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.

Leave a Reply

Jimmie Wilson #2716
Yes I'm tired of being ripped off and I went to satisfaction discount I don't have an account but I do buy your cards at least once a month I use it usually about every 2 to 3 cards I buy I get ripped off on them and I spend 200 or more a month
Anonymous #2801
It's what everybody is doing to us these days nobody gives a s*** anymore.
wimarg-80 #4659
eBay is not responsible for orders made without a eBay account. To protect yourself and your orders, set up an account.
Paulina Smith #2717
Cannot get a phone number to ebay my account has been hacked
wimarg-80 #4660
If you suspect your account has been tampered with, immediately sign into your eBay account and go to your profile and change your password or email address.
Russ LaCombe #2741
I purchased a vevor 3018 cnc engraving machine it arrived in good order.The specifications say it supports Mac OS have MacBook Air and can noteopen the usb flash drive that was included. Contacted service at Vevor.comand they told me they could not help within problem but did not tell me who could. I do not want to return the Machine for a refund can you please help with this problem and have seller send me the required software And hardware.Thank youRuss LaCombe
wimarg-80 #4661
Not to worry, the flash drive only holds the manual that can be found online.
ROBERT D WATSON #2746
You have charged my bank an exorbitant service charge.I listed one item (275048547519) for $190.00 that the buyer never paid, so you canceled the transaction and relisted it as item (275066083025) which sold at $200.00, and was ultimately paid for.Then you charged my bank $79.00 service fee !!!Please explain how come it costs so much to sell on eBay - an itemized account should bee provided your customers.
John Barnes #2749
I am not able to use my account any longer every time I try to log in I am told the account is on hold and not given a reason why . Can some one please get back to me and tell me why or what am I supposed to do
Dannetta Gibson #2755
I sent an item back to Vulture Culture and can't send the tracking #
Terry Reinitz #2780
Hello I purchased an item from an ebay seller and its the incorrect item. The seller will not contact me back about my refund and i want my money back
Dre #2790
I agree with some people on here ebay the worse my account been Suspended for nothing all I do sale stuff on ebay and ebay owe me money at same time. They was made cause I didn't put my middle name on account. Are u serious you suspended my account for that now I can't get any customer service to call me its been a month!
Jayhawk76 #2898
I have the same problem as you. I sold an item on October 30, the buyer paid eBay but eBay never remitted my funds. I go into my account and it says suspended. No email ever received from them and chats with agents say they cannot tell me why my account was suspended because of confidentlality. It's like you are guilty without knowing what you are guilty of, kind of like living in a third world country. Phone numbers for eBay customer service say the numbers are no longer being used so how do you resolve a suspension? Maybe eBay is having financial difficulties and are keeping our money for their own use???
John Rogers #2798
One day ago my account was restricted I talked to a live person and it got fixed. Today my account is suspended indefinitely. For no reason of my doing. And I can't talk to a live person today. They keep saying they are not available at this time. {{{REDACTED}}} I have payments on hold and eBay wants to play some kind of game. Very unprofessional. And really I think that eBay is just a {{{REDACTED}}} scam for people.
Andrea R. Martin #2809
I bought a watch for a present one minute after I paid for the watch I noticed it was used,I cancelled the order the seller refused to cancel the order even though the watch had not been shipped out yet I have asked the seller to cancel the deal as I can’t give a used present to my Aunt the seller now says it’s been shipped there is nothing I can do as he says just except my mistakes and quit bothering him
James Batten #2815
hi could you please help me as i bought a Samsung phone from a seller on ebay on the 28th nov 2020 and the phone broke so i contacted the seller in sep 2021 and he told us to send the phone back for repair which we did in oct 2021 we contacted him to find out where the phone is and now he has blocked us from sending him messages we known he received the phone as we sent it recorded delivery and it was sign for he has not even gave us a refund aswell thank Mr. batten
Collette higgins #2816
Haven't received my knitting yarn yet had email that it was to arrive on 5th Jan. 22 no delivery why
wimarg-80 #4658
Track your package, it may be stuck at customs.
Jeffrey Lindberg #2819
My credit card was used by an unauthorized user for $180 pair of sneakers I need monies returned
wimarg-80 #4657
eBay does not get involved with fraudulent activity on your credit card, if you suspect that fraudulent activity has occurred then contact your credit card company. I they find fraudulent activity they will investigate and may refund your money.
Robin Hammen #2833
I have been trying to sell some things on Ebay. Every time I try to submit an item it tells me that I need to update my financial information. I have done this twice now and it still says that. How and when can this be resolved?
Charles Stone #2847
On 10/15/21 received notice that my account#6493 ( which I didn't even know existed) I've only used eBay maybe twice in my life , once to buy a poster some years ago. Anyway someone is using my name fraudulently or it's simply a case of mistaken identity. Either way I would like to get to the bottom of this and see what Im accused of. Wasn't able to do that through automated system.I would greatly appreciate either a call or email explaining just exactly what has happened.
Milan Pollak #2851
I have problem used in ebay directly look for my messages. I want check my messages big problem opening messages. Please look for my problem and if is possible please connect my messages. I send messages this is no problem problem is check messages no opening
Donald M Kirby #2855
why cannot I speak to a person about a fraudelent account?? A recording will not help me!!!
Anonymous #3126
eBay is a mess
John #2871
eBay SUSPENDED MY ACCOUNT FOR NO REASON!!!! AND ITS BEEN OVER A MONTH.I SOLD OVER $4000, ITEM SHIPPED AND DELIVERED. RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM BUYER - PLEASE I NEED MY MONEY.
Melanie Lindemann #2902
I'm trying to help my son, who has an account and had purchased some items on 12/16/2021. It still says the items were paid for, but has not received them yet. He was supposed to get them Dec. 23rd, 2021, and is now Jan. 10th, 2022. He tried contacting the seller and got no response. It would really be nice if some live person could help customers over the phone. This is ridiculous, and I see a lot of people are having issues not getting their items, fraud, etc. My son and I would like to know where his items are
Abel acosta #2903
My package did not arrive!..it is marked as shipped, the arrival date has come and gone and nothing!..it’s been two weeks it was shipped on12/28. Tried to contact the seller but no response. I’m sick of people ripping the buyers off!!..something needs to be done!! There is no tracking ..i recieved a tracking number but tracking says usps awaiting item. Please help the seller is trade_wind….p