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

Margaret Collins #8040
I placed an order on 3rd May and have not received it yet
Charles G De Camp #8057
How do I get a live agent?
Charles Roberts #8059
I moved to the Isle of Man and had to change my mobile number and now I cannot access my account because I am unable to verify anything. I have tried everything I can think of to get Ebay to change myover to my new number (XXXXXX434142) but it is impossible to reach anyone as I have to verify, then wait for a code, which goes to my old number. Is there any way that you can help me please. I have been with Ebay for many years with a 100% feedback, but now I can't even contact potential buyers.Thanks for reading this, and I hope I have explained my problem clearly for you,regards,Charles Roberts.
Donita Stoecker #8060
I need someone to call me at 309 620 5XXXX
Anonymous #8061
Hello, good day. I am sending this message because I was supposed to receive something for a car today and I did not receive it. It did not arrive.It was this thing for the car.New 3pc Front Inner Tie Rod Drag Link Kit for Ford F-250 Super Duty - 4x4 ONLY
Lou pacell #8083
Trying to find out if a veh that is being sold is not a scam #5810821790376
Barry Reeher #8085
Email said product delivered 7/19 time 07:24 PDT tracking number 781069931271. contacted FEDX checked their system. FEDX said city & state matched but customer name and home address was not the same. somebody messed up the shipping address please correct this and deliver said product. to my correct address. 399 Blacktown road.
Susan #8092
I have been charged twice for my order
Kyle Jaycox #8109
I need to speak to a live customer service rep regarding a dispute with a buyer. I have had ZERO success with reaching anyone and only getting recordings.
Shirley Wheeler #8132
I purchased eyeglass frames and need to return. However the frames are not listed in my purchase history. I have an order ID #06-10312-XXXXX
Lamar Beckworth #8135
I ordered an electric fryer on July 13 th and my credit card posted the charge.However, I have not received my fryer. It was supposed to be shipped in 5days.I cannot find the receipt on my website.Please adviseThanks
Betty Lokey #8136
Need to speak to a live agent regarding 3 charges generated yesterday, july 29 that were not made by me.I do not want to pay for explanation.How do I speak with someone.ThanksBetty
Anonymous #8138
I was supposed to receive my item on July 15th and it is now July 31st. I cannot get an answer from eBay on the location of my item . How can I actually speak to a “live person” at eBay ?Thank you !Catherine
Danuta Gos #8139
someone hacked into my account and made a £70 order. Please help me
Shirley Girdwood #8140
I am repeatedly being asked by eBay to provide feedback for items I have returnedThere is nowhere on their website referring to this complaint.
Ashley Jones #8144
I Recently sold a bottle of perfume to a buyer. She paid July 4th, so I was unable to make it to the post office until the 7th. In which I communicated to her as said. Come Monday I had the package in the mail and sent her the tracking number. A few days later she messaged me, explaining she had RECEIVED the package and mentioned how cute it was sent. I took my time, assuring it would travel safe and wrapped it even. Come July 25, I guess she filed a case against me stating she never received her package . Of course I don't live on my phone and didn't see this email giving me FIVE DAYS to respond and appeal the case before they refunded her on behalf of me and I'm now being charged 50$ for an item I sold and buyer received. So I appeal their case and was denied because I didn't respond to them in 5 days. I'm sooo upset.
Paul Ward #8356
Purchased..Smart Band 6, faulty and need to return, wish for money back.However when i tried to log on to my account, i am not recognised, what is the problem.item, no. 18-xxxx-88793
Stephen E Pountain #8358
I repeat I accidentally ordered three of the lawn mowers I only want to order one of the lawn mowers
Diane jones #8950
I can’t get anywhere with chat , have tried different phone nos, I need to reset password but can’t because everything e want to verify via old phone no which I no longer have .
Customer 9641009330care #9005
Hello sir Contact Us Customer Care Service