Ebay has removed a negative feedback I left for a faulty item. Is that right?

[spudwba]

Hi,

I purchased a designer watch for my daughter in November for Xmas. When my daughter opened it she needed links removing so it would fit.

I took it to 2 different specialists to have the links removed and both said the strap was faulty and the links weren’t interchangeable as they should be so couldn’t be removed and then fitted back together.

I contacted the the seller but they refused to refund/replace and as I was out of my 30 days with Ebay returns policy. Tried PayPal with no joy too.

As the seller decided to ignore my requests I decided to leave a negative feedback. This is where my problem lies as it looks like the negative I left has been removed? 

I was expecting them to reply so I did keep checking but suddenly it’s disappeared?

Can anyone tell me why Ebay would remove it and how I can make a complaint to get it reinstalled?

I gave an honest reflection of my transaction and it’s not viewable anymore. It just doesn’t seem right.

many thanks

[red_magpie]

If you don't tell us what you said, how can we suggest why it was removed?

You obviously contravened one of eBay's rules for feedback. The most common reasons are that it mentions an eBay or PayPal case, or the police, or contains profanity. However, feedback can also be removed for other reasons, for example where a buyer demands something that wasn't part of the original transaction.

To read eBay’s policy on the criteria for feedback removal, see: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/rfe-spam-ov.html

For further information, also see "Feedback rules” here: https://sellercentre.ebay.co.uk/private/feedback#negative

EBay never reinstates feedback that's been removed.

[spudwba]

Hi,
I said "seller refused to refund/replace my faulty item"

[tressygirl]

That's it , the word refund was used , and feedback removed , probably at seller's request as it has broken feedback rules.

[rusticrye]

PayPal (or any payment processor) can legally only help you with items which you can see are damaged, faulty, or not as described on receipt. As you took the watch to two 'specialists' for alterations, where anything could have happened to it, PayPal can't help you.  And Ebay would not have been able to help you either.  Items must be returned in the exact condition in which they were received, which, after two 'specialists' having handled it, is unlikely to be the case.

Under these circumstances, legal action against the seller, even if they're a UK business seller, is unlikely to succeed. But it's worth a try, so go to the CAB's website for full information and advice.

As others have said, Ebay will only remove feedback that breaches the rules or the law in some way, which yours must have done. You can't just say whatever you like in public feedback. It can get you - and Ebay - sued for libel.  You can read the feedback rules for yourself, in Help & Contact (links at top and foot of any page).

@spudwba 

@john1297576 

[john1297576]

Out of curiosity, why did Paypal decline? It seens straight forward enough, it was not as described. If it was a Business Seller you could consult Citizens Advice or Trading Standards.

You should really have opened an ebay case as soon as you realised there was a problem, rather than run out of time. You would have had no problem winning a case.

For the future, on those rare occasions where Negative Feedback is appropriate, it pays to just say something like "Unsatisfactory transaction/experience" . Keep it brief and then there is no reason that seller can ask ebay to remove, and by giving low stars, that will reflect in the DSRs which is a more useful way of warning others.

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

It is pointless complaining as it won't be reinstated.

[spudwba]

That's gutting really but thanks for your help.