How Genuine Is Ebay Feedback?

[Playbill]

I bought what was described as a genuine item from a business seller on ebay and was sent a fake. I sent it back and eventually I received a refund from ebay and left, for the first time as far as I can remember, negative feedback. The feedback appeared when I checked a few minutes later.

When I searched for a similar item on ebay a day or two later I came across the same seller selling the same item. When I checked their feedback rating I found my negative feedback had disappeared and their rating was the same.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Buenchico]

eBay take feedback ratings very seriously. (If people don't believe them they'll be less likely to use Ebay, with a subsequent loss of profit for the company). The only reasons that your feedback can have been removed are given here:
http://sellercentre.ebay.co.uk/request-ebay-feedback-removal

Of course there are people who'll try to artificially inflate their ratings (e.g. by buying and selling lots of items using multiple identities, or in collaboration with others) but eBay generally spot such activity fairly quickly.

eBay ratings might be imperfect but they're probably a better guide than you'll get by buying at a physical auction, or on a market stall (for example), so it's unlikely that you'll find anything better when buying from a stranger.

[grasscarp]

If I were you I would contact eBay about this. I find them to be helpful. I have had one negative left recently which I am trying to get removed. They will not do it until I have tried to work it out with buyer. They want me to call back after a week if no response. Fakes is a big problem as a found recently when I purchased a fake cosmetic, got money back from eBay. They wanted me to post item back. I pointed out this is illegal and stuck to my guns.

[Playbill]

Thanks Buenchico, I knew there would be explanations somewhere on the eBay site, but I had not got around to searching for them yet.

And thanks grasscarp. On checking the feedback of the seller I saw they had sold a number of the same items and received positive feedback for them. Either I got a 'rogue' dodgy one or those buyers were not so suspicious and did not recognize them as fakes.

[TWR]

I have sold a lot on ebay & value my reputation Playbill, always check the seller's rating before you buy, if the cost of postage is less that I have stated, I always refund, if the product I sell is damaged in any way it goes in the bin.

[grasscarp]

Playbill when I bought the fake item I googled and found an article on how to tell real from fake. I then checked their feedback and about 4 people out of 40 said it was fake. This is how people get away with it. Buyer thinks wow I can buy a beauty product that is 20 pounds in shop for 7 or 8 pounds on eBay. Fact it bears no resemblance to real thing goes unnoticed cos they never bought the real thing and leave feedback like. "quick delivery and great price thank you" meanwhile another buyer gives negative and says "nothing like one I bought in shop". So feedback can be meaningless a lot of the time!

[Playbill]

TWR - did that, I ALWAYS check feedback rating and have often bought from a dearer seller who had a better rating. That is why this transaction made me so annoyed.

grasscarp - I was instantly suspicious when I got the item and did exactly the same as you and found an article on google showing how to detect a fake. All the points demonstrated in the article confirmed my suspicions that it was a fake.

[grasscarp]

Thanks playbill. It is awful to be ripped off. I had a call from trading standards who said there are thousands of counterfeit goods being sold on eBay every day. There is not resources to cope.

[andres]

If they are selling fakes ,I am surprised that Ebay hasn't suspended the sellers.

[grasscarp]

Andres EBay only stopped the seller carrying on in my particular case because I kept on at them. But that was just one of several doing same thing. Until someone complains nothing is done and even they don't seem bothered with the seller! I suppose for them it is all profit and few people know they are buying fakes.

[andres]

Good for you! If more people opened their mouths these days things might improve .

[rccatnap]

It is possible that the fact you got a full refund negated your negative feedback. However, if the product is advertised as genuine, but in fact is a fake, then EBay should take it up with the seller and get them to remove it for sale. Leaving negative feedback on its own will not solve the problem.

[Playbill]

Yes rccatnap, that's what I was thinking.

But as an added irritation I have just received a marketing message from eBay asking if I still wanted the product and featuring the very same product from the very same seller!

[searchlight]

Oh very much so. I am very angry with ebay and resigned to pursuing a seller for a refund through legal process. I had a dreadful fallout with a seller and left negative feedback. It's now disappeared and his 100% record reinstated. I'm furious!!

[FrogNog]

Are you sure the item is not described correctly somewhere in the small print?
If you say anything defamatory, like scam or fraud in your feedback, or if you threaten to leave negative feedback in order to get the outcome you desire, eBay will remove that feedback immediately.
A refund does not negate negative feedback.