ebay Removal of accurate seller feedback 2025 Hamilton Ave California

I ordered an item from a seller on eBay on 6-Jan. The shipping was advertised as expedited and the cost was $9.95. I didn't receive the item until 15-Jan. Expedited shipping takes a maximum of 3 days. I left a negative review for the seller stating it was due to shipping time.

The seller contacted me and stated it was the post office's error, offered to refund my shipping, but made it contingent upon me changing my review to a positive one. That isn't how ratings work. If the seller didn't agree with the rating, he or she could have replied to the negative review through eBay's system, could have explained it was the post office's fault, and then stated he or she would refund my shipping.

Instead, the seller called eBay, demanded they remove my feedback; they did without consulting me and have left no option to leave new feedback. Then, the seller contacted me again and stated they removed my feedback, complained my feedback was unfair and I knew it, and stated I was going to be paid back through "karma". I told the seller I would be disputing the shipping charge with my credit card company and that the reply was unprofessional. It was advertised as expedited when it wasn't received within 3 days.

I called eBay to complain to their feedback department about gratuitous e-mails from the seller and for removing my feedback. I spoke to Victor. He stated their eBay employee removed it because the item had been delivered. I don't think they bothered to read the contents of my feedback before removing the review.

The review was accurate and eBay should have never removed the feedback. Instead, they should have advised the seller to reply to the feedback (so new buyers could read it) and explain the reason for the delay and the refund of shipping.

I asked Victor to reinstate the feedback option so I could leave new feedback considering the unprofessionalism of the seller. He stated once removed, the buyer can no longer leave new feedback. He stated eBay would address the seller's e-mails with the seller and that is all.

Buyers and sellers on eBay rely on accurate feedback when making purchases. It is part of the seller's advertising as well as eBay's. Buyers and sellers expect reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness from eBay. If eBay is removing accurate feedback at a seller's request, obviously eBay cannot be trusted. I'll further say that I believe it is a form of false advertising.

I've gone as far to report eBay to the California Attorney's General and the BBB.