eBay customer service vs the English language

[kustomizer99]

Does anyone know why eBay seems to have a policy of only employing staff with a meagre grasp of the English language? This seems to be counter-productive.

Please let me know if you have any insights.

[phorum_junkie*]

I have not had to ring ebay very often but have always found them very easy to understand.

I have never had a problem go unresolved after ringing them either.

[extra-keen]

I have rung them 3 or 4 times over the last couple of years. One was fairly hard to understand, but in the end the issue was resolved.

My experience has been very positive otherwise with polite and seemingly well trained staff who are willing to listen and help if they can.

I guess though, that Aussi wages are just too expensive, so offshore is a better and cheaper option for ebay.

[ausfast]

I have called them many times and they're english seems good to me. They can understand me and I understand them without any issues.

They are based in Philippines and their voice is usually quite clear in my opinion.

[xxstuckonstickersxx]

The few times I've had to ring eBay I could understand the person on teh other end and they were actually quite helpful.

OPTUS on the other hand!!! My phones through them, whenever  I ring them (which is often because their overall service is so crappola!) its VERY hard to understand the person on the phone. It's obvious they're reading words they don't understand from a page in front of them.

If its too bad I actually say "sorry I can't understand you, could you transfer me to someone else please?"

I HATE being called "mate" in a fake try hard aussie accent!!! X-(

[zanadoo_56]

I had one of those cold call 'switch to our telco provider' people ring me, persumably from India judging by his accent.  I could barely understand a word he said...except for the bit where he told me his name was Trevor. 😉 I started to laugh....then I hung up.

And another story.... Someone (complete stranger, male, heavy foreign accent) once rang a neighbour and when she answered, after a pause he asked, "Can I speak to the owner of the house?"

Neighbour, "You're speaking to HER."

End of call.:-)

[patchoo78]

Does anyone know why eBay seems to have a policy of only employing staff with a meagre grasp of the English language?

They can't be any harder to understand than the call centre at Telstra! I almost cried with joy when I rang them and managed to get someone without a thick Phillipino accent...

Not meaning to be racist, but it's really hard to explain to someone what you want when there is that culture barrier

[kustomizer99]

I'm not just talking about their phone manner, I'm talking about their inability to comprehend written email messages.

I've been trying to ask them why eBay USA offers 50 free listings per month for users INCLUDING Powersellers, whereas eBay AU offers only 30 free listings per month for users EXCLUDING Powersellers?

They give me some song and dance but do NOT answer the question.... I'm not sure if they're simply illiterate or deliberately obtuse

In fact, can anyone HERE answer that question?

🙂

[tonalidesigns]

That one's easy ... look at the fees they charge in the US compared to here.

[kustomizer99]

Yes, they're cheaper in the USA. For example, a basic store there is $15 compared to $25 here....for no good reason that I can see.

So what's your point?

[ausfast]

Yes, they're cheaper in the USA. For example, a basic store there is $15 compared to $25 here....for no good reason that I can see.

So what's your point?

Check the Final Value Fee charge.. It is substantially higher in US and UK