Ebay letting sellers ruin the platform

[jacksonexpress_3]

Hello, and a BIG SMILE to everyone interacting with this post.

The name on our account is a recent change from my son as he wanted to try  drop shipping.

However, this eBay account we have originated as sonjack and I have been actively buying items for close to 20 years.

I did sell items here and there over the years. And I have always been proud to advertise genuine items, genuine pricing, and item descriptions.

I have always felt that I missed such huge opportunities to become an ebay store over the years,

But HEY that's Life.

Over the past few years, I have been looking for different pieces of small equipment to manufacture items here in Australia.

Every time I do a Google or on Platform Ebay search I see an item ( AS AN EXAMPLE ) that is exactly what I'm after and says its only for example $100 AUD,

Then I follow the l; link to Ebay and dozens and dozens of items are advertised at a similar price point. But when you open the item............... It's ONLY the spare part at that price. IF you want the actual item its 4 times the price plus $300 AUD shipping.

I need to say to EBAY..

I get that you guys make money from seller listings and sales.. But people like me are now very rarely making purchases because the site is filled with BAIT AND SWITCH items.

I think that the international sellers especially, listing on EBAY Australia should be vetted better and held to STRICT compliance to advertising descriptions. Shipping time frames and Shipping Prices. AND any seller clearly adopting the practice of advertising a machine for sale complete with pictures at a very low price. When they were only selling a spare part or similar low-value item at that price and that the complete machine is actually way way more expensive.

I have been using Ebay for 20 Years. But people like my teen children have purchased many items on your platform that arrived - OR NOT that was not what they expected as essentially they were also a victim of BAIT AND SWITCH..

EBAY IT IS RUINING YOUR LEGACY.

[imastawka]

---

@jacksonexpress_3 wrote:

Hi Imas,

I think I may have posted a question that is not a question and more of a statement.

Variation..... So when a Car manufacturer shows you images AND item description of a vechile for sale that is 10K. Then you make the effort to investigate if that car is truely available for that price.

Only to find out that NO SORRY that advertisement was a VARIATION ADVERTISEMENT.

And the car is actually 27K.

Call it what you will. I call that "BAIT AND SWITCH" But feel free to think that this type of behaviour is acceptable.

CHEERS.....

The point is, it's ebay's own policies you are questioning.

Bottom line - it's their platform - their rules apply.

But you seem to think they will change their policies just for you, cos your speshul.

I'm out

---

[sugar249]

I'm confused you say your teens have being gotten by these people,  yet all your feedback left for others reflects a positive experience.  Unless of course they are using a different account.

Now I also guess considering after 20 years experience, you have worked it out,  why arent you teaching your teens to look out for it.

I guess you havent taught them about all the scammers who ring on the phone asking for their bank details, etc.

Teach your teens, 

Just a PS.  The ad you are currently running could be considered a little dodgy, only picturing one chair, out of 4 if your quantity is correct.  Hmmm

[sugar249]

---

Fuel, Groceries, Cars,Houses,Banking, Lending, Government Contracts, Army and Police enlistment..

Solar Panel Purchases, Landscaping quotes, Builders Quotes.. ETC ETC ETC and the list could fill the entire INTERNET.

---

You have used some excellent examples here.

• We all know about used car salesman.
•  
• The hidden housing defects
•  
• Lending,  the hidden costs.
•  
• Government contracts, I suppose here it's the supplier who slugs them for extra's
•  
• Army and police enlistment, well just look at some of the horror stories once people join up compared to the great adverts they put out, it's not all roses.
•  
• I wont get started on solar, builders or landscapers,  not many people come out of the deal with what they were expecting.

[sandypebbles]

Groceries

I am going to go kick up a stink when they have those specials such as 2 for $7 BUT it's $8 if you only want 1

And the ads that give a price for a car from $$$* but that is for a manual and I want an automatic 

Or the interest rate on a fixed term deposit that is for %*  but that is for x years and I want it for y  years and that is not the rate I will get

All 'bait and switch' based on the logic used

[imastawka]

I'm back.

Has the OP fully signed up for Managed Payments?  

Or do they think they don't have to?

Be interesting if they haven't.

[sugar249]

---

@sandypebbles wrote:

Groceries

I am going to go kick up a stink when they have those specials such as 2 for $7 BUT it's $8 if you only want 1

And the ads that give a price for a car from $$$* but that is for a manual and I want an automatic 

Or the interest rate on a fixed term deposit that is for %*  but that is for x years and I want it for y  years and that is not the rate I will get

All 'bait and switch' based on the logic used

---

Ah yes interest rates,  was just looking at those, bank savings accounts just over 5 percent,  but the fine print said only for 4 months,  then it was down below 2 percent

Bait and switch based on our OP

[domino-710]

 And I have always been proud to advertise genuine items, genuine pricing, and item descriptions.

Then be honest - photos of both. 

7.5 - 8.5 - on whose scale. lol

[gutterpunkz05]

The way you justify this variation listing  is the beginning of a race to who can deceive another human the best, quickest and make the biggest profit..

-----------------------------------------------

No deception involved.

It does not need to be justified.   As well as not breaching any ebay policys, such listings are also totally legal, are approved by ACCC, and do not breach any advertising laws or codes.

As for fuel etc, the last time I fueled up, the price was dependant on what fuel I chose, not the cheapest advertised rate.

The last new car I bought, the blue one was $650 more than the white one.

Etc Etc Etc.  ever seen or read advertising disclaimers, *, #, !!,

[springyzone]

As others have said, you're on a messageboard with just a bunch of regular people, no ebay workers visit, or not in years. Not that I know of. So your message won't get through to ebay and they don't welcome suggestions anyway.

I actually agree with you about these variation listings. I have no problem with them at all when they are for exactly the same type of item, for example, an item of clothing that comes in different colours or sizes.

I don't even have a real problem with variation listings when they are for eg a different style of item. For example, I once looked at christening gowns and there was a choice of about 4 designs at different prices. These sorts of listings though can be annoying as I think most buyers skim through title & opening photo and move on if they don't like a particular style. They may not realise there are other styles available in this ad unless the title makes it clear.

The ones though that I think should be banned are the type where you have an ad that says in the title eg food processor and a price of $20. But when you open the ad, the food processor is $200 and the $20 is for-I don't know-maybe a food processor cover or spare blade or whatever.

To me, the title should match the items in the drop down menu. If such a seller wishes to sell the cover or spare blade, they should be separate ads. They could be under 'accesories and spare parts for x brand food processor'.

I understand your example about new car ads. Yes, often the lowest advertised price will be a basic car, maybe a manual. But I've never, for example, seen an ad that says eg New mazda model xyz now available starting from $50, where the $50 turns out to be car mats. I don't think that would fly in TV ads.

However, although the price point in the ebay ads can be a disappointment once you check, you can see it clearly enough and I am not sure why your kids are not getting what they expected. If they were sent the wrong item, they should make an ebay claim.

[*sons_n_daughters*]

Call me a moron, but what the heck is "bait and switch"?