posted on May 16, 2001 11:05:21 PM
I got suspension because I say, “see my other eBay auction” and “any question email me”
I got 30 days suspension; they said “Circumventing eBay fees”
Just because my auction says “see my other eBay auction” and “any question email me”
See eBay safeharbor's explanation:
From: [email protected] | Block Address | Add to Address Book
Reply-to: eBay Safe Harbor <[email protected]>
Hello,
Thank you for getting back to us.
I have pointed out on several occasions the exact text in your auctions
which has been found to violate eBay's listing policies. Yes, you are
allowed to say "See my other auctions". No, you are not allowed to say
"Email me", unless you state, "email me for more auction information".
You may not state, "email me for separate price quotes". The account
will not be reinstated until the 30 day suspension period has come to
an
end. For more information on eBay's listing policies, please see the
following link:
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and thank you for using
eBay.
Regards,
Brody
eBay Community Watch Team
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eBay
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Original message follows:
-------------------------
Hi safeharbor
I believe I talked with wrong people!
What evident do you need ?
Why not dare to discuss word by word?
why always tried to hide keywords that reflect ebay auction features in
the
description!
As you said in the auction description, I could not say " see my other
eBay
auctions" or "question to email me" , that is to circumvention of eBay
fees
and caused me suspension! even I cannot login "my eBay" to make payment
!
that is really save my money! That is you did "circumvention of eBay
fees"
posted on May 16, 2001 11:14:42 PM
I just saw one of your old auctions..
It looks harmless.....suspending an active ebee
is not a very good way to generate listing fees....
[ edited by jumpinjacko on May 16, 2001 11:15 PM ]
posted on May 16, 2001 11:24:20 PM
Here is my auction’s description
http://supergsm.tripod.com/Nokia_unlocking_service.htm
They said there is Circumventing eBay fees structure
I paid eBay every month over $50 for listing item, but they said that Circumventing eBay fees structure
posted on May 16, 2001 11:43:57 PM
Ebay now is very sick!
Not allow putting an email link in auction description (Circumventing eBay fees), not allow your email address in your auction description! (If my ID is email address, it will be “Circumventing eBay fees”)
posted on May 17, 2001 05:23:28 AM
Or, maybe the problem is this line that the SF rep quotes directly:
You may not state, "email me for separate price quotes".
From what has been presented here, it doesn't seem that we are in danger of being suspended for plain old email links, just those that have the appearance of allowing for off-auction deals.
I have a showcase with another auction hosting company and Ebay has already told me that will be permitted as long as it only shows items I have on Ebay in the first click from the View Item page. I am printing off and saving that email from Ebay in case I have to use it in the future.
You are correct. I was thinking about the recent thread on the AW mailing list as being a no no. I should have checked the relevant thread before I added that line. My mistake.
posted on May 17, 2001 06:23:36 AM
Supergsm, why did you change the listing you've chosen to show us and which listing is it you've been suspended for? The old one or the revised one?
I've just had a look at one of your past auctions and a few times you offer bidders a method of bypassing Ebay and dealing directly with you.
"Unlock your Nokia GSM phone only start from $30.00, contact me to get service now!"
-
"If you cannot meet these requirements, and really need my service, contact me first!"
-
"Contact me now ! I may end the auction early to provide immediately service for you!"
-
(*any other GSM phone unlocking service (quote separately)
Whether Safeharbors interpretation of your description is right or wrong you most definately invite bidders to deal direct and bypass Ebay.
posted on May 17, 2001 07:21:20 AM
In 6 years with eBay I have never put a link to my other eBay auctions, but just recently I have. BUT, I question whether I will continue because we deal in such a wide range of items that I don't personally care for my buyers of high end items to see the tacky, small items we may also be auctioning. I think I'll be removing the "see our other auctions," link.
Regarding using your e-mail address as your ID, I have done that since I began with eBay and don't intend to change it unless forced. Customers recognize you, if you have been around for a while, by your ID, and I don't want to change my ID.
posted on May 17, 2001 08:58:52 AM
eventer -- thanks for the clarification on this dude's attempt to bypass ebay. I guess a "normal" email link is okay.
Well, the latest pronouncement from the ebay mount is that email links like "email me for more information on this item" is acceptable.
Email links like his, "email me so I can end the auction early" are pretty much a no no.
Keep in mind, the current ebay policy is only good until the next pink contradicts it.
I can also see where ebay got their "keyword" spamming argument. Most of the auctions are for a particular phone (Nokia, for example) but the ad goes on to have information on Ericcson, Motorola & many other brands.
I don't ebay has a lot of time on it's hands. Most likely a competitor turned them in & they got caught on a number of items.
Is it fair to assume that we can keep our Auctiva showcase button in our listings? It takes users in one click exclusively to our active eBay listings. Judging from the comment in your note, this should be permissible. Can you post the eBay letter you received for our reference?
After all the fuss, it appears that we will just have to move our website link from our eBay auction listing pages exclusively to our "My eBay" page. The net result will not add up to a hill of beans. In other words, this link policy update will have little effect on us users.
Our Community Guidelines require that everyone be treated with courtesy and respect and your post violates these guidelines. Please do not post in like manner again. To do so may put your posting privileges in jeopardy.
posted on May 17, 2001 10:50:24 AM
punkinhed
The last auction (ebay item # 1235109871) that I listed on eBay is exactly as my link in this thread #5 on that I post my web site.
Why my auction reserve price is $30, I cannot say, "Unlock your Nokia GSM phone only start from $30.00,"
I defined bidder's requirement "If you have negative feedback- non-payment history, or net feedback less than 3+, or bid retractions over 5 times in your record, please don't bother to bid on my items, as your bid will be canceled at my discretion! If you cannot meet these requirements, and really need my service, contact me first!"
I don't think in here anything wrong! Even ebay have "Bidder Management " feature now! Any seller can setup "Pre-approved Bidder List", if bidder is not on Pre-approved Bidder List. EBay System will prompt bidder to contact seller!
eBay allow seller to end auction early ! so I don’t think "Contact me now ! I may end the auction early to provide immediately service for you!" is anything wrong here!
[ edited by supergsm on May 17, 2001 10:54 AM ]
posted on May 17, 2001 11:14:10 AM
You can dress it up and call it Shinola all you want, bottom line is you tried and got pinched for it.
Chalk it up to 'education' and try again.
(in 30 days)
posted on May 17, 2001 11:40:38 AMso I don’t think "Contact me now ! I may end the auction early to provide immediately service for you!" is anything wrong here!
If you can't see that this wording can be construed as trying to circumvent ebay fees, then I seriously doubt there is anything any of us could say to change your mind.
posted on May 17, 2001 06:18:28 PM
I've just had a look at one of your past auctions and a few times you offer bidders a method of bypassing Ebay and dealing directly with you. >>
In other words this sellers complaining, supergsm, about a 30 day out of here is the reason that we all have to live by the new ebay rules. He or she has made a good example why Ebay has cracked down and it hurt honest sellers that abided by the rules. Then this person wants us to say that is so wrong get a life, get a grip. You are the reason and other sellers like you for the new stricter rules. Congrands to Ebay!!
, then I seriously doubt there is anything any of us could say to change your mind>>
Are would want to waste our good breath trying. Not worth it
posted on May 17, 2001 07:44:28 PMjwpc, instead of providing a link to all your auctions, you can provide links to categories of items. Let's say I sell hardware items and toys, and I want to direct bidders to my other hardware auctions.
In the hardware auctions, I add the keywords [my user ID] and hardware. The I go to eBay's search engine and do a search for auctions containing the words [my user ID] and hardware. Then I copy the address of the Search Results page and use that as the target of the link.
In this way, I can add a link that says,
"Click here to see my other hardware auctions" without my customers seeing the toy auctions. This is a good way to create categories of items.
supergsm, you received several warnings. You knew what you were doing, you were warned repeatedly, then you got nailed. Why come here for sympathy?
posted on May 17, 2001 08:17:24 PM
twinsoft
Right, I got warning, but I immediately deleted all words that you don't like to see, and then relisted! Did you see my last listing items?
You don't like to see ""Contact me now! I may end the auction early to provide immediately service for you!" Ok , I had deleted, you don't like to see "Unlock your Nokia GSM phone only start from $30.00,(that is reserve price)" OK! I had deleted it!
And then eBay safeharbor says ""your current auctions may have been in compliance with eBay's policies ", but then I got nailed!
[ edited by supergsm on May 17, 2001 08:54 PM ]
