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.

Leave a Reply for Ann Waters

Anonymous #4229
I can’t get any help from ebay. I’m trying to refund a customer that said the sweater was damaged. I received the sweater and every time I fill it out a red message comes up saying it won’t approve. I have her address but not her name. I’ve been trying to mail out a check but need her name. eBay will not respond or help. There is no number that works to contact. Please please help me return the ladies $17.00
wimarg-80 #4664
eBay will not release and personal info about one of there clients, there for the product had to be paid by a credit card or debit card. If you want to refund the customer her money, you could always revers payment directly to whatever means she used to pay for it.
Dan Laskowski #4231
I continue to get bills for a sale I made on eBay. I have never sold anything on eBay two reps agreed. I just got another bill. This is six months old. I do not even have a sales account. Proof that AI does not have common sense
wimarg-80 #4662
eBay may or may not be sending you those notices, do not rule out that there are a lot of hackers out there. If you have used any personal information online, some one may have picked up on it and is now trying to use it against you.
Louise Hillhouse #4249
I absolutely despise Ebay, they ignore all facts and do what they want, chats are useless and so is there customer service. Most of the time I don't believe they can understand the lanugage and are just reading from a script. Sold an item, was damaged before shipping, cancelled and the buyer cancelled as well. Buyer had already paid; took almost a month for buyer get her money back and they are STILL charging me a commission on money I never received as they were holding the payment. I will never sell on Ebay again, and I discourage anyone else. Sad part is? I used to love Ebay, buying and selling.Now I just feel like it is a scam.
Lorraineor Roach #4264
I have been an ebay customer since the late 90s. For some reason, my old and new accounts cannot be linkedI want them linked so that I can see the sellers I have become used to over the years. I am an excellent customer and hope that ebay can accommodate me. Thank you. Also out over $300 because seller HAS THE ITEM, but ebay allows me to take the hit because I have to prove that I returned the item that the seller has! It's fine to protect the sellers, but what if there were no buyers?????
JRMagoo #4271
I am soooooo frustrated with eBay. I have so many issues with them. And they are always screwing with my accounts. Take for instance, I recently opened 2 new accounts for new product lines that I have. While getting things set up I get kicked out of the system and notified that they restricted my account and needed to contact Customer Service. I contact them and they say they need to verify who I am. They ask me 6 stupid questions. The one account gets unlocked. I start working on setting up the second account and then the same thing happens again 5 minutes later. And I have to go through the whole process again to get that account unlocked.Next morning I'm working on one of the new accounts listing products. Suddenly I get kicked out of the system and a pop up says that my account has be locked because it looks like there was an unauthorized access to my account and that I have to reset my password. So I click on the reset password and it keeps taking me back to the login page. This goes on for at least 20 minutes. So I start looking online on how do I contact these idiots since I can't even log in to contact customer service. Out of the blue I can suddenly change my password to get logged back into the account.Prior to this, with another account they withheld releasing funds because they were not accepting the bank account that I was having my sold proceeds sent to. This went on for a month going back and forth with them. There were times where I was on the phone with them for 3 hours. Who the phuk are they to say where I want to have my money sent to. They were claiming that my business bank account was not a valid bank account. Really!!! I sell on several other marketplaces and never have any issues. I ended up giving them information to my personal bank account and they finally released the funds that they were holding hostage.I don't get that many sales off of eBay, so I don't know why I keep torturing myself and putting up with their BS.
Steve Adams #4286
I bought a 100 gift card at Dollar General for a gift for my grandson, when he tried to use it card could not be used so he returned card to me , when I checked balance the message says redemption code can not be found
Ann Marie Gittings #4342
I was bidding on a walk in tub listed for 500. Dollars and had been in contact with the seller. We had been texting each other and he said if I send him 2500. He will take care of the shipping which is listed as 100. Flat rate. How does tht equal 2500.00
wimarg-80 #4665
WARNING: The person you have been chatting with sounds like a scam artist. Scammers and Hackers watch places like eBay and Amazon very closely looking for a potential victim.
Teresa G. Gerig #4343
I called last night to return an order that was not showing up in your list. It is Turbo Tax Home and business 2021. I was wrongly told I needed this version. I ordered 2018, 19, 20, and 21. Im waiting for reply on sending back 2018 & 20. 2021 sold by supraboost_freak can't be contacted when go to contact seller. Today after calling last night and getting return started I received email saying "return closed". I don't understand. I received item 4-29 and this is just 5-8. What's going on. Also I was told I bought this as a guest. Don't know how that can be when I got all 4 years at same time. This shouldn't matter. I paid $54.13. If I have to I'll put in dispute with my bank who will take care of this. I need to know what is going on and why this is so hard to return unopened. Please respond to my problem. Why is this seller impossible to get ahold of? Makes me not trust them.
wimarg-80 #4666
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic Distributers and Sellers have the right to refuse product return.
Farooq ahmed #4348
I need help because my eBay account has been hacked and I can no longer access it or contact eBay to discuss the next step . Thanks
Piers Hammond #4355
Hi I advertised my HONDA Silverwing for sale, buyer won the auction but when I chased for payment he replied to say it wasn't him - I took this as him now not wanting the bike so the bike is now re-listed for sale. Ebay is now asking for for fees to be paid assuming that I've sold the bike which is not the case - please advise ?thanks
Shawn lineberger #4361
I’ve been robbed!!!We purchased a book from eBay was suppose to be delivered by April 29 2022 but still has not been delivered today is may 10 I’ve contacted usps and they say they can’t find it and refund will have to come from seller I go onto eBay to contact seller but can not so as of now looks like robbery because there is no resolution to get my item or my money back can you please help me my wife’s personal number is 407 600 9847 please and thank you
Lovet harris #4384
Nice to have a phone number with a real person. Ebay won't take my account it says to up date it I did then It says my account numbers are wrong and they arnt. I need some help getting my account active. It's taken me hours
wimarg-80 #4655
Too activate your account is very easy, set up new email account for eBay.
Tom Hayden #4385
I received a return request from a buyer and I assumed it had gone thru eBay, apparently not and I found the item on my sellers list at the very bottom and issued a refund of $45 which is what that listing said yet when I go to the original listing item # 275215766635 it says the buyer paid $50 for the item. I refunded the buyer reubeny2005 $45 via that page and he is still sending me emails saying he hasn't received the funds yet however your company took $45 out of my eBay bank account on 05/06/2022. I'd like to know where these funds are and how I refund the buyer and additional $5 as the item is no longer on my sold list???
Chris Horne #4419
I haven't heard a single word back from you (ebay@shipments-sales.com) on this purchase that I ONLY AGREED TO because it was being handled through ebay, yet my invoices come in as phfishing spam. Why is "EBAY" dealing in phfinshing scams? If I don't hear back from you in the next 48 hours, I will be opening a complaint through the better business bureau for dealing in shady business! I've talked to the seller* of the 4wheeler I'm wanting to buy, but there's no guarantee that the SELLER is legit. HOWEVER, Ebay SHOULD BE LEGIT! Why are YOU GUYS sending me an invoice that won't even let me access it, and stops me, saying " STOP, this is a phfishing scam"??? I absolutely NEED some kind of confirmation from Ebay to tell me if my purchase is legit or a scam! NOT just a "here's your invoice, but make sure it's not a scam" reply AS my invoice! THAT IS YOUR JOB!! Please get back to me ASAP because this purchase was INTENDED to be finalized for me to have it in time for the upcoming holiday. This is NOT how legit businesses should operate!Respectfully and frustratingly, getting impatient for conformation in time for me to conduct my business elsewhere, if necessary! Thank-you in advance!
robert ollila #4441
why am I not receiving funds(to my bank) for thihgs I have sold??? You have taken your presentage on my selling but have not transferred my money to my bank --like was done until this February????
Milton Davis #4454
I can not make a purchase online like l always do. l do not use apps
Pam Bilby #4455
I wish to send back a faulty ladies shrug. As I tapped on “contact seller” everything in my account disappeared. So I’m left with a rubbish shrug and no way to get a refund. What a con. Waste of money and very frustrating.
Lisa ballard #4459
I am a disabled 55 yr old woman who has been taken advantage of by a seller on eBay. They keep sending me in circles. A reputable company with solid core values does not do this
wimarg-80 #4667
Please be more specific on your complaint.
Wanda Tubbs #4479
I placed an order through you for 5 lb of refrigerant from acrerefrigerant onMay 11, then noticed that it was going to an old address in Ky. I was told that the only way to change this was to cancel and reorder which I did. I received the correct in AZ last week. I had gotten verification of the cancellation order #07-08619-44230 on the same day with the refund of $174.90. I just received notice today that the item has been delivered to the old address in KY and the extra charge is still on my PayPal account. Someone goofed, I am in AZ and the unwanted refrigerant is in Ky. I have a son that lives nearby and can make sure the item is returned, but you need to order a pickup with FedEx. Please contact me to make sure this is resolved. Thanks Wanda Tubbstubbslouisandwanda@gmail.com270-217-1265
wimarg-80 #4656
you may have changed your address with eBay but if you didn't change it on your PayPal account. Any order you make from any site through your PayPal account will automatically be sent to the address that PayPal has on record.
Tim poitevin #4493
I just purchased a trailer from ebay through eBay buyer protection is their such program with ebay and is it legitimate thanks