Beware buying on ebay

[Tony]

If you are buying from individuals selling on ebay there are implications that affect your rights.

Your statutory rights state that goods must:

1. be of satisfactory quality
2. be fit for purpose
3. must conform to the description

The problem is that if you are buying from an individual, the first two of these three rights are not applicable. This is a major source of consumer complaints.

Ebay acknowledges this and provides a lot of information about shopping safely with them and whether purchases are covered by the PayPal Buyer Protection.

eBay UK: Safety Centre: Buying Safely

It is important to remember that not all transactions are from private sellers and many are businesses and as long as they are UK traders your statutory rights will not be affected and you will also benefit from the protection provided by the Distance Selling Regulations i.e. you have a 7 day cooling off period. You can read more about this in this guide to shopping online.

[Paul Carcone]

Of course...remember that you are protected up to £500 for goods that you buy using PayPal...so it's worth paying for your items this way...and it also usually means that payments clear faster thus allowing you to get your hands on your goods faster too...

Paul C

I bought a cot from a business on ebay but it contained the wrong parts and i couldn't make it, so they sent another part but it was the wrong one again. to get the right one they say i should pay - is that right? paypal also say i need to return the goods to get refund but that will leave me out of pocket, is that right?

[Paul Carcone]

If you bought it from a registered business, you SHOULD be able to claim back any out of pocket expenses...However, your liklihood of success will very much be down to the level of responsibility of the retailer.

Even if you do have to shell out the postage expenses, you will be better off than you are now!

[Tony]

You are covered by the Sale of Goods Act . If they don't change their tune after mentioning this then you can make a small claim - Making a Small Claim | Consumer Information

[scotchlass]

I have always been wary of buying on Ebay. I really don't like the idea of handing over money before I have the goods, or even see them (bar a grainy photo). I stick to local classifieds- it may cost a bit more sometimes, but I think the stress level is a lot lower!

[shania23scott]

I never came across any issue while buying on ebay.

[bmd]

I have never had a problem with buying on Ebay, as long as the user has a good rating then it should be safe.

[Jorumian]

There are things I will buy on ebay and things I won't... There are also people and businesses I will buy from on ebay and people and businesses I won't.

I've found for smaller purchases, gifts etc that it can be a lot cheaper. I have also bought a computer from a seller with excellent feedback and not had a moments problem with it.

However for certain things where the look is as important as the goods itself, I wouldn't purchase. Furniture for example, or cars. It amazes me people still buy cars without even seeing them, let alone drive them...

[Tony]

I wouldn't buy anything from overseas as there are so many fakes, there have been specific cases recently of fake Nintendo DS Lites and GHD Hair Straighteners.

Tony