Ebay apparently isn't removing non-paying bidders

[avionsunantiques]

It used to be that when a non-paying bidder got three non-paying bidder strikes on their account in a period of time, they would be removed from ebay(show as not a registered member).

It looks like this policy has changed.   

I recently had a non paying bidder, who had an obviously false name (Sam Sham), and an address that does not exist (a Beverly Hills 90210 address - after the TV show - with a fictitious street and number).  Ebay does not allow us to post private information on this site, but as this information is clearly false, I don't think I've breached that policy.

The buyer has 10 positive feedbacks, (11, but 10 from different sellers).   5 occurred in Dec 2012, and the others shortly prior.  All of which state that the buyer didn't pay.   Some of which also state they have reported him to Ebay, etc.  

Clearly this is a buyer who has received more than 3 non-paying bidder strikes (he got 2 from me alone in Dec).  

I've also reported this buyer as having a false name and address, using Ebay's report a buyer feature.

The interesting part, is the above person is still a member on ebay - even though his account is used for the single purpose of wrecking auctions, and his address is false.

To make this even more interesting.   My account is set so that only people with a paypal account can bid on my items. (the reason for this is not because I like paypal, its because paypal links a financial account to the member, and in so doing is effectively running an ID check.).

So how did someone with a fictitious name and address, get a paypal account?  If they hacked the account, why havnt' the numerous complaints about this person caused him to removed from Ebay.

To add a bit more to this puzzle, in the last few months, I've had a lot more non-paying bidders than before.  I file a non-paying bidder case against every one of them, but they are still on ebay!

ps, I can't put this buyers ebay account on here, as its a breach of policy, but if you want to figure it out for yourself, he bought two chinese bracelets from me on Dec 10, 2012, one for $264 and one for $202.49

[pierrelebel]

The last bid left by this user was on December 18th.

It is quite possible the user is currently restricted from bidding on eBay.

In general terms, eBay will restrict bidding privileges from a user after they have received four non-payment complaints from four different sellers. The restriction may be time limited or of undetermined suration. 

That seems to be what has happened here.

Unfortunately, many sellers leave positive feedback with negative overtone (against the rules) instead of following the correct procedures of filing a non-paying complaint and close the case after four days.

In severe cases, eBay will de-register a user (NARU).

[avionsunantiques]

It seems strange Ebay would restrict a member from bidding for a defined period, when that bidder is using a fictitious name, and a shipping address that does not exist!   Real buyers or sellers do not use fake addresses.   What would be the point of giving someone like that a temporary suspension.

It is particularly unfortunate that Ebay will de-register sellers who are courageous enough to warn other sellers in the only way left to do so, by leaving warning feedback, albeit positive.

[cumos55]

Report this buyer...

Link to

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/policies/identity-false.html

[avionsunantiques]

Thank you.  Here is the reply I got to my report of this buyer, using both the false identiy link, and the new report a buyer link.   Two different reports.   Two different, but identical replies from Ebay.  

Are you ready?   First I must point out I phoned my complaint into ebay, and was told to use the report a buyer link (which as you can see below, tells me my email hasn't been read, and I should phone ebay!)   Translation - I think I know why ebay doesn't seem to be removing non-paying bidders and/or people with fake identities!

Here is the Ebay reply (note they didn't even include my account name, which I think shows how screwed up their software is presently)

-- Important: This is an automated message. Your email hasn’t been read. Please follow the instructions below to contact us. --

Hello [Action.Account Name],

Thank you for contacting eBay. Please contact us by phone so we can help you more quickly. Click the following link:
http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ContactCS&Query=1754&Domain=TNS_AR_Macro&From=FR91000

You ma...

[surplusdealdude]

Yup, that's how it works.

BTW, ebay is currently disciplining about 10,000 buyers a month in the US and probably about 1,000 a month here, if the ratio holds.

They're taking care of it, even if privacy laws don't allow them to tell you the specifics.

[femmefan1946]

Hey surp! Welcome back to Canada! Are you wearing your asbestos Stanfields?

[bb_cool_stuff]

Never noticed that.

Welcome back Surplus. Been a long time.