posted on January 15, 2001 05:35:57 PM new
Quick question for anyone who has had their auctions ended recently by Yahoo for administrative "violations": all my auctions were just closed early by Yahoo for administrative reasons (for unknown violations of terms of use) but the worst part is now I can't log into my Yahoo account (i.e. My Yahoo, Yahoo Mail, my auction account etc) as it says my password is invalid! I have been using the same account name and password for several years now and I obviously haven't suddenly forgotten my password - my primary email address is my Yahoo address and if I can't access it I am hosed BIG TIME. Has anyone else whose auctions have been cancelled by Yahoo also encountered similar problems logging back on to Yahoo? Thanks in advance!
posted on January 15, 2001 05:45:13 PM new
They cancelled 3 of mine last week!! #!!@*!!, but so far (fingers crossed), I can still get into my "stuff" - as I am copying and pasting and moving! Bet I get locked out NOW! Maybe since they cancelled all of your bids, they didn't think you had any reason to get into your account! Go figure - whoever can figure YooHoo! out - they win the prize! Sorry!
posted on January 15, 2001 06:27:21 PM new
As I'm trying to do damage control the story gets much worse. Since Yahoo said my password is invalid I went to the place where I could request a new password to be assigned to me, all I had to do was verify my birthday and ZIP, when I entered it the reply was "YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED". Am I ever hosed - my PayPal, Yahoo PayDirect, and ebay (Powerseller) accounts are all tied to my Yahoo email address - to the best of my knowledge before I can change my email addresses of any of the 3 above accounts they first send a confirmation email to your OLD address which of course I now can't access!! ANY SUGGESTIONS??
posted on January 15, 2001 06:32:11 PM new
I am so sorry for you! Truly! I don't have a clue as to what you should do - other than call YooHoo! themselves - which you'll have to hold and hold and hold and hold forever on the line - and it's long distance at that! Maybe someone will come along here very shortly that can offer some advice! That really, really STINKS!!!!!
posted on January 15, 2001 06:32:54 PM new
Call me paranoid but I never had a Yahoo auction cancelled until after I posted here this week. Maybe they are out to get those who are going public with their discontent?
posted on January 15, 2001 06:51:32 PM new
Were your canceled auctions automatic, free relists by any chance? It would be pretty low for Yahoooooo to cancel them to prevent you from getting a free listing, but worse things have happened
posted on January 15, 2001 07:20:16 PM new
I can say with 100% certainty that my account closure definitely wasn't for anything along the lines of cheating a buyer or seller. My BEST GUESSES are:
1. On my Yahoo auctions I normally offer the buyer the option of buying more of the same item (i.e. buy 2 widgets instead of 1 for double the winning bid). This is against the rules on ebay as they call it "fee avoidance" because they can't collect commissions on sales this way but on Yahoo auctions to the best of my knowledge it isn't fee avoidance since they only charge listing fees and not commissions. This isn't something new that I just started as I have been doing this on most of my Yahoo auctions that I've listed for the past 2+ years.
2. I always mentioned my ebay feedback rating in my Yahoo auctions but I did not include a link to the feedbacks, I've also been doing this on all of my auctions for the past couple years.
That's it, I have no other idea why I got sent to Yahoo Siberia. I'll try to give them a call tomorrow and see if they can give me a straight answer. A final note: 3 years ago ebay Safeharbor closed some of my auctions for a rule violation ("fee avoidance" via offering additional items in my ads - I didn't know it was a violation at the time) BUT they immediately informed me the exact reason WHY they had closed my auctions with a personal email - that way I could easliy mend my errant ways and continue; with Yahoo I got a canned email (about 30 minutes before my whole account became inaccessible) with vague references to Yahoo auctions violations of terms of service so I'm left scratching my head as to what do next. By the way, I was pleasantly surprised that I WAS able to change my ebay email address without the confirmation email having to go to my old closed Yahoo email address, perhaps I will be able to do the same thing with PayPal but I think that my Yahoo PayDirect account may be gone for good since I can't access my Yahoo account at all - thank goodness that I didn't have any money sitting in the PayDirect account as how could I ever get it out if my account has been "deactivated"??
posted on January 15, 2001 07:26:36 PM new
In response to "RB"'s question: 6 of my auctions were free auctions that I posted just before the listing fees were started on Jan 10, but the 7th was one listed after Jan 10 and I had paid $2.80 in fees ($1.50 listing fee plus $1.30 for Featured Auction fees).
posted on January 15, 2001 08:12:08 PM new
haoleboy
Much like eBay, Yahoo now restricts what you can do to maximize their money. Although they currently don't have a vested interest in how much your item sell for, they now are very interested in how many you are offering because they get money for each item offered. I also suspect as to their new TOS that they probably consider any mention of eBay as a TOS violation. Sad to see them go like this. Makes other sellers think twice before paying to list anything for fear that it will be cancelled with no one being held accountable. And enough to make you get away from using any of their services, especially e-mail if they are going to deal with things this way.
posted on January 15, 2001 08:12:55 PM new
Rekey your other auction sites to a new e-mail. Have your lawyer call Yahoo. Unlawfully interfering with interstate commerce can be a crime.
posted on January 16, 2001 08:43:56 AM new
Call Consumer Affairs or Better Business and file a complaint. If you had money in those accounts call an attorney immediately.
posted on January 16, 2001 08:51:20 AM new
"Have your lawyer call Yahoo. Unlawfully interfering with interstate commerce can be a crime."
"Call Consumer Affairs or Better Business and file a complaint. If you had money in those accounts call an attorney immediately."
then have another beer and try to relax
Yahooooo has a lot more lawyer-power than most individuals. It's a waste of time for a normal person to try to persue this legally - you'll run out of dough way before they do
Consumer Affairs et al can't even seem to deal with the real rips that are being reported to them and the on line auction joints on a daily basis (i.e. "I paid but got nothing in return" type of complaint).
posted on January 16, 2001 09:10:41 AM new
I hope this helps. I got this from TAGnotes.
Yahoo Auctions users have reported that Yahoo is ending auctions for a variety of seemingly non-discernible reasons. When Yahoo ends an auction, they do not tell a seller why they are ending the auction or respond to emails from sellers. This has lead to a perception expressed on the OAI/OTI boards, that Yahoo is ending auctions to eliminate the free relists that sellers were promised for any auction
listed prior to 10 Jan.
For those who use Yahoo's bulk uploader, you can still list auctions for 14 days when using this utility, giving you 4 more days for your listing fee that you don't get listing items individually.
If you want to contact Yahoo about the fees or any other issue, you can try - Timothy Koogle, Chairman and CEO Yahoo! Inc. 3420 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051
408.731.3300 voice, 408.731.3301 fax Or send e-mail to
[email protected] [email protected]
PayDirect Contact info
[email protected] 8AM-6PM PT 7 days a week 408-731-3335 3400 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Yahoo site map.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/phtml/auc/us/promo/sitemap.html http://auctions.yahoo.com/
We have still not received any response to our questions about Yahoo stores and Merchant Auctions, and the information about fees related to merchant auctions is very vague. The site does not mention extra fees in relation to merchant auctions, and at one point states " With Yahoo! Merchant auctions, you've now got a solution for doing variable price selling, exposing your products to a new audience - without having to invest in sophisticated new technology or spend extra time or money." So if you don't have to spend extra money, does that make the Merchant Auctions free?
Phone Number 408-616-3801
posted on January 16, 2001 01:45:25 PM new
I phoned Yahoo today in hopes of getting the true scoop straight from the horse's mouth. Surprising enough I wasn't on hold for hours and hours, actually it was only about a 10 minute phone call and I was speaking to a live human being within the first few minutes. When I asked the representative from their Auction department for specifics as to why my account was totally terminated and what specific violation(s) had warranted such a drastic action, she politely told me (over and over again) that she could not give ANY specifics but that I should reread the Terms of Service. In addition, she said that once accounts are terminated they are TOTALLY gone for eternity, i.e. I'll never be able to reaccess my 3+ years of saved emails, invaluable email addresses of past online clients and potential clients that have made inquiries about my products, and a Perfect auction feedback record (ALL Excellents) from over $35,000 worth of auction sales. She also said that concerning my Yahoo PayDirect account (which I also won't be able to access again) if I have any money remaining in the account it will be credited back to my credit card. Some consolation...
posted on January 16, 2001 02:38:54 PM new
calling long distance- can i suggest that you download dialpad.com or any of the other pc to phone, companys out there that way you can sit on hold for hours and it wont cost you a penny for the call unless you have an isp that charges for you being online.good luck!
posted on January 16, 2001 04:03:30 PM new
Did you try maybe having someone in your family registering for the ID maybe it's available again and that way you would get your e-mail account back at least temporarily. Probably a long shot, but might be worth a try.
posted on January 17, 2001 12:18:04 AM new
They should at least have told you where you screwed up. I mean, what if you didn't screw up? what if they just made a mistake? Guessing games are for the birds.
posted on January 17, 2001 04:20:36 AM new
Cancelling a person's account without Explanation and an opportunity to rectify a problem is totally unacceptable. This sort of management tactic on the part of Yahoo should be made known to the general user public as soon as it happens. Anyone being afffected by this outrageous conduct should call their local newspaper and the NATIONAL ENQUIRER.
posted on January 17, 2001 04:57:54 AM new
"Anyone being afffected by this outrageous conduct should call their local newspaper and the NATIONAL ENQUIRER."
Yep, ranks right up there with "Man Gives Birth to 35 Pound Sheep". Unless haoleboy can work some breasts into this story, I doubt the NE would be interested.
posted on January 17, 2001 08:40:26 AM new
Haoleboy
Our Experiences & Haoleboy Should Wave a Big Warning Flag To Others – Reconsider Your PayDirect Account
Haoleboy, you are probably aware, because of the other AW thread that I had this EXACT experience. I came in last Friday and zap everything closed down - couldn't get into my PayDirect Account, and was getting the same thing you are and that was INVALID password.
It was a weekend so I had to wait till this Monday to call them - I first called PayDirect regarding the funds that were locked down in my account, and they said they would transfer them to my credit card, but could do nothing about the Yahoo account itself. I too am a eBay Power Seller, and have never been treated like this.
They transferred my call to the auction division, and basically they told me nothing, except the account was closed, and inferred "frankly my dear we don't give a damn." I asked about reinstating the account, and they flatly told me no. BUT added that I could open a new account under a different name! What sense does this make? I said but what about all my feedback, under my original name, and they told me "tough."
The guy I spoke to with the Yahoo Auction Division, told me that there was no technical way to reopen the account - which is not true, in fact I am still getting positive feedback into the account on orders which are being received by my customers this week.
It makes no sense if Yahoo had a good reason to close the account, then they wouldn't suggest I reopen one in with a "new" ID!
BUT, in the process they conveniently didn't have to run a hundred plus auctions free for 2 reposts AND they immediately eliminated over $700 in free Yahoo Wallet Dollars which I still had left from bringing in my eBay feedback -
"IF" I were truly a serious violator they wouldn't have suggested I just open a new account - but they did - the only thing I can see is a financial desire to eliminate their debt to me of the "free" Yahoo Wallet Dollars which remained in my account.
[b]BUT,[B] I would surely warn anyone to close their PayDirect account, because if Yahoo takes a notion to interfere with your auctions, to close your account, etc., they immediately lock down your PayDirect account also. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM with having such a pay system interlocked with an auction. Those I know well who also sell on Yahoo have now closed their PayDirect accounts because of my experience.
For those needing to call Yahoo their phone numbers are:
posted on January 17, 2001 08:46:22 AM new
mcelhinn001
To answer your question about having a family member go in and try to register with the same ID, we did that. My husband was furious about Yahoo's actions, and went to Yahoo and tried to register under my original ID, and it came up that it was taken.
Fortunately, I never used my Yahoo e-mail address for anything but junk mail, so don't have to face that problem, they can have all my junk mail.
I have saved my feedback, all 55 pages of it to a file, so even though, it may not soon be available for buyers to see on Yahoo, I have it - and I guess that is what upset me the most was losing over 500 plus good feedbacks -
posted on January 17, 2001 08:55:19 AM new
I'd establish a new account, then insist they transfer whatever they owe you to it, or look at consumer fraud allegations.
posted on January 17, 2001 07:09:01 PM newHaoleboy Are any auction #'s that got deleted accessible for you to post here? If so we can likely tell you what the exact problem was. Sorry it's too late to help you but it would help to educate others. I know you posted awhile back about getting your first NW warnings, did they continue coming?
Capefear, InternetEdge care to post yours? Or do you know what the problem was?
The most common violation is more than one ad per exact item. I think it's people who come from eBay where it's OK to list 10 ads per item that don't realize Y's strict rule against multiple listings.
"Spam--You may not spam Yahoo! Auctions, including posting any listings that list identical items for sale in multiple listings, whether in the same or different categories"
posted on January 17, 2001 07:22:36 PM new
My cancelled auctions were 2 Nazi Repro. Daggers - they must have REALLY hated those - because I got multiple cancellations in my e-mail on the same thing! - the other was a Schrade Walton Knife - blade must have been too long - but it was NOT a switchblade - it had one of those locking mechanisms - and I tried - you had to definitely use both hands. All three of these items (or similar) had been on Yahoo! when I first started - which, lets's say was the beginning of November. So now, all of a sudden when they decide to make all the MAJOR changes at once - that's when my stuff got pulled. But that's OK - I actually got a bid on the Schrade Walton before they cancelled it - and I had prior e-mail from the buyer - so I made THAT sale ANYway - HAHa!! on YooHoo! The Nazi Repro. Daggers have both found new homes on "another" auction site!
posted on January 17, 2001 07:31:43 PM newJWPC said " "IF" I were truly a serious violator they wouldn't have suggested I just open a new account - but they did - the only thing I can see is a financial desire to eliminate their debt to me of the "free" Yahoo Wallet Dollars which remained in my account."
Loss of your account (and it's associated benefits, 'feedback rating, eBay credits, email account') has ALWAYS been the penalty for repeated TOS violations. That is not a new change and has nothing to do with the fact they now charge fees.
I believe they ASSUMED you had learned a lesson about what not to list from this experience so you are welcome to open a new account as long as you don't violate TOS again.
In your own words on multiple threads here you elected to ignore your NW warnings as "stupid". Dismissing emails worded "Please be aware that any subsequent violation of these Terms of Service could result in termination of your Yahoo! user ID." You didn't think they meant it?
posted on January 18, 2001 07:19:26 AM new
kasmoon
- Your rational in the above defies logic. Based on your syllogism here, taking a drug dealer’s car would wake them up to the error of their ways and then we would immediately "presume" they have learned their lesson and return them to freedom!!!
Since this obviously makes no sense, then there has to be another reason jwpc‘s account was interrupted and then they were told to just open another account. Obviously , Yahoo was after more than minor infractions. I looked at some of jwpc’s auctions and couldn’t find anything consistently wrong except a link back to their web site, which I too had no idea was a encroachment of the rules and which I still see occurring on Yahoo everyday. With this in mind, I have to presume there was something jwpc had, which Yahoo wanted, and which only by canceling their account would accomplish. All reasonable deduction says that it has to be the free dollars in the wallet.
- the other was a Schrade Walton Knife - blade must have been too long - but it was NOT a switchblade - it had one of those locking mechanisms - and I tried - you had to definitely use both hands. All three of these items (or similar) had been on Yahoo! when I first started - which, lets's say was the beginning of November. So now, all of a sudden when they decide to make all the MAJOR changes at once 
- that's when my stuff got pulled. But that's OK - I actually got a bid on the Schrade Walton before they cancelled it - and I had prior e-mail from the buyer - so I made THAT sale ANYway - HAHa!! on YooHoo! The Nazi Repro. Daggers have both found new homes on "another" auction site! 