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, some issues may arise. So, it is essential to find the best way to contact eBay customer service.

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 quickly and efficiently. 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.

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

eBay Questions and Answers

Number of eBay reviews – 47.7K

eBay rating* – 2.0⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $378M

Successful calls – 7%/430K

Resolved issues – 594

Key Insight

  • There are several options to contact eBay customer service if you face issues. You may use eBay live chat, phone numbers of the resolution center, social networks, and community. 
  • The eBay telephone number for customer service is not readily available on the company’s website. However, there are opportunities to reach the eBay resolution center to address general customer service issues, hacked accounts, or to report fraud.
  • If you need to start an eBay live chat, you should do it via your account and the “Help and Contact” button at the bottom of the page. 

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 and wonder how to contact eBay by phone. Still, others have questions about simply how to handle eBay returns. They also want to know what eBay phone number for returns is.

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 sectionSource: eBay Help and Contact

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 telephone number, you’ll eventually find options to get help from an automated assistant or contact an agent. Other options include a returning process and reporting an item that hasn’t arrived. 

Contact eBay assistantSource: eBay Help and Contact

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 and are trying to find how to contact eBay by phone. 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

Some consumers prefer written communication and sending emails instead of looking for a phone number for eBay customer service. However, 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.

You can also get in touch with customer service through the eBay live chat feature if you are logged in to your account. To use this option, you need to click the “Help and Contact” button at the bottom of the page, select the topic that is most relevant to your issue, and follow the link. At the bottom of the page, you'll see a section labeled “Need more help?” Simply click the “Chat with us” button and follow the instructions provided. Alternatively, you can access eBay live chat with the representative through the “How can we help you today?” page.

For a more general complaint, however, the automatic help chat feature redirects you to the eBay customer service number and gives 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 FacebookSource: facebook.com

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 Source: resolutioncenter.ebay.com

If you have an issue with a return and cannot find eBay phone number for returns, you can use the company’s resolution center. 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 telephone 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 present for most. The site has grown from a simple auction 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.

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GRAEME BRUCE #3842
I have lost more than $60.00 because of a seller falsely advertising. The seller advertises that they only use Australia Post. That is the reason that I purchased from them. I also added a note to my purchase " PLEASE DO NOT USE FASTWAY OR ARAMEX COURIERS. PLEASE CANCEL THIS ORDER IF YOU USE THIS COURIER". When I saw that the item had been sent I checked order details and it had Sent with Australia Post. Australia Post is the fastest and most reliable courier in Australia. Fastway Couriers are the slowest and most unreliable. (please read the reviews on Fastway Couriers and you might understand ) I checked the tracking No. and found that it been sent from Sydney to Perth by Fastway Couriers. It was still in the Sydney Depot so I notified the seller so that they could still cancel the order. Their reply " Sorry it has already been sent. You will receive it soon" As I needed the item A.S.A.P. I purchased another item the same from a seller who does use Australia Post. More than $60.00. I contacted Ebay and said I wished to return the first item and was told that I would have to pay for the return of this item by 14th April. Why shouldn't the seller be responsible. I only purchased from them because of their false advertising and now I am more than $60.00 out of pocket. The item probably won't arrive for another 6-8 weeks. I believe that Ebay should not allow FALSE ADVERTISING on their site. This seller is still advertising that they only use Australia Post in Australia. Trying to deceive buyers.
John Money #3845
Ebay is pure trash they cancelled my account indefinitely because my item posted was a risk to the community. How tf is a Cheeto at a high price a risk to the community. This company is disgustingly ignorant!
Pat treacy #3848
Cannot get into ebay,It tell me to reset password ,which I did ,but nothingCustomer telephone number would help
Muhammad dar #3858
I ordered a light for $2200.00 and never received it even I ask for signature delivery and still eBay won’t return my money it’s a fraud
Amena miran #3863
Paid my fees to eBay as my account was hold restricted. I have things I am selling and Carnt no more . I need my account to be lifted as fees have been paid lastnite
Roberta Fabrizio #3865
I had to void a label & cannot find an answer if I got credit for it or not. The help pages & the telephone number are useless & do not address my issue, what do I do?
Deborah A Phillips #3868
I can't verify who I am online to purchase an item. What should I do?
Don #3870
I am having a VERY frustrating time trying to buy something I bid on.All the BS password stuff is beyond me.You are losing a sale because I can’t even talk to a human being.Sucks
Karen Sharp #3872
I can't get into my account to get my label that the seller sent to me ,I've reset my password , has error message. Need to return DVD. Also label was very blurry. Fix my account and send another label ,please . Thanks .
Arizona Cortez #3876
what did I do to get blocked?
Thomas W Collins Sr #3877
I have been locked out of my acccount? Please help me to get it back open asap!
Janet Smith #3879
My account has been suspended because I couldn’t get any help understanding the process of selling . The ad was not a fake but someone went direct to eBay & said it was . I’m scared I will owe money . Cannot get hold of any contact to resolve it . Please help I just want to cancel the whole thing . I will never use them again
Estella McKenzie #3887
My order was wrong I order 2pc panel they sent me one piece panel This is the second time I had order wrong but curtain
John Stankus #3888
I would like to get my account current and updated. I need someone to explain the so called charges so I can get back to using Ebsy
Alan Snyder #3892
I hear nothing about a shirt I ordered. Order placed Mar. 23. No shipping info, can't contact the seller. Can you help? Thank you Alan Snyder
Sally wade #3896
Please help my eBay account appears to have been hacked and I cannot find a uk telephone with someone on the other end of the line
Leo MACLEOD-MACLEAN 1234 #3897
Please help me I can't give a refund as won't accept my visa card
Enrique Baez #3900
The watch that was sent was not ' NEW'. I paid for a new Samsung Galaxy S3 frontier watch.
Noel Vaughan #3901
Order # 12-08469-72571 How do I track package? Because of theft I should be required to sign for item. I tried contact you on line, awful experience. They wanted to sign me up for service at $199. per year so I could talk to a rep.. I wanted to change my password, no luck. TERRIBLE ExperienceThis will be the last time I use this company
Gwen #3902
Hi.itried to reset my account on my old tablet and because I'd reset it to factory settings it didn't add ebay as a regular site ,when I tried to buy something it asked me to identify it was me by sending me a code to my mobile,but its sending it to my old number,how can I sign in to get it sorted please. Many thanks Gwen