe they may have things to hide.See pictures.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 12:23:47 am
content: I know people that run eBay businesses. Let's just say that buyers can also get quite "creative" with how they act...Bottom line, scammers are scammers and they like the anonymity of the on-line world.But the eBay protections work......speaking of which, I get to test it now! I bought a Bluetooth keyboard described as "used" and it was delivered today. Turns out it doesn't work on some of the letters, but only if SHIFT is pressed! ... and this is AFTER I stupidly left positive feedback, complicating things further!So, any bets on how that will turn out? I will write the seller tomorrow and tell him the bad news. Let's see how he plays it...

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 01:06:00 am
content: Quote from: SilverSolder on March 28, 2021, 12:23:47 amIf the protections work, why would you be concerned?I never leave positive feedback because you only have 60 days to do so and that it is a one shot deal. Once positive is left it can't be changed if the unit craps out. Often I haven't received an item until 45 days have gone by.If it weren't for the credit card protections I would never use Ebay and the like. Never.Why not write them now? Ebay is a 24 hour deal and the sooner you report it, the better.My real complaint with eBay is that they don't care about fraud. I bought 18 gauge zip wire from a Maryland company and though it looked skinny, but didn't give it much thought. Then I was using the entire 50 ft roll to charge a battery at 2 amps and noticed a significant voltage drop, so I measured it with micrometers. It read 3 wire sizes below what it was marked, 21 ga.! On top of that the insulation has the company's name and gauge embossed!!! It's hard to imagine they would be getting undersized wire with the company name on it and not know.It was too late to do anything about that purchase, so I bought some 16 gauge later on. Without realizing this was the same company! (seems they are the low price seller of this type of wire on eBay) So when it came I immediately checked and it was also 3 sizes too small, 19 ga instead of 16. i filed a dispute with eBay and the guy wants me to mail it back on my dime! So I used the credit card to get a refund.At this point I'm ready to target the guy. I looked up the MD web site and if I wanted to get enough evidence and claim I'm a MD resident, I could get them to take action against the guy. Thinking I might do that I bought 14 ga wire which measured as 17 ga and got a refund the same way. Then 12 ga wire which was 15 ga with the same result. The problem was I willing to put some time into it, but not willing to let the guy have my money so I could claim being defrauded.Oh well. I now have enough free wire to trip over and I know where to get more if I need it. I just have to calibrate the gauge appropriately.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 02:38:39 pm
content: Quote from: gnuarm on March 28, 2021, 01:06:00 amI'm usually pretty careful about testing before leaving feedback. I know a lot of eBay sellers are small businesses and/or one man bands, I don't mind giving them feedback since it helps them rise in the ranks.In this case, I only checked the lower case letters, looking for non-functioning keys... unfortunately, it has a problem when SHIFT is pressed, LOL! Some keys don't work in SHIFT mode... what a weird fault.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 04:54:59 pm
content: The conclusion to my faulty keyboard:1) I messaged the seller "Working with the keyboard, I found it has a problem with some keys not working for CAPITAL letters only... weird, never seen that before. I don't think there is anything wrong with my device, because I have the exact same keyboard already and it works fine. How do you want to handle?"2) Seller responded "I will issue a full refund, please throw it away"3) Refund was issued 2 minutes after the message.4) I messaged the seller "Thank you for the quick turnaround and for how you handled this."Simple and pleasant e-commerce on eBay!

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 12:23:08 am
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 26, 2021, 10:09:19 pmI ordered a "BRAND NEW" Genuine Thinkpad keyboard with manufacturer's warranty a couple of years ago Couldn't find any "used" ones so I ordered one of them and when it turned up with marks all over it and the letters were just poor quality reprints and a mixture of other keys from different keyboards judging by the texture and varying colours and the warranty was fake it was just one they put over the original sticker. Not happy with the appearance and some foreign keys I sent it back and left bad feedback for being dishonest and wasting my time.The feedback got removed, I was told the reason is, the seller complied with all Ebay policies and arranged and paid for returns and a refund unless they refused to do so and Ebay has to step in to resolve the matter then the feedback stays.But then there is that defamation form thing that some sellers use to force ebay remove feedback when they feel like it

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 12:36:54 am
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on March 29, 2021, 12:23:08 amPrecisely! To say it in other words, they protect their business not their sellers not their customers.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 12:41:35 am
content: QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 12:21:03 pm
content: QuoteQuoteWhy the palm-face? What's wrong?Well, again ... so this man is a small one-man business but on eBay this dude isn't respecting the simplest rule ever: if you are a small business, you should have to write your company's name and your company's phone number and/or you should have to declare that YOU are not a private!It should be clear and idiot-proof written!When Americans will understand they should set to a fairly rigid compliance? Especially on customs forms?! Especially when they don't declare anything except an unique voice "the customer paid X" (what is the value of the item? what is the cost of shipping and handling? is the seller a private? ... no information, just "the customer paid X money") and the agent at the customs, since he/she have to process several parcels per day then he/she is tempted to apply the highest fees?It seems to them that it doesn't matter that I, the buyer, waste time (to explain things on the phone/via emails) and money this way !!!Did the latest four US sellers I bought from understand it? It doesn't look so! eBay UK checks for this fairly rigid compliance and enforces sellers to respect it for overseas business, whereas with eBay com that's the 5th times I know this dude is not a private only because I wrote him a PM to ask him directly.->I think at this point it is best to always ask everything even twice before buyingeBay com looks rather different. When you read "covered by protection program" it can get cancelled if the seller writes "no return accepted" which is against European law but it's somehow OK for them, and when you don't read "I am a company" in an auction it may someone who is not even a private, and again it's somehow OK for them.Overseas business done this way is a bit problematic

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 02:21:44 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 12:21:03 pmBuying from private or business results in exactly the same taxes. I do not excuse any other shenanigans in customs declaration.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 02:23:36 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 12:21:03 pmMaybe we should avoid electing governments that make life so hard?Things don't need to be this complicated...

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 04:42:07 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 29, 2021, 02:21:44 pmNo they are not even close!Buying from private or business results in not the same in UK and in Europe. First of all, there is a different value from which you have to pay fees, second, and most importantly, there are also different responsibilities therefore different cost, not mentioning that if you declare "private" and you are a "company" there is also a fine to pay like the fine I had to pay for the mistake done by the seller when I imported a second-hand laptop from the us.Let me say, that story was so damn annoying, I wasted 5 weeks of my times in total, two days at the phone and ~ 100 euro for the fine I paid and for what? I had to return the laptop in the US because it was also the wrong laptop!I suggest you to read the customs documentation to avoid to commit these mistakes, as well as I suggest sellers to correctly prepare the customs documentation and consider it as aform of respectfor the customer!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:05:32 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 04:42:07 pmTax is the same, any tax threshold is the same. VAT free threshold is different only if it's declared as agift.QuoteGoods value is the same regardless of who ships it. In what miraculous vary value suddenly changes depending on who ships it, except when it's falsely declared?

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:09:29 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 29, 2021, 02:21:44 pmIn the US as well as in Europe this can be considered a crime if the agent thinks you are trying to "evade the customs" since "private" and "customs" are subjected to two different customs tables and restrictions, and if they catch you and you find someone who is not understanding at all your case, it could end up much worse than the small fine I paid, and you will have to hire a lawyer.It's not the perfect solution, however, considering the above, I do find the "eBay Global Shipping Program" a good solution with the customs because there is not the seller but rather the mail depot company " Pitney Bowes" to prepare the customs documentation for you.Guys at Pitney Bowes are expert, so they prepare the right documentation with the right terms and details, and they assume the legal protection in case the seller did a malicious mistake.Difference with them:you cannot have combined shipping. You order two items? You pay two postage!as you know in many countries customs controls are something like "one package is checked every ten" if it's a private deal, so without Pitney Bowes it could be better because you could pay nothing thanks to the good luck, while when you import via Pitney Bowes you always pay customs.I do prefer to always pay, but to always have the right customs documentation

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:12:15 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 29, 2021, 05:05:32 pmNO! Jesus, NO! Read the documentation!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:13:58 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 05:12:15 pmI did read the documentation. Please point to the documentation which says so if you are so sure.QuoteSeller doesn't deal with anything when using GSP. Just ships it to their location and they do everything needed to deliver it, including repackaging.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:16:00 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 29, 2021, 05:05:32 pmsimple algorithm: if(Business) { apply table_A } else { apply table_B }apply table_A != apply table_B

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:18:47 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 05:16:00 pmPlease show that table instead of writing algorithms with no information.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:21:41 pm
content: Google is your friend.I am out.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 05:25:11 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 05:21:41 pmGoogle is my friend and it does not find anything like that.QuoteNice emotional statement to get out when you have no facts to support your claim, and do not want to admit it.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2021, 01:06:42 pm
content: [little rant] eBay buyer denies +20 USD to help me pay my rent

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2021, 02:05:16 pm
content: Quote from: DiTBho on March 29, 2021, 12:21:03 pmWTH? Why are you trying to blame this on the Americans??? In your own words, it's your country that applies a different customs tax rate.On E-bay in the US, the seller only puts the name and address of the buyer, the value of the item and a two or three word description of the item(s), and his name and the date on the customs form and then checks a box to say if the item is a gift, a sample or merchandise, etc and NOTHING else. There is nothing about whether the seller OR the buyer is a private person or a business.See thebottomform (CN22)herehttps://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2009/pb22269/html/updt1_008.htmThis is directly from the U.S. Government's Postal Service website.In fact, for about the last 15 years when you ship through Ebay, Ebay even prints all of the details for the seller and the seller can NOT change the value oranyof the other information. And to be very blunt about it; NO! the seller can't change the form to say that that the item is a gift!Yes, I've shipped several thousand times overseas myself.I can't say how your country operates with regard to customs but your posts sound absolutely delusional.If you're unhappy about how the customs operatesin your countryor about how much they charge; then you need to take that up with your own government and stop trying to blame E-bay, or it's sellers or "the Americans"! The Americansdidtake action when the British tried to impose the Stamp Act in this country. Some of my own ancestors lived in North Carolina at the time and there were many people that couldn't even get legally married or to buy or sell their own land or baptize their children due to the rapacious taxes charged by Royal Governor Tryon. The tax for even a simple document amounted to over a year's income and the citizen had to make an 8o plus mile trip each way to the then state capital to pay the tax in person and in cash, something that few people on the frontier had.