EBay sent me an email saying item did not meet Australian safety standards
Summary: ikion748 shared a concern about receiving an email from eBay indicating that an item they purchased didn't meet Australian safety standards. padi*0409, sandypebbles, and several other participants engaged in the conversation, contributing their observations and experiences related to similar issues. ikion748 responded to some comments, possibly discussing further actions or clarifying details about the item in question. The thread saw various participants, including springyzone and *casey*, showing interest or offering input. The overall sentiment reflects concern over safety standards and the implications for purchases made through online platforms like eBay.
E Bay sent me an email saying that the item I purchased from a seller did not meet Australian safety standards, I have not used this item, it is still in its original packaging. How do I go about getting a full refund. Tried to use E Bays TERRIBLE contact system, with no Joy. Seller giving me the run around . All I need to know from EBay is the item safe to USE. their contact system is woeful, about 20 yrs behind the pack
ikion748
OP1 year agoThank you Everyone for all your input.
When I contacted the seller , he sort of dodged my question, sent me a very small thumb nail picture of a compliance website, it took some effort to get any sort of information or reply from this seller, I then asked him to give me the URL of the compliance site, turns out it is in China
I sent him the message below
*casey*
·1 year agoYour intial question asked how to get a refund.
You've been given all the information required to open a claim with eBay if still within the 30 day time limit
or if you paid with Paypal, you have 180 days from transaction date.
"When I have a bit more time I most probably contact (TRY TO !!!!) EBay once again"
Why ?
You want someone in an overseas call centre to tell you if an item's safe to use ?
The listing's been removed.
You've been warned with an email from eBay .
It doesn't comply with Australian Safety Standards.
You've been dealing with a shonky Chinese seller
Of course it's not safe to use !
2611geoff
·1 year agoHi, ikion748, I am the OP that started the "Product Recalls" thread.
Even though the return policy time frame had ended the vendor's supplier (China)was very responsive and I have resolved the issue to my satisfaction.
What product did you buy?
Best regards
2611geoff
padi*0409
·1 year agoThe OP said what they bought in their last post - a ladder..............
*casey*
·1 year agoThat's a great outcome. Thanks for letting everyone know
*casey*
·1 year agoBecause the listing's been removed, you may need to ask eBay to open a money back guarantee claim for you manually.
IF you're still within the time limit of 30 days, go to eBay Help at the top of the page, follow the prompts until you get to the automated assistant , then ask to speak to a supervisor.
springyzone
·1 year agoI found lezned's post really informative.
Yes, you are right, items on ebay are supposed to conform to Australian standards. Ebay has covered itself in its policy. But then it also adds a rider that sellers are responsible for the content of their ads.
So in effect, Chinese sellers are often selling items that don't conform to Australian standards.
Ebay knows it but they can't vet every ad. They could do much better and stop certain categories of item being sold in the first place but you can bet they won't ( sales commission) until laws force them to.
You say the seller is giving you the run around. Stop contacting them. Don't try to contact ebay help either.
Go straight into an ebay claim for a faulty item or not as described.
You can do this automatically, as long as you received the item within the last 30 days.
If you paid via paypal, you have longer but always try ebay first if you can.
Do what you need to do-open that claim, say it is faulty & follow through with that claim. personally, I wouldn't even mention the message from ebay saying it may have been recalled, don't give them any room to doubt. I'd just stick with the message that the item you got is faulty, not working, whatever.
twyngwyn
·1 year agoDid the item say it ‘meets Aust standards’?
If so, lodge an Item not as Described complaint…..no need to contact the seller.
There is a time limit, so do it asap.
30 days via eBay, or if you paid by PayPal, 180 days.
Always go via eBay first (if you can)
sandypebbles
·1 year agoIf you were told the item does not meet Australian safety standards, then no, obviously it is not safe to use
What is the item number and how long ago did you buy it?
Seller giving you the run around?
Are they registered in China or dropshipping by any chance?
Were they an authorised seller of the item?
ikion748
OP1 year agoThank you Sandypebbles,
I would suggest that there is a tacit understanding that all items sold on EBay conform to Australian Standards, otherwise, if this is not the case this opens a huge can of worms, because it then becomes incumbent on the buyer in every instance having to ask this question " Is this item listed on EBay and sold by You, complaint with Australian Standards", If I knew that the item was not complaint with Australian Standards I would not have bought it in the first place, I do not think there is a sunset clause on items that are non - complaint with Australian Standards, contacting ebay is difficult and may I say a nightmare, but , I will persevere, I think if I cant get a satisfactory resolution to this concern , possibly ramp it up a notch
In closing thank you for taking the time to assist me
Cheers
sandypebbles
·1 year agoIf you buy from a seller registered in China, they rarely do
Where was the seller registered ?
Did you buy from an authorised seller?
eBay do not vet listings, nor test products and rarely read the member to member forum
You stated the message from eBay told you the item does not meet Australian safety standards, but then you ask if the item is safe to use
Other members can only tell you how it is
Feel free to ramp away
*IF* the seller you bought from is not registered here, I am not sure where you can ramp it too
lezned-toycollector
·1 year agoI wouldn't say tacit... as you are aware, it's there in black and white for all to see
Product safety policy
To ensure the safety and well-being of our members, eBay does not allow items that are banned, recalled or dangerous to a buyer to be listed.
What is the policy?
The following types of items are not allowed:
Products recalled by a manufacturer or another government agency
Products where the sale of the product is prohibited by law or regulation, including products failing to comply with Australian mandatory safety standards - or which are subject to a product ban in Australia
Products that pose a health or safety hazard as specified by government agencies
countessalmirena
·1 year ago@ikion748,
No, there’s no tacit understanding that “all items” sold on eBay conform to Australian Standards.
1. For one thing, many of the items are sold by international sellers. Particularly pernicious are the items sold by Chinese eBay sellers.
2. It is indisputable that Chinese sellers (registered on eBay.cn) will flat-out lie to your face about warranty, Australian standards, genuineness, etc. Faked certificates of compliance have been used in noted instances.
3. eBay Australia has no jurisdiction over international sellers; eBay.cn won’t even attempt to enforce compliance with Australian Standards. The reasons are based upon eBay’s historical presence and activity in China.
4. eBay have the following little disclaimer in each listing: “Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing”.
5. Getting accreditation, meeting Australian Standards, being given the mark of compliance for electronic or electrical goods - these are lengthy, rigorous and costly processes. Ditto for the approval process for medical or health devices, medicines, and so on. Chinese sellers do NOT go through these processes - for at least the following two reasons: (a) it’s a very expensive process, and (b) their goods wouldn’t meet the required standards anyway.
6. eBay cannot and wouldn’t be checking any assertion of accreditation or standards or warranty. It’s not their responsibility. I hold the view that allowing the flood of Chinese fakes and unbranded items is detrimental to the safety of buyers, and basically irresponsible, but in law eBay have no such responsibility (as things stand now) with the various disclaimers and T&Cs. eBay are not the seller; they are the market space.
7. eBay will act if presented with unequivocal and unavoidable evidence of an issue with safety standards. This evidence must rise to the level of a legal notice. eBay are reactive, not proactive.
It comes down to “Caveat emptor”. You as the buyer must consider the important aspects of importing an item into Australia, and be sure that the item is of the required standard. It is frustrating and in some respects outrageous, but there it is.
Consider the appalling case of the bouncy castle deaths. That bouncy castle was imported by the business owner from China. She asked for assurance that it met Australian standards. The seller assured her that it did, and provided an accreditation/compliance number. Unfortunately the buyer did not check any further; the body issuing that number gave evidence in the recent court proceedings that the documentation was fake.
So… don’t believe an image, a document, an assurance when it comes to buying from China (for instance). If what you’re buying ought to be accredited/made to Australian Standards, check with the issuing body of the compliance mark or number.
padi*0409
·1 year agoIs it the same item that the buyer in the thread below was talking about ?
https://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Buying/Product-recalls/m-p/2605458#M142208
If not please give more information of what eBay told you.
ikion748
OP1 year agoHi Padi 0409,
Like you I'm confused !! this is the email ebay sent me.
Hello ikion748
We take product safety very seriously. We’re reaching out to you because an item you purchased may have been recalled or pose a safety hazard. We recommend that you stop using this product. If you have questions about the item(s), please reach out to the seller or the manufacturer. Item details are listed below.
This item is recalled and is not permitted on eBay due to product safety concerns as shared on the Office for Product Safety and Standards website.
For more information about the recall associated with this product, please see the Office for Product Safety and Standards website below:
Office for Product Safety and StandardsThis item has been tested by the UK Ladder Association and was found to be non-compliant with EN131 safety standards.
If you have any problems, we recommend that you contact your payment provider to dispute the charge.
Item details: 124810874649 - Portable telescopic aluminium ladder alloy extension extendable steps adjustable
If you have questions, please go to "Help" at the top of most eBay pages.
Regards,
eBay