posted on August 19, 2001 10:41:38 AM new
I am finding out the hard way that all is not fair in war and love, when dealing with eBay policy and how it is applied. I guess I should have know, since my last effort at trying to get eBay to do something failed, They are only a Venue ya know!
To make a long story short it appears that as usual eBay policy is selectively applied. After noting that most of my competitors were still linking back to their web sites I decided that it must still be OK so I continued to link on my listings. While the listings were not ended I did get a warning letter from eBay. A couple of weeks later I did some research and noted that 50,000 plus listing had the terms "visit web" in the descriptions. Further looking revealed that all I checked actually had links to their web page in the description. ( I randomly checked
only a small number of auctions 30 or so)
Thinking (maybe really hoping is a better word) that eBay was not actually enforcing the policy I listed more auctions. This time all of my listings were ended hours before the closing and I received a suspension warning letter.
I have not listed any auctions since. I discovered that ebay does not check for links
on the listing, but relies on other sellers and buyers to turn the seller in. Since serveral of my competiors had hundreds of items listed with things like "save 20% by checking our web site" I decided to see if ebays system really does work so I reported the violations to ebay. I have now done this three times and each time ebay replies back and states that the seller has been warned.
These sellers have hundreds of auctions listed and have yet to have one ended. I might also note the feedback is over 10,000
while I am small potatoes at almost 500.
Would seem to me that this policy is only applied to some sellers and not others.
It would also seem to me that applying this policy, by relying on violations reports from other memebers is like the police department relying on other drivers to turn speeders in. Obviously I am not an attorney, but this seems like grounds for a great class action law suit.
I would be interested in hearing from others who have/are experiencing similiar problems with this policy.
posted on August 19, 2001 11:01:35 AM new
The Mighty eBay's staff of "Support" (Ha)
people ARE very selective in whos auctions get ended...You are correct... small sellers get punished for rules infractions but big(PowerSellers) sellers very seldom get auctions shut down as it would cost the Mighty eBay $$$...Lots of $$$...
I have been carefully watching the "Double Standard" for quite awhile now and it IS happening and it is NOT by coincidence either...
But, what to do...what to do..??
posted on August 19, 2001 11:17:23 AM new
Perhaps after these big sellers get another warning (as a result of an additional user turning them in) they will also be suspended?
How does one go about reporting this particular violation anyway? I am aware of the "Rules & Safety" link:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/select-RS.html
However, I don't see where that particular violation is listed for reporting.
posted on August 19, 2001 11:18:55 AM new
I am continuing my turn in policy and recording dates, response from eBay, and see what happens. If this is as widespread as I think it is a lawsuit may be in order??
posted on August 19, 2001 11:22:03 AM new
Just finding where to make the report is a little tricky, I am leaving for work, but will post place as I have it bookmarked at work and it easier than explaining how to find it. Thanks
posted on August 19, 2001 10:01:51 PM new
ebay can and has shut down powerseller auctions when there have been infractions.
About a month ago, one of the biggest sellers on ebay was told their auctions (and they run HUNDREDS of them daily) would be shut down the next day if they didn't remove a non-approved 3rd party link (the 3rd party was saying it was approved but ebay said it wasn't).
They changed the link and all was well, but it can happen to anyone.
posted on August 19, 2001 10:52:20 PM new
Eventer is absolutely correct.... eBay just suspended a very large power seller
that I know with only one prior warning.
posted on August 20, 2001 08:11:47 AM new
Look..!!!
The broad statement I made was in no way saying that ALL PowerSellers get away with rule infractions...Of course some get shut down but...???
You's study the problem as I have and see for yourselves...
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
..."If you keep doing what you've been doing...
...you'll just keep getting what you've been getting"...
posted on August 20, 2001 05:06:40 PM new
I am glad to hear it, and I will continue, but seems to me that ebay should figure a way to enforce it without using members to do their job. If they make the rule they should enforce it. I just searched for "visit site" and more than ever came up.
A total of 53,441.
I did a random check and all I checked had links to their web site.
posted on August 20, 2001 06:53:53 PM new
And, Eventer, the #2 Feedback guy on eBay, v------, continues to use that very same size 3rd party link I was told I was unable to use or else. Go figure...
posted on August 21, 2001 07:42:04 AM new
I keep thinking about setting up a Paypal or Amazon shop. So, I guess a link to this would get a warning? I'd like a shop, but want one that can be actively searched (unlike Ebay)
posted on August 21, 2001 03:48:21 PM new
I got one of my competitors closed down. They were selling very big ticket items, but chose to ignore the warning from eBay.
posted on August 22, 2001 01:02:45 PM new
I've been thinking that one way around the no website linking policy is to get your own domain. Since eBay allows you to include your email address in the listing you could prominently display your email address in such a way to make it obvious that you had your own website without violating policy.
Let's say your domain was "mydomain", you could display a graphic (to avoid spam from direct links) that said "for questions email me at [email protected]". If your domain related to what you sold or your eBay user Id I think most visitors would get the idea...
None of them has a brain in order to actually respond to your questions. There is a book of canned responses in which they use.
I have had a similiar experience where I was suspended for selling an infriging item. I reported other users to ebay for selling the exact same item which I sold to them.
Ebay wrote back and said we have researched the auction and found the item being auctioned did not violate listig policies.
While i went into great deal describing the auction, this other seller described the item as....great video. A must for any serious (rock group) collector.
posted on August 23, 2001 02:52:05 PM new
Greetings ccc121:
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I have had exactly the same thing happen to me in the past. I have also done what was suggested...reported the other guy because I had a real feeling that it was one of my competitors that reported me.
Then I had an auction for over $200 dollars ended just a few hours before it was suppose to close. The high bidder happend to be one of my very good repeat customers. A couple of hours after my auction was ended he received a letter stating that ebay seller xyz happened to notice that he was high bidder on an auction that was ended early by ebay and could have their item at his last bid price.
So, it is true that some of your competition is most likely closing your auctions.
After much frustration and heartache I started listing ALL my auctions PRIVATE. Ebay's new mail system is ok but I still list private because a lot of these folks have huge catalogs of ebay handles and email address that they scanned before this new system went into effect.
Since I have listed all my auctions PRIVATE I haven't had a single auction closed by ebay for any reason...although I do very, very carefully follow their rules.
Some will argue that people don't like to bid on PRIVATE auctions but it sure does insure bidder privacy and my sales are better than ever.
Good luck in the future. Follow the rules, list private, and enjoy the fast approaching fall.
posted on August 23, 2001 03:17:06 PM new
Greetings fishbowl:
When I had the same sort of thing happen to me I reported a vast, huge amount of people in my category doing the same thing that I had auctions ended for.
My observations were that the little guys got their auctions ended promptly due to my reports. No questions, end of story.
One particular seller in my category was a power seller... When I reported those auctions in I'd get the same response you did: "We have looked at the auction and determined that there is nothing wrong". Occasionally they'd send a note telling me they had sent a procedural warning due to the seller being guilty of said offense a number of times in the past.
NOT ONE OF THOSE AUCTIONS WAS EVER ENDED EARLY.
Interesting, huh?
On these boards people spend a lot of time bashing ebay for their support staff's actions and I do agree there seem to be a lot of "green" customer support reps who could use a lot more seasoning before dealing with people. Especially people that they can't talk to directly.
There is a lot open to individual interpretation in the rules and not everyone inturprets things the same.
However, we should spend some time reflecting on ourselves and our fellow sellers. Your auctions were targeted by another seller.
Just keep your cool, follow the rules, report those who don't IF you have the time (it is very unproductive in the long run) and don't take any of this too seriously.
And yes, this is a full time job for me. My health was put in jeopardy because my blood pressure shot off the chart before and I have vowed never, ever to let that happen again.
posted on August 23, 2001 03:20:20 PM new
Greetings bemused & everyone!
Sorry to be taking up so much space but this little topic is a real hot point with me.
bemused suggested getting your own domain...
We have our own domain and were told by ebay support that we were not allowed to use it in any form on our website. They also told us that we had to remove it from our about me page.
posted on August 23, 2001 03:41:44 PM new
I put 'visit website' in the description search, came up with over 62,000 listings, and of the first 20 I looked at, only ONE was linking to a manufacturer's website with product information (which, technically, eBay now ALSO forbids in listings). All the rest linked to seller websites/online non-eBay stores.
Sellers of sea shells, weight loss herbs, expensive computer software, computers, collectibles, antique malls, teddy bears, designer bags, jewelry, phone cards, craft supplies, music tapes, sunglasses, YOU NAME IT!---they ALL had website links in their listings.
So unless/until someone turns you in to eBay, or someone at eBay somehow discovers forbidden links in your listings, it appears you can keep putting those links in your auctions regardless the 'rules'.
posted on August 23, 2001 04:31:05 PM new
I just looked at overstock.com's listings to see if they had changed their listings to conform to eBay's rules, and GUESS WHAT???
They are still breaking the rules!!!
Gone are their former three listing links to their website (they're now just on the 'me' page), but they still have a large website logo (much larger than 88 x 33 pixels allowed) in their listings. As far as I'm concerned, if the 'big boys' can do it, so can I.
They're also running a 'choice' auction, with three different pillows pictured from which you choose one to purchase. How many small sellers have had auctions ended for offering a 'choice' of sizes, or colors of an item??????????????
posted on August 23, 2001 04:55:10 PM new
Report them to Ebay. The number is 42010011
eBay will reply that they have been warned. If the vendor does it again, reply to the eBay email with details of the new offence. I guess you have to give time for the listings to be changed before reporting.
