eBay not accepting eBay GC for 3rd party GC?
Aug 23, 2016, 7:37 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 506
Although generally most hate the concept of class action lawsuits this is a classic case where you are fundamentally changing the terms of the game without any notice. As it stands you could cash out for 87% fairly easily by selling a fake product, if you really needed the money (10% eBay tax + 2.9% Paypal tax) but this is still very annoying.
I'm not a lawyer, but I also wonder the legality of changing the terms after buying the gift card.
Aug 23, 2016, 11:27 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: New Jersey
Programs: WN, AA, UA, DL, AC, CX, BA, AGR, IHG, HH, CC, UR, MR, TY
Posts: 121
Well this is unfortunate. For the first time I, just on the 26th of July, purchased a $25 Burger King GC split between 3 funding sources: 1) recently received eBay return credits, 2) imminently expiring eBay Bux, and 3) eBay GC credit purchased through my local supermarket for the 5x URs. 
Aug 24, 2016, 4:53 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 132
Well this is unfortunate. For the first time I, just on the 26th of July, purchased a $25 Burger King GC split between 3 funding sources: 1) recently received eBay return credits, 2) imminently expiring eBay Bux, and 3) eBay GC credit purchased through my local supermarket for the 5x URs.
Aug 24, 2016, 6:46 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
On the back of my physical GC it says "Additional terms and restrictions are stated in the Terms and Conditions which can be found at http://giftcard.ebay.com/terms-conditions."
I'm not a lawyer, but I also wonder the legality of changing the terms after buying the gift card.
I'm not a lawyer, but I also wonder the legality of changing the terms after buying the gift card.
Aug 24, 2016, 1:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,263
Aug 24, 2016, 11:29 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ONT
Programs: AGR, UA, AA
Posts: 476
HIGC was specifically stated, on the packaging, to be valid ONLY for home improvement stores. eBay gift cards are advertised as good for anything on eBay. You could argue gift cards don't qualify, but if I want to build my coin collection, I should be able to do so on eBay and use my gift cards.
Aug 25, 2016, 8:41 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: IAD
Programs: All of them to one degree or another
Posts: 447
HIGC was specifically stated, on the packaging, to be valid ONLY for home improvement stores. eBay gift cards are advertised as good for anything on eBay. You could argue gift cards don't qualify, but if I want to build my coin collection, I should be able to do so on eBay and use my gift cards.
Aug 28, 2016, 12:18 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 827
HIGC was specifically stated, on the packaging, to be valid ONLY for home improvement stores. eBay gift cards are advertised as good for anything on eBay. You could argue gift cards don't qualify, but if I want to build my coin collection, I should be able to do so on eBay and use my gift cards.
I'm not sure what the usual argument was, but IIRC people were able to receive refunds on the HIGC more or less by saying that the cards didn't work as expected, or they didn't agree to the terms of use, etc.
Aug 29, 2016, 9:52 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I have about $100 in Ebay GC. I didn't do anything major with these like reselling, but I would periodically buy Chevron gas GC. I really have no other use for them. Other than selling my GC for a loss or buying something on Ebay I don't really need, what are my options?
Aug 29, 2016, 11:10 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: IAD
Programs: All of them to one degree or another
Posts: 447
I have about $100 in Ebay GC. I didn't do anything major with these like reselling, but I would periodically buy Chevron gas GC. I really have no other use for them. Other than selling my GC for a loss or buying something on Ebay I don't really need, what are my options?
Aug 29, 2016, 3:49 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,470
Update from Ebay
I have a fair chunk of ebay GC's, and made a phone call to eBay today. Although I had no expectation of having the issues immediately resolved, the direct contact is a requisite first step in any complaint or lawsuit.
At first I was connected to a low level "Mr.Cluless". He gave me an impression that eBay understands the gravity of the situatioin, and transferred me to the higher level supervisor after a brief delay.
During my convo with the supervisor, I suggested 2 possible resolutions to my GC dilemma:
1. Allow me to use the GC's under the terms effective at the time of purchase.
2. If the above is not technically possible (due to the website programming), then eBay is in breach of the purchase agreement. We have to undo the purchase, i.e. return the GC's in exchange for their face value.
The supervisor tried to be accommodating, but stated that he received no authority to resolve this issue. He is simply documenting customer feedback for the senior management, who are well aware of the scale of the problem. Their decision may take weeks or more likely months to arrive.
There was also a mention of trying to return the gift cards to the retailers that sold them, possibly to gauge my reaction. I was not interested. It's a distraction that would only muddy the water -- retailers have done nothing wrong here.
I am guessing that the delay will be used to calculate what's less expensive for eBay: doing the right thing, or dealing with the fines and lawsuits. In the past, eBay/PayPal usually chose fines and lawsuits. So everyone who was planning to complain to the FTC and file small claims lawsuits should proceed. The fact that eBay is concerned about the problem should be taken as encouragement, as they're not likely to succeed.
At first I was connected to a low level "Mr.Cluless". He gave me an impression that eBay understands the gravity of the situatioin, and transferred me to the higher level supervisor after a brief delay.
During my convo with the supervisor, I suggested 2 possible resolutions to my GC dilemma:
1. Allow me to use the GC's under the terms effective at the time of purchase.
2. If the above is not technically possible (due to the website programming), then eBay is in breach of the purchase agreement. We have to undo the purchase, i.e. return the GC's in exchange for their face value.
The supervisor tried to be accommodating, but stated that he received no authority to resolve this issue. He is simply documenting customer feedback for the senior management, who are well aware of the scale of the problem. Their decision may take weeks or more likely months to arrive.
There was also a mention of trying to return the gift cards to the retailers that sold them, possibly to gauge my reaction. I was not interested. It's a distraction that would only muddy the water -- retailers have done nothing wrong here.
I am guessing that the delay will be used to calculate what's less expensive for eBay: doing the right thing, or dealing with the fines and lawsuits. In the past, eBay/PayPal usually chose fines and lawsuits. So everyone who was planning to complain to the FTC and file small claims lawsuits should proceed. The fact that eBay is concerned about the problem should be taken as encouragement, as they're not likely to succeed.