I recently sold about $2500 worth of total sales on ebay. After they took their ~$500 fee they have now restricted my account and requested information to confirm my identity, address, and proof of owning the product. Fine, whatever, I send the the requested info (scanned my Drivers License, provided a bill with my name and address on it, and provided all receipts of the products). The items I was selling were the codes for in game items for Call of Duty Modern Warfare II. They have a promotion running where if you buy a meal they give a code for in game items. Since they are not available everywhere in the world I figured I would attempt to sell some and eBay was explicitly told what I was selling with them never saying that was any kind of issue. They are now telling me that unless I can provide an invoice they will not be unlocking my account and will be holding the $2000 that was supposed to be paid out and I will be out approximately $900 that I spent obtaining the codes. It's also worth noting that I've received nothing but positive feedback from all of the people that purchased the codes from me. Is legal action my only way forward as customer service has no interest in helping me.
Readit News
I've sold ~$50k worth of items on eBay over the years and have had a mixed record dealing with eBay's customer's service. Unfortunately, eBay tends to side with buyers, leaving sellers prone to various fraudulent schemes by buyers. However, they sometimes will protect sellers. For example, I sold a Panasonic Toughpad that a buyer spuriously claimed wouldn't connect to cellular networks (I tested the tablet beforehand and everything was working properly.) The buyer attempted to extort me by saying he would leave a positive review if I gave him a partial refund and implying he would leave a negative review if I didn't (this is a big no-no on eBay). Given that I had written evidence of this behavior, customer support sided with me and closed the case and removed the negative review the buyer left. Not every situation will have a fortunate outcome like this though.
I tested it and it works fine. never said in the post it was fully tested. buyer even modified the item. ebay just happily gave them their money and forced me to accept the return and refund
I sold a Mavic 2 Pro drone with 5 batteries. The whole process was a mess. Buyer complained that it didn't come with the CrystalSky tablet in one picture (that was only added after the buyer started bidding was requested BY the buyer, to show Flight Logs, was explicitly disclaimed as being a part of the package, and was not in the receipts I sent the buyer). After that, three weeks later:
"The batteries don't work."
"Any of them?"
"Nope. I want a refund."
Note that two of the batteries were less than 4 months old, still in warranty.
He then stated he wanted a refund of $800. Bear in mind, 5 -brand new- batteries would be $670.
No evidence was shown. I stated I'd like to get the original batteries back, as I'd be able to get them replaced under warranty or possibly repaired and recoup some of my money (I was skeptical there was any issue, but still). He agreed. I asked him to send me an eBay message acknowledging that the partial refund was contingent on him sending me the batteries back and that he accepts me disputing the refund if not.
He does so.
Refund is sent (for about $700, to include his return shipping costs).
Less than an hour later I get a message, "USPS says they won't ship damaged batteries so I will not be returning them".
I then suggest we meet in person to exchange them (I live a few hours away, not convenient, but still, $700...). He umms and ahhs, "How will I be able to prove that I gave them to you in person?". I suggest we do it in a police station (his local PD even welcomes people to use their lobby for CL, etc.). More umms and ahhs. "I need to contact eBay support to see if they recommend this." (eBay has a literal FAQ page describing how they recommend doing in person sales, and refunds, and documenting it, and how they support it). "I never heard back from them so I'm not sure what to do". I point this page out again, and he goes silent.
I open a dispute. No evidence provided for damage/faulty goods. Multiple instances of the buyer trying to show something/anything was problematic with the listing. Not abiding by agreement, refusing/avoiding any method of returning damaged items.
"We have closed your dispute. Based on our review, the buyer is entitled to a partial refund for damage. He is not required to return the damaged items".
So he ended up with a Mavic 2 Pro, with less than 20 hours flight time, 5 batteries, for in the order of $950, all told.
eBay is on the side of least resistance, damage or liability, financial responsibility to eBay, no-one else.
But you did eat US$ 900 worth of Burger King meals?
You made a post an hour ago and within 29 minutes provided an update that it was resolved. How much easier can it get?
I started making decent sales the first week. But then I would get random chargebacks and even calls from somebody's poor grandma or grandpa asking who I was and if I could refund their ebay account. It became clear that there were thousands and thousands of hacked ebay accounts that were exracting money via codes to then sell on other platforms.
Eventually 90% of the purchases were fraud and I had to shut it down. Not before ebay banned me from the platform.
TL;DR - don't sell codes on ebay, ebay has no control over their rampant hacking problem and that's why they're super stringent on digital sales