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.

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bobbie hibbs #6245
I ordered a top label is Peck and Peck, it stated it was an xlarge, I was sent a P/L I would like my moneyback. I tried contacting the seller and she doesn't take returns, but she sold me a top that I can not wear. What can you do for me.Order # is 25-09150=65522. Thanks
Wendy Mcleish #6251
I have been trying to resolve issue with seller for weeks ordered 2 items I didn’t come so he refunded the 1 that did come had bits missing and he’s ignoring me
Kayla Denault #6254
Hello I emailed someone back almost a week ago and havent heard nothing back. I can’t get in contact with anyone through customer service. This is horrible service. I want me full giftcard money back. I was scammed through email that had the eBay logo and everything. The same day I got the gift card I emailed you guys and someone was suppose to stop it from being used but just almost a week ago the lady said there is $8 dollars like ummm no I want my full refund of $150 that I didn’t spend and it should be common since oh someone used it from a out of state and not where this girl is from. I want my refund of my giftcard because I was scamed of my money.
Sophie Penn #6261
Hi I cant buy a a52 lead to charge my phone. It won't let me buy the lead. It says something like cant take payment. What do I do as its not charging properly?
Samuel A Davenport #6264
I have been trying to return a pair of shoes that is at least 2 sizes too small. I can't even get my foot half way into them. I just need a return label and I will be fine.
Barbara Joannides #6270
Have made request to be contacted by phone to talk to customer service agent. No response
Theairstreancaptain #6328
eBay has the worst customer service I have $804 credit they say they pay me they have not they did not get refunded to a gift card I have no way of contacting them in the old days you could call them and talk to him now you call him sit on hold I’ve talk to him three times with three different reference numbers in the every answer is they got paid.I did not I’m an educated accounting guy I’m trying to find a line of recourse there’s no address to write a letter certified or any Fishel or way of communication please correct me if I’m wrong.
Ken Hayama #6279
I ordered a item but didn't receive. I opened a dispute and request a refund for this. But eBay closed this ticket and favor to seller because seller got the post office delivered conformation. Can I ask to open this case to review it? I still didn't receive the item I order and like a refund.
Ejaz ali #6285
My account is suspended permanently after 3 purchasing and one listing I trying to reinstate by mail but I can't reactivate my acount
Harry Dillon #6290
Could you send me E-Bay telephone number i not very good with computers OAP, please help
Fatima Fahmeed #6295
Hi its such a shame for you to not responding to my problem the seller delivered my item to the wrong address and i have proof of that but you don't even response properly
Dominique barry #6300
Just going to start by saying that how incredibly frustrating and nearly impossible eBay makes it to actually speak with someone who can help makes me want to pull every item I have off of the website. I have never been so frustrated just trying to get help with money that I am owed. I spoke with someone on the phone (by some miracle) from the eBay team last Friday and explained that a buyer I sold item to over a month ago reached out to me a month later to tell me he never received this item. Upon tracking the item, it seems it was never delivered but his post office in Miami lost the package. It was sent from New York to Miami FL and it was last scanned into the Miami post office on the 21 September and it was never scanned again after that. I paid for the shipping, and did everything right on my part. I am not responsible for this. The person on the phone with me told me the same thing, and assured me that I would not have to provide a refund since I paid to ship the package out and buyer’s post office lost it. However, I now sold another item (to a completely different person, completely different transaction ) and eBay is holding my funds due to that previous situation. This makes absolutely no sense and now I basically just sent out two items for free. I am extremely unhappy with the service that I have been provided and I’m very unsure why when there’s peoples money involved, there’s no one to help you at eBay which is such a huge and trusted market place. Can someone please actually get back to me and tell me how this problem is going to be fixed? Because now I am out over $100 when I did everything right.
jennifer tobias #6303
Seller sent wrong item, when I contacted him he said to send it back and he would credit me for the item and return shipping since he did not accept returns and had no return labels. I did. He only credited the item and not shipping. When I contacted him, he said I misunderstood and he would not credit me for shipping back what he screwed up and I could report him.
Mark powell #6304
I’m wondering where stuff I had paid for is now saying payment did not process on £136 worth of items am still took more but didn’t go thru so where is the refund owed quite abit can forward u item numbers in an email
MICHAEL CONGDON #6307
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SEND TWO ITEMS BACK THAT WE DIDN'T WANT ONE HAD MARKS ON IT, AND THE OTHER ONE DON'T MATCH.PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME.I HAVE CONTACTED THE TWO SELLERS,ONE WON'T DO IT KEEPS PUTTING EXCUSES AND THE OTHER NO REPLY.
Helen Pickering #6318
I ordered a Tiffany necklace from a buyer,on reciept o saw it was fake,contacted seller who offered me £50 reduction.I added e bay to step in, they told me to post item back,which I did and gave d bay the tracking number.Now this parcel arrived and been signed for yet I’m still waiting £118, I’ve contacted the seller numerous times and he is blanking me.I bought this bracelet in good faith and as it’s a fake I don’t want it,I purchased this for my granddaughters 21st which has come and gone. So all I want is my money back it’s a lot of money to me.EBay does not make these cases easy for the buyer seems the seller can do as he pleases right now,I’m asking you to please refund my money.Order No 20-09069-65914
Wakendra Pegues #6322
I ordered a machine and they sent me a dental floss I’ve been reaching out to the seller they say that they are out of the office until the 16th today is the 16th no one have responded to me can someone please help me here I have spent $342 on a machine and they sent me a dental floss that cost $1.99
Ishverparmar #6325
I order a watch on 28 July seller took£41.90 but I haven’t got the iteam will you help me get my money back.
Tahira Abbasi #6331
EBay sent me a item which I didn’t not purchase and they charge me $ 139.23. I need to refund my money. I tried to send item back but there is return label.
Christopher Thomas #6333
Hi, I ordered two packages of 365 D3 capsules and only received one although the tracking device says that they were both delivered!!!!The delivery was by Hermes who I have had undelivered packages by before and think they are stealing them!!! If I can get a refund I will be quite happy as I won’t order from them again!!!Kind regardsChristopher Thomas
Christopher Thomas #6335
naturplusuk Should be banned from eBay as they are not honest!! And won’t reply when you tell them that you have not received your order!!!Kind regardsChristopher Thomas