ePrey "required" telephone numbers

Gastonknife said:
I myself find this thread odd, in that the OP has posted numerous threads about the "evils" of ebay. Making up names like eprey, etc. Questioning a lack of oversight of fakes, counterfeits, stolen merchandise, etc. Suddenly, when there seems to be someone at least trying to operate on the up and up - or meet state/local requirements; now it's a crime too.
After all the knocks, comments, threads, and conspiracy theories - the OP still uses ebay regularly. What's UP with that?????
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I cannot claim pride of authorship for "ePrey." Perhaps I should have used the Bladeforums traditional "Evilbay."

I have, in other threads, questioned the proliferation of fakes and counterfeits and, implicitly, eBay's claim that: "We don't allow replicas, counterfeit items, or unauthorized copies to be listed on eBay. " Do you seriously believe that eBay's claim is accurate? If so, you might want to read from: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/796442-Spyderco-Fakes-amp-Knock-Offs-Info The current RICO lawsuit will perhaps shed more light on the massive counterfeit market in which eBay is the major, but hardly the exclusive, player.

I did not accuse anyone in this thread of a crime. I pointed out that eBay and the seller have, collectively, required me to give my telephone number to the seller, via eBay, as a condition of sale after the auction was won - attempting to change the deal after it was closed. I pointed out that eBay and the Seller have given inconsistent reasons for that requirement and that eBay has made inconsistent claims about who "required the number." If you find it "odd" to be jerked around with inconsistent stories, feel free.

It is suggested that state/local requirements drive the post-contract "requirement" of a telephone number for a sale of a knife. I have reviewed the applicable regulations in the State of Illinois, but I can't find such a requirement for a salwe by a pawnshop. However, I if I had been told that story in the first place instead of the other, inconsistent stories, my reaction would probably been otherwise. I was never told that, instead I got the three explanations repeatedly recorded above and ignored.

I do not believe there is a "conspiracy" either in the situation that I described in this thread or in eBay's facilitation of sale of counterfeit goods. I believe what I described in this thread is driven by dishonesty and incompetence rather than a conspiracy. I believe that eBay's role in the counterfeit goods market is driven by greed. No conspiracy is needed, merely an understanding that if you bring counterfeit goos to the eBay marketplace you will most likely be able to sell them there, notwithstanding ""We don't allow replicas, counterfeit items, or unauthorized copies to be listed on eBay. "

I use eBay because it is the only effective marketplace for the old knives that I collect.

http://www.businessinsider.com/ebay-admits-it-banned-a-whistleblower-2014-11

http://www.laweekly.com/news/how-eb...ustry-the-counterfeit-products-market-5261019

http://postandparcel.info/67371/news/ebay-and-paypal-hit-with-lawsuit-over-counterfeit-goods/

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.co...ay-faces-rico-lawsuit-20856.html#.Vhfp0PlVhBc
 
wesmanthetiger said:
I notice that when people post here sometimes expecting the others to rise up in anger with them and it doesn't work out the way they hope they claim others aren't allowing them their opinion. Actually it's called disagreeing and it's what most folks have done in this post. Its also what a forum is for. You as always are entitled to your opinion, just know that others are entitled to tell you your opinion sucks. ;)
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Fair point. But, of course, your opinion sucks. :p
 
Thomas Linton said:
The "big deal" is that I bought something and the seller added conditions to the sale after the fact and eBay backed the seller - and gave two conflicting phony reasons why the number was needed, followed by the seller giving a third reason that actually sounded fine.

Is it cancer? No. Just eBay being eBay, and the sellers have their problems as well. "Customer service." Right.
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No matter what fleabay's official policy is on " customer service," they almost always side with the seller, especially if they have a high ranking with a lot of sales.
 
buckfynn said:
No matter what fleabay's official policy is on " customer service," they almost always side with the seller, especially if they have a high ranking with a lot of sales.
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Interestingly enough, there are masses of Internet posts where sellers say that eBay always sides with buyers.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Interestingly enough, there are masses of Internet posts where sellers say that eBay always sides with buyers.
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That is in a dispute after a completed transaction. You are not out any money. No transaction has taken place. Just like here, if a seller tried to change the terms of sale the advice would be to walk away.

Or you could just give them a damn number.
 
The company I work at sell products on eBay all the time. Because we sell machines that are constantly trying to be taken by fraudsters, we require full contact info and verify every order every way we can. It's not to use the info for marketing, just to protect ourselves and our customers.

If we let every order that we received out the door, we would have been out of business years ago. When you get multiple fraudulent orders daily, it gets tiresome, and makes us somewhat pessimistic. But it's just business. We don't have to sell to anyone, and no one is forced to buy from us with our verification procedures. We've found that real legitimate customers really don't mind the contact. It makes them feel better about us too as a legitimate company in business for over 35 years. We don't sell knives, but if we did, same would be required. Good luck, and enjoy the hunt. :).
 
And, blying, if the seller had said in its auction page that a telephone number was required, I would have no beef if I bid on those terms.

As it stands, my choice is to give the seller more than the deal called for or not get what I bought. Those who would be happy is similarly screwed with are, of course, free to hold such views.
 
This seems likely to be a case where the ebay CS representative was just guessing or was misinformed about the phone number requirement rather than an outright lie. I'd feel wronged too if someone wanted to alter the terms of a sale after acceptance was given. A phone number is not a big deal IMO but the principle of requiring something not stated in the TOS is.
 
Why would one continue to use a site one obviously does not like and complains about; but then one keeps going back and complaining more? Then one goes back again and complains and is upset more and posts here again. OMG they asked for a phone#.................seriously?
 
It's not the fact that a phone number was asked for....

It's the fact that this requirement was not stated or disclosed up front, prior to auction end. Had the op known ahead of time he may not have bid on said auction. Now, thru fault of the seller, he could be held liable for not completing the sale.
 
I explained why I use eBay. It's that or stop pursing my collection. However, I do not accept that bidding at eBay amounts to agreeing that they can change the deal after it has been struck.

And you regard a post at BF as calling the FBI? Or are you exaggerating wildly to try to make your point - whatever it is.
 
Karda said:
It's not the fact that a phone number was asked for....

It's the fact that this requirement was not stated or disclosed up front, prior to auction end. Had the op known ahead of time he may not have bid on said auction. Now, thru fault of the seller, he could be held liable for not completing the sale.
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Not if he can prove the terms were changed.

Is it really this upsetting to give someone who already has you name and address also your phone number?
 
They didn't change the conditions after your winning of the auction. If you would've purchased it buy it now, the same requirements would have needed to be met to complete the transaction.

The difference here is..... instead of you finding out immediately that a phone number is required (buy it now), you found out after the completion of the listing (auction).

A phone number being required to the seller is under their options in general preferences. If that box is checked, the buyer will be asked for their phone number before completing the transaction.

Yes, there can be an argument made that the seller or eBay should have made these requirements known prior to you bidding. But that isn't required, unlike your phone number that is..... based on the sellers preferences.

Hope this helps..... :)
 
craytab said:
Not if he can prove the terms were changed.

Is it really this upsetting to give someone who already has you name and address also your phone number?
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Don't ask me. I'm not upset at all. But I do understand where Thomas is coming from. I try to have as little to do with Ebay as possible.
 
GuestWho101 said:
They didn't change the conditions after your winning of the auction. If you would've purchased it buy it now, the same requirements would have needed to be met to complete the transaction.

The difference here is..... instead of you finding out immediately that a phone number is required (buy it now), you found out after the completion of the listing (auction).

A phone number being required to the seller is under their options in general preferences. If that box is checked, the buyer will be asked for their phone number before completing the transaction.

Yes, there can be an argument made that the seller or eBay should have made these requirements known prior to you bidding. But that isn't required, unlike your phone number that is..... based on the sellers preferences.

Hope this helps..... :)
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Guest, I cannot find that in the Terms of Service. Can you give a reference?

I did find this:

You authorize eBay, its affiliates, agents, and independent contractors to contact you at any telephone number (including telephone numbers associated with mobile, cellular, wireless, or similar devices) you provide to us or from which you place a call to us, or any telephone number at which we reasonably believe we may reach you, using any means of communication, including, but not limited to, calls or text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system and/or prerecorded messages, even if you incur charges for receiving such communications.

You understand and agree that eBay may, without further notice or warning and in its discretion, monitor or record telephone conversations you or anyone acting on your behalf has with eBay or its agents for quality control and training purposes or for its own protection. You acknowledge and understand that ... your communications with eBay may be overheard, monitored, or recorded without further notice or warning....
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Karda said:
Don't ask me. I'm not upset at all. But I do understand where Thomas is coming from. I try to have as little to do with Ebay as possible.
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But he has a lot to do with ebay and complains about it often. Not even close to the first time.

Thomas, what is the problem with giving them your number even though they will have your name and address? How bad do you want this specialized item that you can only get on ebay? If it is such a big deal why not just walk away? If the item is so important to your collection which you can only accumulate on ebay, give them your number. Why bring this up here? Not really a BFC problem. If you want the item bad enough just give them your number, if not, don't. Simple really.
 
Cray, by parity of reasoning ("no big deal") if I sold you a knife for $33.77, what is the problem with my deciding I should charge $34.25 instead - just because it pleases me? Less than $.50. No big deal.

You seem to focus on how you would look at it. Fine. You're you and I'm me.

People should be warned from my pov that eBay can try to do this to them. As noted, if you ever give them your number you have consented to robocalls from "eBay, its affiliates, agents, and independent contractors ...." And if you think otherwise, take it up with eBay.

The "item" is the only knife of its pattern I have even seen. It was made before WWII. In my view, eBay has no right to change the deal after it closes. Walking away was not part of the deal. The knife for the agreed price was the deal.

If the mods tell me problems with eBay are not BF business, I will not post about eBay again. (That will leave those who have posted about "Evilbay" over 800 times.) Until then, you are no more final arbiter of what is OK here than I am.
 
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