Originally Posted by
gridplan
I like eBay and Paypal. When I look around at all the stuff I've bought on eBay -- ebay.com, ebay.it, ebay.fr, ebay.co.uk -- I'm amazed. There is no way I'd have all this stuff without them. I've been using eBay since '96. I have only minimal experience on eBay as a seller. But as a buyer, eBay and Paypal have been anything but scummy companies. They've helped me at every turn. I once lost a large sum of money on eBay to a group of shill bidders. EBay got my money back and worked with the DOJ to prosecute the scumbags. Another time, a Japanese seller misrepresented an expensive chair he sold me. Again, EBay and Paypal got my money back. In the past couple of months, I've had trouble with a seller who strung me along about a refund. When he reached the point when it was too late for me to leave negative feedback, he stopped emailing and didn't pay. Despite being past the 45 day window, Paypal has opened a case for me. I should have my money within 10 days. My point is, these are companies that serve my interests as a buyer.
Yes, it's the seller they are more tough on. The problems arise when the _buyer_ is unscrupulous. EBay and paypal just don't listen, from what I've read of complaints. It's the same way with any merchant services. I once had a table of four split a dinner, then sign each other's visa slips. One person protested the charge and I was stuck for it. But, at least I coudl reach someone to listen to my sob story before they said 'too bad.'
The reason they bend over backwards to support the buyer is that if you paid with a credit card, then ultimately the buyer decides what is fair and the credit card company backs them up. Paypal has no recourse. Ebay and paypal's 'guarantees' mean nothing if you are a seller.
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