For many experiences, it's wise to say, "Don't knock it until you try it." Well, in the case of eBay, I can say I've tried it and can knock it. Now, it's not right to make assumptions and generalizations. However, I've seen first hand how you can't always trust what people say, especially online.
This summer, I needed a new bag and wallet. I had been having a hard time finding exactly what I wanted. Everything seemed to be the wrong shape or color. I wasn't having much luck with wallets either. Somehow, after searching the web one day, I ended up on eBay and found a selection of several Kate Spade handbags and wallets. I was excited. Finally, I had found things I was interested in (the majority of which were discontinued or sold out in stores). After checking to to make sure the sellers I was looking at only had 100 positive reviews, I bid on a few items. I thought it was worth a shot. I would see what happened. An hour of so later, I received an email stating I had been outbid. Suddenly, I felt an urge to up my bid. I even downloaded the eBay app on my phone so I could watch the bids when I wasn't in front of my computer. Here I was, happy that I had finally found what I wanted, for a discounted price. My inner extreme couponer was pleased.
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Fast forward about a week, and one of my three expected packages arrive on my doorstep. I open up the padded manila envelope and see a wallet thrown in with a folded piece of paper. The wallet was new, and still had its tags, but it looked a little different than the description I read. I open up the folded piece of paper and see a letter from the seller, explaining that after I had placed my order, he realized that the item was out of stock. He took the liberty of sending me something else, even stating that he knew the item was different, but this version was newer and more expensive than the one I ordered. No thanks. I started the process for the return and sent it right back.
Soon after package number one, came package number two: the worst yet. The un-cushioned bag contained a stained (light blue to be exact), dirty and all around super unappealing handbag. It was far from the "great condition" as described in the listing. The pictures had the stains covered up and the lighting made the color darker. As any good shopper would do, I messaged the seller and told them I was very unhappy with the item. They replied about three minutes later, writing that they do not accept returns. For the second time in less than a week, I was unhappy with an item I had purchased on eBay, and I was not feeling very optimistic when it came to number three.
After giving the seller a hard time and using some specific language, making it clear that I would take action along with eBay if they did not send return slip, the seller finally agreed to let me send the item back.
Adding an interesting (and pretty surprising) twist to the experience, my third eBay purchased actually worked out. The wallet came exactly as it was described and appeared brand new. Even though the third eBay purchase was OK, after having three separate eBay experiences, I will not be purchasing from there again. I was trusting of the sellers, and assumed that the photos posted were accurate and genuine. You can definitely say I was gullible. As of right now, I am waiting for PayPal to put the money back in my bank account through the guest account I used on eBay. Trust no one. Fingers crossed, I was OK in the end. I wasn't scammed out of money, and I got what I wanted, but most people aren't so lucky. You can't always trust what people tell you. And it's true that several hundred five-star reviews mean nothing — absolutely nothing.
