A new face has appeared on Ebay in the last couple of weeks - that of Tony.
Tony's job, apparently, is to ensure that buyers get their money back if they want it. As Tony says, "We guarantee it" (meaning, a refund)
Super stuff - unless you're a seller.
IMO, Tony might just as well announced an open day for every swindling buyer (and there a more than you might think!) who uses Ebay.
The proviso is supposed to be that the goods are 'not as described', in order to get your money back - but the buyer's word seems to be law in this matter.
As long as the item is returned, the money will be refunded - Tony will ensure it.
But what if the buyer breaks the item?, or substitutes a non-working item for the one purchased? What, in fact, if the buyer simply returns an empty box in order to secure the all important tracking number?
Will Tony adjudicate the matter?, will he weight the evidence, assess the probabilities?, determine the likelihood of a 100% feedback seller suddenly trying to cheat a purchaser?
Nope - Tony will simply give the buyer all their money back - no matter what.
This hasn't happened to me (yet) but I'm very concious that, sooner or later, I will get scammed, and that Tony will assist the scammer.
I had some expensive professional video equipment to sell - almost £2,000 worth. When it came to it, however, I couldn't bring myself to list the items - despite them being immaculate, and despite possessing a glowing 100% seller feedback record.
Tony's appearance has somehow crystallised all the vague doubts about selling on Ebay that I've experienced over the years.
Seeing a grinning Tony, assuring buyers that they will get their money back, either on a whim or through outright fraud, has finally made me realise that the risk is just too great - especially with desirable, high value, technology items.
Tony's *real* message is, 'Ebay is a buyer's market now'
------------- Getting Old, Staying Active (much to Mrs Folder's dismay..)
Ebay seems now to be a paradise for buyers and a nightmare for sellers. I have been ripped off by buyers and have promised myself not give part/full refunds for dubious stories ever again but I guess that "Tony" will do it for me.
Just a business decision, buyers are more important to ebay than sellers, the buyers can go elsewhere but the sellers won't because for maximum coverage of the marketplace there is nothing to touch ebay.
Tbf there are will be far more faulty/dodgy goods being sold & scamming by sellers than there will be buyers trying to pull a fast one.
Buying expensive items sight unseen on an internet auction is counter intuitive to say the least. In fact looked at in isolation it seems downright daft, so ebay's rise & rise over the years does rather suggest they know what they are doing at all times.
Ebay will do whatever they need to do to advance their business which is based on maintaining just the right balance between buyer/seller protection, one side or the other is always going to complain because the objectives of buyers & sellers are diametrically opposed.
Can I just say its the sellers that pay for ebay not buyers and sellers can go else where. I for one used to sell on ebay but got sick of their fees going up and them not bothering about me as a seller. The feedback system finished me selling on ebay. They stopped a seller leaving negative feedback and as far as I am concerned I was paying for ebay and to stop me leaving feedback was wrong so yes I did go else where. I have a web site and sell more now and dont have the hassle of ebay. More sellers will do this if they have any sense. The cost of a web site is much less than ebay fees.
Even before this, eBay is a horrible place to sell things. I avoid it as much as I can, since I sold a couple items in mint condition only for the buyer to claimed to eBay they were faultly, I assume because they changed their mind. eBay refunded the money out of my paypal account, without asking for any proof the items were returned to me. The items never got returned.
eBay is a snake pit for sellers, totally one sided with no seller protection.
I too had this, I sold an item and stupid me posted it only to find the buyer said it was never delivered (lost in post) even though i had proof of posting anyway i refunded him only to find a month later the buyer was selling an item (i added him to my favorites)just like the one which was not delivered I was lucky it was only £4.99 so but no more selling for me....Its like the wild west
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Topic: Have you seen Tony?.....
