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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Kenneth Burkholder #3903
I ordered a book and it was not delivered on April 7th, but I was emailed saying that it had been delivered but it wasn't there
ANITA JENKINS #3907
I have politely told the seller that my order was short of 2 gazebo sides. They keep asking for photos of the box. It was destroyed. They have my order/ item number on record. I paid for 1 gazebo TO COME WITH 4 SIDES NOT 2. They are being very awkward and making me feel as if i am trying to fleece them. All i want is the other 2 sides.
Norma guy #3908
I received 1can of chrome paint sprayer .I didl Not order on 8 April !! The seller took £9.95 from my account on 5th April I have tried to call seller can't get through if you check my orders from 5th April you will see I did not order this 1 spray 151 .I ordered 2 chrome £9.95 2 gold8.95 on 5th April and 3 rose gold on 8th April .no proof if you check my orders I did not order 151 chrome for £9.95 ..my bank fraud have refunded me it back .so how do I get a Barr code label to return this item I am not going to pay for return please help me thank you Norma guy
John G Bowles #3909
I have a return slip not sent to me yet from a item that is a smittybilt winch 9500 they never sent me a return slip I need to return it today
Jeremy medlyn #3913
I sold an item and was never paid ...they suspended my account
Claudette Coombs #3920
I need to get my refund, you do not carry the this end up item any longer. Why am I going through so much problems to get my refund.
R jameson #3924
I need to complain about faulty tv purchased on my previous eBay account in June 2021 still under;'guarantee can't get anybody to reply useless service
CRESCENZO VALERI #3925
my account has been suspended - i have filed a request to review the case since i did not know buyer was not refunded for insufficient funds which i never got info on - how do i reinstate my account ???? thanks !!!!
Ra Surgey #3928
I have tried today to get some information on how a Hybrid bike works that I’ve seen on EBay because I asked for there number EBay as stopped it I’ve been a member since 2005 and spend hundreds of pounds with eBay and when I need information off a seller because I asked for him could he put a contact number on his advert the seller was declined to do this I’m totally disappointed with this and my eBay account may be closed very soon if I do not get a positive result I did not ask the seller to contact his number direct to me I asked him to add it to his listing a not very happy 74 year man what’s just trying to buy something off eBay to help my lifespan in keeping fit with riding a bike Thankyou looking for a quick reply Ray
Virg c rathel #3938
BEWARE if you deal with EBay, you can never get in touch with a live person. That how I got scammed. If you really need to talk to someone, good luck. Only computers etc. I have another issue with someone about a seller not shipping an item to me. One week later still nothing. Again can’t contact a live person. As soon as I get a few things taken care of. Bye Bue EBay
Dean Marks #3940
I am attempting to buy an item - PKHK01E11 HK Models 1:32 Scale Avro Lancaster B Mk III Dambuster ED932/AJ-G Kit £279.99However t is not working at all. I have been trying for two days nowCan you help
Craig white #3941
Two sellers want to refund me money but eBay is slow to respond. So if seller and buyer agree upon refund. why does it take eBay so long to respond?
William Burley #3942
I am still waiting for my item which should have arrived on the 8th April thay took the money for this item on the 1st April have sent them 2 emails and they have not replied can you please find out for me ASAP
Anonymous #3943
Hello f this is ebay I would like to file a complaint in november last year I bought a rv from a lady Ms. Martinez and sent messages to her about this and no answer I need to report and get my money back. Felicia right sario
Heather Helsdon #3945
Hi I don’t know why but a dress I listed for sale got listed twice I’ve sent the dress to the first buyer but now it’s showing on your site that the other person has paid and is waiting delivery what do l do ?
Milton Fields #3948
Seller want give my money back for part that don’t fit
Anonymous #3951
I HAVE ORDERED BUT IN LISTING THERE IS NOT VIEWING MY ORDER. WHAT SHOULD I DO
PRASHANT DHAMEJA #3952
I HAVE ORDERED BUT ON EBAY LISTING THERE IS NOTHING PAYMENT DEDUCTED FROM MY CARD. HOW CAN I TRACK MY ORDER
Karen Morris #3954
I have returned an item and have proof of this with a receipt but still the seller is saying he has not received my goods what can I do next
Jim Rio #3961
I order the wrong Batteries and would like to return the for a refund