Talk about fraud on Ebay, get a warning!

Francis18 · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I won an iten on ebay that turn out to be a fraud. I did not get caught, though, being prudent and all.

However I did talk about in on Ebay forums only to receive a warning from Ebay and seing my post deleted!

It seems that ebay does not want anybody to know about the number of fraud cases. You can report it to ebay, but you cant talk about it!!

Ebay seems to forget the fact that a reasonable - and moral - person would want to caution others.

I posted again on ebay complaining about their policy. Result: another warning and another deleted post!

Free enterprise and free speech don't go hand in hand on ebay...

Instead of thanking me for reporting a fraud, and congratulating me for NOT getting caught, I got warned.

BAD BOY! Don't talk about what you know!!

Ebay is like Elvis Presley:

Too big to die, too fat to live.

(my apologies to Elvis fans).

Chris_Marshall · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Germany

When you signed up with eBay, you signed their Terms of Service. In this whole lot of legal gunk, there is a note on what you are allowed to do, especially in the forums. Discussing fraudulent, suspended or NARU'ed sellers is a "No-No" ... just like discussing 'technical difficulties' or dissing the eBay system. Hence: "whatever complaint you have, don't mention it online".

What is easily overread during signup turns out to be a wild card for eBay: whatever they do not like, they can censor. And of course, they can take steps against the poster: starting with reprimands like 'pink slaps' (removing the post and sending a warning) this goes on to either 7, 14 or 21 days 'vacation' and finally leads to complete user suspension.

That said, I share your feelings. As former member of the eBay "Pottery, Glass and Porcelain" (PGP) forum (myself specialized on German porcelain & pottery), I was sick and tired of trying to get obvious fake items and their sellers removed. eBay does not give a damn: a fraudulent seller creates more money throughput in fees than most honest sellers - hence, eBay honey-coddles these subjects. Every attack against such fraudster is seen as direct attack on eBays coffers ... and is treated accordingly.

It took eBay a LONG time and a few court decisions to finally have the accounts of a certain person (Cody) recently removed. As you might know, such multiple accounts are not allowed ... now how did he get those in the first place? Multiple accounts all pointing to the same location and with the same bank data are only possible when eBay turns a blind eye ... so go figure.

Each time you see a PS with over 8,000 FB and a bunch of fakes in his auctions, you've encountered another potential eBay-sponsored thief. And just to get your blood boiling: newest 'hype' under fraudulent PS is what I call 'playing their weight'. As various eBay people (including Bill Cobb) admit, reports sent by PS are treated (but not checked) with priority via eBay. Fraudulent PSs report correct/real/authentic auctions that show minute flaws and have them removed, thus increasing the presence of their fake items. Various cases are know where such a PS has cornered the market, just check out the sector of Graefenthal porcelain ... over 80 percent in that sector are FAKE items made by ONE company, whose proprietor has two eBay PS accounts (confirmed).

Oh, and another 'forum thing' ... a board 'Pink' can instruct LiveWorld not to react on your mails, like eBay board controller 'Avery' did recently with 21 board regulars he'd suspended for seven days. He openly admitted it in one of his 'new rules' posts. So if you bug a Pink and get slapped, you may not even get an answer on why you were slapped or suspended -or- have a chance to have it revoked ...

George Orwell's "1984" should be rewritten: "eBay is watching you".
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Cheers,

Christopher S. Marshall

krisstarr · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 9

A few years ago I tried using the message boards to bring attention to some of the PowerSeller crooks on EBay and got my warnings.

I now spend most of money somewhere else.

It used to be I only got burned on occassion by some newbie.

Now I get burned by the PowerSellers with a regularity that is shocking.

So I usually try to buy from someone with less than PowerSeller status with very good feedback.

krisstarr · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 9

I have given up on trying to give feedback to Ebay as I have been burned every time.

Also I too find that avoiding powersellers is the best way to minimize being burned as well.

Especially fastmemoryman who is another ebay theif powerseller. He regularly commits fraud and Ebay turns a blind eye.

Try googling fastmemoryman and you will see what a cheat he is.

Losdev · Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Leicester, UK

with a feedback of over 190k, are you talking objectively or from the wallet?

It is very easy to loose focus and objectivity when there is an element of personal involvement...IMHO of course
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jon79 · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

eBay's moderation team is truly hardcore....you can't say anything negative about ebay.
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crymeariver · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

Many of the powersellers at times even go overboard on shipping

Ebuster · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

i follow most up and if eBay does not respond than i publish a case history so that eBay can not say they did not know about it.

Any scam adverts will be copied before eBay gets to remove them and pretend all is fine and danndy and the member who place the advert will be watched very closely but the system.