As with any market, trading on eBay is not without its hassles

and snags.

First of all, it should be duly noted that eBay is an online

market/transaction facilitator. It merely becomes a means for

the buyer and the seller to meet.

Because of its online nature, eBay’s auction listing provides

the buyers with a wide selection of goods. The buyers are also

enabled to review the seller through the seller’s feedback

rating. This helps the buyer decide whether or not to pursue

the trade.

The sellers on the other hand, benefit from a wider audience

due to the popularity of the Internet and eBay. eBay enables

them to post easily, quickly, and extensively.

When eBay connects buyer and seller, the transactions truly

begin as well as the headaches.

Even with the automated nature of most of today’s transactions,

eBay is still built on the basic foundation of trading: trust.

A good deal of trust is involved in eBay trading. The buyer has

to trust that the seller is listing a legitimate item, and that

he or she will deliver that item when paid. The seller, on the

other hand, has to trust the buyer to pay fully and without any

hidden catches.

Here are a few of the problems one may encounter when using

eBay.

• Seller does not deliver product

This is a buyer’s biggest fear. However, it is also one of the

most common snags buyers encounter. Usually, when closing a

deal, the seller will email purchase instructions to the buyer.

This will usually include instructions for payment. The seller

will then promise to have the item delivered upon receipt of

payment.

If the buyer, after fulfilling his or her part, does not

receive the item within the agreed upon date, he or she should

immediately try contacting the seller. If this proves to be

fruitless, he or she should file a complaint with eBay for

assistance regarding the transaction.

• Seller delivers a different/defective product

Sometimes the trading is smooth. Everything goes according to

schedule. However, upon receipt of the item, the buyer finds

out that the item is significantly different from its

description on eBay.

What should the buyer do about this?

Good communication between the buyer and seller usually brings

about a speedy and satisfying end to any trading dispute. This

should always be the first step when handling a dispute.

• Seller cannot be contacted for questions when closing deal

Most disputes come about due to miscommunication between seller

and buyer. But if the seller can not be contacted, that presents

a bigger problem for the buyer especially if that person has

already fulfilled payment of the item. Contacting eBay may help

to resolve this problem and they are sometimes willing to supply

further information about the seller.