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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Marion B Newman #6336
I bought a tankless water and it don't work all it does is leaks can I send it back and get my money ty Marion Newman
Noel Madden #6339
How do I pay a refund to a buyer from my bank .
Linda Wagner #6341
I have called eBay so many times trying to resolve this issue and I thought for once I had gotten someone that understood. I mistakenly bought an item that is not mailed to you. I immediately requested a cancellation. Now it has been over a week trying to resolve this. I have even spoken with the seller.The item was a beach chair 154838310126. The seller is esu230772. He said that he does not have the money I paid, that eBay had it. I spoke with someone in eBay and I was to contact them today. The reference number was 5302021452. The number I was to call was 866-540-3229. All I want is my money back from the chair that I bought that I did not receive because he does not mail out his items. This was the sellers message to me this week.Hi Linda,The seller has responded.Seller’s message: "Only LOCAL PICK UP!"Your purchase is covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee. If your request is not resolved, you can ask us to step in and help.Please would someone help me. I can't believe that eBay has been this way and being so difficult to get your money back.Linda Wagner (Candletone 90) 321-536-4533
Eric Westhorpe #6366
I have ordered a suitad it has arrived to late to be used for a special occasion,so I would i would like to return it ,I drove all the way to Pump Lane in Hayes and was told they only deliver , so I tried to get in contact with you , with no avail , please help me to return this parcel , I am 75 years old and not to ok using computers .Yours SincerelyEric Westhorpe
Ian urquhart #6383
I am talk on behalf of my mother someone has used her debit card to order something with out her consent please can u cancel items they it Sunday the 23 of this month the has already come out and she can’t afford it can tell me how to get money back thank you u can contact me on 07518572939 her name is Maureen urquhart there be details of her card being used on that date thank you
Mariana Nita #6391
Hi I ordered item but I want to delivery my item to this address please NN3 9DL 13 SPANSLADE ROAD NORTHAMPTON
Giuseppe Corigliano #6404
EBay is very bad organisation run by corrupt people
Katie Montana #6405
I am trying to get ahold of someone that i can talk to. I am a seller and trying to sell a Aladdin tea pot to a guy with the username of jackrobins882. He screwed me over and now i have a over draft fee of $3.49. sellers beware.....
Victoria Shurtliff #6406
I have a few accounts that were hacked and you gave money back to wrong people.My identity was stolen and I got fed papers to prove.how do I recover my account and get back my money and account number and my identity
Anne reese #6418
My account is restricted cause of a over due selling fees 20 dollars I get posix o. Nov 1st I wanted to pay it and I can’t even log in ! Or get ahold of any body to make arrangements! I’d like to pay it and continue being able to use eBay !
Fayyaz #6487
i can help you with that
Scott McGowan #6426
So there is not a UK number available?I used Ebay for years and now they want to send me a text as security to a phone I have not seen in 10 years. So I am going round in circles. In the end I have given up and as such I am now shopping elsewhere. It has proved no issue to me and I have managed absolutely fine without eBay. Shame that they are now too big to bother about customers. Vote with your feet as I say. So long eBay.
Jenita Jeffrie #6445
HiI am trying to get my refund on the item I bought from Ebay and the seller is willing to refund the amount however Ebay has suspended my account without any reason. I am unable to get through to Ebay for love or money. Numerous chats no help is available. I cannot log onto close my refund as it says email is not a existing.Please can someone help
Ahmad #6446
This guy sold me a machine does not work and he knows that tobacco shredder it’s not working and I ship it back to him and now he doesn’t want to refund the money To me 21-09097-80035 this is the order number
Anthony Ercolano #6464
I bought a laptop and I accidentally clicked on the 2-year protection plan as soon as I got the email a couple minutes later I canceled it but Allstate says they cannot cancel this I am on disability I don't have extra money for that and if something's not done I'm going to have to contact my senator or congressman and I will contact the United States banking and insurance I am highly upset and if I get sick close it is I will eBay and Allstate responsible for this it's not right I canceled right away
Michelle Emma dobbs #6479
I’ve sent faulty goods back to a seller he had it back Monday 7th nov 2022 can I please have my refund naw regards
Rory Robertson #6488
I am trying to order a product online I need help the internet will not allow me to proceed forward with customer service to resolve the issue my phone number is 801-809 3109 please help
Dennis D #6489
I need to speak with a live agent. I have done everything possible to contact them on receiving merchandise all broken up (2 Pilsner Beer Glasses). I have not gotten in contact with to return these broken glasses. Do not buy merchandise from eBay. Please boycot them and never go through them again. I'm not ever going through them for anything. Poor Poor disgusting service.
Shir-2 #6494
Ordered two listings and seller got ill before she could send an invoice with combined shipping. Numerous emails sent with no reply. The orders were canceled and relisted. I have 3 hits for cancel unpaid on my account that are not deserved. I have since purchased and paid for them. I have delayed payment many times with sellers notified and never had this happen. EBay change or seller options? I would appreciate if someone would remove them.
Mark Brown #6498
I did not. receive my two sweat suits I ordered last month where are they
Joy Fields #6503
On Nov 11 2022 I ordered 2 items. only one item is showing in my order summary. The missing item is Bare Minerals Liquid foundation/12. I ordered and received Oct. 1item. I ordered another liquid foundation foundation on Nov 11 and also nail polish. Both items were deducted from my bank acct. the foundation ordered on Nov 11 is NOT showing that I purchased and waiting to receive it. Please help.