Hilarious post from the ebay community forums, "Trust & Safety" board.
Clearly we see that ebay is NOT interested in taking any reports or offering anything resembling customer service, let alone providing any "Trust and/or Safety".

  It is no secret that ebaY has laid-off many workers, in particular in the Trust & Safety area. There have also been many reports of the complaint forms not working, sending a blank message devoid of any text.

  So a new "glitch" (or just plain incompetence/indifference) pops up to achieve the same results, which are more-less ebaY burying IT's head in the sand. Again. Still.

 

  Ebay is consuming it's self piecemeal. Feasting on It's own flesh. Don't bother reporting anything. You will only be wasting your time. They are NOT interested in securing their site or making it safer.

  They are only interested in ignoring the fraud, concealing evidence of wrongdoing and complacency, silencing critics, sending concerned users in an endless circular exercise in futility and thereby deriving profit from criminal activities of all sorts.

  Simply avoid the site.  

  Remember, Court says ebay is a Criminal Enterprise. Seriously.

  Rather than using this unsafe and uncaring, shady, criminal site to buy and/or sell your widgets and whatzits, simply hit your back button and find yourself another place.

http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/39112

Who could imagine?

ebay DWI Motorized Chair Deadbeat Winner Fail

Articles seen and referenced here:

Chair buyer will not honor bid

Monday: La-Z-Boy pulls the lever on eBay auction

Famous recliner pulled from eBay

A little digging reveals this from wcco.com

Dear City of Proctor,

To Whom It May Concern,

I apologize, but there seems to be a mistake. I did not mean to bid this amount, as well as I cannot afford this. I am truly sorry for the mix up and the wasted time.


--claysstuff

claysstuff (53) ebay feedback profile, which jives perfectly with the winning bidder's FB rating.

Thanks heaven for ebaY's nifty hidden winner policy! Help hide and protect those shills, frauds and deadbeats!

Its also pretty funny to see this:

"I guess he lost that [100%] rating," Proctor Police Chief Walter Wobig said."

I guess the Chief hasn't been keeping up with good ol' KKKommiebay's No Negative feedback policy.

http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/38866

In case no one has seen this yet, ebay has launched their blockbuster 2009 ad campaign.

Deemed to be lame by many out there, as well as in my humble opinion. This is an excellent opportunity which should not go unanswered.

I urge anyone and everyone reading here to produce spoof and satire videos to counter.
Remember that parody is a centuries old, legitimate and respected form of criticism.

This is your chance to tell the truth through smiling teeth.

Weird Al Yankovic - Dare to be Stupid
Uploaded by bolton. - Watch more comedy videos and sitcoms.

http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/38604

This is too funny.
Glancing over to auctionbytes I spotted this report

"eBay CEO John Donahoe will be speaking at an event titled, "A Summit on Leading in Crisis: Personal Stories from the Trenches." The program will take place on September 17, 2009..."

OMG! I am literally lmao as I type this.

With all due respect, Mr Donahoe is not a leader.
(leaders are looked up to, not down upon)

Mr Donahoe has NEVER been in "the trenches"

(Has the man ever even bought and/or sold a thing on ebay?)

Odds are very much that Mr Donahoe would have become a victim of "friendly fire" if this was a real war.

Mr Donahoe, your ridiculous statement/story is an insult to real fighters everywhere. (Some of whom got ripped off, disrespected and insulted on your scam and shill-troll infested site)

 Not to mention REAL ebayers, the ones whom built the site. The ones that your "genocidal" changes are destroying.

Again, nothing from ebay or IT's executives can be taken seriously anymore. It is all well beyond the realm of comedy.

I'd say he got the "crisis" part right though.

http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/36283

From the PayPal forum at ebay community forums.

Looks like bad advice dispensed by ebay and Paypal Customer service reps just cost someone $9400.00.

Read it carefully. You will see that BOTH ebay and Paypal reps gave their official blessings BEFORE the man paid, and got scammed.

Also note the references to missing posts, transaction details,  the constant barrage of likely paid shill pettifoggers trying their best to derail the topic, badger the victim, and cast blame upon the victim.

Does this sort of thing strike anyone as an indication of an outfit to be trusted?
A safe and honest platform? Knowledgeable staff?
(full page screencapture below the 1st three posts in text here by the victim)

PayPal Thieves
Aug 21, 2009 1:08 PM

I just got a notice today saying Paypal is not covering me for an empty box I recieved that was supposed to contain a Rolex watch. I've lost $9400 because PayPal states I didn't submit a Police Report in time. I filed the report and gave them the number the day they asked for it. I also told them that it would take 3 weeks for the police to process the request for a printed copy. I faxed them the actual request which stated it would take 3 weeks. I can't make the police go any faster. Paypal is using this as an excuse to steal almost $10,000 from me. I want everyone to be aware that Paypal WILL STEAL from you.

Re: PayPal Thieves Aug 21, 2009 1:16 PM

Continued...

I'm a little stressed out right now...Just got off the phone PP and the rep told me it's not the fact that they don't believe I was scammed, she said the "review department" has made this decision regardless. The day I spoke to PP and gave them the Police Report number and the Officers badge She told me that if they needed more information they would send me an Affidavit to sign. That conversation has apparently disappeared. I've never met more devious and blatant liars in all my life.


Re: PayPal Thieves Aug 21, 2009 1:27 PM
My Story in a nutshell...

I had been watching the auction for this watch for almost 2 weeks and 3 different auctions. He had listed it a couple of times but had relisted it stating that people were “fake bidding” on it and not intending to pay. I had submitted an offer for it on one of those listings and that’s how He originally got my Ebay Id and email address. He sent me a message saying He would send me a “second chance offer” and I could buy it that way. He sent me a second chance offer to which I phoned Ebay again to find out if it was legitimate which they said it was so I accepted his second chance offer but it was for an amount higher than what the Ebay/Paypal buyer protection would cover so it was cancelled. I had told him from the outset that there was absolutely no way I would purchase the watch unless it was covered by Ebay/Paypal buyer protection. I even went so far as to call Ebay and Paypal 3 times in regards to it. I gave them the listing ID and asked if I was covered and if they thought it was legitimate. Each time they said it was and even if it wasn’t I was still covered under Buyer Protection because I was buying it on Ebay.com and paying via Paypal.com. I made the purchase after being assured by both Ebay and Paypal via phone that I was indeed protected and that it looked legitimate.

I woke the next morning to an email from Ebay trust and safety:

MC139 NOTICE: eBay Communication Partner Warning

Dear robd* (********@gmail.com),

Our records show that you recently received an email from timefusion21 through the Ask Seller a Question or Contact eBay Member features. This email may be fraudulent and an attempt to do one of the following:

What followed was a standard Ebay Fraud form letter stating what I should do if I’ve sent payment and a few other suggestions that were of no value what so ever.

I logged into my Ebay account and sure enough the user “timefusion21” had been removed and there was no record of my transaction with him. Well I should say there is no record I can see. There was no reason given why He was removed or what I should do about the almost $10,000 US dollars I had sent him 8 hours ago just a link saying “This item is invalid” I have since heard nothing from Ebay regarding this user or my dealings with him.

I immediately called Paypal and told them what was happening. She said the money was still in his (timefusion21/Tay Hian Chye) Paypal account and that I should file an “Item not received” claim which I did during that call.
Paypal claim # PP-728-790-565 I was then told to wait a few days to see if anything arrived. I had received a Fedex tracking number but when called Fedex they told me that anybody can walk into any Fedex store and pickup a waybill and use the tracking number which is exactly what he did. The actual package I received wasn’t picked up by Fedex in Singapore until Jun 20th at 12:50pm. So, He sent me an empty box 2 days AFTER He was removed from Ebay and I had opened the claim, it’s like He knew He had to send something or his scam wasn’t going to work.

On June 23rd I received a Fedex package with an empty generic watch box which I will send you pictures of. The person who signed for this package was also an eye witness to me opening this package and revealing an empty purple watch box. As you can clearly see from the pictures it has nothing to do with a Rolex watch. Also on the waybill he wrote “sample Daytona watch box” which you can clearly see from the pictures. I spoke to Fedex and they told me that there was no way Fedex would ship a Rolex watch Internationally, it’s against their policies. They also said it would be impossible for any watch to clear through their customs inspection without duty and brokerages fees applied.
I don't know why I feel I need to vent here but I have to tell people that Paypal will not protect you. they don't care about you and don't ever use them for anymore than a couple hundred dollars.

UPDATE: 09-30-2009

There has been further developments, image now replaced with updated version
View the original image which was here

View a Google cache page which shows OP's original post #7, which was deleted for mysterious reasons.

No word on what ebay and Paypal plan on doing with their cut of the scam.    lol

http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/35773

For those of you whom do  not know are are not aware of a poster frequently seen at AuctionBytes blog, who is colorful and well spoken.
In a very recent blog post there, he has asked for some information to be reposted.

This is for you Mr. Ming;

...by: Ming the Merciless...

Sun Jul 26 15:28:30 2009
1. Any offer/deal/practice offered to some sellers but to others violates FTC regulations.

2. Tampering with feedback for the purpose of deceiving buyers or potential buyers is fraud. Fraud is a crime.

3. Google isn't going to start any competitive auction website until their sweetheart deal with ebafia that has obvious non compete features expires if it ever does.

4. Do you know another way to sniff out an ebay plant? None of them can spell the word whining.

5. Do you know how to sniff out a Bonanzle plant? They never discuss results.

6. PayPal keeping a seller's money and either confiscating the seller's property or allowing the customer to keep the item is patently ILLEGAL.

Readers will recall when ebay announced the same provision, they had to reverse it in less than a week. The reason they rescinded it was that this practice is THEFT, and THEFT is a crime. Sellers are entitled to due process.

Sellers should flood PayPal beginning Monday, July 26, with calls. If you have a website, tell them that unless this ILLEGAL policy isn't reversed within one week, you will remove PayPal as a payment option from your website.

More later!


Sun Jul 26 16:38:35 2009
AS PROMISED:

1.  US Department of Justice (DoJ)
   Anti Trust Division
   950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
   Washington, DC 20530
   E-mail: antitrust.atr@usdoj.gov

   How to submit a complaint:

    http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/contact/newcase.htm


2. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  Consumer Response Center
  600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC 20580

  Mission: The Federal Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection agency. The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace.

The Bureau:

--Enhances consumer confidence by enforcing federal laws that protect consumers

--Empowers consumers with free information to help them exercise their rights and spot and avoid fraud and deception

--Wants to hear from consumers who want to get information or file a complaint about fraud or identity theft

To report a company for a pattern and practice of suspected fraud:

1-877-382-4357

CAUTION: The FTC doe NOT resolve individual consumer complaints. Please confine your remarks whether verbal or written to ebay/PayPal policies you believe are illegal.

Online fraud complaint form:

    https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

3. Securities and Exchange Commission
  SEC Complaint Center
  100 F Street NE
  Washington, D.C. 20549-0213

   http://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce.shtml

Above link includes information about insider trading and sending tips and complaints.

  1. Insider trading:
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/insider.htm
  2. Tips and Complaints:
http://www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml

  Online complaint forms:
 http://www.sec.gov/complaint/selectconduct.shtml

  Hypthetically, if I were filing an SEC complaint, I'd strongly consider:

  --False or misleading statements about a company (including false or misleading SEC reports or financial statements)

5. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
  Chairman
  House Energy and Commerce Committee
  2204 Rayburn
  House Office Building
  Washington, D.C. 20515
  Telephone (202) 225-3976
  Fax (202) 225-4099

  LOS ANGELES OFFICE
  8436 West Third Street, Ste 600
  Los Angeles, CA 90048
  Telephone 1 (310) 652-3095
  Telephone 2 (818) 878-7400
  Telephone 3 (323) 651-1040
  Fax (323) 655-0502

  http://waxman.house.gov/

6. Attorney General’s Office
  California Department of Justice
  Attn: Consumer Protection Division
  P.O. Box 944255
  Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
  (916) 322-3360

http://ag.ca.gov/contact/complaint_form.php?cmplt=CLR

7. Attorney General's Office
  2115 State Capitol
  Lincoln, NE 68509

  Consumer Protection Division: 800) 727-6432

  Online complaint form:

http://www.ago.ne.gov/consumer/emailform/consumer_complaint.htm

Specific consumer complaints to the Attorney Generals against ebay/PayPal should be directed to the California and Nebraska Attorney general's Office Divison of Consumer complaints. Complaints could include PayPal holds on seller funds, ebay billing issues, PayPal confiscation of seller property, etc. PayPal complaints should be directed to both attorney generals' office, and ebay complaints shoul.d be sent to California.

General comments:

-- Emails and phone calls are fine, but SNAIL MAIL has more impact. PLEASE send all complaints with regular USPS mail.

-- When filing and mailing WRITTEN complaints, spring for an extra envelope and stamp and send a copy to the San Jose Better Bureau. Little will come of it, BUT ebay MUST file a written response.

-- Rep. Waxman has the ability to hold public hearings on the conduct of a business or industry. He has the power to subpoena executives past and present, past and present rank and file employees, and records. Consider the possibilities :-)

8. San Jose Better Business Bureau
  1112 S. Bascom Ave.
  San Jose, CA 95128
  Phone: (408) 278-7400

9. Ebay operates in all 50 states. Therefore sending copies of complaints or filing directly with your state's attorney general's office will make a difference if they receive enough complaints. Your can find your attorney general and consumer protection
information by using a search engine using these keywords (Your state) Attorney General Consumer Protection.

Please post this information on every relevant website and blog -- especially TV news, newspaper, financial, and business media blogs and websites. This information should be posted in hundreds of location on a daily basis for maximum and persistent exposure.

Remember that certain corporations hire people to disrupt blogs and that includes spamming them to bury unwelcome messages.

DEATH to ebay corp. in 2009."

I urge and advise for everyone reading this to repost these links also, along with any more you can think of. Use any and all webspaces possible, Myspace, Youtube, twitter, the works. Please join in on the Snail Mail Letter writing effort.

Now my time is limited as this is early in the morning.
But I did happen across this other blog post which highlights some of the issues I speak of in the video I also composed last night in support of Ming and the ebay situation:

eBay’s Frail Recovery Shows How Far It’s Fallen

I want everyone to read the comments area there.
Do you detect the sleazy signature of paid shills, trolls, indeed... stalkers?

This is no joke. This type of misconduct shall stop, everywhere, or I feel that ebay will be having a very very bad day.

However, on the good side, ebay cannot see they are falling victim to their very own misguided PR / propaganda techniques. Each and every time this sort of misconduct and sleazery is observed, it only serves to reinforce the notion that ebay is a horrible, disreputable and warped company, and people shudder to think what sort of miscreant they are associating themselves, enabling, condoning and supporting when they conduct biz upon the ebay site
(commonly known as "sleazebay" )


http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/34032

Hilarious article in Forbes today comparing ebay to a medical patient.

"The recent reorganization at eBay has been likened to surgery: cutting off some extremities to return blood flow to the body. Last quarter, "surgeon in chief" John Donahoe amputated StumbleUpon and laid plans to cut free Skype via an initial public offering."


But let's just stop right there.
I won't even bother posting any links to rebutt all this or mention any of the numerous challenges ahead for ebay, skype, etc, nor the falling traffic, sell-through, the erosion of trust, the rising noi$e level...

This sort of obviously fictional, unsupported by facts reporting is to be expected, especially right before next earnings report on the 22nd of July, since we know that ebay has a spiffy new PR agency, with a ma$$ive contract. The management and investors are looking to pump up the share prices in order to dump it on the rubes. Simple as that. ebay is the laughingstock of the entire internet. Strike that, the world!

You just can't take ebay seriously anymore.
This is the way I see IT.
John Donahoe plays the lead character in this timeless classic.

http://budmalcolm.bravejournal.com/entry/33780