Rebecca Garland
Rebecca Garland
Business and Education Expert

Many people have made buying and selling on eBay.com a profitable business model. But not everything works perfectly all of the time. With so many sellers trying to compete for buyers, and so many buyers trying to find the best price on the items they are looking for, eBay's customer service stays busy. Of course, that is assuming that customers can figure out the best way to contact eBay when a problem emerges.

eBay.com is a website with millions of users. Not all of those users are satisfied, and when something goes wrong, they want to be sure they can contact eBay customer support. Unfortunately, looking at the sheer volume of eBay complaints online on sites like PissedConsumer, GlassDoor, and the BBB, contacting the company isn’t as simple as many customers would like.

eBay Questions and Answers

Number of eBay reviews – 29.9K

eBay rating* – 1.8⭐⭐

eBay claimed losses – $16.8M

Successful calls – 7%/270K

Resolved issues – 193

Whether you’re buying or selling on eBay, Inc, the company has customer service support for potential issues.

How Does eBay Work?

When eBay.com was first introduced, it was strictly an online auction. Very soon, however, the business model expanded, and eBay.com became not just an auction site, but also a prolific platform for buying and selling.

Sellers bring new or previously used merchandise ranging from figurines to RVs and vehicles and set a price or set up an auction. Buyers use the eBay search feature to look for the specific item they want and either bid or pay for the item like any other retail site. The seller then ships the item to the buyer.

There are quite a few moving parts in a transaction, and that is why so many customers look for eBay support. Unfortunately, like any website that brings buyers and sellers together, some are unethical. Many eBay complaints include issues with the buying and selling process. But many other negative eBay reviews have concerns about the platform or account issues. Still, others have questions about simply how to handle eBay returns.

eBay's customer service fields complaints about purchased items that never arrive and payment issues. The most prominent articles in the eBay help section are about payment issues and hacked accounts. These are common issues customers complain about when they contact eBay.

eBay help section

What Are eBay Pros and Cons?

Overall, PissedConsumer users find more disadvantages in eBay than advantages. The most common issues concern difficulties contacting eBay customer service and getting refunds, faulty delivery, and fraudulent sellers. 

Some reviewers say that there are too many cons to enumerate. Still, the pros, such as affordable prices, great variety of choices, and convenience, are persuasive enough for consumers to shop on eBay.com.

Pros

  • Good prices
  • Variety of products
  • Convenient to use

Cons

  • Poor customer service
  • Not reliable shipping
  • Refund issues
  • Fake sellers

How to Contact eBay Customer Support by Phone?

The eBay customer service phone number is not readily available on the company’s website. If you dig through the help section in search of the eBay phone number, you’ll eventually find options to chat with the company or have the company call you. The website does post the expected wait time for both of those options on the contact eBay page.

While the company offers to call you, many eBay reviews express frustration with trying to contact the company on their own terms. Customers want to call eBay directly. While it might not be heavily publicized on the website, there is an eBay customer service phone number available for customers to use. You can reach the eBay resolution center by calling (866) 961-9253 for general customer service, (866) 348-9519 for hacked accounts, or (866) 643-1607 to report fraud.

Reaching eBay.com customer service by phone can be tricky, as one customer discovered. In his review (#2928911), the frustrated customer explained that his credit card was used fraudulently. Yet despite calling the various eBay phone numbers, the poster has not been able to reach a live representative, even a month later.

I have called several numbers found on the internet and NONE has been a good contact number. There is NEVER a LIVE agent available to speak with me.

How to Contact eBay Customer Service via Email

eBay's customer service does not list a general email address on the company’s website. If you dig a bit through the automated help chat feature, you can find an eBay email for specific purposes. A fraudulent eBay email, for example, can be sent to spoof@ebay.com and the company will record the message.

For a more general complaint, however, the automatic help chat feature redirects you to the eBay customer service number and give you the option to have the company call you. If you choose the relevant issue from the eBay support menu, you may see an option to email the company for specific issues. Otherwise, you will find the most eBay help by chatting with an agent, having the company call you, or calling the company directly.

One eBay.com user explained his issues with limited communication options in a video review. In his eBay complaint, the user explained that he had decades of positive feedback on the website, but had his account banned for life after a customer complained to the company rather than him.

Additionally, when he tried to contact eBay.com about the issue, he finally got some answers after “chatting with 2 customer support reps (who both hung up on me) who both said I am banned and they cannot disclose why due to eBay policy.” Despite positive ratings on all of his orders, the user was cut off from the service and no email was ever sent.

How to Contact eBay Customer Service via Community and Social Networks?

eBay support does have an online presence on social networks. While you always have the option of using the eBay customer service number, you can also contact the company through Twitter or Facebook. To contact eBay help via Twitter, ask questions using the @askebay handle.

There are many eBay complaints and questions available on the company’s Facebook page (@ebay) as well. Through the eBay Facebook page, you have the option to post on the company’s wall or contact the company through messenger. Some customers leave their thoughts and complaints in eBay reviews by tagging the company or commenting under their posts.

eBay comments on Facebook

How to Contact eBay Resolution Center?

The eBay resolution center may be your best option to sort out issues specifically between buyers and sellers. Inside the eBay resolution center, you’ll find resources specifically for buyers and sellers regarding transactions. In the resolution center, eBay customer support provides information and acts as a sort of mediation service when issues do arise.

eBay resolution center page

If you have an eBay complaint, you might start by finding the specific purchase in your account through the eBay.com resolution service. The links provided will take you to your bought and sold items where you can see unpaid invoices or items shipped.

When you drill down into specific transactions, you are presented with options for how to contact or call eBay. In some cases, you may find options for an eBay email. You may be able to cancel transactions or send additional messages to sellers as well.

The options inside the eBay.com resolution center will be specific to the type of transaction you’re concerned about. In many cases, you may get more targeted support working through the resolution center than by calling a generic eBay phone number.

eBay, Inc has become a powerful force in buying and selling online. Customers can find just about anything they might be searching for through eBay.com, which makes an eBay gift card a great gift for most. The site has grown from a simple auction website to a massive selling platform for just about every industry in the world. While some customers run into trouble with eBay's customer service, for many others, the platform may be the only place they can find what they are looking for.

*The company ratings on the PissedConsumer website are calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the company’s profile. The algorithm parameters are: users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company responses and more. The PissedConsumer algorithm is also subject to change in the future.

Legal disclaimers:

1. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide any legal, medical, accounting, investment or any other professional advice as individual cases may vary and should be discussed with a corresponding expert and/or an attorney.

2. All or some image copyright belongs to the original owner(s). No copyright infringement intended.

Leave a Reply for TIMOTHY SMITH

Christine Oliver #1982
I need help on how to refund a customer. I originally said return it, but I told him, I wanted him to keep it. Funds are on hold, but I don’t know how to refund him! I’m new at this !
PissedConsumer Help Center #2026
Thank you for the comment. Have you contacted eBay customer support directly? You may try to address your question to eBay resolution center via the website. For answers and help from consumers, you may check this eBay Q&A page: https://ebay.pissedconsumer.com/questions-answers.html
Stephen Paraskivas #2161
Rebecca-I used to contact easily via phone. Now all phone lines are recorded and of no help.Going to the internet is an EASY cope-out for ebay.
Lenaco_85 #2217
eBay SUSPENDED MY ACCOUNT FOR NO REASON!!!! AND ITS BEEN MONTHS AND MONTH SINCE I RECIEVED MY MONEY!!!!!! I SOLD OVER $2000!!!! SHIPPED AND RECEIVED BY BUYERS - WHERE IS MY MONEY EBAY ???????????
Eric Schweizer #2255
Hi, I joined eBay and listed a wallet for sale. When I logged into My account a few days later, I was suspended/restricted.. They emailed Me but did not tell Me what the problem was. I have "LITERALLY" been trying to get a hold of someone to help Me for 10 days now!!!! Whaaaaaaaaattttttt?????? Are you {{{{{REDACTED}}} kidding Me, 10 days?????? Whaaattt, whhhaaaaaatttttt??????? I finally dug and dug and dug enough to find a note in some hidden cove on eBay, that they just need to verify My Bank Account to make sure its Me!!! I did all that and they sent Me a nice letter in eBay messages thanking Me for verifying for them. It starts off with "you're all set"!!! at the top of the message. That was 5 days ago and I am still suspended.... I mean, c'mon maaaannnnn?????? What are you doing eBay????? I hope someone that can fix this very very very huge problem, sees this message and can see it in their Heart to just fix it promptly and {{{{{REDACTED}}}.... In case that little miracle happens, I am thanking the person who fixes it in advance.. So Thank You very much... You have Boatloads of Awesome, positive, karma coming your way, Trust Me!!!! Lol... (You really do, how can you not?) It ain't Rocket Science... Sincerely, Eric from supposedly eBay???
Janice #2266
Didn't receive my package
William Gearhart #2301
Delete my account you are no a company to deal with. Very poor customer service and no way to contact you. I didn't get my order and am having to cancel my charges
William Gearhart #2302
You have no customer service
Steve Sellers #2304
I purchased an automobile transmission and when my mechanic installed it, it has problems and does not work. I have called the seller many times and he does not return my calls. I have dealt with eBay for many years and have a perfect record. Please help me. I don't know where else to seek help.-325Agman1
Robert Lewis #2309
inquiring about sellers inv numbers n charges
Michael Sprayberry #2312
eBay is great until you have a problem. Then it’s the opposite, then they are the worst! And that’s being nice. My latest is I ordered something for my daughter and after 10 days the person canceled the order. In the past I would just call eBay about a problem but for 2 days I haven’t been able to reach them. My daughter will not receive her present for Christmas. Thanks eBay
Sobana setheesan #2342
My item delivery date 17/12/2021 but still not received. Can u put my refund or my item please
TIMOTHY SMITH #2353
PLEASE HAVE AN AGENT CALL ME 941-258-6521 I AM TRYING TO REACTVATE MY ACCOUNT AND IT WILL NOT EXCEPT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS THANK YOU
Mayra quintero #2359
I buy as a guest yesterday orderItem# 313624554956 im try to cancel the order because i realize i choose the wrong item .but at this point no doy answer the customer service phone
Sandi Brown #2371
Item ordered and paid 11/19/2021, has not been received from bluejaguar (seller). I would like a refund please.
Zachary Hancock #2415
I have been trying to get in touch with someone about returning some lights that does not fit the vehicle I order them for
Nair Busker #2419
i never have done something wrong on eBay, my account was blocked and i have no idea why? i got lots of problems with a person's true eBay, that I have had to close my bank account because was taking money out of my account, also I think that eBay could not close my account without i have done any wrong. and no way to get eBay to contact me.what kind of business is this?
Angela R Hale #2442
I have a return I want to send back but the seller has close up my return
Mikulas #2447
eBay called me a lair despite showing proof from the delivery company package gone missing.
Geoffrey J. Sadock #2449
Item I ordered/paid for from abinger2, in the UK, last August, has never arrived. Vendor suggests that I contact you to relocate transaction and start the refund process. Extremely frustrated with your online procedure and failure to reach you by telephone. The item reached the USA and has been in the NYC Distribution Center [customs] for months, according to both my local post office and the vendor's research in England. Please help. Call me at 201 387 0240, or respond to my e-mail address. Thank you, Geoffrey J. Sadock
Lucy M Jones #2460
I have been trying to get help. On 12/14/21 I paid $17.14 for growing light Bulbs. I have not got got what I paid for. But I have my Bank statement showing I paid. I hate texting. Can’t some one talk on the phone