So on September 3 2012 I relented and re-opened my little eBay store, hoping to get rid of some of my excess items., and that little $19.96 credit on my seller account. I figured that would rid me of the money I keep getting statements on. I sold only one item in three weeks, so I chose to close the store before the end of September, 2012. But, even though I had closed my little store the week BEFORE the end of the month of September...true to eBay practices, eBay didn't ACKNOWLEDGE the closure request until 10/1/2012.
THEY SENT ME A MESSAGE TELLING ME MY STORE WAS CLOSED "EFFECTIVE 10/1/2012". And of course, I was charged for the month of October. Which since my store is CLOSED, I cannot even use. Sigh. Once again, eBay shafted me. So I called what is loosely called "customer service" to tell them I did not owe them the next month's fees because I had closed the store BEFORE the end of September.
I told the lady that I had closed the store BEFORE October 1, and was told that eBay records showed that I had closed the store effective 10/3/2012. HUH???? I told her that I had gotten a notice from eBay telling me my store had closed effective 10/1/2012, but the lady basically said I didn't know what I was talking about. I was "mistaken". I ended up by yelling at her because she kept telling me "You don't understand..."
Hell yes, I understand! E Bay isn't in business to deal honestly with sellers...they are in the business of making billions off us. I asked for her supervisor. When he came on the phone, I instantly realized she had warned him about the "mean old broad" yelling at her on the phone, because he told me he disagreed that I was being treated unfairly, and reiterated the other person's statements about ME not UNDERSTANDING eBay's policies. I told him that I had closed my store in the last week of September and he basically told me I was a liar. "Our records indicate you closed your store on October 2, 2012." HUH???
ANOTHER different date???
In all the 15 years I have bought and sold on eBay, I have tried to maintain a good relationship with them. I have given them the benefit of every doubt. I have written dozens of guides and reviews for them. But I want to advise all of those people who think about starting up a "little eBay store" to make a few bucks, that eBay is NOT concerned about YOU making a few bucks. They are concerned about themselves making BIG bucks. And if ripping off it's sellers for $10 here, or $20 there helps them achieve that goal, then more power to them. They just lost a 15-year GOOD customer with this attitude. EBay does not offer "customer service". It offers "self service". When they say "Caveat emptor", that goes for sellers as well. EBay is NOT there for anyone but eBay.
I don't recommend opening up an e-bay store if you aren't going to be selling millions of items. The big sellers can afford to make 10 cents profit on each item...us little sellers end up losing money on our sales. Then insult is added to injury when they treat us like we are valueless jerks who just happened to trust them in our dealings with them...and they treat us like we have no brains and no feelings.
Enough sour grapes here. I am sure most folks will figure I am venting. But I want other little guys who use eBay's "services" to understand that in eBay's case...the "customer" is ONLY the buyer...that sellers are never given the consideration that they are supposed to offer to their buyers. As a group, eBay sellers are honest folks, too. We don't deserve the lack of respect and the jerking-around eBay gives us all in the name of THEIR profit.
So, if John Donahoe is happening to read this guide, please know that you just lost a "customer" who put many grundles of dollars into your company's pocket. I will not be using your company's auctions to sell my items, and I will not be buying anymore from your sellers. Maybe $13.80 is not even a drop in your bucket, but that $13.80 was the last straw that broke this camel's back. In the entire 15 years I was on eBay I had a 100% rating. I have always defended eBay against detractors. However, today I am no longer a "friend" of eBay. There are other auction sites. You have a wonderful day.
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