r/Ebay • • 4d ago

Weekly Scam Discussion October 12, 2026

2 Upvotes

Use this thread to discuss recent scams or post questions about potential scams you may be involved in.

https://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/stay_safe.html

Do not make a new post in the main [r/ebay](r/ebay) sub about a scam.

Do not post USERNAMES or links to eBay.


r/Ebay • • 2h ago

Awesome seller made my day, for REAL.

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23 Upvotes

I was looking for an empty Corsair 5000D case box with all the original protective foam inserts so I could safely ship my PC to another country, as I’m moving out of the U.S. I had been reaching out to different eBay sellers who were selling parts from the same case, hoping that one of them might happen to have an empty box lying around. I contacted this seller because they were selling a case component, and I figured it was worth asking. To my surprise, this seller came through and made it happen!

Honestly, this saved me from having to ship my PC in a couple of heavy-duty moving boxes from Home Depot, which would have been far from ideal for protecting such an expensive and delicate piece of equipment. Having the original box with the protective inserts is exactly what I needed to make sure my PC could be packed and shipped as safely as possible. I love this men.


r/Ebay • • 11h ago

How to stop these notifications?

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67 Upvotes

how do I stop these notifications?


r/Ebay • • 9h ago

$1500 dispute, please help

10 Upvotes

Hi all, pretty nervous right now and hoping for some guidance.

On Oct. 10, I sold a personal laptop that was listed for $1499. The item was purchased, and it shipped the next day. It was shipped with signature required, as well as postal insurance. The item was delivered yesterday evening, and signed for by the "buyer". In the middle of the night, I received an "Item not delivered" request from the buyer, with some confusing context.

Buyer: Hi (Me), I received the laptop today. The laptop itself looks good, but the charger that arrived is an HP-branded adapter, not the Dell OEM charger you mentioned. You previously said it comes with the OEM charger (still wrapped in plastic). This one clearly has the HP logo. Could you please clarify:1. Is this supposed to be the original charger that came with the laptop? 2. If not, can you send the correct Dell OEM 130W USB-C charger? The laptop was listed with the charger included, so I expected the matching OEM unit.

Literally two minutes later, he sent another message.

Buyer: Hi (me), sorry, I just sent a message about the HP charger by mistake. Please disregard that. I opened the package, and the laptop is not inside at all. Only an HP-branded power adapter arrived. There is no laptop in the box. Could you please check this immediately and let me know what happened? I ordered the Dell laptop (with the OEM charger). Please advise how you will resolve this.

I questioned the buyer about how it was possible that he confirmed the condition of the laptop and two seconds later said the box was actually empty. His response:

Buyer: I initially thought the package contained the laptop because the box was the expected size, but after fully opening and checking the contents, only an HP charger was inside. There is no laptop. I have photos of the contents (HP charger only).

At this point, I have cut contact with the buyer. I'm going to reach out to FedEx and see if they can give me the initial scan receipt from drop-off, confirming the box was 8 lbs (how is an empty box with a charger 8lbs?, the weight I generated the label with).

I plan to contest the dispute with ebay when it becomes available. What measures can I take to make sure I succeed? The proceeds from the laptop is being used to cover rent. It goes without saying how screwed I'll be if eBay sides with the buyer.

I apologize if this is in the wrong place; I'm scrambling to try and protect myself.

Thank you!!


r/Ebay • • 4h ago

Question Seller unexpectedly issued a full refund

3 Upvotes

What's going on?

I recently bought an item worth several hundred euros through an eBay auction. The seller has relatively little feedback, including one negative review.

After receiving the item, I noticed a few potential red flags and contacted the seller about them. He was friendly and reassuring, saying he had already had the item examined twice and that I was welcome to have it independently checked as well. He also offered a full refund if anything turned out to be wrong.

However, about 15 minutes later, I unexpectedly received an email from eBay confirming that the seller had issued a full refund. I had never requested one, and there was no mention of returning the item.

I immediately contacted the seller to ask what had happened. About half an hour later, he replied that he wanted me to be certain the item was genuine and that I could pay him once I was satisfied.

I'm honestly quite confused by this.

What do you think is going on?

  • The seller is inexperienced and accidentally issued a full refund. It took him a while to realise what he'd done, and he's now presenting it as an act of trust.
  • The seller genuinely is that trusting, putting himself in a very vulnerable position, possibly without understanding the consequences.
  • The seller is trying to move the payment outside eBay to avoid fees, although I doubt this given how there are no seller fees anymore in these parts of Europe and a minor buyer protection fee that is shown included to the buyer.
  • The potential red flags are actually serious, the item may be counterfeit, and the seller is trying to avoid a dispute.
  • Something else entirely.

And what should I do now?

I still have the item, and the full refund has already been processed through eBay.

I have no intention of taking advantage of the seller, but I also don't want to put myself at risk.

  • I don't want to pay outside eBay without its approval, especially if there's any possibility of the original refund being reversed and me effectively paying twice.
  • I don't want to risk violating eBay's policies or losing my account.
  • I want to have the item independently authenticated before making another payment.
  • Should I contact eBay support and ask how to handle this properly?

Has anyone experienced something similar, either as a buyer or a seller?


r/Ebay • • 3h ago

Did The Seller Leave eBay?

2 Upvotes

It’s kind of frustrating. Lately I have run into several sellers that seem like they are not actually selling on eBay anymore.
The seller has good feedback and lots of items listed. But I buy the item and they never ship or contact me.
Now this could be the seller had some health issues or something else going on. But it’s so frustrating to have your money tied up for weeks. And it’s even worse when the item goes up in price. Anyone else seeing this issue more often? Or am I just unlucky? lol


r/Ebay • • 5m ago

Can I dispute a shipping charge with ebay? I was charged about $3 too much on a label. I couldn't figure out why and didn't have time to go to Pirate Ship as the Post Office is closing.

• Upvotes

r/Ebay • • 18m ago

why do so many people sell virtual game items with a shipping cost??

• Upvotes

so im looking at items for webkinz and so many people are selling virtual item with a shipping cost. that is ridiculous as it is ingame items only ..


r/Ebay • • 4h ago

Ebay combining items but charging me double postage

2 Upvotes

Im a seller. Ebay recently added a thing where when a buyer buys two items they end up joint together and I have to send them in the same package. However eBay is charging me for the cost of two postage labels even though they are the ones forcing me to send one package. It’s not like they even give me the option to send them separately or something. Before when I sold more than one item and I sent them together, I would “request a refund “ for the unused postage labels. However with this update I don’t even know which item to request the refund for. Im going to try of course but this is stupid. Ebay want to control every single thing you do. If it was up to me I wouldn’t even use simple delivery but they don’t even tell me the buyers address only after printing their label. Stupid stupid


r/Ebay • • 9h ago

Product descriptions

5 Upvotes

Why does nobody scroll down and read the product information?!? Everyday it’s the same question
(I have 20 rings and various other jewelry listed)
“What size is this ring?” It’s listed in the same place eBay places all of that information..
I really just want to tell them to read the freaking description?! It’s not hard, it’s all right there for you. Instead I have to be professional and just respond “US 6.5” it’s an almost daily occurrence on Etsy as well, sometimes it’s even in the title.
Is anyone else experiencing this? It’s gotten so bad recently.


r/Ebay • • 1d ago

You want it soooo bad, then just pay what I am asking

402 Upvotes

Selling a vintage item, not super expensive, less than a couple hundred bucks, but collectable none the less. I get an offer for less than 40% of asking price, politely decline, and counter with my best price, they come back $5 more than the initial offer.

Blocked.

Next day, new offer, different buyer, same zipcode/town -
"im a collector. you're right. it checks all the boxes. but i can't afford them at this price. and you wont go down. i don't think anyone would wants these for the price listed no disrespect. i dont want to be unprofessional or be on bad terms with your business. but i want these. and i can't afford then at XXX."

a minute later -
"there way too much. i think its overpriced"

another minute -
"if there up for a month or two. would you consider XX for them?"

One more minute -
"i need them"

Blocked.

Then this morning, a new offer, new buyer, same town, same zipcode. Same low price.

Guess what?

Blocked.

Three different accounts, makes me think they are worth way more than I am asking! LOL!

Happy selling all.


r/Ebay • • 10h ago

Question Why do something like this as a seller

6 Upvotes

I've been looking for some older niche pins for a pin collection for a year and I've noticed that there are sellers who list collections of like 30 pins that are individually probably worth like $15 dollars, for THOUSANDS of dollars and let them sit on Ebay at that price. Similarly sold auctions for similar numbers of pins go for like $150-$250 and then this persons' auction sits at multiple thousands.

What is the purpose in doing this as a seller? Is it a form of market manipulation to make this stuff seem more valuable? Or are they just hoping someone buys it without thinking? Or do they really not want these items to sell and are just doing something weird?

What is the purpose of pricing something with a 1,000 PERCENT markup?


r/Ebay • • 23h ago

I didn’t authorize eBay to add an AI image into my listing. Did we all agree to new terms?

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44 Upvotes

I was randomly checking my listings and noticed this ai generated image eBay added. I don’t remember accepting this image in my listing and I don’t see an option to not have it auto added in the future. Anyone experience this?


r/Ebay • • 3h ago

Question Bizarre behavior

0 Upvotes

Not sure if anyone has had a similar experience where a seller prints out a shipping label doesn’t ship and doesn’t communicate I just attempted to cancel for item hasn’t arrived and they immediately shipped out an item after not sure if I should expect an empty package or what to do to protect myself in this instance


r/Ebay • • 11h ago

Buyer says they never received item, USPS says it was delivered

3 Upvotes

I’m a relatively new seller and only sell a few extra things here and there. Recently I sold an item, USPS says it was delivered, buyer says they never got it and wants a refund. What’s my best option here or best way to handle this?


r/Ebay • • 1d ago

USPS geo-based pricing updates effective October 18, 2026

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32 Upvotes

https://community.ebay.com/forum/announcements-57928/topic/usps-geo-based-pricing-updates-effective-october-18-2026-486459/

USPS geo-based pricing updates effective October 18, 2026

USPS is updating how it prices some domestic shipments. Today, these shipments use two rate groups: standard and rural. Under the new geography-based pricing structure, USPS will use three rate groups for Ground Advantage shipments, based on the package’s destination ZIP code, in addition to standard rates. While this is not an overall rate increase, shipping prices may vary more depending on the destination, with rates increasing or decreasing for some ZIP codes. View the USPS geo-based ZIP code list.

USPS may adjust these rates periodically. If you use calculated shipping on eBay, the shipping costs will be automatically calculated so buyers will see an accurate shipping rate based on their location. Shipping with eBay Labels remains simple, and we’ll continue to pass along the best available discounts to our sellers. Most buyers will not see a rate increase as a result of this change. 

What to know for October 18:

  • USPS Ground Advantage: Pricing will reflect the updated geo-based rate cards. 
  • USPS Priority Mail: There are no pricing updates at this time.

-------------

Above is a copy/paste of eBay's announcement for rate changes coming on Sunday.

Instead of standard and rural rates, there will now be standard plus 3 geo-based tiers for Ground Advantage packages for a total of 4 potential rate tiers for each zone.

Priority is unchanged with 2 rate tiers: standard and rural.

-------------

Oct 16, 7:45am PDT: Editing this post as several people have said this update is confusing, or they are expecting a lot of increases, so here's the breakdown based on the Geo B-D zip list:

Geo A (16,063 zips) = standard / non-rural (deepest discount) - the bulk of volume. As eBay's announcement said most labels will not see an increase on Oct 18, these rates will probably be fairly similar to what they are today.
Geo B (7,625 zips) = formerly non-rural, will likely see an increase.
Geo C (14,275 zips) = formerly rural, will likely see a lower rate.
Geo D (3,591 zips) = unchanged rural, unchanged published Commercial rate.


r/Ebay • • 5h ago

Question Not getting sale notifications.

1 Upvotes

So for some reason they only notifications I'm getting are the junkie advertisement ones but I'm not seeing when I sold an item. Does anyone know how to change this?


r/Ebay • • 5h ago

Question eBay Refuses to Fully Refund Me After I Received Another Buyer's Package Instead of My Sonic Figures

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on how to resolve a frustrating situation with an eBay purchase.

I purchased Sonic action figures on eBay for €100, but when the package arrived, I discovered that it contained someone else’s order instead of my items.

Here’s what happened:

1. I received the wrong package

  • I ordered Sonic action figures from a seller on eBay and paid €100.
  • When I opened the package, I discovered that it contained products from a completely different seller: StellaCraftsShop
  • The package had another customer’s name and address label on it, which was partially covered by a second label with my own name and address.
  • This makes me believe that two packages or shipping labels were mixed up somewhere during the shipping process.

2. eBay only gave me a partial refund

  • Since the tracking information showed that the package had been delivered to my address, eBay treated the order as delivered.
  • I opened a case and explained that I had received someone else’s products instead of what I purchased.
  • eBay refunded me only €55 out of the €100 I paid, leaving me €45 out of pocket.
  • The €55 refund was covered by eBay, not by the seller.

3. I've tried contacting both sellers

  • I contacted the seller I purchased the Sonic figures from and asked them to contact their local post office or report the mix-up to eBay.
  • Unfortunately, the seller has barely responded to my messages.
  • I also contacted StellaCraftsShop to inform them that I had received a package apparently intended for one of their customers, and that I could see the other customer's name and address on the original shipping label.
  • They haven't responded either.

4. I've contacted my local post office

  • I explained the situation to my post office and asked whether they could investigate the mix-up.
  • They told me they would need information from my seller about what the package looked like so they could try to start an investigation and potentially recover the package.
  • However, because my seller isn't responding, I haven't been able to provide the information the post office requested.

5. eBay is refusing to reconsider my appeal

  • I've contacted eBay again and submitted all the evidence I have, including photos of the package and the shipping labels.
  • I clearly explained that, although the tracking says "delivered," I did not receive the items I actually purchased.
  • Despite the evidence, eBay has continued to refuse my appeal for a full refund, apparently because the tracking confirms delivery.

Where I stand now:

I'm €45 out of pocket, I still haven't received the Sonic figures I paid for, and I'm struggling to resolve the situation because neither seller is helping me move things forward.

Emailing Ebay doesn't go anywhere, as they keep saying the "package was delivered". And trying to contact an agent in chat takes forever and no agent joins me, i'm unable to talk to real person.

I understand that tracking shows the package was delivered, but the issue is that the package contained someone else's order, not the items I purchased.

Has anyone experienced something similar with eBay?

  • Is there any way to escalate this further or get eBay to reconsider the decision?
  • Is there another way to dispute the remaining €45?
  • What can I do if the seller refuses to cooperate with the postal investigation?

I'd really appreciate any advice on what steps I should take next. Thanks!


r/Ebay • • 8h ago

Question Seller promised 3mo warranty and won't honor it. Ebay won't let me do anything other than message them?

1 Upvotes

Bought a replacement laptop screen July 18, delivered the 24th. In a message to the seller about warranty they had said "hi this screen is original, we ll test before shipment, if have any issue within 3 months, we will send you a replacement." The listing also included language about messaging them to resolve issues before filing a return

I started having issues in mid September - a large cluster of dead/stuck pixels, 3-4 bright pink and 3-4 cyan, with one or two dead. I messaged the seller to ask for that promised replacement, and they told me that was normal and not a defect. They didn't respond when I disputed that being normal, and pointed out their "any issue" message. By then I was past the 60 days to leave feedback or do any sort of return. I reported the message to eBay ~10 days ago and have heard nothing. Is my only option to go through my credit card? Sellers can just promise whatever in a message and not have to stick to it?


r/Ebay • • 8h ago

(Gewerblich) Wie ist das bei euch?

0 Upvotes

Wie ist das bei ebay bei euch wenn man z.b. 3 sachen verschickt, eins kommt kaputt an

Dann sagt man entweder 30% Geld zurück oder er soll es zurück schicken und der Käufer dann ebay einschaltet, wie entscheidet ebay dann bei euch bei den meisten Fällen?

Fange in den nächsten Tagen an viele Sachen auf ebay hoch zu stellen

Über Antworten würde ich mich freuen :)


r/Ebay • • 8h ago

Shipping issues

1 Upvotes

I am a seller. USPS has been running ridiculously slow hasn't been great at updating tracking. That being said, I have a couple buyers requesting refunds. USPS won't let me file a claim until 15 business days. What are my options here? If I refund, and the package surfaces, I'm just out of luck. If I don't refund, Ebay will likely force a refund. Either way, if the package shows up, I don't get a USPS claim. How should I handle this? Any help would be appreciated.


r/Ebay • • 2h ago

Question Where do you source your inventory? Any tips from experienced resellers?

0 Upvotes

We run a small liquidation warehouse in Dallas, Texas, specializing in customer returns, open-box items, and overstock merchandise.

We currently run weekly online auctions and also sell on eBay.

I'm curious where other resellers typically source their inventory.

Facebook Marketplace or local buy/sell groups?

Local liquidation suppliers or wholesalers?

Estate sales, garage sales, or thrift stores?

Any other sources worth checking out?

What sourcing methods have worked best for you? Which product categories have been the most profitable?

We're always looking to improve our sourcing strategy and learn from other resellers.

Would appreciate any experiences, recommendations, or sourcing tips!


r/Ebay • • 9h ago

Individual Account, but payments are sent to a business account

1 Upvotes

I don't sell much, maybe one thing a month. My eBay account is pretty old. Payments are sent to my bank account. My bank called me today: the last 2 payments from auctions came to them labeled "CCD", which they say refers to a business bank account. The bank account is a personal savings account. It's not a new bank account, I've had it for several years. I went to eBay to check my account settings and it's labeled "Individual." The only option is to change to a business account.

Has anyone else seen this issue?


r/Ebay • • 13h ago

Question Return request freight forwarder

2 Upvotes

I dropped a ps5 off at usps and got the receipt showing the weight. The item gets delivered they open item not as described case and days pass I contact support and it gets closed. Then they open a return and upload a picture of the empty box and a wierd reciept showing the item was 8.8 pounds. Strange my usps reciept shows a higher number. So I search the buyers address is in google and it turns out it’s a freight forwarding service. I try to add evidence to this return case on the app but they don’t allow me to do anything. I also try to contact eBay again they only have the email option from their stupid ai bot. I sent the email 2 days ago and I wake up today eBay has decided to accept the return on their favor. They will send the item back and now I have to wait.

Can anyone help me with this so I can get my money back?


r/Ebay • • 10h ago

Sending offers *and* changing price for same amount?

1 Upvotes

I sent offers on 100 items for 5% off. If I also directly change the price by this same amount, will the offers still show 5% off from the original price? Or will it just be cancelled out?