What is the point of reporting listings? Ebay do nothing when you report any sort of breach.
Summary: ozcatz raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of reporting breaches on eBay, stating that it seems futile as no action is taken after reports are filed. Various participants join the discussion, although their contributions are marked as 'None,' indicating either agreement or acknowledgment without additional details provided. Despite multiple responses and engagement from participants like twyngwyn, davewil1964, and others, there appears to be no concrete resolution or suggestion for improving the reporting process on eBay.
I was looking for a particular item that Bunnings sell for $49 but my local Bunnings was out of stock so I thought I'd try Ebay. One listing was selling it for $299, which I thought was highway robbery but then I found another seller selling it for $999. They were both the exact same thing & same brand. I reported both listing for price gauging but Ebay's response was 'they found nothing wrong with the listings. I even included a screen shot of the Bunnings $49 price. Anyway, I found it at another Bunnings & bought it online with free delivery. I hope no one gets stooged by these theives.
countessalmirena
·1 year agoozcatz, you may have had trouble finding eBay’s Price Gouging policy as it seems you might have been spelling it as “gauging” (which of course means estimating).
From that policy, it’s clear that eBay’s Price Gouging policy is very specific. Quoting:
❝eBay is an important source of goods for buyers during emergencies and when supply chains are disrupted. Sellers offering essential items must offer them at reasonable prices, and may not attempt to unreasonably profit from increased demand or decreased supply caused by emergencies or disasters.❞
(Bolding is mine.)
— https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/price-gouging-policy?id=5106
As an example, some sellers were buying up hand sanitiser Australia-wide (ditto with masks and even with toilet paper) when COVID struck. They then listed those items (desperately sought) at inflated items, greedily licking their lips at the thought of all the money they’d rake in. Those sellers were being unconscionable and profiting on necessary essentials resulting from and occurring during a global disaster/emergency.
That’s not the same as a seller asking a huge price for a Bunnings item with RRP of $49. Price gouging is situation-specific and item-specific. You haven’t said what this item is, so we can only assume that it’s an everyday nonessential item.
At any rate, that’s why your report didn’t result in anything. The policy doesn’t apply.
ozcatz
OP1 year agoI misspelt in my comment but I selected 'prince gouging' from the drop down box. So that wouldn't have made any difference.
springyzone
·1 year agoI agree, those are ridiculous prices, but some sellers have the annoying (to me) habit of leaving listings up & just inflating the price when they are out of stock. They have the belief that will stop someone buying.
It probably would.
Ebay isn't in the business though of dictating prices to sellers. Why would they be?
It is like marketplace, sellers can list at whatever price they want. Just the other day on a different board here, I showed some boardies an ad from marketplace for possibly the worst mattresses you have ever seen, anywhere, in your entire life, $25.
I've seen rusty, worn out appliances listed for outrageous prices. I've seen other things at ridiculously low prices.
In other words, the sellers set the price. Same on ebay.
And it is not a price matching site. The fact it was at Bunnings for $49 doesn't mean it will be that price everywhere. I guess it just shows though that buyers need to be like you and do their homework before they buy, ebay is not necessarily a bargain site.
domino-710
·1 year agoWhere's the ' breach '. ??
ozcatz
OP1 year agoPrice gauging!
sandypebbles
·1 year agoWHY would anyone buy a $49 for $999 (or even $299)
You cannot report buyers lack of care or common sense
As already requested, what is the item number?
Is the seller registered here or in China?
Does anything suggest a hijacked account?
If so, you could report item location misrepresentation or a suspected hijacked account
ozcatz
OP1 year agoThe $299.95 is 226293188890
The $999.00 is 175687738323
twyngwyn
·1 year agoan item number would be handy......
ozcatz
OP1 year agoThe $299.95 is 226293188890
The $999.00 is 175687738323
davewil1964
·1 year agoeBay do not monitor price gouging. So no point reporting as such sellers are not breaking any rules.
Sellers are able to ask any price they like.
Buyers, as you have done, are free to not buy for what they consider inflated prices.
You've been a member for nearly TWENTY years. Surely you realise how eBay works.
ozcatz
OP1 year agoThey actually do have a section in the reporting for price gauging. That's what I reported the listings as.
springyzone
·1 year agoI think that clause probably came in during covid and as others explained, it applies to essential supplies or at least to ones under heavy demand, and where ebay could look really bad if it appeared they had sellers on the site taking advantage of people during tough times.
I think during covid they even introuduced a clause where the sellers of some items, such as toilet paper, had to be specially registered with ebay to even list it.
When the price gougers come out in force and there is danger of a public outcry or backlash and bad publicity, they will act.
They are unlikely to do anything about a log holder listing. I'd say their view would be that the market can decide & buyers can move on to another listing, as it isn't an item in particularly heavy demand.
ozcatz
OP1 year agosandypebbles
·1 year agoYes it is there but as mentioned, as per eBay policy, price gouging is for essential items
Which that is not
And no bot or staff is going to look up the retail price for a lump of iron
Price gouging policy | eBay
Why does eBay have this policy?
This policy helps ensure buyers are able to find essential items at reasonable prices, and that important government regulations and guidelines are followed.
And the above is why eBay did not remove the listings based on price gouging
twyngwyn
·1 year ago.....did they have stock, or were they inflating the price (so no-one would buy) while they secured more stock?
ozcatz
OP1 year agoI contacted one & asked why they were charging so much when it sells at Bunnings for $49 & they just replied with "Thanks for your message.Ebay is a marketplace where sellers can choose the price of the goods they are wishing to sell.Kind regards,MJ". No F###'s given