is this how 'buyer protection' works?

[davitch1874]

I just had $440. stolen from me. There doesn't appear to be anyway to get a SANE person involved with this. Is the only recourse to SUE eBay?

If you think the 'seller' is reputable, look them up 'Solid Silver Source' I 'bought' on Oct 17th.

This is eBay's 'resolution' (we are keeping your money, go away):

Case Closed : Appeal Denied
You don't need to do anything else.

eBay Customer Support has declined your appeal and upheld the original decision on the case. Nov 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM

eBay Customer Support comments:
We're sorry you had a problem with your purchase. However, after further review, we confirmed that our original decision was correct.


> You have appealed this case to eBay Customer Support. Nov 16, 2010 at 3:04 PM

Reason:
I have new information about this case
Your message to eBay Customer Support:
"The issue is NOT TAKEN CARE OF. I do NOT have this item. The seller did NOT ship it or respond to communication. I want my money back NOW."


> This case was automatically closed on Nov 16, 2010 because it reached the maximum amount of time a case can remain open. Nov 16, 2010 at 6:51 AM

eBay Customer Support comments:
This case has been automatically closed by our system. We allow a maximum of 20 days for a case to be opened in our Resolution Center. If we don't receive notification from either party within that 20 day time frame, our system will close the case automatically, assuming that the issue is taken care of.

> The seller should have responded to you.
If the seller has responded to you and you were able to work things out, please close the case. Nov 11, 2010 at 6:51 AM

> The seller should have responded to you.
If the seller has responded to you and you were able to work things out, please close the case. Nov 03, 2010 at 5:24 PM

> eBay Customer Support has opened a case for you.
The seller has 7 days to respond. Oct 27, 2010 at 7:49 AM

[prodigy1]

It appears you lost your case because you did not respond, be it the other party. I get the sense based on your response you must have opened a case but never "escalated" it to be reviewed. It's a multistep process. You probably didn't know, but I think that old time expression "ignorance is not an excuse" applies.

This is a real bummer, I'm sorry. Any chance the seller directly is willing to work with you? Did you use your credit card or bank account as the ultimate funding source behind your Paypal payment? If so, you still might be able to get some support from them. They have a longer and different dispute/claim period.

[davitch1874]

The only option offerd in the eBay 'Dispute Resolution' center during their 'escalation' was 'Close the Case'.

If the answer is 'You didn't jump through our arbitrary hoops in the right order so we will assist the seller in defrauding you' then I will NEVER purchase anything from eBay again.

I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars with eBay and Paypal remodeling my home over the last three years. If this is their idea of 'Customer Service' they've moved well into the 'evil' business category.

[prodigy1]

I get the sense there might be more to this case then I'm totally privy too but YES, if you didn't "follow" their process, timeline and "hoops" then it may not have worked out for you. That's terribly unfortunate, I agree. 

I'd suggest you try actually calling and talking to a supervisor and explaining your situation and maybe they can see this for what it is and help.

If that does not work try calling your bank or credit card company. They may be able to help.

Hey, I'm not saying I totally like or agree with eBay/Paypal rules and regs, but if we are using their service, we are agreeing to their rules and are indeed at their mercy.