Buying from Amazon and eBay. I find that I trust Amazon more.

[keithbvadu2]

Buying from Amazon and eBay. I find that I trust Amazon more.

With eBay I've had several instances of product not received. For one of them, the seller would not even respond about late / nondelivery... eBay / PayPal sent a specific note that they consider the seller claiming it had been sent to be the final solution even though it never arrived. $30 down the drain for me but they were happy.

I've only had one return with Amazon and it was very straightforward.

I still use eBay but am cautious with it.

[NJCher]

1. I won't use ebay

Because of the same experience you describe.

[padfun]

2. I'm the opposite

I've had to make a claim quite a few times with Amazon but they do always manage to send me another one. It just happens way too often.

And I have always gotten my money back on the two times I never received my items from eBay. And that is over 10 years and over a thousand orders. I do buy from sellers with high feedback.

[DFW]

3. From the few times I have used either, I find a mixed bag for both

Ebay couldn't care less if the seller shafts you or not. You're on your own, and usually S.O.L.

Amazon won't do anything if the seller shafts you either, but they at least ask you what was wrong.

In my experience, that constitutes the entire difference, which is I try to avoid both.

[left-of-center2012]

4. I've probably made about 50 purchases off eBay

I've only had a couple problems and eBay or PayPal resolved in my favor.

I also make purchases off Amazon and the one time I recall having a problem they sided with the merchant so I lost my money.

[PatSeg]

39. Same here with eBay

I had a few issues and in all but one, the seller was quick to respond and resolve the issue satisfactorily. In one case, the seller was clearly scamming customers and I was just one of many. That one took quite awhile, but eventually I received a full refund.

I haven't had any major issues with Amazon for the most part. I wish when there was a complaint though, they would give you better options, as the very few they list don't always cover what the problem is. Often the only recourse is to post a negative review and then sometimes the seller will contact you.

All things considered, I'm surprised there aren't more problems - lost packages, damaged product, or receiving the wrong item. Mail order shopping as come a long way.

[MerryHolidays]

5. I am really down on Amazon these days

Putting aside the huge issues with employment issues at Amazon, which are hard to put aside, I discovered relatively recently the proliferation of fake reviews on Amazon. I used to trust Amazon totally, particularly for IT purchases. I don't anymore, because I have doubts about the authenticity of the review,and it is definitely not always the lowest priced seller.

I had documented this elsewhere on DU, but, as an example, I got a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem at a 10% discount at a local store over the price on Amazon. I drove three miles and got it the same day at a cheaper price than having to wait for a late evening delivery via Amazon. Plus, I am getting a little annoyed at all the excess packaging that Amazon has.

I love eBay for buying computer equipment and parts. I invariably find that I have no issues with highly rated sellers. I also have found numerous instances where something is available on eBay (or other sites) at better rates than Amazon.

I have now installed an app that uses artificial intelligence to help sort out real and fake reviews on websites like Amazon and eBay.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Amazon prices on high demand items like thermometers, masks, etc were through the roof, and I found MUCH better prices on eBay.

I used to be an exclusive Amazon buyer, but no more. I'm not completely jettisoning it, but neither is it my one-stop shop any more.

[OhioChick]

6. I've had the opposite experience...

I've had several returns with Amazon for counterfeit items. While Amazon was accommodating and accepted returns for the items, they never took down the counterfeit sellers. (They're in abundance on Amazon, I've found)

As for eBay, I've had much better luck and if I run into a problem, I can either open a case with eBay or file a dispute with Paypal. ("Paypal Purchase Protection" ~ within 180 days of your purchase)

[MerryHolidays]

7. Same for me.

I just made another post on this thread, but I am SHOCKED at the number of fake reviews on Amazon. Thanks to DU, I discovered there are apps out there than you can install to help you sort through the fake stuff (and it is FAR more prevalent than I imagined).

I haven't had similar problems with eBay, but this app also checks sellers to let me know if there might be issues.

[OhioChick]

14. I use Amazon FakeSpotter....

If that's what you're referring to.

Many are paid to write fake glowing reviews for an item they never even purchased.

https://www.fakespot.com/

[MerryHolidays]

15. Ditto! nt

[Hortensis]

35. Same here.

[NJCher]

46. added it to my browser

It's really helpful! Wow how did I get along without this?

Thanks for posting the link.

[OhioChick]

47. No problem

[catsudon]

19. that is funny

i used to go out of my way to buy specific counterfeit items.
they are priced as such that we all know what we're buying

not those who tried to pass off counterfeits as real.

1. lepin (counterfeit legos because real ones are expensive)
2. Magic the gathering cards (again, why pay $40 for a piece of cardboard when you can get them for $1)
3. out of print boardgame (considering out of print board games can be insanely pricey on ebay)

[FakeNoose]

8. About 15 years ago Ebay made everyone use their Paypal payment method

... and that's the day I quit Ebay. There are several other reasons for avoiding Ebay IMHO, but that was the clincher for me.

Amazon is a real company, not a collection of scam artists who are just as likely to be lying about their products or services - which is what Ebay has become. I have high praise for Amazon's reliable quality, their customer service policies, their Prime membership that includes "free" shipping, and many other services. To me there is no comparison between the two companies, Amazon won my heart over 15 years ago.

[MerryHolidays]

11. There are so many third parties selling on Amazon

that it is clearly not a single seller.

Also, google "fake reviews Amazon"... you'll be surprised.

[FakeNoose]

34. Yes I know and I try to avoid those third party "private" sellers

The few times I've purchased from Amazon's private sellers the experience has been good, but I still avoid them when I can.

And yes there are lots of fake reviews, just like everywhere else.

As an example of fake reviews, when Hillary Clinton released her latest book a few years ago, can you guess what happened? Before her book had even shipped, there were hundreds of 1-star reviews of her book on Amazon, written by people who obviously hadn't read it. I've seen hundreds of examples on Amazon that are even more insidious, but you get the picture. Anyone can write literally anything and call it a "review."

I've learned to ignore about 95% of those useless reviews. Ebay has reviews also - real AND fake.

[Emrys]

13. I've never regretted getting a PayPal account

It's more secure for making payments than repeatedly submitting your debit card details online, and it's also come in handy when overseas clients in my self-employed day job have seemingly had problems figuring out bank transfers.

[NJCher]

41. my objection to paypal

is that somehow scammers know one has a paypal account and they're constantly sending emails about some purchase (which I never made). Then I have to take the time to check and find out it's some sort of scam. l just quit using it because I was tired of this sort of thing.

[Emrys]

48. That would be annoying and concerning.

It's never happened to me.

I have had a telephone scammer making a very dogged (and initially persuasive) attempt at trying to steal all the money out of my personal account, though.

[SergeStorms]

9. I have over 2,000 Ebay transactions...

most of them as a seller. I'm always very truthful in my descriptions of anything I'm selling. I cant say the same about other sellers. I'd say out of maybe 500 purchases, 75% have been unsatisfactory.
I've been an Amazon Prime member for over 10 years, and I'd say I've had 90-95% satisfaction, and when I wasn't satisfied the vendor made things right.

Just my experience between the two.

[Emrys]

10. The other accounts of experiences with eBay under this OP so far don't chime with mine at all.

It's far more biased in favour of the buyer howadays than it was some years ago. Sellers can't leave buyers negative feedback nowadays, which used to be used by some unscrupulous sellers as leverage in case of disputes.

You have two avenues of complaint if something goes wrong with a transaction: via eBay itself and via PayPal.

I'm surprised the OP had the experience described, as the seller has to provide proof of delivery of any item if there's a dispute, not just dispatch. If that's absent, there's no reason why the buyer's case shouldn't succeed, and if I'd had the OP's experience I wouldn't have let it rest there. The goods must also be as described. If they're not, there are avenues to pursue such claims.

I've had to pursue claims myself a few times over the years. The most expensive was a professionally refurbished second-hand laptop. I received no communication at all from the seller after the initial order confirmation, opened a dispute with eBay, the required time elapsed, still no response from the seller, so I received a full refund. (Sadly, I suspect that seller was either seriously ill or had died, as he had excellent feedback over some years up till then, but ceased all eBay activity very suddenly.) I also bought another laptop, but this time the seller sent the wrong model (they looked superficially similar but the one he sent was useless to me as the hard drive I had wouldn't fit in it). I raised a dispute, returned the laptop by tracked mail as instructed, somebody signed for it, the seller didn't refund the money, so eBay stepped in when he didn't respond to them either and refunded my money from his PayPal account. That seller was then thrown off eBay.

I've won every dispute I've raised. As long as you check sellers' feedback and do due diligence on the listing details, it's as safe a method of online shopping as any.

[vercetti2021]

12. Ebay is better for me

I've actually gotten stuff faster lately from Ebay. While Amazon was suppose to be 2 day shipping is now 4 to 5 days with prime. I've cancelled my prime over it because I liked 2 day. If I wanted 4 to 5 days I'll just make the minimum requirements for free shipping

[Buckeye_Democrat]

16. Me too.

I often purchased items through eBay in the past, but I haven't done it for several years.

I'd find great deals on eBay sometimes, but I think my last purchase was this bivy sack for $50:
https://mtnweekly.com/reviews/a-review-of-the-outdoor-research-advanced-bivy-sack/


It was advertised as never used, and that appeared to be true! It looked like it was never removed from the original box. Or maybe it was, since the bivy sack wasn't wrapped in plastic? So perhaps it was removed once and then stuffed back into the cardboard box?

Unfortunately, the seller apparently lived inside an animal shelter! The bivy sack smelled just like one, and the odors were unbelievably embedded into the material!

I planned to use the bivy sack for an upcoming trip into an area with lots of bears, so those odors were very bothersome. I was going to wisely hang all of my food and toiletries from a tree, but such a precaution seemed almost pointless compared to the strong odors on that bivy sack which might attract them even more!

So I tried to wash out the odors, using my washing machine to hold the water and soap as I churned it with only my hands.

Then I got the idea of not just draining the soap-water, but also using the spin-cycle BRIEFLY to help remove more moisture.

Then the rubberized bottom of the bivy sack got stuck between the spinning tub and the outside of the tub! The washing machine jumped at least a foot in the air from the sudden stop of the spin-cycle, with me standing next to it and just about causing a heart attack! Physically, I only suffered a hand cut from quickly shutting off the power and a bruise from an outer panel of the washing machine slamming into my knee.

So it cost me several hundreds of dollars to replace the washing machine, and the bivy sack was so ripped up that it was useless! And it STILL stunk to high-heaven after me washing and rinsing it repeatedly!

I later looked up the other stuff being sold by that seller. Everything else was various pet supplies.

Edit: I still didn't give the seller a negative review, despite how I was angry about it.

[Emrys]

25. You should have contacted the seller and left appropriate feedback depending on the outcome.

There have been many cases of eBay buyers successfully rejecting, say, clothing because of cigarette smoking-related smells.

If the seller lived/worked in an animal shelter, it's possible their sense of smell was compromised by constant exposure, so they possibly didn't realize there was a problem, and without feedback, they'd never be any the wiser.

If you don't leave meaningful feedback for a transaction, then other buyers may have similar experiences. eBay used to be more of a community (warts and all), and feedback's still an important aspect of it. I look at leaving feedback as a way of saying thanks for good service and items, or warning other prospective buyers of any shortcomings.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

26. Yeah, I should've left feedback about it.

Last edited Sun Apr 18, 2021, 09:05 AM - Edit history (2)

That seller appeared to sell pet stuff the vast majority of the time, as I later learned by studying her eBay profile.

I was mostly mad at myself for what happened too. If I'd taken a little more time, I probably would've found some enzymatic cleaners to eliminate the odors. I didn't know about those at the time either, but I instead rushed into the soap and water effort. (The trip was still 2-3 weeks away, and I'm usually more methodical and careful rather than rushing into things.)

I was also thinking, "Well, based on appearances, she was technically honest about never using it. And it's still a great deal if I can just get the odors out!"

But yeah, she maybe couldn't even tell that it smelled so strong if she was exposed to those odors constantly... so feedback might've helped her and others in the future.

[Emrys]

29. I didn't mean to sound critical of you, which reading back, my post could have seemed.

I just get frustrated reading some of these accounts of problems people have had with eBay because there are usually remedies they could have explored and gotten at least some degree of satisfaction.

As for the washing machine disaster, I'm sure we've all been there or thereabouts, and you have my sympathy. Sometimes I see myself starring in a private Inspector Clouseau movie when I get caught up in unintended consequential messes!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

30. Oh, you're fine. I didn't take it that way.

You made a good point.

My body was trembling for awhile after the washing machine scare.

[LisaL]

43. Think about it this way, at least you didn't become bear food.

I doubt enzymatic cleaners would have gotten rid of the smell, they are not magic.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

52. True. Yet if it still smelled remotely as strong...

... as when it was delivered, after trying to eliminate the odors, I wouldn't have used it for that trip anyway. It probably would've been like a dinner bell for every bear from miles around.

I already had a heavier two-person tent, and that's what I used instead. It was just more weight to lug around in the backpack.

[subterranean]

17. Didn't the eBay seller provide a tracking number?

Everything I've ever bought and sold on eBay had a tracking number, so you could see if it was delivered or not. If there's no proof that the item was sent and the seller is uncooperative or doesn't respond, the buyer can file an "item not received" claim and eBay will refund the payment.

One thing I do like better about Amazon is returns. It's easy to return things under Amazon's return policy (as long as it was fulfilled by Amazon), but returns on eBay are up to each individual seller, unless the item is not as described.

[mwooldri]

18. If I want to buy new: Amazon. Used: Ebay.

The display for the radio in my Ford Fusion went out. Lots of "junk yards" sell their car parts on Ebay so for car parts I go there. Same for more obscure electronic components. If I want something new, or gifts for my folks in the UK - Amazon.

[Hortensis]

36. Much the same. Or new from other on-line.

[eShirl]

20. I pick only sellers who have a proven track record, high percentage feedback

I've had great results.

[Hortensis]

37. This. At least, good feedback is a big and usually deciding factor for me,

and bad experiences have been very rare. Can't remember one right now.

[janterry]

21. Some of what you find on Amazon are knock-offs

I don't like Amazon for a bunch of other reasons, so I try to avoid them. I do make a few purchases a year (probably 4 or 5). But I go through all alternatives before using it.

I never liked ebay so I have no opinion, really

[msfiddlestix]

22. Have had only good experiences with Amazon

I've had to order a lot of stuff I'd typically go shopping at local retail stores this past year, and it's been a very rewarding experience for me, as I feel guilty using that venue for all the reasons progressives criticize Amazon for. I don't use Ebay because I just don't trust the sellers. I don't feel like accountability for transactions or authenticity of product can be easily had.

And oh by the way, gotta fork out extra for shipping with no guarantees for delivery. And what about the return policies?

There, my annual confession.

[hlthe2b]

23. I don't understand. I've had a couple items never recieved & nonresponsive seller on ebay & ebay

refunded me (granted after several weeks waiting) on each under their buyer protection program. Why did they not refund you? Are you using paypal? (because I think it is the paypal guarantee that backs the refund)

I have always had Amazon make things right for me too. Granted, I've been a Prime member for many years (which helps, I think) and am judicious about what I return. I likewise don't tend to make a big deal about Prime shipments that are a tiny bit late. They have likewise made things right with corrupt 3rd party sellers who never shipped (and likely never had the product to begin with).

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

24. Ditto, I know most purchases will be delivered in 2 days with Prime, ebay sellers mostly use USPS!

As far as amazon returns I've never been denied one, one seller even refunded my money and let me keep the $100 item because they said their design was defective. (lol, it stlll works fine)

Others are straight up easy, dont need to repackage with labels and all, just take item to USB hub and QR scan their code and its done, they send it back, no questions asked.

[LisaL]

27. I also prefer Amazon.

I've been able to get my money back every time something went wrong with amazon's order.

[we can do it]

28. That's a no brainer.

[MineralMan]

31. Well, I used to sell stuff on eBay on a frequent basis.

Mostly antiques and the like, picked at garage and estate sales.

My response to claims by buyers that the item never arrived was to just refund their money instantly. Getting into disputes with buyers when you're taking payment via PayPal is a complete waste of time. Generally the profit I made from individual items was low enough that it just didn't matter. I always calculated how much I made per hour with those sales. It wasn't great, overall.

That said, complaints were rare, so a simple refund was always the best way to deal with them. The vast majority of buyers left great ratings after receiving their items. My seller rating was always around 99%.

As a buyer on eBay, I never buy from anyone who seemed sketchy, nor do I ever buy new items from eBay. I also do not buy from eBay sellers based outside the USA. Period.

If I want new stuff, I look at it on Amazon.

[Chautauquas]

32. I stopped using ebay years ago

I bought a couple of knives from a seller and never got them. Contacted ebay and they said the seller had disappeared and they could not reimburse me because the total came to $59 and they only reimburse people when the total is a minimum of $60. Guess I should have bid one more dollar. Guess I should have bought the knives someplace other than ebay.

Another time I got an email from a seller in Oklahoma (700 miles from where I live), congratulating me on successfully bidding $1,200 on a scooter she was selling. I never bid on the scooter or even looked at the auction. She accepted my explanation but wasn't happy because she had paid whatever amount to place the ad. I did a password change when that happened, even though I saw no other evidence that my account was compromised.

After those two experiences I just stopped using ebay.

[sarcasmo]

33. Ebay since 2004 and Amazon since 2009. No problems with Amazon.

Ebay has a terrible return system.

[Johonny]

38. I've always gotten my money back from ebay if the seller didn't deliver.

It doesn't happen that often to me.

I find the prices on Ebay more reasonable than Amazon.

[iemanja]

40. I had a bad experience with Ebay

in which a vendor sent me a used item, responded to my query by asking me to return the item to Britain, only they never sent a replacement or refunded my shipping costs. Ebay did nothing when I complained.

I will no longer shop there.

[Dalai_1]

42. I had a similar experience with E-Bay....

It was a $9.00 purchase- I did not receive merchandise - No response from Seller - Filed a complaint with E-Bay ,they created a “ case”.30 days later I received communication from E- Bay case was closed- Tried to communicate w/EBay again to no avail.I had no recourse .

I have purchased a couple of items over $200.00 from E- Bay and glad I had no problem but have bought zilch since-I can not afford to trust them again.

I have received a couple of defective things from Amazon ,they refunded my account and have not ask me to return the items.I ask about returning and they said ,not!

[keithbvadu2]

44. "...I did not receive merchandise... no recourse" - BINGO!

Some very good replies. Not everyone has the same experiences.

[Emrys]

49. Yeah, they don't have the same experiences.

My wife ended up subscribed to Amazon Prime for three years without any recollection of ever having signed up to it or ever having used it. The charge got lost among other credit card bill items until we tried to pay everything off, then it became apparent and it wasn't straightforward to cancel it.

Put it like this: if you're still a fan of Amazon, knowing how shoddily and exploitatively they treat their workers (and indeed some of their third-party sellers), then that's up to you. I'll only use it in desperation. Even for new books, which used to be Amazon's specialty, eBay can top it if you do a proper search.

[keithbvadu2]

45. Stock prices

Select 'Max'

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=ebay+stock+price

https://www.google.com/search?q=amazon+stock+price&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk00Q3yyEWBUr4yjaPM9oIioy1f3MFw%3A1618790021658&ei=hcZ8YNbNJ_6j5NoPgfucuAU&oq=amazon+stock+price&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIHCAAQsQMQQzIHCAAQsQMQQzIFCAAQsQMyAggAMgUIABCxAzICCAAyAggAMggIABCxAxCDATICCAAyAggAOgcIABBHELADOgcIABCwAxBDOgYIABAHEB46BQgAEJECOgcIABCHAhAUUOfwDFiM_Axg05MNaAFwAngAgAFgiAGSBJIBATeYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6yAEKwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

[Emrys]

50. With Amazon's stock riding so high, you'd think they could afford to treat their workers better. n/t

[Polybius]

51. eBay almost always sides with the buyer

If the seller said he sent it, eBay will ask for proof like tracking. It's happened to me and I always won.