WARNING - Problem with EBay and PayPal - BE CAREFUL

Submitted: Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 10:17
ThreadID: 61484 Views:6035 Replies:7 FollowUps:17
This Thread has been Archived
I've been ripped off by a trader on EBay called iTaDirect.com.au. In May I used EBay and PayPal to purchase a potable 12v DVD/TV for $278 incl postage. The item arrived but didn't work so after several emails to the trader they agreed for me to return it. After a couple of weeks I was told that there was nothing wrong and I was to pay an additional $45 for admin and postage before it would be sent back to me. I reluctantly sent the $45 but after a range of excuses no return. EBay and PayPal passed the buck between each other and finally said that a 60 day limit had been exceeded and would not even allow me to post negative feedback about the trader. To me Ebay and PayPal are to be avoided!!
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Jeelan - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 10:35

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 10:35
i'm quite surprised at this as increasingly, Paypal is very buyer oriented and has some stringent requirements for sellers to meet in the event of a dispute.

in any event if your Paypal account is setup through your credit card, you can initiate a Chargeback through your credit card provider. Visa and Mastercard both have fairly good consumer protection policies.

Paypal would be forced to honour any chargeback from a credit card company.

cheers
Jeelan
AnswerID: 324352

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 11:16

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 11:16
Thankyou Jeelan. I contacted my credit union and they are posting out a Visa dispute form. It is interesting that of 17 emails from EBay & PayPal about this issue, not once did they mention the Chargeback facility that you have kindly pointed out to me. Thanks again.

Barry
0
FollowupID: 591417

Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 11:39

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 11:39
PayPal is owned by Ebay.
They are one and the same.

Lots of problems been discussed on here before about them try an archive search and have a read.
VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 591419

Follow Up By: Jeelan - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 11:58

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 11:58
no probs Barry, all the best with it

cheers
Jeelan
0
FollowupID: 591423

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:09

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:09
John
PayPal is owned by Ebay but they are two separate entities/ two seperate ABN's. No luck with an archive search

Barry
0
FollowupID: 591424

Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:27

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:27
Yes Barry they may trade as two separate entities but are under the same ownership structure.
My point was don't expect Ebay to do anything about issues with Paypal or vice versa as they as brothers.

Have a look here for Ebay issues this Thread also have a link to a blog by one member on here and his issues with these companies.
VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 591429

Follow Up By: On Patrol & TONI - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 16:18

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 16:18
Jeelan I would not be as confident as you re PayPal or Ebay (and they are one and the same depite whatever anyons says otherwise). Read my blog posted some months ago to explain my reasons, this page is too small to do it.

PayPal evils

Cheers Colin.
0
FollowupID: 591465

Follow Up By: Ozboc - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 18:23

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 18:23
Yes ebay - paypal - AMAZON books -- all owned by the same guy ..... different ABN but same person .....

Is this business registered in Australia ? If so go to the department of fair tradings webpage ... look for the section that relates to you.

Then do as i done --- below

Had the same thing with a water cooler that arrived DOA from Melbourne( from ebay) - they tried to tell me that i would have to return the unit at my cost - then there guy would evaluate the cooler then repair or replace as needed - this could take 3 weeks.

My first replay was stating that the unit was Brand new and arrived DOA and should be replaced ASAP and not happy about having to wait 3 weeks - they then replied - ok send them another $45 shipping and they will send another.

I then went to the department of fair tradings website - went to the section that covered my purchase - WHITE GOODS - In that section it STATES that if an item arrived not working or not as described in the sale - the VENDOR MUST either send a repair agent to the premises of the house where the appliance is located OR replace the item at no additional cost INCLUDING no additional shipping costs ..... I took these quotes from the page --- sent it to the vendor - as well as the direct link

2 days later i have a brand new water cooler at my door - and told i could keep the non working one .....

If all this fails - Lodge a complaint to the department of fair trading ( $29 ) and have it heard before a mediator - they will very soon bend if they know they don't have a leg to stand on ...

Boc


P.s follow this link - a good place to start

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Consumers/Refunds_and_warranties.html
0
FollowupID: 591631

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 21:00

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 21:00
Ozboc

I'm very grateful for the help - thankyou, you have given me some hope of recovery of $323 hard earned ones

Barry
0
FollowupID: 591679

Reply By: TerraFirma - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:08

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:08
I think to say Ebay an Paypal are to be avoided is wrong. To me the trader has let you down and I think you should persist with Paypal, they have always been good to me. So did you get your DVD TV in the end..? Does it work.?
AnswerID: 324365

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:15

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:15
TerraFirma
The trader has not returned the DVD TV and don't respond to my emails. Its been 3 months now so I have accepted that I've been ripped off. There is a negative response on EBay from a bloke in NSW who has lost $1700 to this trader, but EBay don't seem to give a toss.

Barry
0
FollowupID: 591425

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:18

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 12:18
Baz, You should follow this through via consumer affairs and the office of fair trading. I would also like to see the forum members here give this mob a hard time via email, create some pressure on them, if they are still trading they cannot get away with this.

If you want some help let me know.
0
FollowupID: 591427

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 13:42

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 13:42
TerraFirma
Thanks terra, I've taken your advice and lodged a complaint with the NSW Office of Fair Trading. I'll let you know the outcome of your suggestion

Baz
0
FollowupID: 591435

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 13:47

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 13:47
Barry, Good on you. Once they hear from the Office of Fair Trading they will be forced to deal with you. Also they risk obtaining a record with the Office, something that can be very very annoying for any legitimate business.

We can also put some pressure on them via other avenues.
0
FollowupID: 591437

Follow Up By: Member - DOZER- Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 16:30

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 16:30
You still can leave feedback, you have to go to ebay.com (no "au") and leave it there. If in doubt, ask ebay for directions.
Andrew
0
FollowupID: 591470

Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 17:40

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 17:40
The most important thing to do if there is a problem with an item or it's not delivered at all is to place a complaint before the 60 days are up, even if the seller gives assurances. Once the 60 days are gone any unscrupulous seller knows there is no comeback & no way for you to place negative feedback. In ebays defence this is spelt out clearly if one takes the time to look. On the one purchase I had that failed to arrive I simply posted a dispute before the 60 days letting the seller know that I had no choice & that I was happy to wait until he delivered the goods. With the transaction remaining open I always had the option to persue a refund.
Cheers Craig...............
AnswerID: 324417

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 20:01

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 20:01
Craig
Even so I think that Ebay ought to be flexible with regard to the 60 day policy so that unscrupulous sellers can be weeded out with the objective of enhancing the protection of buyers - and sellers ie if dodgy sellers knew that there was some comeback against them after 60 days then they may be less disposed of running scams.
Baz
0
FollowupID: 591515

Reply By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 21:19

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 21:19
Hi Tazbaz

It is always best to check the guys feedback before you buy.

I sell on eBay so don't want to be tarred bit the same brush.

I just did a quick search on the web with the details you have given.

I get these details as the web address owners...









Look up a domain or perform other Who Is search eg: mydomain.com.au



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domain Name: itadirect.com.au
Last Modified: 19-Jul-2008 14:51:46 UTC
Registrar ID: Aust Domains
Registrar Name: Aust Domains
Status: ok

Registrant: M.E BUNJAMIN & F Tjhin
Registrant ID: ABN 22524124264
Eligibility Type: Other
Eligibility Name: International Trading Auction
Eligibility ID: ABN 22524124264

Registrant Contact ID: C95763-AD
Registrant Contact Name: Franky Tjhin
Registrant Contact Email: Visit whois.ausregistry.com.au for Web based WhoIs

Tech Contact ID: C95763-AD
Tech Contact Name: Franky Tjhin



I then do a ABN search and get this........


ABN: 22 524 124 264
View ABN history
Last modified: 01 Jul 2007
ABN status: Active from 13 Nov 2006
Entity name: M.E BUNJAMIN & F Tjhin
Entity type: Other Partnership
Main business location
State: NSW
Postcode: 2031
Trading name(s)
Franky Tjhin / Martin Bunjamin
International Trading Auction
Other registrations
GST status: Effective from 01 Jul 2007
Deductible Gift Recipient: Not entitled to receive tax deductible gifts



And then do a white pages search and get this...........


Bunjamin
(0293999837)
32 Arthur St
Randwick NSW 2031

And this...............

International Trading Auctions
(0295580196)
U 5/ 591 Princes Hwy
Tempe NSW 2044


I don't know where you like but either phone them or pop in.

















AnswerID: 324458

Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 21:21

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 at 21:21
Spell checker did not work..

bit = with
like = live
0
FollowupID: 591542

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 20:47

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 20:47
Thankyou for the info - I had found the same except the business address - so that is useful.
Barry
0
FollowupID: 591676

Reply By: Pebble - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 00:22

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 00:22
And notice that you can't leave negative feedback on ebay any more anyway - well in words but not the little symbol and counting in their rating! I imagine that's to stop sellers witholding feedback till buyer gives a positive etc.

I've been burned by ebay - first thing I ever brought turned out to be fake Oakleys, got about 75% of my money back through paypal.

Also won a set of elbow pads for a good price (mountain bike gear) and seller just didn't respond to anything, never got my elbow pads (really wanted them) and all I could do is leave a negative rating. I didn't check but hope ebay at least banned him! All I can think of is that it was a kid and sold them for cheaper than he expected. However he did that to the other buyer who brought the knee pads.

Other than that I must say I've sold more than I have brought, the fees can be a real killer though when selling small stuff reasonably cheaply. Otherwise I just use them for a bit of wider exposure when selling big ticket items.
AnswerID: 324476

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 16:23

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 16:23
One thing nobody has mentioned that Paypal expressly forbids you to do a chargeback thru a credit card.

Or if they do now they didnt used to.

I had my account suspended for doing it because I bought an article in USA and the seller sent it surface mail which can take 5 months.

It never arrived and after posting complaints on the EBAY community forum I found out this seller was a regualr at taking the money and not sending the goods.

I did the chargeback and after several heated emails I was reinstated. I insisted that the time limits couldnt apply owing to the way the goods were supposedly sent and also sent the supporting comments from the forum and some emails from other buyers that had been scammed.
Funnily enough after doing all this and getting a Visa refund the seller did refund my money and I had to credit her thru Paypal costing me a second lot of fees.
There is no justice
AnswerID: 324538

Reply By: Nutta - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 23:02

Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 23:02
Ive been stung twice recently on ebay, goods not as advertised, left neg feedback, if they dont like it they just click goods not paid for and the neg feedback gets removed and i got 2 strikes!.
So youve got to prove payment to ebay via copy of direct deposit etc, total pita, im done with them!
AnswerID: 324876

Follow Up By: tazbaz - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:21

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:21
G'day Nutter
Well that has certainly clinched it for me when even the feedback can be manipulated. But I feel sorry for the honest sellers and I think that they should put some pressure on EBay to prevent negative comments from being erased the way you describe.

Baz
0
FollowupID: 592066

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)