| As with any market, trading on eBay is not | | | | encounter. Usually, when closing a deal, the seller |
| without its hassles and snags. | | | | will email purchase instructions to the buyer. This |
| First of all, it should be duly noted that eBay is an | | | | will usually include instructions for payment. The |
| online market/transaction facilitator. It merely | | | | seller will then promise to have the item delivered |
| becomes a means for the buyer and the seller to | | | | upon receipt of payment. |
| meet. | | | | If the buyer, after fulfilling his or her part, does |
| Because of its online nature, eBay’s auction | | | | not receive the item within the agreed upon date, |
| listing provides the buyers with a wide selection of | | | | he or she should immediately try contacting the |
| goods. The buyers are also enabled to review the | | | | seller. If this proves to be fruitless, he or she |
| seller through the seller’s feedback rating. This | | | | should file a complaint with eBay for assistance |
| helps the buyer decide whether or not to pursue | | | | regarding the transaction. |
| the trade. | | | | - Seller delivers a different/defective product |
| The sellers on the other hand, benefit from a | | | | Sometimes the trading is smooth. Everything |
| wider audience due to the popularity of the | | | | goes according to schedule. However, upon |
| Internet and eBay. eBay enables them to post | | | | receipt of the item, the buyer finds out that the |
| easily, quickly, and extensively. | | | | item is significantly different from its description |
| When eBay connects buyer and seller, the | | | | on eBay. |
| transactions truly begin as well as the headaches. | | | | What should the buyer do about this? |
| Even with the automated nature of most of | | | | Good communication between the buyer and |
| today’s transactions, eBay is still built on the | | | | seller usually brings about a speedy and satisfying |
| basic foundation of trading: trust. | | | | end to any trading dispute. This should always be |
| A good deal of trust is involved in eBay trading. | | | | the first step when handling a dispute. |
| The buyer has to trust that the seller is listing a | | | | - Seller cannot be contacted for questions when |
| legitimate item, and that he or she will deliver that | | | | closing deal |
| item when paid. The seller, on the other hand, has | | | | Most disputes come about due to |
| to trust the buyer to pay fully and without any | | | | miscommunication between seller and buyer. But if |
| hidden catches. | | | | the seller cannot be contacted, that presents a |
| Here are a few of the problems one may | | | | bigger problem for the buyer especially if that |
| encounter when using eBay. | | | | person has already fulfilled payment of the item. |
| - Seller does not deliver product | | | | Contacting eBay may help to resolve this problem |
| This is a buyer’s biggest fear. However, it is | | | | and they are sometimes willing to supply further |
| also one of the most common snags buyers | | | | information about the seller. |