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 for TIMOTHY SMITH

michelle m garrett #3187
pissed off seller... can't fix issue ro reach anyone!!! ewww what is going on ebay? you make enpugt money to afford more representatives.My seller report is inaccurate. One item never sold , looking for tracking.I have other items givein ema 1 day turn around on shipping. I DO NOT OFFER 1 DAY SHIPPING!!
David burnett #3188
I made two purchases on eBay one for navy license plates and one for license plate holders. I gave my credit card information at the time of order. I am now getting emails wanting me to pay my orders. I don't know if payment was made at time of order.
Thelma Prince #3191
How much longer are you going to hold on to my moneyI’ve done everything you asked of me and was told it would only take a couple of days it’s been over a week
Lee #3196
I have been trying to contact eBay because someone is using my account and is purchasing items. Cant talk to anyone regarding this situation and I haven’t used my eBay account in over 5 years so I can’t get into my eBay account. A purchase from Germany of $549 was made on my account yesterday and eBay sent me a confirmation email. What does a person need to do to get this resolved with eBay. There are 3 accounts using my information and yet I can’t talk to a person
Graham Lee #3199
Had to refund a sale due to (my only) claim for a misrepresented a first edition book. No buyer contact, automatic $675 refund out of my bank account. Okay, understand Guarantee Policy, but EBAY KEPT THEIR FEE OF $70!No way to phone or email. Direct email to eBay to “ngrange” are ignored.What are my options?
Javanrooh Mahmood #3200
I sold an item for£80i didn't get pay.Also another item I sold they charge me exta commission. I tried so hard to resolve this matter but I didnt get any where the item namber is 363637726823
Kevin Stewart #3202
I haven't received my parcel that I ordered and it was supposed to be here February 1st I went to UPS with the tracking number they said that I don't have any item under that tracking number the tracking number does not exist so with that being said what happened to my package that you took the money from my bank account for I ordered a CVT belt
Kevin Stewart #3203
I haven't received my CVT belt that was supposed to arrive today.I went to UPS with tracking number that was at the bottom of the app and it states that is a non-working tracking number.So will someone please send me a text message or respond to my email let me know why I haven't received what I've already paid for if this is the way eBay is going to do then I will stop ordering from this company
Teresa Mingus #3204
Get ready to lose millions of customers! No contact number to resolve issues with your thieving sellers!
Hadi privet #3208
To: customer serviceebay inform me that the seller cancel the shipment.I asked the seller, why did you cancel the shipment?He reply to me:Hello,at the moment ist not possible in the EU because of the OSS law. Its a becreaucy monster and we are not able to send at other EU states at the moment (we did this before for years) :-(SorryTo customer service, does this mean that I can not order any Item from Germany?Please, give me detales.Regards,
Louise Willis #3209
Hi there just to let you know that I have contacted the seller they told me to contact eBay a payment as gone out of bank and trying to take a second payment for the same amount 47.02 which it is still pending to leave bank which as made me now overdrawn please can I have the payment bk please thanks
Deanette Knight #3210
You cut off our chat after determining my account was suspended. I have never tried to sell anything from this account profile. I would like to report a fraud. Please provide a phone number I can have a live customer service agent.
Ramona Jane Cooley #3213
I've been trying to retract a bid for 2 days with no luck!! The # is 294770832222. It's a toaster that I will not be able to use here in the United States!! I've run into a brick wall!! Help!! Ramona Cooley
Stefan painter #3220
I have had 3 items not received in the last 60days and had to wait 21days for a refund. I will not buy from ebay again. I will not spend my money on items that turn up weeks late or have to chase up for a refund. EBay should be ashamed of the sellers and distributors of items they sell. Just a rip off and time waster. Stick with amerzon or littlewoods. They give real time delivery times and dates. And you can plan you life around them. Nott just another apologies that your item is late and on more than 1 2 3 times.
Anthony spokes #3222
Good evening I had i phone xr for sell i contact the buy see when he was coming to collect phone he said he don’t want it now that he was just biding on assorts of things he has waste my time plus I got to pay for eBay fees so had to put it back on eBay again
Mahe Noor #3223
I need my refund back they took out money 2 times along with the money they took out from my account inorder to refund me. I have tried so many times to call no one picks up or their is no right phone number to contact. If no one is going to reach out to me I will be calling the bank and evolve them in this case because it's too complicated for me .
Clinton Woodard #3237
Ebay Your customer service department is the worst in the world. I have called you multiple times, Respond to your emails, And never bothered to contact me so why should I do business with people that don't respect or care their Customers
Susan Fry #3238
I was charged for an item on ebay I never received. When I went to my purchase history, the item was mysteriously gone from the list so I had no order # or contact info to get ahold of the seller to find out what was going on. I was definitely charged for the item though!!! I will never trust Ebay again!
Richard Moakes #3244
We have an issue with a return we made to Enginepartssupermarket. We purchased a heater and it was too large for our needs, we rerurned it to the address they gave ( I know it is the correct address as I copied and pasted it ).. we have a signed proof of delivery and they are refusing to refund our money sating they have not received it. This has now been going on for well over a month I would like to report them and they keep saying the case is closed and it was sent to wrong address, which it wasn'tMany thanks for your helpKind regardsLinda
Cindy Stovie #3251
How to you get ahold of someone high up to forward a customer service complaint! I have been dealing with a refund that I was promised by eBay because the seller of the item refused to and all I get every time I contact them is the run around. I want to speak to someone to complain about their terrible customer service and demand my refund!,