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.

[bsal6160]

It might be because Ebay as an INDIAN company....

[lyndal1838]

It might be because Ebay as an INDIAN company....

Wher did you find that information??

[bsal6160]

The owner of Ebay is an indian (India).

[gem-boy-g]

the last time I rang ebay help (must admit at least 12 months ago) I got a very helpful and perfectly lucid American lady.

[lyndal1838]

Rubbish....google is your friend.

[leader-of-the-band]

The owner of Ebay is an indian (India).

that's true! eBay was originally called BomBay . . . . but with the rise in terrorism the thought of buying from a company called BomBay was deemed unappealing.  So it was decided to call it eBay! 😉

[skippypom]

:^O

[at_wicks_end]

They are NOT American.

They are Philippinos based in Manila that have American accents.

Works well for Ebay as people believe they are speaking to staff in America yet they get to pay cheaper wages.

There are a number of clusters of people in the Philippines who have American accents as they are children of American servicemen who retired there, many having worked in the air force base there. 

Others "adopt" the accent for telemarketing purposes.

[kustomizer99]

That's right. I had one of them tell me that Canberra was in Sydney when I called them. I've recently been trying to communicate them via email, but they can barely comprehend or write in English.

Telstra does the same thing.