eBay

welcometodorysplace · ‎12-10-2015

Quick question. I have a buyer who emailed me wondering if I could send the code from the gift card to them instead of mailing it. Can someone please clarify eBay's policy on this? I'll be honest here, I have done this in the past a long time ago.

Thanks

Cindy

momcqueen · ‎12-10-2015

I am fairly certain you are NOT allowed to do that but the policy is here: http://announcements.ebay.ca/2015/09/07/7707/

Does this apply to what you are speaking about?

welcometodorysplace · ‎12-10-2015

Thank you for your quick response. Actually, I'm referring to a physical gift card that you use online (ie. apple gift card). The code is scratched then inputted to redeem for the dollar amount. The buyer has requested that the code be sent by email instead of the card being sent in the mail.

Cindy

momcqueen · ‎12-11-2015

If you go to the final section of this page http://pages.ebay.ca/help/policies/gift.html it says:

Not allowed
Gift card codes or electronically delivered gift cards
Prepaid credit cards (or money cards) from American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. For details, see our credit cards policy.
Store or merchandise credit in the form of a receipt

So I would take that to mean, like a coupon, the seller has to physically deliver the gift card to the buyer, Now, can you send them an email with the info they request and then mail it? Maybe. That would accommodate the buyer request as well as ebay's policy. If you do that, be sure to mention in the packing slip that all this took place as per the buyer's instructions, including the message. The message did come via ebay, right? If not, that is a big red flag to me.

I assume the policy is in place to stop scammers from hijacking someone's email and stealing their gift card redemption codes without going to the trouble of actually swiping their mail.

Maybe another seller has some insight on this. I'd like to hear it too.

welcometodorysplace · ‎12-11-2015

"Now, can you send them an email with the info they request and then mail it? Maybe. That would accommodate the buyer request as well as ebay's policy. If you do that, be sure to mention in the packing slip that all this took place as per the buyer's instructions, including the message. The message did come via ebay, right? If not, that is a big red flag to me."

Thank you so much, that is my understanding as well. Yes, the buyer did send the request through eBay after the card was purchased. I will make sure that the card is physically delivered by mail as you suggested. I don`t like these gray areas in eBay policy...it makes me a bit nervous.

Cindy

momcqueen · ‎12-11-2015

I think that if I were in your shoes, that is what I would do. I am not a risk-taker so I like to make sure everything I do on ebay is exactly what ebay tells me to do so I interpret the policy to mean that gift cards MUST be mailed. But if the buyer cannot wait and wants it faster, I can't see the harm in giving them what they want ahead of time. (Although maybe I can't see the harm in it because I am not looking closely enough.)

As long as you can prove they ASKED you to give them the code, and then afterwards that they HAVE POSSESSION of the gift card itself, that should satisfy both criteria. No? I would feel better about this plan if another member could step in and confirm this would be all right and on the level.

I don't want to give you poor advice. Gift card are not my thing.

I do think, however, that the policy is in place to protect buyers so.... what is the worst thing that would happen here? You scratch the back of the card to give them the code and then mail the card. They get the card and file an Item Not as Described case with you because the card is clearly used. You say, 'Hey, you told me to give you the code by email so I did but I had to scratch the back and that is the reason it is used-looking' and then they say.....?

What would ebay do? Where is there room to manipulate the situation? If a kid is asking for the code their parent bought so they can use it ahead of time? Messages are intercepted? I don't know.