posted on March 15, 2001 05:34:50 AM
I've posted the following message over on BidVille's message boards, and since it is eBay-related, I felt I should post it here as well.
I do use the feedback tool on my auctions and, until a few days ago, did have my eBay feedback included. However, while searching for something totally unrelated, I came across something in eBay`s User Agreement that disturbed me. For those of you who do not maintain a significant presence on eBay, you need not be concerned. But if you do, like myself, you might want to consider removing eBay from the logo. (I didn`t find anything in Yahoo`s User Agreement to prohibit the posting of feedback anywhere else.) What follows is my email to eBay and their response. BTW, when I emailed BidVille customer service, their response was this:
[b]We are aware that displaying feedback is against eBay`s policy. The
Feedback site has been in existence for almost 2 years. As far as we know,
nobody has ever run into a problem with eBay. One exception is displaying
your FeedBack Site profile on an eBay auction. There has been a few people
that had their eBay auctions closed because of this.[/b]
I`m a little concerned that BidVille isn`t more concerned about the status of its membership than that. Do what you like, but I`m not willing to risk suspension at one of the sites that carries the bulk of my successfully closed auctions vs. displaying my eBay feedback at a site where my stuff goes unsold for weeks on end.
Just thought you had the right to know both eBay`s and BidVille`s position on this subject. The email from eBay follows:
Hello Brenda,
[b]Thank you for your patience in this matter. I received an answer back
for the other department.[/b]
[b]This is not allowed, the User Agreement does state that your eBay
feedback can not be used for any purpose other then for eBay.[/b]
[b]We are committed to making your ebay experiences pleasant and
fulfilling.[/b]
Have a great day!
Regards,
Marie eBay Customer Support
______________________________
eBay Your Personal Trading Community (tm)
*******************************************
For our latest announcements, please check:
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/announce.shtml
[b]In order to better serve you, we`d like to occasionally
request feedback on our service. If you would rather
not participate, please click on the link below and send
us an email with the word "REMOVE" in the subject line.
If that does not work, please send an email to the
email address below. Your request will be processed
within 5 days.[/b]
Original Message Follows:
-------------------------
Hello,
[b]My question is in regards to the following paragraph of the User
Agreement:[/b]
[b]"8.1 Export. You acknowledge that your feedback consists of comments
left by
other users and a composite feedback number compiled by eBay, and that
the
composite number without the comments does not convey your full user
profile. Because feedback ratings are not designed for any purpose other
than for facilitating trading between eBay users, you agree that you
shall
not market or export your eBay feedback rating in any venue other than
eBay."[/b]
[b]I`m sure you`re aware of the new auction site, www.bidville.com The
great
majority of people who are trying out the site are using a feedback tool
found at this site, http://www.feedbacksite.com/ Now, when I questioned
the
people responsible for allowing the sellers to import their feedback
from
other auction sites (not just eBay`s), they claim that they are aware of
your policy against exporting feedback, but that you do not take action
unless the tool is used directly on eBay. I am not willing to just take
their word for this, so I`m asking it of you here.[/b]
[b]Nothing much is happening over at BidVille anyway, but I have no wish
regardless to jeopordize my standing with eBay by violating your
policies.
The link not only quotes the feedback number, but includes a link to
view
the comments and the actual auctions a seller has at the site. So, the
link
does provide a "full user profile," and it could even direct prospective
buyers from BidVille over to eBay. But is it still not permissible to
have
the link at BidVille?[/b]
[b]I have removed the link to my eBay feedback pending your decision. I am
anxiously awaiting your response.[/b]
Thank you,
Brenda J. Grolle
The bottom line is if you're not doing nearly as well at BidVille as you do on eBay, you might want to think twice about displaying your eBay feedback over there. If you are doing well and don't really need to sell on eBay, then you naturally would not be concerned.
posted on March 15, 2001 05:36:53 AM
I'm sorry, I don't know why my coding isn't working. Must be some spaces or something in there I'm not aware of. I'll leave the codes in there so you can easily pick out the email portions from my post.
posted on March 15, 2001 05:55:01 AM
Thanks Brenda, I am going to remove mine. I thought because a link was provided and does take one over to ebay this would be an acceptable practice. I really appreciate this info.
Latte
posted on March 15, 2001 06:39:00 AM
Hi Brenda, me again, could you please tell me how to remove the feedback Link. Spent way too much time trying to do it. I am sure it is a simple process and I am am just overlooking it. Thanks Again,
Latte
posted on March 15, 2001 06:49:10 AM
Ebay stands to lose a lot more by letting sellers advertise their ebay feedback at other auction sites to facilitate sales there. Granted, perhaps one or two new buyers would follow a link and become ebay buyers, but they absolutely want to avoid making it easy for sellers to move their items off ebay.
posted on March 15, 2001 07:26:09 AM
Ebay owns your feedback. And consequently they have the right to do with it whatever they please.
I am one of the few users who got thier ebay feedback imported to Yahoo a few years ago. When yahoo was first starting they added this feature, then deleted it a few days later after Ebay complained. It's still in my yahoo feedback profile without problems because they just say "+200 feedback poitns transfered from another auction site" they don't say ebay.
p.s. You can't have and carrige returnes between the [b]
and [/b] for it to work here (unlike html)
posted on March 15, 2001 09:03:55 AM
Anyone wanting to remove their eBay feedback can do so by clicking on the "Edit" link, it's the 3rd one down after you sign in on the Feedback Site. Then click on the "Edit/Remove" link for eBay and go from there.
It's pretty simple.
I guess BidVille isn't too happy with me bringing this to your attention. I got the following email today subsequent to my postings about this:
[b]First let us state that the FeedBack Site is not part of BidVille although
it is owned by the same company. It is a separate site that has been online
almost two years. BidVille has been online 3 months. FeedBack Site
profiles have been used on many different auction sites for years.[/b]
From the previous email:
[b]"We are aware that displaying feedback is against eBay's policy.....As far
as we know, nobody has ever run into a problem with eBay.....unless used on
eBay."[/b]
[/b]The above statement does not say that "eBay does not take action unless the
tool is used directly on eBay." As most eBay users know, eBay makes and
enforces rules at their discretion. What was said is that we have never
heard of action being taken against an eBay member for using the FBS on
sites other than on eBay. This does not mean it can't happen in the future.[/b]
[b]It is similar to eBay's policy on auctions containing links to other
websites. They don't allow it. However, some users get "punished" and some
don't. I'm not sure if it is only the users that get caught or if eBay
decides who they allow and who they don't. Again, websites essentially have
the right to terminate your account for any reason they see fit. e.g. eBay,
Yahoo, PayPal[/b]
While what they say is very true, I find it odd that they would so heavily promote the Feedback Site on BidVille, encouraging people to import their feedback when they readily admit they know it is against eBay's policy, something that could easily get a person suspended! They could easily disclose this, but choose not to. Since they own both companies, they know full well what they're doing.
posted on March 15, 2001 02:42:51 PM
eBay doesn't own me, I own eBay by paying their fees.
I agree 100%, and I will continue to advertise my website, and other auctions in my item description. As long as I pay for listings, I am going to put in what I like period.
