topic Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay. in The Round Table

Bought a stolen item on eBay.

jedicycles — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:41:33 GMT

I bought a bicycle frame on ebay last month for £300. Then I relisted it, as it was the wrong size.

Today I was contacted by Greater Manchester Police, they told me the item was stolen.

They had been contacted by the original owner of the frame, who had seen it for sale on eBay.

I have opened a dispute in the resolution centre and fully expect eBay to find in my favour.

The problem is that Ebay will ask me to return the item for a refund.

I can't do this as the met police have already arrange to collect the frame from me.

What are my rights?

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

evoman3957 — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:58:26 GMT

The law of the land has preference to any rules or regulations eBay might have, so if the Police require the Frame as evidence in a criminal investigation; then eBay will need to contact them. As it was obviously stolen when sold to you, they ( along with the Police ) are quite capable of tracking down the previous seller. If He / She says they bought it in good faith, then they will keep tracking it back until they find who dishonestly handled / sold the frame originally. Ebay must have a policy regarding the selling of stolen goods, that doesn't penalise the Buyer, otherwise the whole site could descend into a Free for all.

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

jedicycles — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 20:02:48 GMT

You would think so, but apparently not.

Buying goods that do not belong to the seller - UK Law

It seems if you can't return the item eBay/paypal are not interested.

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

ronnybabes — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 23:38:39 GMT

Obviously the Police will pursue it down the ebay line.

However, if what you say is true, I, myself would have no hesitation in taking ebay through the Small Claims Court, as they have a duty of care to both the Buyer, as well as the Seller.

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

clifford2031 — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 11:22:48 GMT

http://ocsnext.ebay.co.uk/ocs/sc

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

clifford2031 — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 11:25:24 GMT

OOps.Type stolen item into the box.

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

cee-dee — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 11:33:08 GMT

The "Help" page in the A - Z doesn't address the issue about having bought a stolen item, it's mainly concerned with reporting items you think are stolen:-

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/stolen.html

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

bankhaunter — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 12:57:32 GMT

If a receipt from Trading Standards would be sufficient for a refund without return where the item was counterfeit, wouldn't a receipt from the police be good enough to show the item was stolen and therefore should not be returned to the seller?

Re: Items stolen from me are for sale on ebay, what should i do?

geeze57 — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 11:59:21 GMT

Hi all, i need some help. Mine and my neighbours cars were broken into and we've found the items (oakley sunglasses and golf clubs) for sale on ebay, we've contacyed the police who dont seem to intersested, the items are on a 1 day action and they are due to end soon. Do i buy them back then start a claim against ebay/paypal? If i dont do anything quickly they will sell and i'll not see them again.

Any help appreciated.

Mr T

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

oakwood2a — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:26:12 GMT

That right " obviously "

Re: Items stolen from me are for sale on ebay, what should i do?

kirshutch — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:56:49 GMT

hi there

i am in the same situation as you right now with a bike of mine that was stolen and I couldnt exactly describe the police as being proactive in its pursuit after i have discovered it. Did they manage to retrieve those items for you in the end? How clever are the thiefs - did they not think that we would in all likelihiood check websites to discover our stolen goods?

Re: Bought a stolen item on eBay.

tressygirl — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 06:56:20 GMT

Looked at your link , sorry it makes no reference to stolen goods sold on eBay, just a list of items one can buy on eBay. Heaven help if that's a list of stolen goods!

Re: Items stolen from me are for sale on ebay, what should i do?

ammo-3078 — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 21:13:02 GMT

Hi. Police are refusing to help me with my stolen bike that is currently in an active listing on eBay. They say I can't prove beyond doubt it's mine so they won't investigate the address of the seller. Even though I have submitted photographic evidence of unique features. Any advice?