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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Anthony Davis #10114
You are holding money waiting for my bank info. You have my infor and also I gave you my bank debit card last week and I still have not recieved my money that's on hold. Please explain or fix the issue.
Christina Morris #10297
You took 5.76 pence out of my bank account . I ordered a cleaning product as guest sent you loads of e mails never got an e mail back from eBay . You took money out on 7 August I have complaints department no good I don’t have tracking number etc as when I ordered you never sent e mail back to me so please can I have a refund or send another one out to me as a replacement thank you
Dianne Misiunas #11548
I purchased a pre-owned cartier watched that was certified authentic for 2500. I recently sent to cartier for service who state it is a fake. What can I do I cant reach anyone at ebay.
Tim Baker #11598
I never received the correct item. I ordered on eBay eBay did nothing to help me. I listed two items on eBay didn’t sell them and getting charged full selling fees. eBay is a scam.
Janet Nicol #11606
Item bought 9/8/2023 for £36 + £3.93 p&p. Item not received. Contacted seller who said she tried to cancel the sale but was too late. Sale went through and l paid £39.93 into her pay pal account. She has tried to contact eBay but was told - cancellation closed - no refund. We are now at a standstill. Can you please help me to obtain a refund of £39.93. Thankyou.
Robert carrington #11632
Hi cannot login eBay have user name and password but still get verification code as my phone stolen. can't get message to customer service or phone number to speak to a person it's riducalas
Likiso Florence Nyambi #11683
I am not a member of ebay, I have not used ebay in over 15 years but I have over $ 220 charges on my Capital one credit card. Do you guys allow stolen Credit cards to be used on your web site?
Brenda Manuel #11684
I ordered a package on ebay it was shipped to me I never got it now I'm being told that I will not unless I buy it about I won't receive it im not with ebay r the people it has on his page I will not ordered from again
Lori Angulo #11703
I bought an item from a seller and she never mailed the item. It's been in pre-shipment for almost 10 days, and I can't get in touch with a live person at ebay and I have not been issued a refund from the seller. I will not be purchasing items from ebay any longer.
Anne #11706
Hi, don't know why direct debit was placed on my phone
Anonymous #11707
I've been with ebay for 14 years now and never had a problem.Until about a month ago I received an email/text and a letter from a debt collection agency, when I chased this up it turned out to be an old charge from 2019 that I was totally unaware about because ebay didn't have the decency to let me know which I think is absolutely shocking customer service. I've logged a complaint with them and been ignored. I've also said I have no problem paying it but first I want it on an invoice with a breakdown as to why I owe this money and why the thought it necessary to contact a debt collectors agency without contacting there loyal customer first !!!Absolutely crap customer service !!!
Daniel Mac Lellan #11711
I purchased a headlight assembly for 2010 Cadillac CTS on EBay and it does not fit car. The seller has no record of the purchase. I bought from eBay as a guest as I have no account. Since the purchase took place my credit card was cancelled due to suspicious activity and have Ben issued a new card. The seller was Mid West Auto Parts of Tulsa OK
marcia rosansky #11714
Tried to call customer services. There are 3 different telephone numbers for Ebay and eachmessage says that the number you are dailing is for fraudalent issues. 3 Lines for fraudulent issues?
Catherine amabile #11721
I message the buy and ebay several .times..have an item thqt was shipped to my address tnat missing some of it ..please help.. This is getting crazy u cant spesk to anyone or get any imfornation back .
Trevor SEYMOUR #11723
Ebay is trying to over charge me for a sale, by a lot!I would like to get this sorted out, however all I get is "no reply" address emails - very rude..Please contact me with a proper return email address or phone number, even a postal address of a manager I can speak with. I will note accept another auto reply contact.T Seymour Whitenoise 343.
Diane Grzesiak #11729
I am Diane grzesiak from Southport I have brought a item from some one there's a despot about ebay holding a sellers money I've dubbed checked with the bank and it been paid for and wats me to close the case down now I've paid for it and ebay is holding the money for the item for some reason
Naheeda Rehman #11734
Hi there i returned a parcel on the 13th of September but still have not received a full refund.Seller does not respond to my messages.
M.Wheatman #11744
I bought a toilet brush set when it came it was damaged.It is not listed in my back orders. I have contacted one company but it isn’t them. It would be ridiculous to send it back. The money came out of the bank on 7th SeptemberI would like you to look into this and give me a refund
Anthony Easterday #11746
Purchased two sports cards from an overseas ebay seller(s). In both cases I went to re-sell them. They both sold and then ebay sent the cards back to me, refunded the buyers and left me back with the cards again. Went thru a ton of crazy shit all to be told nothing could be done because they couldn’t authenticate them BUT, ebay let me purchase them but won’t let me resell. WTF. they stated that they were purchased from a country that doesn’t require authentication. So, I could buy them thru ebay, but I can’t resell through eBay. I despise ebay !
David Mullen #11784
I think my ebay account has been hacked