what to do if you note someone is selling an item and making claims about it that are not true i.e. the items original price and location.

[lindypoo0_0]

HI I recently noticed an item up for sale that was mine until very recently when I sold it to a buyer on Ebay. Now it is being sold by someone else (not the buyer I sold to, though they come from the same area) who is making false claims about where they bought the item and how much they paid for it.  This seller is also stating they have a receipt to prove what they are claiming they paid for it. All untrue.

 What do you advise?  I can prove the item was mine by the serial number.

[banpokies1 · Accepted solution]

beesbooteek?

Ads in Australia are expected to be accurate...just saying. There is law against deceptive and misleading advertising.

I appreciate this inquirer's issue. It is a question of trust and protection for others...and ethics, as well as they may be protected. OK Ebay may not be quite so 'business-oriented' but the same principles of fairness could be better applied?

If a person believes or knows a listing to be deceptive, they should be able to report it to Ebay to be passed on to the seller to give him a chance to recant or explain more.

It could be that this person posting the query is incorrect...but can such a report be made to Ebay? I think it would be fair enough...to try that, at least.

I had an issue with an original antique painting I was watching. The listing outlined an artist but the work appeared to be painted by someone else. I wrote for more details. The seller sent me details that clearly indicated that I was correct to doubt the painting...but then did not change the listing details OR list my question/his answer to me on the site. So some poor devil bought a painting for almost $2000AUD...thinking it was one person's work...and it was MOST likely to be another's.

If people contact a seller with warnings or queries...then these should all be posted under Questions...I believe.... for all to see, in the interests of transparency. If such warnings/queries were groundless...then presumably every buyer could then calculate his own risk...and make his own decisions? He still has a choice to ignore the information or not...but secrecy/non-frank disclosure by any seller gives the consumer NO real choice...and he is too easily deceived.

It should be any seller's responsibility to sell goods that he has fully and honestly researched...OR allow others to assist with that process. The questions section on listings should be much more publicly accessible. It should be a risk of selling...and any seller who does not like it should NOT be selling...if another person may be cheated.

We have gone beyond the old catch-cry very much of 'buyer beware' these days and consumers deserve more protections...not less...as your reply suggests.