Offensive message from seller - how to report to eBay?

[letscleanupmycupboards]

I remember there used to be a report link on the eBay messages if you received an offensive reply from another member. Can't seem to find it anywhere in the full or mobile version.

I asked a question about the authenticity of an item (100% definitely a fake) and copped a tirade of F words and worse. Serious chip on his shoulder. And yes Aussie seller.

[letscleanupmycupboards]

k1ooo the question about authenticity was raised on another forum and upon following the link I could see the item was indeed a fake. With bids of a grand I messaged the seller in the nicest possible way asking whether the item was genuine and saying that I did not believe it to be, pointing out the obvious tells. I was hoping the seller might say "oh really I had no idea I'll take the listing down".

[letscleanupmycupboards]

Incidentally I've sent a copy to eBay and they assured me they will take action.

[performance_parts_clearance_centre]

"Performance parts got theirs removed when they posted".

Mmm, although I posted the other party's message - perhaps posting your own is OK?

As to politely informing sellers that their item isn't genuine, I tend to do that reasonably often - back in 1997, TV Week gave out a reproduction of their first issue from 1957. Every so often, a copy will pop up here, billed as the original, not the repro. I send a polite message pointing out that it's a repro (which is actually stated on page 5!), and have yet to receive a snarky response - so, all honest people who genuinely believed the item was legit. 

Done it a few times with number plates, too - people selling 1970's / 80's re-issues, thinking they're 1950's / 60's originals. Same deal.

[*tippy*toes*]

Did you out and out accuse them or did you "suggest" that it could be fake. If someone out and out accused me with no proof, I'd be pretty cheesed off to. What proof do YOU have that it's fake?

[marty7188]

I recently sent a message to a Melbourne based Ebay shop, asking if they had payment options..and received an aggressive reply: 'question: who does it any better than we do? Answer: no one. I'll take that as insult'. My message was polite and benign, and didn't warrant such arrogance. 

The next day, their listings descriptions included 'anyone maiking an insulting offer will be banned, for ever, period.'

How can an Ebayer get away with this sort of behaviour? If I'd replied I would have been banned from his store + from bidding.

This is not in the spiirt of Ebay.

I'm considering reporting them to Ebay.

[lyndal1838]

What did you mean by payment options?

Were you asking if the seller had any other acceptable methods of accepting payment, or did you mean would they accept a lower amount?

If you wanted to know if they would accept offers all you needed to do was look at the listing...if it had "Or best offer" then you could make an offer.  If it was not on the listing then the seller was not interested.

If you wanted to know what payment options they accepted you just look under the Postage and Payment tab.

Maybe the seller overreacted, but sellers do get some outrageous questions/offers these days and they are getting sick of it.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

yes, please do explain what you mean by "payment options".

I'll hold off commenting further on this until I know exactly what you meant,

Spoiler

Spoiler

otherwise you might take offence at what I post in reply to your post if it reads the way I think it reads!

[imastawka]

Ermagerd!      Surely you didn't ask if they took lay-by??

Wouldn't be a polite reply from me, if that's what you meant.

[brerrabbit585]

Some people think they're being polite but they have absolutely no idea how they come across. They're often the first people to take offence at other people's remarks too.

Aimed at no one in particular.

I find it offensive when buyers ask would I discount the price if they buy all I have of an item. I don't have make an offer turned on and their potential orders are puny compared to some I get. Some people haggle in Australia but it's not expected like it is in a lot of Asian countries. If they do offer they could at least learn to be a lot more polite rather than assuming they'll get what they want.

[marty7188]

hmm...I think if a buyer asks a very simple question / query, even using the Ebay prompt questions, it's a fair bet 

to assume that a Seller would respond appropriately. There is a basic line of etiquette when it comes to this kind of

question and answer, and for a Seller to be tocked off or offended from a buyer whose a first timer their shop. it's

a pretty poor business model. To sense that someone is being courteous and polite isn't rocket science. 

99% of recent messages to Sellers have been wonderful...courteous, fruendly and even funny. I have to say the vast majority

of these cases have been sellers operating from 'home' who have an item they just want to sell, and don't have a chip on their

shoulder. Oddly it's the stores who have been less so.