So, where do I start with this "gem" of a business? Clear sarcasm aside, after an issue with an Ebay order I had the misfortune of dealing with the "customer service department" for "TradeportUSA" which turned out to be one guy named "Pat". A quick call to the business "phone number" redirects you to an automated answering machine.
The business's online presence attempts to paint an image of a professional organization with many staffers, but the truth is it's staffed by (you guessed it) just "Pat".
Now onto my transaction:
I purchased a watch from "Tradeport" on ebay from US to Canada (international shipping) and it started off great. I got a message saying it was shipped. Lo and behold two days later the watch shows as delivered and I dutifully opened a case on Paypal because the tracking info shows that it had been delivered to a domestic PA address. Upon contacting the seller (ahem Pat), I was told that I had opened the case prematurely, and the PA address was simply a dropoff point.
No big deal. I would keep the case open until around the middle of October, since that's why Ebay/Paypal has this arbitration policy in the first place, so if the item does arrive I can close it and everyone can be on their merry way.
Behold my surprise when Pat the "customer service department" writes back saying that since I had opened the case, he was calling the shipper and telling them not to ship unless if I closed the case.
Huh? Now why would that be?
This is not the first time I've been either a buyer or seller on Ebay. As long as a Paypal case is not escalated, the buyer can choose to wait for the item to arrive and then close it.
I got another message from "pat" saying that Ebay holds the funds if I open a dispute. Uh, yes, but Ebay holds the funds anyways until the item shows as successfully delivered to destination. So why would an honest seller have reservations about a buyer wanting to confirm that they actually receive the item instead of making up some bs excuse about Ebay holding the funds?
The Ebay system is designed to prevent buyers from scoring freebies by claiming they didn't receive the item if the seller provides adequate tracking information that shows clear delivery to the intended address.
In this case he starts by providing improper tracking then tries to tell me that he's worried about me scoring a freebie off him and claiming a case anyways...well how convenient.
Major red flags at this point.
I decide to do some research on this seller. Turns out this guy has a history of some very dodgy sales, as well as snide condescending responses on people who offer realistic reviews of his questionable trade practices.
Conclusion? Stay away from this sham of an organization, the online presence is designed to make you think they had a shred of legitimacy but you try to call the number and their 'customer service department' and all you get is an automated messaging service which is no doubt full of messages already from other dissatisfied customers.
I'm sure "Pat" has a snide reply ready too responding to this review. It's his particular version of "customer service".
Oh and "Pat"? A "customer service department' implies you have more than 1 employee, usually.
What a pretentious sham of a 'business'.
Edit 1:
Glassdoor shows this company as having 4 former employees, all let go sometime in 2019. I guess it's really just me, myself and Pat.
Edit 2:
You can't pull a fast one on me, "Pat", like you did on all your other victims. And this review will make sure far less people fall for your cheap tricks. read more