Negative eBay Feedback? Sue.

An eBay seller has threatened to sue a buyer for libel after negative eBay feedback was left following a purchase.

As anyone who’s used eBay’s feedback system knows, it’s not perfect, but neither is it rocket science. If you’re happy with the item and service, you can say so, and if you’re not, you can let the world know. But now a UK seller is threatening to take a buyer to court for libel after receiving negative feedback, claiming it’s hurting his business.

Chris Read bought a Samsung mobile phone from Joel Jones, who trades on eBay as “Onsalexuk.” However, he was far from happy with the item, and in his feedback claimed it was “scratched, chipped, and not the model advertised.”

He returned the phone and received a full refund. Normally, that would be the end of the story, with everyone walking away from the affair. But Jones contacted Read, asking him to retract the feedback. Read refused, saying it was both honest and fair, and not written maliciously.

After that, Read received a letter asking him to a sign a statement that his feedback had been incorrect or else face a possible court action for libel, which could result in paying court costs as well as lawyers’ fees.

Jones defended his action by saying:

"If you don’t like the goods then you get a full refund. Surely that is great customer service and deserves positive feedback. I’m losing money by the day and my business could go under because of it. I’ve been left with no option but to take legal action and I’m sure I’ll be successful."

It does highlight the change in eBay feedback policy, under which buyers can criticize sellers, but not the other way round, although the company urges those with disputes to use the company’s mediation to settle their problems.

In this case, that’s not going to happen, according to Vnunet. Read has refused to sign, and appears willing to go to court.