Monday, November 18, 2024

Trying to buy a winter white hat and scarf -My complaint about apparent switch selling on Ebay



I have been buying on ebay for years, and love it. I used to bid a lot for second hand one off items. Now I tend to buy the buy it now items from businesses which have a range of products for instant delivery.

I wanted to buy a warm white hat and scarf combined. But when I chose the cheapest supplier I wasted lots of time looking. 

The sellers show a hat with an attached scarf in six colours at a price of under four pounds. Click on five out of six colours and the price doubles to over eight pounds. 

Only in another colour black, and style of a more basic beanie hat is a hat available at the price advertised. 

This wastes my time. Instead of buying this, or anything else,  I leave the ebay site for a day or a week. 

The original site does not even list the higher price. eg 4-27-8.99, but only the lowest price not matching the item shown (in pink). 

I did buy in the end. But I am not satisfied with the system. I believe the technical term is switch selling.

This occurs in lots of places. Eg Curtains, when you see what looks like a cheap curtain. But when you click on the link, and choose the curtain,  but the curtain shown is several pounds. Clicking through all the alternatives you find  a sample square of fabric is sold for one pound or free,

How to complain on ebay?

I cannot find on their website FAQ - information about how to complain about misleading advertising. 

I cannot find anywhere else to complain so I am complaining here. 

About misleading items on searches and ads. 

I think the picture should show the lowest price item, or the advertised price item. 

Do you agree? What can I do?

Meanwhile, I wait for my hat and scarf to arrive.

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