EBay: Difference between revisions - Consumer Rights Wiki

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|Website=https://ebay.com/

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'''{{Wplink|eBay Inc.}}''' (formerly known as AuctionWeb, 1995–1997) is an American multinational e-commerce corporation based in San Jose, California, that enables users to purchase or look at products via retail sales on websites and online marketplaces in 190 markets around the globe. Sales happen either via online auctions or "buy it now" immediate purchases, and the firm makes commissions from sales made by sellers.

== ~~Successful pressure campaign~~ ==

==Consumer impact summary==

==Incidents==

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

=== Impossible battery capacities ===

===Successful pressure campaign===

====Impossible battery capacities====

Impossible battery capacities are a common sight when one is looking for cheap rechargeable batteries. Readers may be familiar with this due to the [[Deep Cycle Systems]] coverage in ~5 of [[Louis Rossmann - Video Directory|Louis' YouTube channel episodes]].

A consumer was successful in pressuring eBay to remove entire sub-categories of 100% fraudulent battery products from its site - e.g.

* Rechargeable AAA batteries with a claimed capacity of 1800 mAh+ ,

*Rechargeable AAA batteries (NiMH) with a claimed capacity of 1800 mAh+ ,

* Rechargeable AA batteries with a claimed capacity of 3000 mAh+ and

*Rechargeable AA batteries (NiMH) with a claimed capacity of 3000 mAh+ and

* Rechargeable 18650 batteries with a claimed capacity of 4000 mAh+ ([https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/GTL%20LS18650%2010000mAh%20(White)%20UK.html example of expert testing of a "10000 mAh" one]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 2016 |title=eBay Community  Discussions |url=https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Help-us-improve-our-product-pages/m-p/26259798 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.is/BQRCk |archive-date=7 Aug 2019 |quote=You've shamed me into following up on this issue. So I'll see what I can do to clean up this category." in response to "Categories is your field, @syedmhaq. Please don't dodge responsibility. The category is still live. So are similar guaranteed 100% fraudulent categories. The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh ((and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's). You can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php and check them all out - e.g. the highest capacity: Tecxus AAA 1100 NiMH ~== Camelion AAA 1100mAh - see image below. The major name brands never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries}}</ref>

*Rechargeable 18650 (Li-ion) batteries with a claimed capacity of 4000 mAh+ ([https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/GTL%20LS18650%2010000mAh%20(White)%20UK.html example of expert testing of a "10000 mAh" one]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 2016 |title=eBay Community  Discussions |url=https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Help-us-improve-our-product-pages/m-p/26259798 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.is/BQRCk |archive-date=7 Aug 2019 |quote=You've shamed me into following up on this issue. So I'll see what I can do to clean up this category." in response to "Categories is your field, @syedmhaq. Please don't dodge responsibility. The category is still live. So are similar guaranteed 100% fraudulent categories. The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh ((and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's). You can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php and check them all out - e.g. the highest capacity: Tecxus AAA 1100 NiMH ~== Camelion AAA 1100mAh - see image below. The major name brands never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries}}</ref>

The categories were taken down and the fraudulent products were often unavailable on eBay for several years.

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Readers are encouraged to emulate the activity shown - contact eBay via the [https://community.ebay.co.uk/forum/chat-with-the-ebay-community-team-25/ periodic] [https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Weekly-Chat/td-p/29159344 public]{{Dead link}} community chats where it's hard to avoid the spotlight.

Due to the basic chemistry of NiMH and Li-ion batteries, ~~certain~~ advertising claims can be clearly identified as false without seeing the product - just based on the ad content alone, when the size of the battery makes the energy storage claim implausible.

Due to the basic chemistry of NiMH and Li-ion batteries, often, claimed-capacity advertising claims can be clearly identified as false ''without seeing the product'' - just based on the ad content alone, when the size of the battery makes the energy storage claim implausible.

According to expert opinions (e.g. on sites like HKJ's lygte-info.dk) no one (including the world's best Li-ion battery manufacturers) even make 18650 Li-ion batteries that are truly > 4000 mAh. The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh ((and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's). One can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php and check them all out - e.g. the highest capacity: Tecxus AAA 1100 NiMH ~== Camelion AAA 1100mAh.

~~The major name brands never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/hr03-1000_eu.pdf : 1000 mAh AAA's~~.

https://~~www~~.~~candlepowerforums.com~~/~~threads~~/~~sony-cycleenergy-3800mah-ni~~-~~mh-aa-cells~~.~~163194~~/ - ~~fake~~. ~~Real SONY AAs~~ (~~see [~~https://~~archive~~.is/~~pKeTz an archive of] [https:~~//~~archive~~.~~is/pKeTz AA's shown on Sony's~~ website~~] ) are 2100~~, ~~2500~~ and ~~2700 mAh.~~

According to expert opinions (e.g. on sites like HKJ's lygte-info.dk) no one (including the world's best Li-ion battery manufacturers) even make 18650 Li-ion batteries that are truly > 4000 mAh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battery test for Li-ion (mostly 18650) batteries, comparator |url=https://lygte-info.dk/info/batteryIndex.html |website=lygte-info.dk site about batteries, chargers and flashlights}}</ref> The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh (and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's). One can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see HKJ's lygte-info.dk site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battery test for AA and AAA (Alkaline, lithium, NiMH) batteries, comparator |url=https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php |website=lygte-info.dk site about batteries, chargers and flashlights}}</ref>

~~Sadly~~ [~~[Fake memory still being sold on eBay and Amazon|fake memory~~ is ~~still being sold~~ on ~~eBay and Amazon]~~] and ~~more egregiously, eBay has even resumed allowing listing these readily identifiable categories of 100% fraudulent product~~.

The major name brands/manufacturers never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries. e.g. 1000 mAh AAA's.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Energizer hr03 spec sheet |url=https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/hr03-1000_eu.pdf}}</ref> Real rechargeable AAs (see [https://archive.is/pKeTz an archive of AA's shown on Sony's website]) are 2100, 2500 and 2700 mAh. Fakes claim 3800 mAh.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Sony" CycleEnergy "3800mAh"Ni-MH AA-cells |url=https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/sony-cycleenergy-3800mah-ni-mh-aa-cells.163194/}}</ref>

~~==Anti-consumer practices==~~

Sadly [[fake memory still being sold on eBay and Amazon|fake memory is still being sold on eBay and Amazon]] and more egregiously, eBay has even resumed allowing listing these readily identifiable categories of 100% fraudulent batteries.

===User agreement update to arbitration (April 2025)===

===User agreement update to arbitration (''April 2025'')===

As of 17 April 2025, eBay has changed its "Agreement to [[Forced arbitration|Arbitrate]]" section in the User Agreement:<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Agreement |url=https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[eBay]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222061453/https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Liz |date=17 Apr 2025 |title=eBay User Agreement Update May 2025: New Arbitration Terms & Limits On Lawsuits |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-user-agreement-may-2025-arbitration/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418193349/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-user-agreement-may-2025-arbitration/ |archive-date=18 Apr 2025 |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Value Added Resource}}</ref>

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</blockquote>

===eBay AI opt in by default===

===eBay AI opt in by default (''April 2025'')===

In April 2025, eBay also updated its privacy policy to allow its users' personal data to be used for machine learning purposes by both the company and third-parties.

===User agreement update to arbitration (February 2026)===

===User agreement update to arbitration (''February 2026'')===

As of 20 February 2026, eBay has changed its "Agreement to [[Forced arbitration|Arbitrate]]" section in the User Agreement:<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Agreement |url=https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2026 |website=[[eBay]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260528182359/https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |archive-date=28 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Liz |date=21 Jan 2026 |title=eBay Explicitly Bans AI “Buy For Me” Agents, Updates Arbitration & Dispute Rules In User Agreement Update |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-bans-ai-agents-updates-arbitration-user-agreement-feb-2026/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210175825/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-bans-ai-agents-updates-arbitration-user-agreement-feb-2026/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026 |access-date=29 May 2026 |website=Value Added Resource}}</ref>

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 |Website=https://ebay.com/
 }}
 '''{{Wplink|eBay Inc.}}''' (formerly known as AuctionWeb, 1995–1997) is an American multinational e-commerce corporation based in San Jose, California, that enables users to purchase or look at products via retail sales on websites and online marketplaces in 190 markets around the globe. Sales happen either via online auctions or "buy it now" immediate purchases, and the firm makes commissions from sales made by sellers.
-== Successful pressure campaign ==<!-- Rossmann discourages slacktivism and this is the opposite. -->
+==Consumer impact summary==
+{{Ph-C-CIS}}
+==Incidents==
+This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
-=== Impossible battery capacities ===
+===Successful pressure campaign===<!-- Rossmann discourages slacktivism and this is the opposite. -->
+====Impossible battery capacities====
 Impossible battery capacities are a common sight when one is looking for cheap rechargeable batteries.   Readers may be familiar with this due to the [[Deep Cycle Systems]] coverage in ~5 of [[Louis Rossmann - Video Directory|Louis' YouTube channel episodes]].
 A consumer was successful in pressuring eBay to remove entire sub-categories of 100% fraudulent battery products from its site - e.g.
-* Rechargeable AAA batteries with a claimed capacity of 1800 mAh+ ,
+*Rechargeable AAA batteries (NiMH) with a claimed capacity of 1800 mAh+ ,
-* Rechargeable AA batteries with a claimed capacity of 3000 mAh+ and
+*Rechargeable AA batteries (NiMH) with a claimed capacity of 3000 mAh+ and
-* Rechargeable 18650 batteries with a claimed capacity of 4000 mAh+ ([https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/GTL%20LS18650%2010000mAh%20(White)%20UK.html example of expert testing of a "10000 mAh" one]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 2016 |title=eBay Community  Discussions |url=https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Help-us-improve-our-product-pages/m-p/26259798 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.is/BQRCk |archive-date=7 Aug 2019 |quote=You've shamed me into following up on this issue. So I'll see what I can do to clean up this category."<br/> <i>in response to</i><br/>"Categories is your field, @syedmhaq.  Please don't dodge responsibility.  The category is still live. So are similar guaranteed 100% fraudulent categories.  <br/> The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh ((and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's).  You can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php and check them all out - e.g. the highest capacity: Tecxus AAA 1100 NiMH ~== Camelion AAA 1100mAh - see image below.<br/>The major name brands never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries}}</ref>
+*Rechargeable 18650 (Li-ion) batteries with a claimed capacity of 4000 mAh+ ([https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/GTL%20LS18650%2010000mAh%20(White)%20UK.html example of expert testing of a "10000 mAh" one]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 2016 |title=eBay Community  Discussions |url=https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Help-us-improve-our-product-pages/m-p/26259798 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.is/BQRCk |archive-date=7 Aug 2019 |quote=You've shamed me into following up on this issue. So I'll see what I can do to clean up this category."<br/> <i>in response to</i><br/>"Categories is your field, @syedmhaq.  Please don't dodge responsibility.  The category is still live. So are similar guaranteed 100% fraudulent categories.  <br/> The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh ((and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's).  You can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php and check them all out - e.g. the highest capacity: Tecxus AAA 1100 NiMH ~== Camelion AAA 1100mAh - see image below.<br/>The major name brands never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries}}</ref>
 The categories were taken down and the fraudulent products were often unavailable on eBay for several years.
@@ Line 26: / Line 32: @@
 Readers are encouraged to emulate the activity shown - contact eBay via the [https://community.ebay.co.uk/forum/chat-with-the-ebay-community-team-25/ periodic] [https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Weekly-Chat/td-p/29159344 public]{{Dead link}} community chats where it's hard to avoid the spotlight.
-Due to the basic chemistry of NiMH and Li-ion batteries, certain advertising claims can be clearly identified as false without seeing the product - just based on the ad content alone, when the size of the battery makes the energy storage claim implausible.
+Due to the basic chemistry of NiMH and Li-ion batteries, often, claimed-capacity advertising claims can be clearly identified as false ''without seeing the product'' - just based on the ad content alone, when the size of the battery makes the energy storage claim implausible.
-According to expert opinions (e.g. on sites like HKJ's lygte-info.dk) no one (including the world's best Li-ion battery manufacturers) even make 18650 Li-ion batteries that are truly > 4000 mAh.  The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh ((and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's).  One can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php and check them all out - e.g. the highest capacity: Tecxus AAA 1100 NiMH ~== Camelion AAA 1100mAh.
-The major name brands never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/hr03-1000_eu.pdf : 1000 mAh AAA's.
-https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/sony-cycleenergy-3800mah-ni-mh-aa-cells.163194/ - fake.  Real SONY AAs (see [https://archive.is/pKeTz an archive of] [https://archive.is/pKeTz AA's shown on Sony's website] ) are 2100, 2500 and 2700 mAh.
+According to expert opinions (e.g. on sites like HKJ's lygte-info.dk) no one (including the world's best Li-ion battery manufacturers) even make 18650 Li-ion batteries that are truly > 4000 mAh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battery test for Li-ion (mostly 18650) batteries, comparator |url=https://lygte-info.dk/info/batteryIndex.html |website=lygte-info.dk site about batteries, chargers and flashlights}}</ref>   The best AAA NiMH batteries in the world top out around 1100mAh (and ~3500 mAh for AA NiMH's).  One can see this if you visit specialist testing sites, e.g. see HKJ's lygte-info.dk site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battery test for AA and AAA (Alkaline, lithium, NiMH) batteries, comparator |url=https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php |website=lygte-info.dk site about batteries, chargers and flashlights}}</ref>
-Sadly [[Fake memory still being sold on eBay and Amazon|fake memory is still being sold on eBay and Amazon]] and more egregiously, eBay has even resumed allowing listing these readily identifiable categories of 100% fraudulent product.
+The major name brands/manufacturers never claim anything close to 1800 mAh for AAA batteries. e.g.  1000 mAh AAA's.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Energizer hr03 spec sheet |url=https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/hr03-1000_eu.pdf}}</ref>  Real rechargeable AAs (see [https://archive.is/pKeTz an archive of AA's shown on Sony's website]) are 2100, 2500 and 2700 mAh. Fakes claim 3800 mAh.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Sony" CycleEnergy "3800mAh"Ni-MH AA-cells |url=https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/sony-cycleenergy-3800mah-ni-mh-aa-cells.163194/}}</ref>
-==Anti-consumer practices==
+Sadly [[fake memory still being sold on eBay and Amazon|fake memory is still being sold on eBay and Amazon]] and more egregiously, eBay has even resumed allowing listing these readily identifiable categories of 100% fraudulent batteries.
-===User agreement update to arbitration (April 2025)===
+===User agreement update to arbitration (''April 2025'')===
 As of 17 April 2025, eBay has changed its "Agreement to [[Forced arbitration|Arbitrate]]" section in the User Agreement:<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Agreement |url=https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[eBay]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222061453/https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Liz |date=17 Apr 2025 |title=eBay User Agreement Update May 2025: New Arbitration Terms & Limits On Lawsuits |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-user-agreement-may-2025-arbitration/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418193349/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-user-agreement-may-2025-arbitration/ |archive-date=18 Apr 2025 |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Value Added Resource}}</ref>
@@ Line 117: / Line 119: @@
 </blockquote>
-===eBay AI opt in by default===
+===eBay AI opt in by default (''April 2025'')===
-{{Main|Ebay AI opt in by default}}
+{{Main|eBay opts-in users for AI training}}
 In April 2025, eBay also updated its privacy policy to allow its users' personal data to be used for machine learning purposes by both the company and third-parties.
-===User agreement update to arbitration (February 2026)===
+===User agreement update to arbitration (''February 2026'')===
 As of 20 February 2026, eBay has changed its "Agreement to [[Forced arbitration|Arbitrate]]" section in the User Agreement:<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Agreement |url=https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2026 |website=[[eBay]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260528182359/https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259 |archive-date=28 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Liz |date=21 Jan 2026 |title=eBay Explicitly Bans AI “Buy For Me” Agents, Updates Arbitration & Dispute Rules In User Agreement Update |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-bans-ai-agents-updates-arbitration-user-agreement-feb-2026/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210175825/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-bans-ai-agents-updates-arbitration-user-agreement-feb-2026/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026 |access-date=29 May 2026 |website=Value Added Resource}}</ref>