posted on August 13, 2004 07:18:23 PM
Well, someone on ebay is stalking me.
First, I have auctions closed early because I have a link to my vendio store (but only with ebay items). Please I have been on ebay since 1998, I know what is allowed.
Then, I have a report that I am VERO. I sell ads that have been out of print for 50 years plus. And there are 50,000 more like more out there.
Finally, today I get a notice that someone has reported my name as a violation. Wow...who could need business so badly that my paltry 20-50 ads a week are driving them nutz. I wish there was a way that we could find these people.
While it certainly isn't nice of people to report you to eBay... it does look like you are violating several of their policies. I just checked out your Vendio store... and it looks like it has roughly 9000 listings. Out of those listings.... only 36 of them are listed on eBay. When you direct someone from your eBay listing to your Vendio store... you are giving them access to all 9000 of your listings... not just the eBay ones. eBay frowns on this, and it is a direct violation of their outside-sales policy. You can find information about this policy at:
Since your username kind of refers to your webpage... they may also consider it to be in violation.
The VERO stuff pretty ridiculous... but everything else you should take seriously. If you've been operating this way since 1998... you're lucky this is the first time you've been reported. Good luck straightening everything out!
posted on August 13, 2004 09:42:44 PM
Thanks E
Except: my link is to the same page that the vendio store button links you to 9000 listings or not, that is vendio's prob not mine, right? According to VENDIO I am in compliance.
Second: Technically, my name does not violate any rules...and there are those who are grandfathered in as to web sites...where is my cat? And, I changed it just in case.
So, next?
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
posted on August 14, 2004 05:34:25 AM
if so,you should take it up with Vendio,and see what they can do for you.
Next...!
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
Not if you're the one using their service. If eBay decides that this kind of linking is not compliant with their terms... than they have every right to shut down people using it. Stopwhining is correct... you should see what kind of assistance Vendio can give you... as they have even more interest in keeping this feature than you do.
As for your user ID... you changed your name to your website address on June 11, 03. (way past the date of "grandfathering" in website user ID's) Your current ID could also be considered a violation because you include the websites name and the word "com". Think of it this way why ARE you using the user ID you currently have? It's to attract people to your website, right? Well... that's exactly what eBay does NOT want! Why don't you change back to your original 1998 user ID?
You're skating on very thin ice with your listings... It's not to say you're definately breaking eBay policies... but you're coming close enough to draw some attention to yourself. Not the kind of attention I'd want.
I looked at your auctions. The Vendio link seems to be very prominent. I know it should be to be effective, but that is probably what eBay didn't like. Why don't you change it to one of those eBay other auctions buttons. You can still link it to you store site. It just won't say Vendio. If you don't have one and want it, you can steal the one on my auctions.
On the VERO thing, it should state in the e-mail what the problem was. If it didn't e-mail them and ask. You Have the right to appeal a VERO violation.
On your name, I don't know what to tell you. I've seen them with the www in front. I don't know why anyone cares anyway. I think you are right about the stalking. Probably your competition.
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on August 14, 2004 09:21:43 AM
Would someone tell me what VeRO stands for? I've never known.
I too have been stalked, not by another seller but by a family member. I didn't have the kind of trouble you've had, but it caused family-type trouble that was a real PITA. It also felt eerie to know someone had been checking my auctions and getting all paranoid over them--a really creepy feeling--and I can't even imagine how it would be to be stalked in Real Life.
___________________________________
My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called "opinionated," is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish. And my only hope is that, one day soon, women--who have all earned their right to their opinions--instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men. ~Teresa Heinz Kerry (bless her)
posted on August 14, 2004 09:58:36 AM
VeRO stands for Verified Rights Owner. Here's what eBay has to say about it.
Expeditious removal of listings reported to eBay by over 5,000 intellectual property rights owners
Specific, detailed warnings designed to deter the listing of potentially infringing items before a listing is posted on eBay
Voluntary daily monitoring and removal by eBay of listings offering potentially counterfeit or otherwise infringing items
Voluntary daily monitoring and removal by eBay of listings that violate eBay policies designed to prevent the listing of infringing items on eBay
Ability to save searches and have the results emailed to you through Favorite Searches
Suspension of repeat offenders
Continuing efforts to identify and prevent previously suspended users from reregistering for eBay
Cooperation with rights owners seeking personal information on alleged infringers.
However, because eBay is not an expert in your intellectual property rights, and cannot verify that sellers have the right to sell the millions of items they post on eBay each day, we need your help in identifying listings which do not appear on their face to infringe your rights.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on August 14, 2004 10:36:35 AM
Thanks for all the comments.
Vendio is aware of this problem and has copies of ebay's emails. We are waiting on the response. (BTW, I did not say my name was grandfathered, but that there were people who still have web sites, and as was noted by one on this thread...who cares?)
I will take a look at your auctions GTootie, if you don't mind, thanks!
Just went and took a look. Wow your pages are beautiful! And I love what you have written about Gunther. I am using the same vendio button that you have but mine is higher up, do you think I should lower it?
Thanks again!
Beth
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
[ edited by vintageads4u on Aug 14, 2004 10:40 AM ]
[ edited by vintageads4u on Aug 14, 2004 10:41 AM ]
posted on August 14, 2004 10:39:43 AM
Looks to me like your link to the Vendio Gallery is FINE, as it does comply with feeBay's "2-click" rule!
But, who knows??
They change rules daily -- look at PayPal's SELLERS NON-PROTECTION POLICY...it's basically unrecognizable from just a few short weeks ago!
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4
posted on August 14, 2004 10:50:45 AM
That is the only thing that I can see. Just that is shows up more than it would at the bottom. I don't think it would have anything to do with the amount of items you have in your store. Who knows with eBay?
I did think of something else about the VeRO violation. It should be in the e-mail who turned you in. At least it is when they suspend you for repeated violations. And you can ask VeRO who did it? They will tell you and give you contact info.
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on August 14, 2004 12:59:54 PM
Gtootie: Thank you for the advice.
Eauction, you sell ads on Ebay don't you? Is the ebay store worth it? Seems expensive compared to the Vendio. Also, you tell the auction reader to let you know if they are looking for an ad, can we do that? Thanks again for your advice!
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
Yes... I do sell ads (in addition to other items). I find the ebay store to be very worthwhile. In my opinion, it's cheap to list items in there... and I can do links from my auction listings to keyword searches in my eBay store (for example... if they click on a link that says "steinway ads" it will take them to all my steinway ads on auction and in the store) The keyword searches get me lots of multiple purchases from bidders (had one guy in Spain buy over 50 ads from me at Xmas time!) To the best of my knowledge, it is perfectly fine to have customers contact you if they are looking for something specific. If I have what they are looking for, I then can put it in an eBay store listing and have them buy it through eBay. It also helps give input to me on what my customers may be looking for, so I can keep an eye out for them. Hope that helps!
I have it in my ads also. I sell dog and cat items. I have it in the add if I don't have the breed or color they are looking for to e-mail me. I will try to order it for them. So far, I have not had a problem.
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on August 14, 2004 02:37:33 PM
Thank you both. Very good information here. I had an ebay store when they first started and did not get a lot of action. It would probably be good to do one and maybe just focus on one type of advertising, like cars pre-1920. Both of you have very sharp listings! I can learn alot.
Thanks again for the help and for lending an ear...this site is great for that.
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
posted on August 14, 2004 03:00:34 PM
Vintageads - I think you might be pleasantly surprised to see how eBay stores have changed now that buyers are more familiar with them and items appear in the regular search when less than 10 auction items are found. They are nothing like the stores of a year ago!
Lots of good information can be found on the eBay store seller discussion board on ebay..html and linking tips.
posted on August 16, 2004 06:53:08 AM
Interesting developments. First, ebay apologizes, they were wrong (see email below). Second because of the great advice of Gtootie, eauction and neglus I am giving the ebay stores another try (that will give me 4 online and that should make it interesting). It is nice to know that ebay will admit an error:
Hello,
Thank you for writing eBay. We understand the frustration you felt when
you were notified on a listing violation. Please accept our most sincere
apologies regarding this issue.
After reviewing your account and the listings in question, it was found
that your auction(s) was indeed listed correctly.
At this time I have amended your account to reflect the removal of the
violations, this violation will not be held against your records.
If the auction(s) was removed from the site and is no longer viewable,
any listing associated fees would be credited to your account and we
would also notified the bidders regarding the listing removal. We would
also inform the bidders that they are not be obligated to complete the
transaction.
For more information on our listing guidelines, please visit the
following URL:
We truly appreciate your understanding in this matter and ask that you
can excuse this error in judgement. Please feel free to relist the
items as they were in compliance with the listing policy guidelines.
posted on August 16, 2004 12:53:52 PM
I am pretty sure the email is legit. For one thing it has the incident number which should be confidential, right? And the return address is [email protected]
So, maybe i are a techer is referring to some other conversation he had with Family Biz. Don't know.
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
posted on August 16, 2004 01:54:29 PM
She be one Cryptic Cat
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4