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Summary: fozza_33 raised a concern about eBay lacking a service to pre-verify listings for potential counterfeit violations, as other platforms do. mr_lincoln pointed out logistical challenges due to eBay's vast volume of listings and suggested that some reports might stem from other sellers. They also noted that Facebook Marketplace does not authenticate items, only vetting accounts. Both participants discussed possible improvements like enhanced seller vetting to improve seller quality, although they recognized challenges in implementing such features.
Just a question. Ebay being a multimillion dollar a year company, why don't you offer a service where you can verify if a possible listing will violate counterfeit policies. There have been several instances where I had no idea that my item would violate policy, I truly thought what I was posting, that it was authentic and Ebay violated me and had no explanation as to why. Why don't they create a way to verify a listing if questionable before posting, much like Facebook marketplace has in place currently it goes through a check system before goes live to verify if ok to post instead of just violating a seller automatically then banning for too many violations. Especially when there is a new seller and they are just learning the ropes of the whole process and just would be nice if Ebay offered something to help sellers as well as keeping community safe.
mr_lincoln
Mentor3 weeks ago · EditedHi @fozza_33
First let's start with the basic numbers ... FBM has about 4 BILLION items for sale globally compared to eBay's 2.5 BILLION (at the end of 2025). FBM may have programmed that feature in from the start or early enough to refine the process whereas eBay did not. Yes, it would be a good feature but I think the shear volume of listings being done on a daily basis would slow things down to a crawl. At least that is my opinion.
fozza_33
OP3 weeks agoI understand that but they already have a system that is looking at thousands upon thousands of postings every hour and using AI to flag these for counterfeit why can't they use the same program to prescreen if you need to so you don't get penalized. At least then as a seller you can look into the item at question more closely to asses policy violations. I have had a few items for counterfeit violations and was never told why or any evidence to the contrary. I'm just not sure of the answer other then just not posting items. I have bought items thinking they were truly authentic and then found out through violations that they weren't.
mr_lincoln
Mentor3 weeks ago · Edited@fozza_33
Sometimes it is other Sellers who report listings for being fake, it is not always eBay. It may also be more common in some categories than others. Perhaps that feature in specific categories would be good but I am sure even with that in place listings will be misinterpreted ... I had an item once that was removed for a policy violation and it clearly did NOT violate the policy ... I sold it elsewhere and moved on.
You said, " ... I have bought items thinking they were truly authentic and then found out through violations that they weren't."
In that case eBay's system worked and removed the fake item., sorry it was yours.
The day may come when eBay tests a system like you are suggesting and if they get good results on a small scale them could consider rolling it out to either specific categories of the entire site ...
Anyway, on a side note I googled the question on whether or not FBM actually authenticates items for sale, this is what I found, they do try to authenticate ACCOUNTS and vet Sellers and Buyers but not items:
Does Facebook Marketplace Authenticate Items for Sale?
No — Facebook Marketplace does not authenticate or verify the authenticity of items before they are listed or sold. Listings are created by sellers, and Facebook’s system does not inspect, test, or certify the products themselves
fozza_33
OP3 weeks agoOk, I will agree to disagree. I have posted items on there that were not listed due to possible counterfeit violations, but if you say they don't then it is what it is. thank you for your responses. Im still hoping that something is done in future at some level instead of the giant learning curve that is ebay so we don't continue to get put in ebay jail for periods of time due to a violation that we were unaware of.
mr_lincoln
Mentor3 weeks ago@fozza_33 I agree the feature would be nice but I just can't see eBay adding it because to me it would require something like a zoom meeting so the Seller can show the eBay rep what it is that they have. I think a listing check is subjective because it relies on the honest or dishonesty to the seller and what they provide for pictures and description ... and we already know scams happen with just that info posted.
I would like to see a more stringent Seller vetting process to improve the quality of Sellers ... or should I say cut down on bad Sellers before they ever start to sell. THAT would be done via a zoom meeting where the Seller has to show what it is that they plan to sell. I think that would act as a deterrent to scammers and thus improve the quality of Sellers and at the same time infuse more confidence in what the Sellers are offering.