topic Re: What would you do? in Selling

What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 05:19:56 GMT

A couple of years ago I had a rival (who had sent messages and made contact to our website with snide comments) buy an item. When I realised who it was I cancelled the sale as in the order record there was an a message from eBay saying 'there is a problem with this address'. This rival attempted to leave negative feedback but because the feedback was abusive it was removed by eBay.

Fast forward to today and I see a sale from the same surname for an item that the rival sells on eBay, perhaps in his daughter's name. I now wonder what I should do about this if anything? Do I send the item and see what happens, or contact eBay with a heads up at least? When this happened years ago I blocked the rival on all the accounts they have. Would it be classed as opening another account to get around eBay's policies? I can't check their feedback given as they have this private, as with their other buying accounts.

Re: What would you do?

countessalmirena — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 05:46:17 GMT

If you have any doubts, cancel.

I wouldn’t complicate things by lodging a complaint; it’s unlikely that a link could be established by eBay between the two accounts, as they don’t exactly send Poirot in to get to the bottom of these things.

Re: What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:53:52 GMT

I am just a bit wary of the repercussions. If I knew they were only interested in the item and not trashing my feedback or trying to steal from me then it would be all good. However, I know this person has had a real issue/gripe with us previously which I always felt may come back at some point when they think we have forgotten.

Re: What would you do?

imastawka — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:56:23 GMT

Trust your 'spidey senses' and cancel.

Then block.

But if they've paid, you just may get a neg.

Re: What would you do?

sandypebbles — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:01:58 GMT

From what you have said, it most certainly sounds like this person is either using a family member's account themselves, or gotten the family member to buy from you for the sole purpose of being up to no good

Re: What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:09:53 GMT

The thing is, this surname is not a common surname. When they originally bought a couple of years ago, the 'buyer' was let's say a 'Jim Djokovic' (fictitious name) when I know the rival is Brian Djokovic (my business partner did some business with an old client of his). Then today a 'Brittany Djokovic' bought from me. As I say, all their accounts have private feedback, which although not unusual is just another red flag for me.

I think they likely think we have forgotten but I took screen shots of their original purchase a couple of years ago and they don't know that we know who they are from the associate.

Re: What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:26:48 GMT

I have just gone back and found the screenshot I took of the sale from a couple of years ago. Wouldn't you believe it but that sale (which I suspect is my rival buyer just using a different name) has the same phone number as the new sale today for the buyers delivery address details.

Re: What would you do?

repentatleisure1952 — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:29:51 GMT

Cancel the sale as problem with buyer's address & block the ID.

Re: What would you do?

countessalmirena — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:37:27 GMT

@oddsandendsoz wrote:
I have just gone back and found the screenshot I took of the sale from a couple of years ago. Wouldn't you believe it but that sale (which I suspect is my rival buyer just using a different name) has the same phone number as the new sale today for the buyers delivery address details.

With that information, I would report the buyer in addition to cancelling the sale and blocking.

It seems that your concerns about a dish served cold were correct.

Re: What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:38:39 GMT

I am just wondering the best way of proceeding with this though?

Do I just;

1) cancel the sale and use 'issue with buyers address' as suggested

2) send a message with something along the lines of; 'We have noticed an issue with the contact details which match an account we have previously blocked. It is against eBay policy to open a new account and use that to circumvent blocks. Therefore we have no other choice but to cancel this purchase'.

3) inform eBay

4) send the item and if there are issues then contact eBay?

My preference is cancel the sale but last time we did that that buyer (our rival) left negative feedback and accused us of fraud. Any input welcome as it will go in to the percolating pot LOL.

Re: What would you do?

countessalmirena — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:52:52 GMT

I'd report the buyer, and cancel and use "issue with buyer's address".

Re: What would you do?

k1ooo-slr-sales — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 11:15:20 GMT

communicate with eBay, not the 'buyer'.

Let eBay deal with the circumvention of a blocked ID.

Re: What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 04:17:22 GMT

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately when you choose the options, there is no option select 'buyer used another ID to get around blocks'. The only options are the following;

Next, tell us what happened

Buyer demanded something that was not offered in my listing

Buyer made a false claim

Buyer misused returns

Buyer messaged me or retracted their bid with no intention of buying my item

Does anyone know how to actually talk to a person at eBay these days, all their help page does is take you around in circles?

Re: What would you do?

countessalmirena — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 04:53:00 GMT

The “false claim” might be as close as you can get…?

Otherwise, Live Chat may be your only option. You should be able to ask for a supervisor to report buyer circumventing blocks.

The Help page detailing this behaviour as against policy is https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/violation-ebay-user-agreement-policy?id=4371

❝Members must not create additional accounts to circumvent selling restrictions, buying limits, suspension, or to manipulate any site feature.❞

There’s also this:

❝Unwelcome and malicious buying: We consider bidding on or buying an item when you have no intention of completing the transaction, or circumventing a seller's buyer requirements, to be unwelcome and malicious buying.❞

and this:

❝Using multiple accounts: Registering new accounts or using other existing accounts to avoid buying restrictions or limits or other policy consequences is not allowed. See our Multiple accounts policyfor more information.❞

— https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/rules-policies-buyers/buying-practices-policy?id=4374

Re: What would you do?

folosite — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 08:32:00 GMT

Actually this is a big thing - according with eBay T&C ( the ones nobody reads) any seller on eBay is forbidden to buy from a competitor. Regardless if they leave feedback or not and regardless if the item bought is a competitive item or not and regardless if they use a different account.
If a seller does and you notify them and you can prove is a competitor, their account is suspended immediately.

You should follow up with eBay on this

Re: What would you do?

repentatleisure1952 — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:06:06 GMT

Do have a link to show where "any seller on eBay is forbidden to buy from a competitor".

Re: What would you do?

domino-710 — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:23:54 GMT

LOL - that ' seller ' becomes the ' buyer ' - the buyer is always right.

Re: What would you do?

oddsandendsoz — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 12:01:36 GMT

Just an update on this. So the 'buyer' did leave negative feedback as I expected. Saying things like 'fraudulent seller, do NOT buy from this seller' etc. Thankfully eBay removed the negative, although at first they were only going to remove the words not the rating. I did not report the buyer as I know that would have likely led to more 'revenge' from him because it is obvious he has a very malicious streak. I admit that I was worried that he would get someone else to buy to leave a neg but so far nothing. Thanks for all the input.